Is it SAFE to go to EGYPT 2022?
EGYPT is as SAFE as any country in the WORLD and safer than most for TOURISTS
I don't ask you to take my word for it that Egypt is as safe as anywhere else. But I do ask you to do some research into the recent history of Egypt. Find out how many tourists have been killed or injured. You will discover that fewer foreigners or Egyptians have met with harm from terror attacks in Egypt than in any other countries of the Western World. To put it in perspective... there were 47,000 gun shootings in the USA in 2017!
Internationally designated safe areas
Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, cruising and driving between Luxor and Aswan is deemed safe by all countries (as far as I am aware). As is driving between Luxor and Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh on the Red Sea, and the road between Aswan and Abu Simbel, as well as Lake Nasser and the villages south of Aswan
Areas to which travel is not advised
However, I would not travel in the Sinai or the Western Desert personally, nor overland to Israel. I believe most international travel warnings advise the same, as does the Egyptian Government.
Travel Agents who advise you against travel to Egypt
Dig a little deeper when you get this advice. I am guessing that those travel agents have no contracts in place with hotels, transport companies or travel agents inside Egypt. Hence they actually don't have anything in Egypt to sell you. BUT, they do have contracts with lots of other places so, of course, that is what they want to sell you. Please remember everyone in business has their own products and their own agendas - and your agenda may not coincide with their priority.
Do check out the following
Get the right perspective on safety
In comparison to the risk of street muggings or violence in Chicago, to the risk of the continuous earthquakes in China, or even the risk of the common floods in Gt. Britain, the risk in Egypt is minimal. You are more likely to be run over crossing the street at home than you are to be involved in anything life-threatening in Egypt - as long as you follow good advice 🙂
Group Travel is a good option - if you are nervous about Egypt
Traveling with a group can feel comforting both for the traveler and their families back home. You will find our group info here if you are looking for a nice group to go with. Come to Egypt and have a wonderful time! - Mara.
Mara is the ‘oracle’ of Luxor, I travelled alone in Egypt just 1 yr ago and had a life fulfilling experience enhanced by Mara and her dedicated staff.Her knowledge of the Egyptian people, ancient and current culture, and recommendations for dining, sightseeing, and making the most of a visit to Luxor were ‘right on’; I felt very safe during my travels and visit and would go back in a ‘heartbeat’!
Like everybody’s saying: “Egypt is perfectly safe as long as the normal rules of safety that apply anywhere in the world are followed.”
I can only speak for Luxor, where I spent 9 days/nights – both in the city centre and in its outskirts. Very friendly people all over. Some annoying hasslers that can easily be avoided if you just do what Mara told you to do upon arrival… Keep walking, be friendly, be strict.
I live in Stockholm, Sweden, and comparing the two cities I can honestly say I feel a whole lot more discomfort in Sthlm on a Friday/Saturday night amongst all the drunkards than I ever did in Luxor. Go there and you might just have the best experience of your life!
We spent a week with Mara in April and found nothing to be worried about in Egypt. As long as travellers follow the normal precautions they would anywhere else, and, in particular the advice that local experts like Mara give, I would not anticipate any problems at all. We certainly had a really great and trouble-free trip to Luxor and Cairo and, of course, thoroughly recommend staying at Mara’s place.
I’m an English businesswoman now living in Luxor, Egypt – I have been coming to Egypt for the past 30 years and in 2011 decided to move to live here finally. Egypt in general and Luxor in particular is somewhere I feel extremely safe and the revolution has not changed that feeling. Egyptian people are friendly and helpful, communities and social values are still strong which keeps crime rates among the lowest in the world, and, apart from the slight nuisance of people hussling to sell boat rides, taxis touts & shopkeepers trying to entice me in to buy, I encounter no issues.
The main advice I would offer to women in particular is to show sensitivity to the local culture and dress appropriately. Egyptian men and women dress modestly in general showing very little bare skin in public places. While everyone visitig Egypt is free to dress as they choose, female tourists would be advised to recognise that the less they wear the more unwanted attention they will tend to get. Relax, have a good time, take home great memories and stories but have a little respect for the local culture…you will have a more enjoyable time here and so much less hassle if you do.
Other than that, and doing the normal things you would anywhere else in the world when travelling somewhere unfamiliar e.g. watching your wallet in a crowded place, using licensed taxis etc, then just have a great time. Egypt has so much to offer and so little risk in comparison to other places around the world, there is really nothing above and beyond the ordinary precautions you would be wise to take anywhere else on the planet…and Mara has some sound advice about those above.
Of course Mara’s right!
Like her, we too provide specialist accommodation in Luxor, and wouldn’t dream of inviting guests to a place where they were in any particular sort of danger. It grieves me to see certain hotels advertising that they are ‘safer’, like the Jolie Ville which actually has a drawbridge on the approach road!!!! Some companies will stoop to any lengths and play on any fears (no matter how irrational) to increase their share of business.
Being a very small and exclusive accommodation provider, we have had a constant trickle of guests all the way through from the actual revolution up to date. None have reported any frightening incidents at all. In fact, they’ve all been delighted that they have had the antiquities almost to themselves, and those that have been repeat visitors have even commented that the famous (and much dreaded) ‘hassle factor’ hasn’t been as bad as in previous years!
Uniquely along the Nile, Luxor is devoid of any other industries other than tourism and providing for tourists in some way or another. Many of the local people here are now actually starving, and all for the want of the ‘tourist dollar’.
No-one can give guarantees, but there are a good many foreign residents in Luxor who have no intention of getting out because they have fears for their safety! Along with Mara, my wife and I are more than happy to be here, providing the same quality services as usual for those of you who aren’t misled by scurrilous or exaggerated news reports.
Hope to see you soon.
Just finishing two weeks in Egypt as a sole female independent traveller and I can attest that Egypt is safe as long as one abides by normal, cautionary travel guidelines. Yes, you will get hassled and hustled in Egypt, but you get some of that everywhere you travel and they are pretty much harmless as long as you ignore them or reject their offers. Ignore the bad press coming out of Egypt; there are pockets of demonstration in Cairo but they are easily avoidable. Egypt has tons to offer – a rich history, an enviable coastline, excellent food, great weather, and etc – and this is an excellent time to explore Egypt. Discounts are everywhere and no crowds to fight through to see it all!
A month ago I enjoyed a fabulous week-long stay at Mara House in Luxor. It was one of the finest vacations that I’d ever had: Luxor and Upper Egypt is THE EGYPT that I’d always longed to see…Was it safe? Yes, of course–then again, I never worried about safety issues when staying at Mara House. The staff is excellent, the hospitality, tours and food are excellent. With tourists afraid of possible problems, there are no crowds to contend with. This is a WONDERFUL TIME to be visiting Egypt–you’ll be helping the economy to get back on its feet–and there are NO CROWDS or QUEUES !!! ENJOY–I did!
Luxor is still one of the safest cities anywhere in the world – and lots to do – has to be said that even better with slightly less visitors – so it could definitely do with a few more to keep everyone happy but not too many or you’ll spoil all the fun : )
Egypt is a safe and wonderful place to visit, the locals are nice people and really need the tourist.
Not to go is really missing out and the sites to see are amazing, life changing and magical.
I’ve been two times to Egypt alone (a single woman) and have never felt in danger or threatened. I use common sense when going out just like I would if I was back home. The people are very friendly and it is such a beautiful place to visit. I visited Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Alexandria and it truly is a wonderful country with so much to do and see. I would recommend it to everyone and plan to visit soon again.
it’s a great experience to come and visit Egypyt , don’t always relay on news coz it’s safer than any other places in the world and Mara house is a great place that reflects a true Egyptian atmosphere that makes it different than any other hotels in Luxor .
As an American woman living in Egypt, I can tell you it is very safe. Yes, you have to use your head – Mara’s tips above are spot-on. Frankly, I feel safer on the street here in Alexandria than I did living in Seattle. I encourage all of my friends and family to visit. It is a beautiful country with beautiful people. Don’t let the narrowly-focused news reports scare you away.
I agree with you Mara 100%, thanks to the media and international news, the spotlight that is shed on each individual incident, makes Egypt seem like a no go place..and that’s a shame!
Egypt is still safer than most other countries worldwide, we are living normally, with normal precautions.
The only difference for me after the revolution, is that I have to check before heading downtown through Tahrir square if there is a demonstration or not..to make sure that traffic is smooth..!
Ross & Rod – R & R! so appreciate you taking the time to help us out here!
Osama, thank you for the support! What goes around comes around and I am so happy good things are on the way for you!
Yasmine – thank you for taking the time . I think I am a bit of a storyteller and you are also – I liked your entertaining snippet! http://yasminezikry.wordpress.com/2013/04/
Being an Egyptian living in Egypt, many would think I am a bit biased, and I should be. But leaving this aside, Egypt is pretty safe for travel, especially if you follow the sensible decisions you would normally take anywhere you are.
Since being an AIESECer (a student-oriented international organization) I have many friends whom have came and went. All with great experiences and hopes of being able to come back to Egypt again one day.
I am even proud to day that AIESEC’s biggest international conferences will be done in Egypt this summer. So, it is safe enough for students from all around the world to come and attend the conference.
Things might not be like before the revolution but many of the stuff being said on the media either totally exaggerated or not a new thing.
If Egypt is safe enough for it’s native residents I believe it will be safe for others as well.
My partner and I spent 10 wonderful days in Egypt (5 in Luxor and 5 in Cairo) in January this year. Friends and family told us not to go because it was dangerous.
We had the BEST time. The people, the food, everything was amazing and SAFE. If you would like more detailed information, please email me burgessrod@gmail.com. Rod 🙂
Mara is absolutely right. I have just returned from two months travelling around the Middle East with the majority of time spent in Egypt. Before I left people said that I was mad especially going to Egypt with all the trouble being reported on the news. In my experience, Egypt is perfectly safe as long as the normal rules of safety that apply anywhere in the world are followed. The Egyptian people are very friendly and devastated that the tourists are staying away. As long as you avoid any obvious trouble spots, life goes on as normal. It’s actually a great time to visit Egypt because, with the reduced numbers, prices are down and it’s possible to spend more time in some of the awe inspiring temples/tombs/pyramids etc without the bustle and crush of fellow tourists. If in any doubt, follow Mara’s simple rules and you can’t go wrong. She knows Egypt back to front and can guarantee a wonderful and safe time while staying in here hotel in Luxor. Mara House is the greatest hidden gem in the whole of Egypt.
Over the last month I had two invitations to accompany visitors going to Egypt, being an Egyptian living abroad
One of them is a business man who’s desperate to invest in exporting fishery from Egypt, we went around Cairo for 4 days, meeting businessmen, financiers and potential partners
We would go every evening to some place on the Nile or in Heliopolis or Zamalek to have dinner and a drink
It was his first time in Egypt, now he’s considering starting business and moving to live in Egypt 10 months a year
The other is a multinational corporation projects director, who was in Cairo near Tahrir from 25th to 28th of JANUARY 2011 , when he noticed nothing of what was happening just because he was moving around districts rather than downtown
He came to discuss couple of new projects in Cairo Festival City, an Emirati (UAE) development in new Cairo district
He loved staying in the Fairmont towers, found it very sophisticated and professionally welcoming
He insisted on visiting the Pyramids, we did, had shisha and kebabs in Menahouse hotel overlooking the Pyramids
Business was successful and leisure was very entertaining for a 63 years old English man
He promised to bring his wife next time, who’s been dreaming of visiting Luxor temples, ride on a carriage like old English aristocrats
I left Egypt 10 years ago for business, for the last 6 months everything I’m working on is based somewhere in Egypt, to my surprise of course !
What I do know for sure is, being mugged or shot dead is news for the media, they will never go on air to say: everyone is happy, this couple married and those guys opened a new successful business..these are no news material
Violence is part of planet Earth daily life, in Cairo even the most crowded protests are marked as “peaceful”
The only thing I am terrified from every time I go to Cairo is: Traffic
So, avoid Cairo daytime by all means, or, go Luxor, Sharm elsheikh or Hurghada
It’s cheap, cheerful and food is great
I always admired Mara’s persistence and consistency is providing the best service in Southern Egypt
She well knows her way around, and she has the most amazing stories one can hear about Egypt