Is it safe to travel to Egypt?

safe travel Egypt
safe travel Egypt

It is sad that we have to consider this sort of thing because of the more or less recent violent events that have taken place in some parts of this beautiful country. However, if you feel like getting to know some of the wonders of the world in Egypt, you shouldn’t just settle for a “yes” or a “no”. At LolaandGeorge we want to provide you with all the information you need so that you can decide for yourself if it is safe to travel to Egypt at this time. Stay with us and keep feeding your curiosity about the world.

Tips from the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation

 

The Ministry’s website strongly advises against travelling to Egypt except if you are going to make a trip out of necessity or if the trip is limited to Luxor, Aswan or the Red Sea resorts (as long as you travel here by air).

The Ministry notes that it is safer to travel to Egypt with a travel agency and that road travel is limited. Of course, it does not recommend going to remote places or adventure travel. Furthermore, it considers a journey through the northern Sinai and the Gaza Strip to be “extremely dangerous”.

Finally, it is advisable to inform the Spanish Embassy or whichever is yours in Cairo or the Consulate General in Alexandria of the dates of the trip and the contact telephone numbers.

 

But then is it safe to travel to Egypt in 2018?

 

The images of the riots and demonstrations that took place in Egypt in 2011 went around the world and marked the drastic fall in tourism in one of the favorite destinations for travelers from all over the world. It is entirely logical that embassies should have reacted in this way and advised against travelling to Egypt.

Since then, there have been several attacks. One of the last occurred in April 2017, which led Egypt to declare a state of emergency for three months.

However, there are many travellers who have continued to travel to Egypt and who return in wonder after visiting such incredible places as the pyramids of Giza, Abu Simbel, the temples of Luxor and the seabed of the Red Sea. On blogs and social networks you’ll find hundreds of testimonials that will show you how safe it is to travel to Egypt. All indicate that the main tourist attractions are much less congested, that prices are ideal for tighter budgets and that the welcome from the Egyptians is super warm.

Therefore, we encourage you to assess the pros and cons for yourself, to plan your trip through safe areas and, above all, to always keep yourself informed so that you can travel safely.

 

Some tips for travelling safely in Egypt:

 

  • Be protected with good travel insurance.
  • Always carry your papers with you. It is normal to find frequent police checks on your journeys. This is often done to keep track of where tourists are in the event of potential conflicts.
  • Travel to Egypt thinking you’re going to get to know a totally different culture, so try to learn about their customs. Respect them and act with decorum.
  • Stay informed about the security situation in Egypt in official sources.
  • It avoids places where protests and demonstrations often take place, such as the Heliopolis Presidential Palace, Tahrir Square, government buildings and political party headquarters.
  • Another tip for safe travel to Egypt is not to photograph public spaces or agency fronts.
  • You should visit an International Vaccination Centre well in advance of your trip to Egypt to get the relevant medical recommendations and prescriptions for safe travel.
  • If you are the victim of a crime in Egypt, report it in Egypt and keep a copy of the report so that the case can be followed up.
  • If you are a woman, it is safe to travel to Egypt, but it is advisable to dress modestly. The looks will be much less intense if you cover your knees and shoulders, wear loose clothing and wear a scarf to cover your hair. It is also advisable to wear a ring that “shows” that you are married to avoid insistent questions.
  • Limit acts of affection with your partner in public. Although homosexuality is not a crime, “homosexual acts” in public are not legal and there have been cases of imprisonment.
  • If you have the courage to rent a car in Egypt, avoid travelling by road at night.
  • Drink alcohol where permitted.
  • Keep your patience in the markets. It’s common for salespeople to be a little insistent, to call their customers out loud or to make gestures that you find a little aggressive.

 

Want to know more about the African continent trips? Read our section here.