Is Egypt Safe For Solo Female Travelers? 9 Things Women Need To Know

Last Updated 36 minutes in the past

Is Egypt protected for solo feminine vacationers?

I’ve been to 50+ countries around the world as a solo feminine traveler, however I’ve to confess, I used to be somewhat apprehensive about touring to Egypt alone.

So I booked a 10-day group tour of the nation to begin off with, adopted by some exploring by myself.

And I actually must say that whereas I liked Egypt and wouldn’t hesitate to return someday, it was some of the difficult and exhausting international locations I’ve ever been to on the identical time.

Overall, I do not assume it is a good vacation spot for almost all of solo feminine vacationers, however that should not discourage you from visiting in any respect.

Here are a very powerful issues it is best to find out about solo feminine journey and security in Egypt:

1. It’s Safe, But It’s Not For The Faint Of Heart

A Young Woman Wearing A Yellow Dress As She Steps Down An Old Stone Stairway In Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, North Africa

Egypt is protected for solo feminine vacationers, however I would not advocate it for almost all of girls.

You ought to solely go to Egypt solo should you’re extraordinarily assertive, assured, and skilled touring by yourself.

This is not a superb first-time solo travel destination.

While I by no means felt bodily unsafe in Egypt, the fixed staring, feedback, and hassling from males grew tiresome and was in contrast to something I’d skilled elsewhere on the earth.

2. Scams Abound

One factor it is best to find out about Egypt earlier than you go is that vacationer scams abound.

This will not be a problem so long as you come ready and know methods to determine and keep away from scams.

Never get right into a taxi with out agreeing on a value with the motive force beforehand.

Know that if a vendor gives you a “gift,” it isn’t really going to be free, so simply ignore them and stroll on by.

And if you’re purchasing within the markets, prepare for some hardcore haggling and by no means conform to the primary (or second, or third) value you are quoted.

3. You Need To Be Assertive

Egypt is a vacation spot the place you have to be in your guard on a regular basis and the place you have to be comfy being assertive, even when it feels “rude.”

If you do not completely ignore distributors on the street or firmly inform them “no” and preserve strolling, they may comply with you and preserve pestering you endlessly.

Don’t fall prey to the high-pressure gross sales techniques that distributors will use as you stroll down the road or via markets and bear in mind you’ll be able to all the time stroll away.

4. Tipping Is A Way Of Life

Shop and man in front of the shop at dusk in the Souk Khan el-Khalili (bazaar or market), Cairo, Egypt

Tipping is a big a part of the tradition in Egypt, and there is actually no means round it.

If you go to Egypt on a guided tour as I did, your information will probably take up a group of ideas for everybody (mine was $75 per particular person for a 10-day tour) and deal with distributing them to drivers, porters, waiters, and so forth.

To use any restroom in Egypt, you may additionally normally must tip the attendant a small quantity (5 to 10 Egyptian kilos, or $0.10 to $0.20.)

Going again to level #3 above, do not be afraid to push again and say no if somebody like a tour information calls for extra money after you have already tipped them.

5. Dress Conservatively

Egypt was the primary Middle Eastern nation I traveled to, and I knew it might be vital to decorate conservatively.

But needless to say should you’re a international lady, dressing conservatively remains to be not going that will help you mix in or keep away from catcalls and fixed hassling.

I all the time wore lengthy clothes (with a sweater or scarf to cowl my chest and shoulders) or flowy pants and a long-sleeved high in Egypt and felt comfy.

6. Poverty Is Very Visible In Egypt

Poverty is extraordinarily seen in lots of components of Egypt, and that is one thing you need to be ready for earlier than you go.

It doesn’t suggest that Egypt is unsafe, nevertheless it’s one thing that may actually catch you off guard should you’ve solely seen Instagram-worthy photographs of the nation on-line.

One notably heartbreaking factor that is widespread to see in Egypt is little one beggars.

As terrible of a scenario as it’s, it is best to not give cash to them as a result of it perpetuates the cycle of exploitation — the youngsters do not get to maintain this cash, and adults are sometimes forcing them to beg.

7. Food Hygiene Is Questionable

people sit outside cafes to eat and smoke in Cairo Egypt

As I’ve talked about a number of occasions, Egypt shouldn’t be essentially an unsafe place — it may simply be uncomfortable. Aside from the fixed hassling and scams, I’d say one of many largest points you may face is getting sick.

Food hygiene requirements in Egypt usually are not the identical as they’re within the U.S. or Europe, which may result in many vacationers getting sick.

This is unquestionably a vacation spot the place you may need to journey with loads of Pepto-Bismol and Imodium, and be picky about the place you eat.

You additionally can not drink the faucet water in Egypt. I like to recommend getting a LifeStraw filtering water bottle. It’s cheaper than shopping for bottled water on a regular basis and higher for the atmosphere.

I actually by no means journey with out mine and I’ve used it to securely drink the faucet water in so many international locations all over the world.

8. There’s Not Much Of A Solo Travel Scene

woman in red top looking at pyramids in the distance in egypt

One factor I discovered attention-grabbing about Egypt is that there is not a lot of a solo journey or backpacker scene.

I feel a part of the rationale I’ve discovered it really easy to journey solo all through nearly all of Central and South America is due to how widespread it’s to remain in hostels, meet different solo vacationers, ebook backpacker actions, and so forth.

This is simply not as a lot of a “thing” in Egypt. So should you do not journey Egypt solo, you are not lacking out on a lot, which leads me to my remaining tip…

9. Traveling Solo Is Not Necessarily Cheaper

Young Woman Watching The sunset Over The Pyramids Of Giza, Cairo, Egypt, North Africa

You will not save a ton of cash touring independently in Egypt versus reserving a bunch tour.

There are loads of reasonably priced group excursions in Egypt (take a look at firms like G Adventures or Intrepid Travel) that work out to value solely barely greater than should you have been to attempt to ebook your individual lodging, transportation, and actions.

I’m not normally one for group excursions, however in Egypt I 100% assume it is the best choice.

It additionally takes away all the stress of navigating what could be a difficult vacation spot so you’ll be able to really take pleasure in Egypt.

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Opinions expressed listed below are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorised or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the publish.

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