How Safe is Egypt?

I would LOVE to go to Egypt it’s the top of my bucket list...is it Safe??

SOME moments you experience while travelling end up completely blowing you away, in ways you'd never have expected. They stay with you forever, and years later you still smile at the fond memories. I try to never lose track of how lucky I am that my travels have me to extraordinary locations, experiences and people. Never has this been more in focus than during my first trip overseas to my ancestral home of Egypt, without a doubt it stands alone as the most incredible, breathtaking travel experience of my life. Luxor, often called the world’s greatest open-air museum, but that comes nowhere near describing this extraordinary place. From the temples of Karnak and Luxor in the east to the many tombs and temples on the west bank. To say that there is truly nothing like it in the world would be an understatement.

But if I've learned anything from traveling the world, it's that the news media makes most places sound a lot scarier than they actually are, and they end up being the best places to see like Egypt. It saddens me that Egypt happens to be one of those places, I know this through the endless conversations I’ve had with people when they learn about my background. Conversation generally goes something like

“I would LOVE to go to Egypt it’s the top of my bucket list, is it Safe??"

The Fact Is!

Egypt has had a rough last decade, although my family traveled there over the last 10 years, I did not feel that comfortable to be honest, and chose to focus on other destinations. I mean we did go through a revolution, which was taken over by hard-line Muslim government, which then got ousted by military and ruled by the current President El-Sisi.  

Many tour companies did indeed suspend operations in Egypt following the revolution; not many people were going there from 2012-2015. But we are into 2020 now, and things are changing. Tourism still is not anywhere near what it was pre-2011 in Egypt, but visitors are starting to come back each year in larger and larger numbers.

At the beginning of the year, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reported that Egypt's tourism sector had flourished in 2019, recording a 21% jump in growth, with more than 13.5 million tourists. Egypt even topped several "best tourist destination" lists for 2020, including one by the US business magazine Forbes. 

Long story short: right now is an excellent time to visit Egypt.

Is Egypt Dangerous?

As in most countries with a high poverty level, petty theft is common in Egypt. Take basic precautions to avoid becoming a victim, such as being hyper-aware of your valuables in crowded areas like train stations and markets. Keep your money and identification in a safe place such as a money belt and don't carry large sums of cash on you. Violent crime is relatively rare even in Cairo, but it's still not a good idea to walk alone at night.

There are also precautions you can and should take [such as booking a hotel that has ample security or booking your Egypt tour with an experienced tour company] when visiting Egypt. However, violent crime against tourists is considered fairly low and uncommon – you just need to be aware of petty crime [watch your belongings when you’re out in public] and minor scams. Scams are common and usually include ingenious ways to get you to purchase goods you don't want or to patron a relative's shop, hotel, or tour company.

Most of the time these are annoying rather than dangerous!

Egypt wants visitors to both feel and stay safe. The government has been working hard to make that happen. Expect to see tourist police and regular police stationed throughout the cities and at checkpoints. Police will be stationed outside churches, hotels and roaming about the city. 

The government wants to assure that if visitors need assistance, there will be someone close by to help them. Security screenings are common. Prior to entering places like the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, you will be asked to place your bag or purse through a security screening machine. You will proceed and walk through a metal detector. Screenings like these are becoming common place all over the world now.

Egypt is a large place to cover from Cairo to the south Luxor and Aswan, to the east the Red Sea resort towns Hurghada and Sharm el Sheik. Most travelers will opt to go by train or bus which can take several hours up to 8 hrs on some legs, that take you through some questionable areas of Egypt like the Sinai Peninsula. The Sinai Peninsula is considered to be one of the most dangerous places to visit in Egypt, although the popular resort area of Sharm El-Sheikh at the southern part of the peninsula is deemed safe by the U.S. State Department as long as travelers arrive by air. I personally wont travel by road or train, I chose to fly in Egypt purely because of the safety aspect. I know most tour companies itineraries are driven by price which means bus and trains are the mode of transport, but I highly recommend you pay the extra and travel with peace of mind. 

Egypt & COVID-19

Tourism was one of the first and hardest hit industries when the corona virus entered Egypt. By mid-March 2020, Egypt had suspended international air traffic and imposed a partial lockdown and curfew to help contain the spread of the corona virus. Egypt was all over it from the start as opposed to my home town of Melbourne, Australia where we are currently under hard lockdowns and curfews for months to come due to bureaucracy and people pointing fingers. Egypt was onto it from get go even shutting down of one of it’s biggest money makers Tourism.

Egypt has recently reopened for tourism after a stamp of approval from World Travel & Tourism Council. As of September 1st, 2020, travelers from ALL countries traveling to ANY part of Egypt must have proof of a negative PCR test certificate for COVID-19 performed no more than 48 hours before arriving. Travelers are not required to quarantine when arriving in Egypt, but could undergo the following additional health screenings like body temperature scans, declaration cards and proof of travel insurance before they are allowed to enter.

Travelers can expect the following requirements:

• Masks are required in all public areas and travelers could face fines for not abiding by the mandate.
• Strict social distancing guidelines are in effect.

I spoke with my aunty who just arrived in Egypt last week from Australia who I asked about Covid-19 and her response was "There is no problem here, things are normal. Everyone wears masks and at times there is social distancing, but it has not stopped things like in Australia". Which is hard to hear when I'm currently locked down, especially when she is telling me this from a balcony on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt 😒

Travel Tips & Helpful Hints

Do I need a visa?
Pretty much everyone from any country needs a visa to enter Egypt. However, most western countries can apply for and receive a Visa-on-arrival. Check out everything you need to know about your visa, here.

What is the power voltage?
Egypt uses European 220 Volt power. If you have an adapter you should bring it with you. Please be careful when plugging things in in Cairo.

What about smoking weed or drinking in the streets?
You will be arrested and imprisoned for YEARS if you have any drugs, to include marijuana. There is nothing the your Embassy can do for you if this happens. Feel free to bring your own alcohol in your suitcase when you come into the country, but do not be drinking it in the streets. remember, Egypt is a Muslim majority country where public intoxication is not tolerated. 

What is the currency and its value?
The currency used in Egypt is called the Egyptian pounds (LE or EGP).
The current value [Sept 2020] is 15.7 EGP = $1 USD.

Their workweek:
The workweek in Cairo is Sunday through Thursday. Fridays are very quiet as most Cairenes are at the mosques.

You can get almost anything delivered to you:
Just about anything can be delivered to your door in Egypt. Download either Otlob or Akelni delivery apps for a wide variety of restaurants that will deliver straight to you. Gourmet Egypt is a nice grocery store which can deliver as well.

A Note on Alcohol and Drinks:
Egypt is a Muslim majority country, and the vast majority of restaurants do not serve alcohol. The government puts huge import taxes on foreign alcohol, so beware if you see it on the menu!! At the nicer restaurants, which are typically cheap by most standards, things usually start getting a bit pricier when you order alcohol. There are a few options when it comes to alcohol: 1) don’t drink, instead taking advantage of the incredibly abundant and cheap fresh juices or fancy coffee drinks 2) bring your own (some restaurants allow you to bring your own to the restaurant – call ahead and ask), or 3) order Egyptian brand beer or wine. Egyptian beer (Stella and Saqqara) are fine, but Egyptian wine is pretty nasty (rose is passable, but really still not worth the money). If you do order foreign brand alcohol in restaurants, make sure you are fully apprised of the price, as it is likely double or triple what you would pay in the Australia or the United States.

Egypt is so much safer with a Guide

Lastly, I think Egypt is definitely a place to visit with a local guide [Egyptologist]. I know many people like myself prefer to travel independently, but this is a country where you get a lot more out of the experience when you have someone with you who has all the  knowledge about the history, the religion, and the present-day culture of the country. Your Egyptologist would know how to speak various languages, read hieroglyphics, tell you all the best places to eat, organize extra side trips people wanted to take, and let and know how not to get ripped off when buying souvenirs. But more importantly your guide will make sure you are well taken care of throughout the trip, and trust me Egypt is one of those places where things go wrong. Don’t get me wrong – I don’t have a glass jaw. I’ve been told to eff off in Rome, scammed in Paris, gotten into a super gnarly situation with some thugs outside of Naples, been verbally harassed around Asia and had racial slurs yelled at me in America. But navigating your way around Egypt can be challenging to say the least! 

Many times I have had converstaions with people who have traveled to Egypt and the response has been;

"OMG Egypt was amazing, the archaeological treasures were mind-blowing, but our trip to Egypt was one of the most trying and exhausting weeks. I did boatloads of research, looked at travel tips, there were certain elements about traveling to Egypt that the research simply didn’t and couldn’t prepare me for”.

Which was the catalyst for me putting together the Magic of Egypt Tour, a way I can show people my ancestral history without all the tribulations that come with a destination like Egypt. A tour that takes away the little annoying things that add up to being an undesirable experience, and becomes one that stays with you forever, and may even want you coming back!

Interested in booking a tour in Egypt?

These are the two tours I host a couple of times a year:

• 11 Day Magic Of Egypt Tour - Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, Hurghada, Alexandria 

• 15 Day Magic of Egypt Tour + Sharm El Shiek - Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheik, Alexandria

On our very personal and intimate experience The Magic of Egypt Tour you will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to see Egypt not through touristic eyes but through ancient Egyptian eyes. Growing up in Australia and being from Egyptian background means you will not only have myself as your Hosts but also the services of 2 x qualified Egyptologists and a experienced Tour Guide to join us on all sightseeing excursions.

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It's not currently a safe or responsible time to be traveling the world. Any travel content you find here is only meant for inspiration and research right now!