Is Egypt Safe? Short Answer
Is Egypt safe? Yes, for Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan, and Red Sea resorts, with normal caution, while North Sinai and border zones must be avoided.
The main tourist corridor is not under advice against travel from the US, UK, Canada, or Australia. This article covers safety only; for the sights, see the 10 best places to visit in Egypt.
What Official Travel Advice Says
Four governments agree on the shape of the risk: normal caution in the tourist corridor, and stay out of the border zones. Most visits are trouble-free, per the FCDO.
| Government | Level | Updated | Tourist corridor |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution | Reissued 15 July 2025, per reporting | Not under Do Not Travel |
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | Zone-based advice | 4 Aug 2026 | Not under advice against travel |
| Canada | Exercise a high degree of caution | 9 Sep 2026 | High caution, not avoid |
| Australia (Smartraveller) | Exercise a high degree of caution | 14 Sep 2026 | Check the Smartraveller Egypt page for sub-zone detail |
A Level 2 rating is a caution rating, not a do-not-go rating. Read the zone wording, not just the headline. See the FCDO Egypt safety and security advice for the full zone list.
Areas to Avoid in Egypt
Avoid Northern and Middle Sinai and the Libya border area entirely. The UK advises against all travel to North Sinai and to within 20 km of the Libya border, except El Salloum, and against all but essential travel to northern South Sinai beyond the St Catherine to Nuweibaa road, Ismailiyah east of the Suez Canal, and much of the area west of the Nile Valley and Delta, with listed exceptions.
Terrorism Threat in Plain Terms
The terrorism threat is real but concentrated away from the tourist corridor. The FCDO warns that terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Egypt, with targets including security forces, religious sites, large gatherings, and places visited by foreign nationals.
Crime Against Visitors
Street crime against visitors is low, but opportunistic crime happens. Report crime to tourist police on 126.
Scams in Egypt and How to Handle Each One
Scams are the most likely problem a tourist will face. Say "La shukran", which means "No, thank you", with no eye contact and keep walking, and never hand over your ticket, phone, or wallet.
| Scam | How it works | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Fake guides | Stranger offers guiding, then demands payment | Decline; book a licensed guide in advance |
| Camel ride double-charge | Handler quotes about 50 EGP to mount, then demands more to dismount | Agree total return price in writing; call 126 if trapped |
| Fake police | Someone claims to be police and asks for your wallet | Do not hand over wallet; ask for ID and a police station, call 122 or 126 |
Women Travelling Alone in Egypt
Women travelling alone can travel in Egypt with care and planning. Sexual assaults have been reported to the British Embassy, mostly in Red Sea resorts, often by someone the victim had already met, per the FCDO. Dress modestly; dress does not guarantee against harassment. At night, stick to busy, well-lit streets. If harassed, say "La shukran" with no eye contact, keep walking, and move to a public place, hotel, shop, or police post. Use women-only metro cars in Cairo.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing in Egypt
Ride-hailing is the safer choice where it works. In Cairo and Alexandria, Uber and Careem both work, with fixed prices and tracked trips. Elsewhere, coverage is patchy; keep a hotel car as backup. Sit in the back and share your trip details with someone you trust.
Health in Egypt: Water, Food, Sun, and Medical Care
Drink bottled water, protect against sun, check vaccinations, and buy insurance that covers evacuation.
| Topic | What to do |
|---|---|
| Water and food | Drink sealed bottled water only, and check the seal. The CDC says tap water is not safe outside large international tourist hotels. |
| Sun and heat | Drink regularly and carry a 1-litre bottle. Visit outdoor sites in the early morning and late afternoon, and avoid 11:00-15:00 where possible. Wear a hat, sunglasses, and high-factor sunscreen, with light, loose clothing. |
| Vaccinations | No vaccination is mandatory for most visitors. TravelHealthPro lists typhoid as known or presumed, and to consider vaccination if your risk is increased. Egypt is malaria-free since 2024. |
| Medical care and insurance | The State Department warns that emergency and intensive care facilities are limited in Egypt, and ambulances are rare and unreliable in most areas. Insurance is not required for entry, but the FCDO warns that air or sea rescue can cost more than 4,000 USD per hour. Your policy should cover emergency care, evacuation, repatriation, planned activities, and pre-existing conditions. See TravelHealthPro, Egypt health advice for the full list. |
LGBTQ+ Travellers in Egypt
LGBTQ+ travellers face real legal risk in Egypt, and the lack of an explicit law does not mean safety. The FCDO notes that same-sex sexual activity is not explicitly criminalised, but authorities have prosecuted LGBT+ people under debauchery laws, including people flying rainbow flags at public events. Do not show affection in public, use dating apps, or share sexual content on social media in Egypt. If you need help, contact your embassy.
Photography, Drones, Protests, and Police Checks
Ask before photographing people, leave drones at home, stay away from protests, and carry ID.
| Topic | Rules |
|---|---|
| Photography | Phone photos are normal at most sites, but the rules are strict. A permit is required for professional photography equipment, per the FCDO. It is illegal to photograph military property, including the Suez Canal. If an official asks you to delete a photo, comply calmly. |
| Drones | Do not bring a drone as a tourist. The FCDO warns that drones are illegal near sensitive sites, and that importing, using, or producing drones without Ministry of Defence permission beforehand can bring a prison sentence of up to 7 years or a fine of 5,000 to 50,000 Egyptian pounds. |
| Protests | Stay away from protests entirely. Local law prohibits protesting or demonstrating without a permit. People have been arrested for being near protests, even without taking part, and for participating. The FCDO warns against large gatherings and protests. |
| Emergency numbers and ID checks | Save these numbers before you land, on paper and in your phone. Tourist police: 126. Ambulance: 123. Police: 122. Fire: 180. Tourism complaints hotline numbers conflict across secondary sources (19654 against 19313), so neither is published here. Police check ID regularly. |
Safety Checklist Before You Go
Run this checklist before you book and again before you fly. Read your government's current advice and check the zones against your route. Buy insurance that covers your activities, evacuation, and repatriation. Save the emergency numbers and your embassy contact. Carry a passport copy and your hotel card. Sort your entry paperwork with the Egypt visa guide before you pay for anything non-refundable.
Sources
- UK FCDO: Egypt safety and security - terrorism, crime, scams, women, photography, drones, protests, updated 4 Aug 2026.
- UK FCDO: Egypt getting help - emergency numbers 122, 123, 126, 180.
- US State Department: Egypt Travel Advisory - Level 2 advisory, terrorism, crime, health, demonstrations.
- TravelHealthPro: Egypt - vaccinations, malaria-free status, altitude.
- CDC Yellow Book: Egypt - water, food, travellers diarrhoea, schistosomiasis, polio.
- Smartraveller: Egypt travel advice and safety.
Smartraveller (Australia) level and update date are cited from the research file; see the Smartraveller Egypt page for the current advice.
