Generally speaking, traveling to Egypt is safe and Egyptians are very friendly and welcoming people. Locals here help in most cases as much as they can when any tourist needs assistance. Most trips into the deserts at Egypt have checkpoints where people inform you about your travel to the destination and ensure that you will safely reach your destination. Trips into any potentially insecure areas have an escort provided by local police. Also, officials here can conduct passport and document checks, to avoid any illegal person from trespassing andto ensure peace in the country.
What About Crime In Egypt?
In terms of casual crimes like robberies and muggings, Egypt is a safe place, especially compared to major US cities like Chicago or New York. Despite political turmoil over past few years Egypt is no more hazardous to travel to than any other Western capital in terms of terrorism either. The Egyptian economy relies greatly on foreign tourism and thus the government and people are extremely keen to prevent any negative occurrences and incidences, which can create a bad impact on the tourism industry. Egypt wishes not to jeopardize the economic benefit from this vital source. One problem that does pop up a bit more than some Westerners may be used to is pickpocketing, but it is not as bad as some may suggest.
The feeling of walking out from the airport and inhaling that first air and scent of a new country is truly magical. Most visitors often say that Egypt is one of the most beautiful and must-see destinations on the globe and Cairo alone is bestowed with some of the most famous sights on the globe, not to mention the other exciting locations around the country!
Inaccurate Foreign Ideas About Egypt
The Western media often portrays Egypt as a warzone and dangerous for tourists. This drives up ratings and supports preconceived ideas about the Middle East and North Africa. However it is not accurate. Violence in Egypt even during the revolution was not widespread or random, in fact it was only spread over an area of several kilometers. It is best to come for yourself and you will see that Egypt is actually very safe, friendly and normal.
Political Turbulence
The past five years in Egypt have seen a fair amount of political turbulence and unfortunate incidents but the overall economic and political atmosphere is still quite stable. The Port Said football game incident, Tahrir Square protests leading to the toppling of Presidents Mubarak and Morsi, and other chaotic incidents have brought the negative limelight onto Egypt and its tourism industry. This has negatively affected the industry and caused occupancy rates to drop at some hotels and historical sites, although the numbers are going steadily back up.
Egyptian Tourism Is Safe (And Fun)!
It’s important to note that tourist attractions in Egypt are all well-guarded and safe and locals here meet foreigners with open arms.
Reputable and trusted travel companies put the travelers’ security above anything and make reservations only where they consider it completely safe to live and travel. When traveling in a group to anywhere that has experienced instability, the Tourism Ministry here provides a convoy and armed security guards, who accompany the group always. Thus, if planning to travel to Egypt, it’s always recommended to make bookings with a trusted company to ensure peace of mind. You can be sure you’ll be well taken care of as long as you book with a trusted travel company such as Ask Aladdin.
- Whenever there is a curfew in Egypt, one can travel only if they have a flight to catch or need medical help. Having a ticket and passport copy is mandatory to leave one’s hotel during such times.
- One must avoid taking photos of soldiers or tanks or any other military property in Egypt as this can cause you to get into trouble.
- The embassy always has updated information about the current situation, it’s thus advised to make sure that the person asks the embassy about local conditions before visiting Egypt.
- Hotel staff are generally well-informed about any unrest near their hotel so you can also always ask them to ensure the area is safe.
- Any traveler must be aware of some minor risks in using public transport like microbuses and taxis, especially in areas which have less traffic and are under-developed. Pickpocketing can be a problem in such areas.
- There are parts of Cairo that are best for foreign visitors to avoid due to high crime rates and pickpocketing. Check with your tour guide about details to make sure you don’t wander by mistake into a dangerous area.
Questions About Health And Travel To Egypt
Many people worry about health risks when they travel. It’s always advised to consult with a doctor before leaving is recommended to inform yourself of possible health risks and to carry along vaccines and medicines that you might need. One must be aware of potential health issues like accidents, food, water, insect bites, sun exposure and local illnesses. As they say, “prevention is better than cure” and that is a good saying to follow.
Hotels and resorts in Egypt are definitely quiet and nice places to stay, with excellent food and hospitality for guests. Health concerns generally do not come up and food is prepared at high quality and cleanliness levels.
A trip to Egypt is truly a fantastic way to explore historic sites and a bright, sunshine-filled holiday for travelers of all age groups and categories. Make sure to book with a trusted tour company and enjoy everything Egypt has to offer without worrying!
