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

Woman at Karnak Temple in Egypt

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Is Egypt secure for solo feminine vacationers?

I have been to 50+ countries around the world as a solo feminine traveler, however I’ve to confess, I used to be a little bit 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 alone.

Woman at Karnak Temple in Egypt

And I actually need to say that whereas I beloved Egypt and wouldn’t hesitate to return someday, it was one of the crucial difficult and exhausting nations I’ve ever been to on the identical time.

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

Listed here are an important issues it is best to find out about solo feminine journey and security in Egypt:

1. It is Secure, However It is Not For The Faint Of Coronary 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 secure for solo feminine vacationers, however I would not advocate it for almost all of girls.

You must solely go to Egypt solo in the event you’re extraordinarily assertive, assured, and skilled touring by yourself.

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

Whereas 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 would skilled elsewhere on the earth.

2. Scams Abound

Great Pyramids and Sphinx in Egypt

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

This would possibly not be a problem so long as you come ready and know learn how to determine and keep away from scams.

By no means get right into a taxi with out agreeing on a value with the motive force beforehand.

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

And in case you are buying 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 Want To Be Assertive

Market in Cairo

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

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

Do not fall prey to the high-pressure gross sales techniques that distributors will use as you stroll down the road or by way of markets and bear in mind you may all the time stroll away.

4. Tipping Is A Approach 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 approach round it.

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

To make use of 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 more cash after you’ve got already tipped them.

5. Costume Conservatively

Woman in Egypt looking at old ruins

Egypt was the primary Center Jap nation I traveled to, and I knew it might be essential to decorate conservatively.

However take into account that in the event you’re a overseas lady, dressing conservatively remains to be not going that can assist you mix in or keep away from catcalls and fixed hassling.

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

6. Poverty Is Very Seen In Egypt

Poverty 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 does not imply that Egypt is unsafe, nevertheless it’s one thing that may actually catch you off guard in the event you’ve solely seen Instagram-worthy images of the nation on-line.

One notably heartbreaking factor that is frequent to see in Egypt is baby beggars.

As terrible of a state of affairs 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. Meals Hygiene Is Questionable

people sit outside cafes to eat and smoke in Cairo Egypt

As I’ve talked about a number of occasions, Egypt will not be essentially an unsafe place — it may well simply be uncomfortable. Other than the fixed hassling and scams, I’d say one of many greatest points you may face is getting sick.

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

That is positively 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’t drink the faucet water in Egypt. I like to recommend getting a LifeStraw filtering water bottle. It is cheaper than shopping for bottled water on a regular basis and higher for the setting.

I actually by no means journey with out mine and I’ve used it to soundly drink the faucet water in so many nations around the globe.

8. There’s Not A lot Of A Solo Journey 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 believe a part of the explanation I’ve discovered it really easy to journey solo all through nearly all of Central and South America is due to how frequent it’s to remain in hostels, meet different solo vacationers, e book backpacker actions, and so forth.

That is simply not as a lot of a “factor” in Egypt. So in the event you do not journey Egypt solo, you are not lacking out on a lot, which leads me to my closing tip…

9. Touring Solo Is Not Essentially 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 gaggle tour.

There are many inexpensive group excursions in Egypt (take a look at corporations like G Adventures or Intrepid Travel) that work out to value solely barely greater than in the event you have been to attempt to e book your personal lodging, transportation, and actions.

I am not normally one for group excursions, however in Egypt I 100% suppose it is the best choice.

It additionally takes away all the stress of navigating what could be a difficult vacation spot so you may really get pleasure from Egypt.

Learn Extra:

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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, accepted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the publish.


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