What You Must Know

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The whole lot that you must know to be ready for solo feminine journey in Egypt – together with security suggestions and journey recommendation.

Egypt generally is a little trickier to journey than many different countries- particularly for those who’re going alone. Nevertheless it’s additionally a heat, fascinating, and unimaginable nation with a lot to find, and it ought to undoubtedly be on each traveller’s record.

Cairo specifically was overwhelming and chaotic – however great. And regardless of seeing a thousand images (and climbing them in Assassins Creed!), nothing ready me for the magic of seeing the pyramids in actual life.

I do know that travelling to Egypt solo can appear daunting. I’ve been travelling the world solo for over a decade, however I used to be nonetheless nervous earlier than visiting Egypt for the primary time this yr.

Beneath, you’ll discover all my journey suggestions for solo feminine travellers visiting Egypt for the primary time. Use the contents menu under to skip to the sections you want – and be at liberty to ask questions within the feedback.

Is Egypt Secure for Sole Feminine Travellers?

The quick reply is YES: general, Egypt is secure for solo feminine travellers. Nevertheless, there are some things to concentrate on, which I’ll define under.

Regardless of which nation you’re visiting, my recommendation to all solo feminine travellers is to stay vigilant, apply widespread sense, and keep away from harmful conditions. I’ve included some extra particular Egypt solo journey suggestions later on this article to assist out.

Crime and Terrorism

Egypt’s crime charge is usually average, however crime nonetheless happens. Scams and pickpocketing are the commonest crimes towards vacationers, however there have additionally been experiences of armed robberies, muggings, sexual assaults, and break-ins. Do not forget that these are the exception, not the norm: most travellers to Egypt don’t expertise any issues.

READ MORE: Tricks to Keep away from Being Robbed Whereas Travelling

For the reason that Arab Spring in 2011, there was vital political turmoil in Egypt. Protests and demonstrations happen throughout the nation and have turn out to be violent from time to time. Keep away from any demonstrations and marches.

As of October 2024, the UK authorities’s Overseas Journey Recommendation web site states “Terrorism is a threat throughout Egypt, significantly in North Sinai.” It’s value noting, nonetheless, that they are saying the identical factor in regards to the USA, and that there’s “a excessive menace of terrorist assault globally”.

In Egypt, there have been situations of terrorist assaults lately, and the authorities have elevated safety measures at vacationer websites and essential journey checkpoints. At all times verify the most recent scenario by way of your native authorities earlier than you journey.

There are some areas in Egypt the place the FCDO advises towards all or “all however important” journey. Nevertheless, these are very distant areas such because the Egypt-Libya border, the place vacationers are extremely unlikely to journey. Click on right here for extra particulars.

Problem and Harassment

One of many main issues with travelling solo in Egypt that I skilled was trouble from distributors (and sometimes from males) – lots of whom merely wouldn’t go away me alone irrespective of what number of occasions I mentioned no.

This was significantly rife in Giza, across the pyramids, since there are such a lot of vacationers visiting. We should look like “simple prey” to folks promoting souvenirs!

Folks adopted me for as much as twenty minutes attempting to get me to purchase one thing. There have been just a few males who did the identical attempting to get me to decide on them as my “Egyptian boyfriend”!

More often than not, these conversations had been lighthearted – however the relentless promoting/following/pestering did really feel aggressive at occasions. I discovered that one of the best tactic to cope with this was to easily ignore them and hold strolling. It felt impolite, however I felt higher after my native information assured me it’s not.

Prime Tip: If you wish to go to a bazaar or market like Outdated Cairo Bazaar, it may be value reserving a tour. A information will help you keep away from harassment from distributors – and enable you to haggle for a greater value!

Undesirable consideration

As a solo feminine traveller, undesirable consideration from males was an occasional downside. Fortunately, this was additionally fairly lighthearted more often than not – however I do know that harassment could be a difficulty. Keep away from going to bars solo or strolling alone at night time: Uber from door to door is the most suitable choice after darkish.

There have been plenty of sexual assaults reported to the British Embassy, mostly within the touristy Pink Sea area and infrequently dedicated by somebody the sufferer had already met.

After I was in Sharm el Sheikh, just a few guys messaged me on Instagram attempting to get me to satisfy up with them. I strongly suggest that you just say no to anybody who does this. Some extra suggestions:

• Keep away from sharing your dwell location on social media: publish your Instagram tales on the finish of the day.
• Don’t meet up with anybody you don’t know.
• Don’t enable lodge workers to enter your room when you’re alone.
• Keep away from travelling in taxis alone. Use Uber or activate location sharing by way of WhatsApp for those who’re ever involved.
• Use respected suppliers for excursions and excursions.
  • Test evaluations earlier than reserving. Get Your Information are my favorite place to seek out excursions as a result of the evaluations are verified – search for excursions which have excessive scores from over 100 reviewers.

Well being and Hygiene

Beware the “Pharoe’s Revenge” – aka “traveller’s diarrhoea“. That is on no account particular to Egypt, however the nation has a status amongst travellers as a spot the place getting hit with a tummy bug is widespread.

The principle tip is to keep away from ingesting faucet water. Use bottled water to brush your enamel, keep away from regionally made ice cubes (most locations use secure, store-bought ice), and keep away from sliced fruit and salad leaves that may have been washed in faucet water.

Prime Tip: My Water-to-Go filter bottle was my BEST FRIEND on this journey – try my overview for a 15% low cost.

The NHS suggest that you’ve a Poliomyelitis and Tetanus vaccination for journey to Egypt. For those who dwell within the UK you’ve most likely already had these, however make an appointment along with your GP for those who’re undecided.

What to Put on

I like to recommend loose-fitting, comfy clothes: gown in gentle layers to guard towards the solar.

If you wish to keep away from attracting undesirable consideration, stick with lengthy attire/skirts and trousers and keep away from issues like scorching pants, cropped tops and really low necklines. Though a lady’s selection of clothes ought to by no means be an excuse for poor behaviour, the actual fact is that in some components of the world, sure clothes decisions can entice the fallacious type of consideration.

I primarily wore maxi attire and wide-leg cropped trousers, with sleeves that coated my shoulders (largely for cover from the solar). If I wore a vest, I teamed it with a unfastened shirt or stored a shawl over my shoulders.

Comfortable footwear are a should for sightseeing, particularly on the historic websites. The bottom is uneven and infrequently sandy – and also you’ll be doing lots of strolling. Closed-toe, comfy trainers or strolling footwear are your greatest guess. In cities, I wore my Converse trainers – in Sharm el Sheikh, flip flops and sandals had been wonderful.

Prime Tip: Cross-body baggage are normally the most secure possibility. Contemplate an anti-theft bag made with slash-proof supplies – like those from Travelon.

Ideas for Solo Feminine Journey in Egypt

Get a Native SIM or eSIM

Get a neighborhood pre-paid SIM card or an eSIM so you may keep on-line when you’re in Egypt (useful for on-line maps, translations, ordering Ubers, and so forth).

The principle suppliers in Egypt are Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat and WE. You should buy a pre-paid SIM at most airports, together with Cairo and Hurghada. Orange’s Holidays plan begins from 200 EGP (roughly £3 / $4).

Personally, I desire eSIMs: you may obtain them to your cellphone so there’s no want to alter SIM playing cards over. They’re normally a bit dearer, however you may set it up earlier than you arrive in Egypt after which activate the sim as quickly as you land – so you will get on-line right away with none faff!

Airalo: From £5.50 / $7 (1GB, 7 days). Use code EMILY9237 to get £2.50 off your first buy.
Nomad: From £4.50 / $6 (1GB, 7 days). Use code EMIL96SV to get 25% off your first buy.

Study the native emergency numbers

Memorise or save these in your cellphone, in case of an emergency.

Vacationer Police: 126
Police: 122
Ambulance: 123

Have good journey insurance coverage

I can not stress sufficient the significance of journey insurance coverage. For those who encounter a difficulty – whether or not it’s a cancelled flight (fairly widespread with Egypt’s inner airways) or a medical emergency – you need that coated.

I like to recommend Security Wing Journey Insurance coverage – they’ve insurance policies particularly for long-term travellers, digital nomads, and backpackers, and supply good cowl for extra adventurous varieties of journey.

Keep away from travelling at night time

Keep away from taking public transport at night time or strolling alone in metropolis/city centres after darkish. For those who do journey at night time, for instance on an in a single day bus, take additional care along with your belongings and keep away from being the final individual left on board.

Extra security suggestions for feminine travellers

• Keep away from sharing your dwell location on social media: publish your Instagram tales on the finish of the day.
• Don’t meet up with anybody you don’t know.
• Don’t enable lodge workers to enter your room when you’re alone.
• Keep away from travelling in taxis alone. Use Uber or activate location sharing by way of WhatsApp for those who’re ever involved.
• Use respected suppliers for excursions and excursions.

READ MORE: Tips on how to Defend Your Valuables whereas Travelling

Use Uber to get round – particularly in Cairo

The general public transport system in Cairo is fairly first rate and really low cost – however at the same time as a seasoned solo traveller, I discovered it a bit of overwhelming. Uber is definitely extremely inexpensive and made it a lot simpler to navigate the town.

It’s best to keep away from taking taxis alone, particularly at night time – Uber is a a lot safer possibility due to its built-in security options and site monitoring.

Prime Tip: Arrange Uber’s Security options prematurely. You may arrange a PIN verification, swap on security check-ins, and add a trusted contact with whom you may shortly share your location and journey standing for those who’re involved.

Don’t keep within the Giza space of Cairo

It was nice waking as much as a view of the pyramids, however the neighbourhood felt a bit of sketchy at night time. A couple of folks I’ve spoken to have mentioned the identical.

I don’t suppose Giza is especially harmful – nevertheless it felt a bit of extra run-down than different components of Cairo. It’s additionally a really touristy space, so all of the locals I encountered right here appeared to be attempting to promote me one thing – usually fairly aggressively.

I truly spend just a few nights in Giza with none incidents (aside from a man hitting on me in an unpleasantly “not-taking-no-for-an-answer” kind of approach). However for those who’re new to solo journey or feeling nervous, I feel you would possibly discover the neighbourhood a bit of overwhelming.

E book excursions – particularly for the pyramids and different historic websites

Often, I’m an enormous fan of exploring alone. That’s what I did all through most of my journey – and I had a good time discovering the nation. Nevertheless, for those who’re nervous about visiting Egypt as a solo feminine traveller, reserving just a few excursions could make exploring simpler.

It’s so much smoother to get round with a information and a driver, so you’ll doubtless see extra – and have a greater understanding of what you’re taking a look at. Plus, a information is normally blissful to take images of you (I’ve dozens of foolish poses with the Sphinx!)

Having a information was additionally nice as a result of the distributors at vacationer websites left me alone. After they wouldn’t, my information at all times stepped in!

Test evaluations and be sure you’re reserving a tour firm with status – you need a information who truly is aware of their stuff. Get Your Information has just a few female-guided excursions in Egypt – these had been good and I’d extremely suggest reserving one for those who’re visiting Egypt as a solo feminine traveller:

Keep in mind: it’s not impolite to be a bit impolite!

I discovered the easiest way to deal with undesirable interactions (normally males) and pushy salespeople was to say “no thanks” as soon as after which simply keep silent.

Plenty of distributors prefer to ask questions like “the place are you from”, and when you’ve engaged, they have a tendency to not cease! My intuition was to reply simply to be well mannered – nevertheless it felt like as quickly as I engaged even within the slightest, they wouldn’t go away me alone till I purchased one thing. See the above part on “Problem and Harassment” for more information.

It went towards all of my British politeness to ignore and hold strolling, nevertheless it was the best method to keep away from being aggressively offered to!

E book in some downtime

Journey in Egypt could be worrying and overwhelming at occasions – while nonetheless being lots of enjoyable. You probably have time, I’d suggest reserving a few days at a pleasant lodge or resort for some chill time. I cherished my keep at Domina Coral Bay in Sharm el Sheikh.

Don’t be scared 💕

Whilst a seasoned solo traveller, I used to be nervous about heading to Egypt alone… however I cherished it.

Most people I met had been so heat and pleasant. Tourism has nonetheless nowhere close to recovered since Covid and lots of people I interacted with, particularly in vacationer companies, had been delighted to welcome me to their nation. And it truly is a ravishing nation – stuffed with historical past, fable, and marvel.

So please don’t let the above warnings put you off. I actually imagine that so long as you make wise decisions, take the fitting precautions and use your widespread sense, you need to be completely secure travelling solo in Egypt.

Fast Abstract: Egypt Solo Feminine Journey

• Get a neighborhood pre-paid SIM or eSIM (use my referral codes above for a reduction)
• Study the native emergency numbers
• Have good journey insurance coverage
• Use Uber to get round – particularly at night time – and wait inside till the automobile arrives.
• Don’t keep in Giza
• E book excursions for the most important points of interest (look out for excursions with feminine guides)
• Don’t have interaction with distributors simply to be well mannered. It’s not impolite to stroll away!

As I’ve mentioned above: don’t let the warnings make you too nervous or put you off visiting Egypt. It is a stunning nation with a lot fascinating historical past to uncover – to not point out scrumptious meals, a singular tradition, and lovely landscapes.

Travelling in Egypt could be trickier than different nations. The town centres are chaotic, the general public transport is typically problematic (I had a number of trains cancelled), and the distributors at vacationer sights are sometimes greater than a bit of over-zealous.

However on the entire, Egypt is secure for solo feminine travellers – so long as you employ widespread sense, keep vigilant, take care, and keep away from harmful conditions!

Bought a query about solo feminine journey in Egypt? Scroll down to depart a remark and I’ll attempt to assist!