Security

Is it safe to travel to Egypt?

The first thing you need to know is that there is great security in Egypt and you will not have any special risks or worries during your trip. In fact, violent and non-violent crime rates in Egypt are minimal compared to those in the vast majority of Western countries.

The crimes that a tourist may suffer are also no different from other tourist destinations: pickpocketing or theft of purses or handbags in the street by pickpockets or some inflated price in a street stall, but as the penalties are very harsh, there are hardly any conflicts. Therefore, you will be able to walk the Egyptian streets day and night without any fear. And always taking the usual precautions.

Is Egypt safe for women travelers?

A separate mention must be made on the issue of women’s safety in Egypt, especially for women traveling alone, because although it is a safe country, it is also true that it is not very easy to do so in this country, which does not mean that you can take significant risks.

Let’s go deeper: women traveling alone are generally discouraged from going off the beaten tourist track and are advised to be very cautious about contact with strangers. Why? Most of all, because a woman traveling alone in a culture like the Egyptian one is a strange fact, attracts a lot of attention and is the object of stares and much curiosity by both local men and women. Therefore, there can be some rather uncomfortable situations for women traveling alone in Egypt.

How to dress in Egypt?

The Muslim rules governing Egypt impose certain dress codes for local women, but are not mandatory for foreign women and tourists.

But a woman who dresses in a flashy way or who shows certain parts of her body can attract a lot of attention and increase the tension in certain situations that, we repeat, are far from being dangerous or violent, but they can be uncomfortable. That is why we recommend you to dress discreetly during your days in Egypt even if you travel alone or accompanied by men or other women. Wear clothes that cover your legs and shoulders, especially when visiting ancient temples or markets. And you don’t need to cover your hair either, as is commonly believed, you can walk anywhere you want with your hair loose and you will probably only be asked to cover it at the entrance of some mosques.

Showing love and safety to the LGBTIQ+ community

When strolling through the streets of Luxor, Cairo, Alexandria and other cities, it is it is advisable that you limit the displays of affection with your partner.The reason for this is that it is frowned upon and can be uncomfortable, especially for homosexual couples, because, although being homosexual in Egypt is not illegal, public displays of affection between same-sex couples are.

Are hotels in Egypt safe?

Regarding security in hotels, in general they are usually very safe places to leave your belongings and luggage, although it is always advisable to lock the doors of your room, keep everything well stored and tidy and ask for the safety deposit box, if the hotel has one, to keep money, cards and valuable documents.

The more stars, the more secure the hotel, with 24-hour staff and individual safety deposit boxes in each room, so that guests have their own password and can use it as they wish.

Legal framework

It is important that you know the basics of the legal framework in Egypt to avoid breaking any aspect of the law during your trip. The first thing you should know is that any tourist entering the country must comply with Egyptian law and is exempt from different treatment, although in case of arrest, the tourist has the right to telephone the embassy of his country.

Although it is quite rare, it may happen that a police officer asks you for a bribe. Never accept under any circumstances because many times it can be a trap and if you say yes you can have a much bigger problem.

The consumption of drugs of any kind is penalized with very harsh measures that include not only many years in prison but also hanging. And there are no qualms for tourists, so if you receive any proposal to buy or consume hashish, you have to act the same as with invitations to bribes: no, no and no, always.

For security reasons, there are many government buildings that are forbidden to photograph, but you will often find that there are no signs indicating this. We recommend that when visiting official monuments or public places, always ask before taking a picture if you don’t want to have an uncomfortable moment. There are policemen almost everywhere in Egypt who will tell you what to do and what not to do in these cases. The same applies if you are going to photograph people: you must always ask permission if you do not want to experience a violent or uncomfortable situation with someone who does not like the fact that you have photographed them without consulting them beforehand.

Can I order alcohol in restaurants and bars?

Alcohol is prohibited by Muslim rules, so avoid drinking on the street and in public places and limit yourself to bars in tourist hotels or restaurants authorized for the sale and consumption of alcohol.

Before traveling

Before flying, we always advise you to consult all updated information on security in Egypt on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation. And always carry your documentation with you everywhere you go: passport, ID card and health insurance.