Avoid all travel to the North Sinai Governorate and within 20km-40km of the Egyptian-Libyan border due to terrorism and kidnapping risks. FCDO advise against non-essential travel to the Western Desert (except specific oases/spots), the northern part of South Sinai, and the Ismailiyah Governorate east of the Suez Canal.
Cairo & Giza: Safe for tourists, with heightened security around attractions such as the Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum, and Khan El Khalili bazaar. Luxor & Aswan: Very safe with strong security around temples and historical sites. These areas are tourism-driven and rarely experience security concerns.
There are no travel advisories in place for popular tourist spots like Cairo, the cities along the Nile, including Luxor and Aswan and resorts by the Red Sea such as Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada.
Why is it considered unsafe to travel to Egypt? Egypt is considered a level 3 country for threat of terrorism by many governments. In Canada, our government recommends us to exercise a high degree of caution when traveling Egypt. This is because there is a threat of terrorism and security is unpredictable.
Yes, Egypt is generally safe for UK tourists in popular areas like Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Red Sea resorts, but requires exercising a high degree of caution due to terrorism, petty crime (scams, pickpocketing), and regional instability, with official advice urging against travel to certain border zones like North Sinai. Most tourists have trouble-free visits by staying vigilant, avoiding protests, using licensed transport, and following FCDO guidance, as major tourist spots have increased security.
These Egypt travel tips on local customs and etiquette will help you navigate with confidence. Intimate behaviour in public (kissing and cuddling) is a no-no, and even holding hands is disapproved of.
It's not safe to travel to places like Burkina Faso, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Haiti, and Myanmar, where major governments advise "Do Not Travel" due to conflict, terrorism, or instability, while areas near borders in Turkey, Israel/Palestine, and Togo also carry high risks. You should always check the latest advisories from your government (like Smartraveller.gov.au, GOV.UK, or Travel.State.gov) for current warnings on specific regions.
#SceneBuzz: 380,000 RUSSIAN TOURISTS VISITED HURGHADA IN THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS. In parallel to an increase in demand for flights from Russia to Egypt, specifically Hurghada, the number of Russian tourists arriving at Hurghada International Airport has reached 380,000 in the past eight months.
In 2005, the resort was hit by the Sharm El Sheikh terrorist attacks, which were carried out by an extremist Islamist organisation targeting Egypt's tourist industry.
Egypt's most beautiful places blend ancient wonders with natural beauty, featuring iconic sites like the Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx, the magnificent temples of Luxor (Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings), and the serene landscapes of Aswan, alongside the stunning Red Sea resorts (Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh) and otherworldly deserts like the White & Black Deserts, offering history, culture, and natural splendor.
According to the survey, theft of car (71.4 per cent), car hijacking (56.3 per cent) and theft of motorcycle (43.8 per cent) are the types of crime most frequently reported to the police, while only 1.3 per cent of the cases of corruption is brought to the attention of the police.
Plan to tip around 10-15% in Egyptian restaurants. However, the exact tip amount when eating out in Egypt depends on the place, occasion, and order size. It's customary to give your waiter or waitress a slightly higher tip than you would a bartender, as they are likely sharing their tip with the kitchen staff.
Egyptians are conservative and doing things like making out with your girlfriend/boyfriend in public is considered offensive, rude, or disrespectful. A public hug is less offensive, especially if greeting a spouse or family member you haven't seen in a while.
Yes, gay couples can share hotel rooms in Egypt, as well as cabins on Nile cruise boats. In some remote areas, there is a chance of being turned away, but most, if not all hotels in Egypt's major cities welcome gay travelers.
where possible, avoid eating salads and uncooked vegetables. only eat fruit they can peel. avoid unpasteurised milk, cheese and ice cream. avoid food that has been left uncovered in warm environments and exposed to flies.
All UK flights to beach resort Sharm el-Sheikh were banned in November 2015. It followed the bombing of a Russian airliner which killed all 224 people on board. The Islamic State group claimed it was behind the attack.
There is no official rule banning white clothing in Egypt. However, in traditional and rural areas, white is sometimes linked with mourning, religious rituals, and funeral attire. Wearing bright white can also attract unwanted attention; opt for softer or neutral shades for daily wear.
In Egypt, it is not acceptable to dress immodestly, especially at religious sites, with women expected to cover their shoulders and knees. Public displays of affection are frowned upon, and disrespecting local customs and religious practices is also unacceptable.
