Safety Tips for Travelling to Egypt

These precautions are recommended to keep you safe when visiting Egypt

From being home to one of the seven ancient wonders of the world to its perfect sparkling blue seas, Egypt has long been a popular country to visit. Recent political turmoil and terrorist activity has seen visitor numbers decline drastically, with figures hitting an all-time low in 2015. However, it has been reported that there has been a sharp increase in visitors in the first half of 2018. So, is Egypt safe?

As tourism increases, there are a number of things you can do to stay safe when visiting Egypt.

Do Not Visit Conflictive Areas

Some areas of Egypt are not recommended to visit. There are large military presences around the country’s boarder, especially at the border with Gaza. The Egypt Travel Advisory recommends that you stick to touristic areas, such as Sharm el Sheik, on the Sinai Peninsula, as there is terrorist activity elsewhere on the Peninsula, as well as in the western desert. Landmines in the north coast, the south of the Suez Canal and the Red Sea coast are still a large problem. Again, stick to popular tourist areas.

Avoid Taking Road Trips, go For a Nile Cruise or Travel by Plane

You may consider taking a trip by car to travel from place to place. Whilst this would be a scenic way to travel, there are still reports of desert assaults and dangerous driving in Egypt. If you need to travel through the country, consider taking a Nile cruise or a flight instead of a road trip.

Run Away from Protests and Disturbances

Due to ongoing political issues and unrest, protests and disturbances still happen and could cause issues for tourists. Whilst they are not as frequent, should you find yourself near a disturbance you must stay a safe distance away. If you can leave the area completely that would be recommended.

Wear Appropriate Clothes

Whilst Egypt isn’t strict on covering up, the weather can be incredibly hot, so precautions must be taken to protect yourself from the sun and the heat. Light shirts and hats are recommended. It is advisable for women to cover their legs and shoulders to avoid unwanted attention. If you are visiting a mosque then men must wear long trousers, and women a scarf. It is advisable to check with the mosque in advance to make sure you are respectful.

Buy Medical Insurance

When visiting Egypt, it is imperative that you take out comprehensive travel insurance as hospitals in Egypt are of a low standard compared to western countries. Egypt’s health care system consists of public and private hospitals, with the recommendation of using private over public for quality. Therefore, you must have travel or medical insurance when visiting for access to these private facilities. It is advised that major operations should be undertaken outside of Egypt if possible to guarantee good care. With a good travel or medical insurance, you will be able to have any treatment that you may need in a private facility and be seen quickly. Travel insurance also covers cost of medicine, fees and repatriation should you need to travel home for treatment.

Travel Insurance Egypt

Planning to visit Egypt anytime soon? Get your travel insurance quote here