Published : 09/11/22 | September 11, 2022
I get a lot of questions from readers about safety in Egypt. I can't answer. After all, I only know what my friends tell me. I'm no expert, so today Monica Chapon of This Rare Earth shares her experiences and tips on how to stay safe as a solo female traveler in Egypt!
Egypt is high on many travelers' wish lists and for good reason. With such a long history, iconic ancient sites and exotic smells, tastes and sounds, it's easy to see why.
But many do not come here due to security reasons. After all, anyone living in Western countries has probably seen repeated government warnings and headlines in the media.
The US State Department urges travelers to "reconsider travel to Egypt due to terrorism" while the Canadian government advises "to exercise a high level of caution due to the unpredictable security situation in Egypt and the threat of terrorism".
The Australian government advises "to review the general need for travel to Egypt". In addition, the British government warned that "terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Egypt".
With many governments warning travelers not to travel, I can certainly understand the reluctance of people, especially women, to travel to Egypt alone or as part of a group tour to Egypt.
Before I get there, I have a few questions of course "Are you sure this is a good idea?". It appears. More than once I was told that I must not leave without a male chaperone or I must be kidnapped. (Even after I returned safely, people around me still questioned my decision to go it alone.)
Although I knew these fears were exaggerated, I must admit I wasn't sure what to expect there. After all, with blonde hair and green eyes, I didn't have a chance to blend in or look like a local.
But I found the Egyptians to be friendly and hospitable. Women smiled kindly on the street and everyone I dealt with genuinely wanted me to fall unconditionally in love with their country.
Now that I've traveled to Egypt on my own, I'm here to share what I've learned with all the other women out there.
Here's what you need to know about women's safety before you leave.
Fraud and trouble
Although it is important to note that most Egyptians I met were absolutely hospitable and friendly, Egypt has a reputation as a tourist scam. Something more common I've heard of is focusing on a few major sites like the pyramids.
For example, it is often reported that those offering camel rides first load tourists onto the camels and then, when the ride begins, charge grossly inflated prices for the short ride. Or sellers give you the product as a "gift" but when you start to leave they resent you because you don't pay.
Never accept a camel ride, taxi or any other commodity without first agreeing on the price.
I myself have encountered several scams and problems and the main factor in each one was stress. Feeling pressured into anything as a single woman can be a scary experience.
An example of this was with the local manager. I hire him to take me to a few stops when other means of transportation don't work (more on that later).
All the time I spent with him was wonderful. However, as the day progressed, he started pushing me to give more than before and then very aggressively getting him positive feedback.
This went on for about an hour. His voice got louder and he was visibly confused that I was disrespecting him. It got to the point where he followed me into my hotel lobby and sat waiting for me to "give him a review".
Since it was a public place with quite a few employees around, I didn't feel safe. But as a single woman, I would never feel comfortable pursuing a man and I was on high alert.
For better or worse, I stood my ground and defied. Eventually she left without further problems, but I'm not sure she would have done that with a man.
If you find yourself in a situation where someone is trying to force you to do something, whether it's a payment, a tip, or going somewhere you don't want to go, stand up for yourself. Stay calm and ask others for help if needed. You have the right to opt out of anything you know is wrong or you don't want to participate.
go around
If you are a woman traveling alone in Egypt, you may have doubts about how to travel safely. And I realized: going out alone on public transport can be scary. Here are the best options and how to use them safely.
One of the cheapest and most reliable means of transportation in Cairo is the metro. Women may want to use the women-only booth to avoid unwanted attention. These are usually the first and second carriages or the fourth and fifth carriages, indicated by platform markings.
While the metro is easy to navigate, it doesn't stop at all the places you need as a tourist. For example, you cannot reach the Pyramids or Cairo International Airport by metro alone. This is where other options come into play.
Some cities like Cairo and Alexandria have ride sharing services like Careem and Uber. I found this to be the best and cheapest option if I were to walk the sights of the city alone. I also like that they provide a digital record of every driver that has picked me up when something goes wrong.
Taxis and private drivers are an easy option when you're outside of major cities or rideshare wait times are inconvenient. I found them to be reasonably priced for the most part, but make sure you agree on the fare before boarding.
I myself walked around Cairo for a while and tried to dress conservatively. Whether it's the streets of Islamic Cairo or just a grocery store, I feel completely safe.
I mostly walked alone in daylight - rarely at night - so I can't say if that changed my experience. If you plan to go out late at night, I recommend booking a cab or taxi.
Sexual harassment in Egypt
I would be lying if I said there is no sexual harassment in Egypt. It exists but it may be less common than you think. I was mentally prepared for the worst: constant whistling, surveillance, harassment from men. To be honest, I have experienced all these in my travels. Heck, I've even tested them all at home.
I was pleasantly surprised to see almost nothing like this in Egypt. But I know many women do.
So what do you do when this happens?
When you feel like withdrawing, I usually think it's best to ignore, ignore, ignore. You usually give up when you run out of ear shots. If you're in a public place or feel threatened, you can go to a store or draw attention to the situation with a firm and firm "no."
If something serious like theft or robbery happens, report it to the tourist police immediately. Their job is to protect tourists in Egypt and they speak a lot more English than other officials. You can be reached by dialing 126.
Please note that many major tourist attractions such as the Pyramids also have a police force.
You can also ask the hotel reception or manager for help. Most Egyptians would be happy to move on.
Tips for not being targeted
I suspect that one of the reasons I enjoyed myself so much in Egypt was that I felt at home there. I've traveled a lot in the Middle East, so I "get" the culture.
Here are my top tips for women traveling to Egypt:
1. Be aware of Egyptian cultural norms . It's probably not surprising, but even in the hot summers, traditional clothing has to be worn here. Think trousers and shirts that don't reveal too much. When I wear tight leggings, I pair them with a loose shirt that covers the waist and hips. Wear a veil when visiting certain religious places such as mosques. (The only places I personally wear shorts or tank tops are near beach resorts.) When I see other women dress more casually, I don't consider it a sign of respect for their culture. And I think it has served me well as a solo traveler.
2. Be confident . If you don't feel 100% confident, I suggest you pretend. Keep your chin and eyes up. Find out where your destination is before leaving your hotel or hostel. This is easy by downloading offline maps or buying a local SIM card. I recommend Vodafone or Etisalat which can be bought on arrival at Cairo airport.
3. Don't be afraid to say no . You should never feel like you have to stop and speak politely. Shoppers, restaurants and vendors in tourist areas will often compete for your attention. A firm but polite "la, shukran" (no thanks) is all you need to say if you're not interested as you move on.
4. Keep an eye on purses and cameras . Most petty theft is a crime of convenience. Choose shoulder bags that are the hardest to steal and don't give your camera to someone you don't trust to get it back. Don't forget to take travel insurance as well.
5. Avoid political protests . You have a history of anger in Egypt. Everything was quiet when I was there, but if you hear any protests or demonstrations, stay away.
I think a healthy balance of respect and trust works wonders and has saved me in Egypt and around the world. It is also important to mention some of the warm and welcoming experiences I had in Egypt, which were much more than the events described above.
For example, at koshara, Egypt's national dish and a popular street food, I was treated quite friendly and platonic. I got to explore the Bedouin tribal village in the desert. And the hotel staff went above and beyond for me as I headed to the airport for my departure flight. The locals have always been friendly, welcoming and helpful even without asking.
I had far more positive experiences than negative ones and I didn't expect anything in return. And in my opinion, my negative experience didn't really matter.
Egypt was more than I expected. I would honestly come back without hesitation!
Egypt can be a perfectly safe place for solo travelers. I'm not saying there won't be any problems or hassles - chances are you'll encounter some. But I also believe that you will find Egyptian culture and Egyptian men in general very hospitable. They really want you to love their country. If you are prepared and in control, I believe you can do it.
Monica Chapon has traveled solo across six continents and chronicles her adventures on her Rare Earth blog. It is usually found exploring the world's deserts, impromptu trips or hiking trails in Southern California. Follow Monika's adventures on Instagram
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ভ্রমণ বীমা আপনাকে অসুস্থতা, আঘাত, চুরি এবং বাতিলকরণ থেকে রক্ষা করে। কিছু ভুল হলে এটি সম্পূর্ণ সুরক্ষা। আমি এটি ছাড়া কখনও ভ্রমণ করি না কারণ অতীতে আমাকে এটি অনেকবার ব্যবহার করতে হয়েছে। আমার প্রিয় কোম্পানীগুলি যারা সেরা পরিষেবা এবং অর্থের মূল্য প্রদান করে:
- সেফটিউইং (সবার জন্য সেরা)
- আমার ভ্রমণের বীমা করুন (70 বছরের বেশি লোকের জন্য)
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আপনি আপনার ট্রিপ বুক করতে প্রস্তুত?
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মিশর ভ্রমণ মহিলাদের জন্য দূতাবাস নিরাপদ? ভ্রমণ ওয়েবসাইট যাযাবর ম্যাট প্রথম হাজির.