Safety Tips for Foreign Tourists Visiting Egypt

# Safety Tips for Foreign Tourists Visiting Egypt

Egypt is generally safe for tourists, but following these guidelines ensures a worry-free trip:

## General Safety

### Stay in Tourist Areas
- Stick to established tourist destinations
- Use reputable hotels and tour operators
- Tourist police are present at all major sites

### Transportation Safety
- Use official taxis or ride-hailing apps (Uber, Careem)
- Avoid unmarked taxis
- For longer journeys, book through your hotel
- Trains and domestic flights are safe and reliable

### Money and Valuables
- Don't carry large amounts of cash
- Use hotel safes for passports and valuables
- ATMs are widely available in tourist areas
- Credit cards accepted at major hotels and restaurants
- Keep small bills for tips and small purchases

## Health and Hygiene

### Water and Food
- Drink only bottled water (widely available)
- Avoid ice in drinks at street vendors
- Eat at reputable restaurants
- Street food is generally safe but choose busy stalls
- Fruits that can be peeled are safest

### Sun Protection
- Egypt's sun is intense year-round
- Use high-SPF sunscreen
- Wear hat and sunglasses
- Stay hydrated (2-3 liters/day)
- Avoid midday sun (11am-3pm)

### Medical
- Bring prescription medications in original containers
- Travel insurance highly recommended
- Private hospitals in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan have good facilities
- Pharmacies ("Agzakhana") are everywhere

## Cultural Sensitivity

### Dress Code
- Egypt is conservative; dress modestly
- **Women:** Cover shoulders and knees, carry scarf for religious sites
- **Men:** Long pants preferred, shirts with sleeves
- Beach resorts more relaxed
- Respect increases when dressed appropriately

### Religious Sites
- Remove shoes when entering mosques
- Ask permission before photographing people
- Non-Muslims may not enter all mosque areas
- Friday is holy day (mosques busy)

### Social Customs
- Greetings: Handshake common (wait for women to extend hand first)
- Personal space less valued than Western countries
- "Baksheesh" (tips) expected for small services
- Haggling expected in markets (start at 50% of asking price)

## Scams to Avoid

### Common Tourist Scams
1. **Papyrus scams:** Sold as "authentic ancient" - it's modern
2. **Free tours:** Often lead to aggressive souvenir selling
3. **Taxi overcharging:** Always agree on price before starting
4. **Photo fees:** Some people charge after photo taken
5. **"Museum closed" scam:** Drivers say it's closed to take you shopping

### How to Avoid Scams
- Book tours through reputable companies
- Research typical prices beforehand
- Be polite but firm saying "No thank you"
- Don't feel obligated to buy
- Use official ticket offices

## Emergency Contacts

- **Tourist Police:** 126
- **Emergency:** 122
- **Ambulance:** 123
- **Fire:** 180

### Embassy Contacts
- Keep your embassy contact information
- Register with your embassy (optional but recommended)
- Embassies located in Cairo (Zamalek area)

## Women Travelers

### Safety for Women
- Egypt is generally safe for women travelers
- Dress modestly to minimize unwanted attention
- Ignore catcalls - don't engage
- Use women-only metro cars in Cairo (first two cars)
- Solo female travelers should be extra cautious after dark
- Join group tours if concerned about safety

## COVID-19 and Health

- Check current health requirements before travel
- Major tourist sites implement health protocols
- Masks may be required in certain locations
- Hand sanitizer widely available

## What to Pack for Safety

- **Copies** of passport and important documents
- **Emergency cash** in USD or EUR
- **Prescription medications** with doctor's note
- **First aid kit** with anti-diarrheal medication
- **Sunscreen** (expensive in Egypt)
- **Modest clothing** appropriate for religious sites
- **Universal adapter** for electronics
- **Flashlight** or headlamp
- **Reusable water bottle** with filter

## Final Tips

1. **Trust your instincts** - if something feels wrong, leave
2. **Stay connected** - get local SIM card for data
3. **Learn basic Arabic** - "Shukran" (thank you), "La shukran" (no thank you)
4. **Be patient** - things move slowly; embrace it
5. **Smile** - Egyptians are friendly and helpful
6. **Negotiate** - except in shops with price tags
7. **Enjoy** - Egypt is an incredible experience!

## Best Times to Visit

- **October-April:** Pleasant weather (20-25°C)
- **May-September:** Very hot (35-45°C) but fewer tourists
- **Ramadan:** Restaurants closed during day, festive evenings

Egypt welcomes millions of tourists annually, and the vast majority have wonderful, safe experiences. Following these guidelines helps ensure you'll be one of them!

**Welcome to Egypt - Ahlan wa Sahlan!**