Staying Safe in Egypt

The answer

For visitors, in every area this site covers, yes. Egypt welcomes around 15 million visitors a year and violent crime against them is very rare. Tourism is about a tenth of the economy, and the state guards it closely.

Things can still go wrong, though. This is the realistic picture.

Safe to visit

Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, the Red Sea coast (Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Safaga), South Sinai (Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba, Saint Catherine), the Nile Valley and the oases of the Western Desert.

All are well policed and visited every day.

Stay away from

North Sinai — around Al-Arish and Rafah. Every government advises against any travel there. It is far from the South Sinai resorts, and no reputable operator goes.

The Libyan and Sudanese borders, apart from Siwa and Abu Simbel.

Off-route travel in the Western Desert, which needs permits — we arrange those.

The risks that actually matter

1. The roads. The biggest danger in Egypt by far. Cross with local people, wear a seatbelt, and let a driver do the driving.
2. Heat and dehydration. Always underestimated. Drink more than feels necessary and start early.
3. An upset stomach. Bottled water, hot food, and busy places where food moves fast.
4. Pickpockets and scams. Mostly in crowded markets — our scams guide covers the rest.
5. Sea and desert. Do what the crew and the guide tell you; currents at some Red Sea sites are strong.

Women on their own

Street harassment — remarks, staring, sometimes being followed — is common, and it is the complaint women report most. It very rarely becomes physical.

It helps to dress modestly, wear sunglasses, walk as if you know where you are going, ignore comments completely, and take Uber or Careem rather than a street taxi at night.

Plenty of women travel alone in Egypt and love it. A private guide removes most of the friction, and it is one reason we suggest private rather than group tours for women travelling solo.

Checkpoints

Expect checkpoints, especially on desert roads and in Sinai. Carry your passport, or a clear photo of it. The tourist police are usually helpful, and our drivers treat checkpoints as routine.

Emergency numbers

• Police: 122
• Ambulance: 123
• Tourist police: 126
• Our 24-hour line: __PHONE__ — ring this first if you are travelling with us.

How we work

We are licensed and insured through the Ministry of Tourism (licence __LICENCE_NUMBER__). Every vehicle is inspected and insured, every guide is licensed, and our operations desk in Cairo is staffed by a person 24 hours a day — not an answering machine.