What You Have to Know

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All the pieces it’s essential to 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 in the event you’re going alone. However it’s additionally a heat, fascinating, and unbelievable nation with a lot to find, and it ought to positively be on each traveller’s record.

Cairo particularly was overwhelming and chaotic – however fantastic. And regardless of seeing a thousand photographs (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 12 months.

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

Is Egypt Protected for Sole Feminine Travellers?

The brief reply is YES: general, Egypt is secure for solo feminine travellers. Nonetheless, there are some things to pay attention to, which I’ll define beneath.

Irrespective of which nation you’re visiting, my recommendation to all solo feminine travellers is to stay vigilant, follow 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 fee is mostly reasonable, however crime nonetheless happens. Scams and pickpocketing are the most typical crimes towards vacationers, however there have additionally been experiences of armed robberies, muggings, sexual assaults, and break-ins. Keep in mind 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

Because the Arab Spring in 2011, there was vital political turmoil in Egypt. Protests and demonstrations happen throughout the nation and have develop into violent from time to time. Keep away from any demonstrations and marches.

As of October 2024, the UK authorities’s International Journey Recommendation web site states “Terrorism is a threat throughout Egypt, notably in North Sinai.” It’s price noting, nonetheless, that they are saying the identical factor concerning the USA, and that there’s “a excessive risk of terrorist assault globally”.

In Egypt, there have been situations of terrorist assaults in recent times, and the authorities have elevated safety measures at vacationer websites and necessary journey checkpoints. All the time test 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. Nonetheless, 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 infrequently from males) – a lot of whom merely wouldn’t go away me alone regardless of what number of occasions I stated no.

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

Individuals adopted me for as much as twenty minutes making an attempt to get me to purchase one thing. There have been just a few males who did the identical making an attempt 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 the perfect tactic to take care of 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 could be price 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 will be a difficulty. Keep away from going to bars solo or strolling alone at evening: Uber from door to door is the best choice after darkish.

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

Once I was in Sharm el Sheikh, just a few guys messaged me on Instagram making an attempt to get me to fulfill up with them. I strongly suggest that you simply say no to anybody who does this. Some extra suggestions:

Keep away from sharing your stay 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 permit resort employees to enter your room whilst you’re alone.
Keep away from travelling in taxis alone. Use Uber or activate location sharing by way of WhatsApp in the event you’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 repute amongst travellers as a spot the place getting hit with a tummy bug is widespread.

The principle tip is to keep away from consuming faucet water. Use bottled water to brush your tooth, keep away from domestically made ice cubes (most locations use secure, store-bought ice), and avoid 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 evaluation for a 15% low cost.

The NHS suggest that you’ve a Poliomyelitis and Tetanus vaccination for journey to Egypt. In the event you stay within the UK you’ve most likely already had these, however make an appointment along with your GP in the event you’re unsure.

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, keep on with lengthy attire/skirts and trousers and keep away from issues like sizzling pants, cropped tops and really low necklines. Though a girl’s alternative of clothes ought to by no means be an excuse for poor behaviour, the actual fact is that in some elements of the world, sure clothes decisions can entice the improper sort of consideration.

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

Comfortable sneakers are a should for sightseeing, particularly on the historic websites. The bottom is uneven and infrequently sandy – and also you’ll be doing loads of strolling. Closed-toe, comfy trainers or strolling sneakers 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. Take into account an anti-theft bag made with slash-proof supplies – like those from Travelon.

Suggestions 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 whilst you’re in Egypt (useful for on-line maps, translations, ordering Ubers, and many others).

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 costlier, 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 immediately 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: 126Police: 122Ambulance: 123

Have good journey insurance coverage

I can’t stress sufficient the significance of journey insurance coverage. In the event you encounter a difficulty – whether or not it’s a cancelled flight (fairly widespread with Egypt’s inside airways) or a medical emergency – you need that lined.

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

Keep away from travelling at evening

Keep away from taking public transport at evening or strolling alone in metropolis/city centres after darkish. In the event you do journey at evening, for instance on an in a single day bus, take additional care along with your belongings and keep away from being the final particular person left on board.

Extra security suggestions for feminine travellers

Keep away from sharing your stay 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 permit resort employees to enter your room whilst you’re alone.
Keep away from travelling in taxis alone. Use Uber or activate location sharing by way of WhatsApp in the event you’re ever involved.
Use respected suppliers for excursions and excursions.

READ MORE: Learn how to Shield 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 whilst a seasoned solo traveller, I discovered it somewhat overwhelming. Uber is definitely extremely reasonably priced and made it a lot simpler to navigate town.

You need to keep away from taking taxis alone, particularly at evening – Uber is a a lot safer possibility because of its built-in security options and site monitoring.

Prime Tip: Arrange Uber’s Security options prematurely. You’ll be able to arrange a PIN verification, change on security check-ins, and add a trusted contact with whom you may rapidly share your location and journey standing in the event you’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 somewhat sketchy at evening. A couple of folks I’ve spoken to have stated the identical.

I don’t suppose Giza is especially harmful – but it surely felt somewhat extra run-down than different elements of Cairo. It’s additionally a really touristy space, so all of the locals I encountered right here appeared to be making an attempt 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 means). However in the event you’re new to solo journey or feeling nervous, I believe you may discover the neighbourhood somewhat overwhelming.

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

Often, I’m an enormous fan of exploring by myself. That’s what I did all through most of my journey – and I had a good time discovering the nation. Nonetheless, in the event you’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 that you’ll possible see extra – and have a greater understanding of what you’re taking a look at. Plus, a information is normally joyful to take photographs 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. Once they wouldn’t, my information at all times stepped in!

Test evaluations and ensure you’re reserving a tour firm with a superb repute – 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 sensible and I’d extremely suggest reserving one in the event you’re visiting Egypt as a solo feminine traveller:

Bear 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 wish to ask questions like “the place are you from”, and when you’ve engaged, they have an inclination to not cease! My intuition was to reply simply to be well mannered – but it surely 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 disregard and hold strolling, but it surely was the simplest approach to keep away from being aggressively offered to!

E book in some downtime

Journey in Egypt will be tense and overwhelming at occasions – while nonetheless being loads of enjoyable. When you’ve got time, I’d suggest reserving a few days at a pleasant resort or resort for some chill time. I liked my keep at Domina Coral Bay in Sharm el Sheikh.

Don’t be scared 💕

At the same time as a seasoned solo traveller, I used to be nervous about heading to Egypt alone… however I liked 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 wonderful nation – stuffed with historical past, fable, and surprise.

So please don’t let the above warnings put you off. I truthfully imagine that so long as you make smart decisions, take the appropriate 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 evening – and wait inside till the automobile arrives.
Don’t keep in Giza
E book excursions for the foremost sights (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 stated above: don’t let the warnings make you too nervous or put you off visiting Egypt. This can be 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 will be trickier than different international locations. Town centres are chaotic, the general public transport is usually problematic (I had a number of trains cancelled), and the distributors at vacationer sights are sometimes greater than somewhat over-zealous.

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

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