Before international travel was hampered due to the COVID-19 epidemic, Egypt was among the most popular destinations worldwide, with over 10 million (and occasionally as many as 14.5 million) tourists coming yearly. Nearly one in twelve Egyptians work in the hospitality industry. Because of this, the quick answer to our question, "Is it Safe to Visit Egypt?" is unambiguous yes, since millions do it each year without incident.

Is Cairo Safe to Visit?

When compared to other Egyptian cities, Cairo is among the safest. That's because the city serves as a starting or ending point for a substantial percentage of the 11.5 million annual tourists that flock to the nation. Most departed trouble-free after marveling at Cairo's famed pyramids and Old Cairo's Coptic sites. In general, Cairo is a very safe city to explore. Its crime statistics are lower than many other large European and North American cities. In addition, millions of tourists visit each year, most of which will arrive and go without incident. Let's analyze this trip's potential dangers and concerns in further detail...

Pickpockets And Scams In Egypt

The odds of randomly encountering danger on the streets of Egypt are very low, far lower than in many Western countries. While there is no shortage of pubs and restaurants in Egypt where you may have an alcoholic beverage, locals tend to keep their drinking in check. As a result, you won't see the kind of drug- and alcohol-fueled street violence that has plagued other major tourist locations. Pickpockets are a real threat, particularly in crowded areas like Cairo, Alexandria, and Luxor. To avoid becoming a pickpocket's next victim, you should always employ some money belt or even a decoy wallet to conceal your cash and credit cards.

Terrorism In Cairo

Terrorism is still a major problem in Cairo because of the political instability of the last decade and tense ties with some of Egypt's closest neighbors. Overall, the danger is categorized as "extremely probable" by the British foreign office concerning all of Egypt. The increased potential of attacks has even prompted the US State Department to advise citizens to rethink their trip plans. Recent major bombs in 2019 and another in 2018 killed numerous visitors on their route to the Giza Pyramids, making it clear why the warnings are still in place.

Coptic Christians, as well as other minorities in the nation, are frequent targets of extremists. Even though there are many security personnel presents, the majority of assaults happen in populated locations and at places of worship. The city's authorities are constantly trying to avoid such events. Still, tourists should be on high alert in busy areas. Instead, it's best to entirely avoid crowded places and events with political overtones.

Transport In Cairo

Cairo, the capital of a vast and populous province, needs assistance with traffic. Pedestrians must contend with exhaust fumes, furious beeps, and dangerous roadways as they make their way through the crowds of people and vehicles clogging the streets. Although using a cab is a slow mode of transportation, it is considerably safer than renting a car and driving oneself about. Said, this is NOT the place to pick up a rental car. Simple as that.

The city's crowded streets hide a subway system that is spotless, cheap, and quick. The metro is a terrific and generally safe method to move about the city, despite its often hectic atmosphere and the fact that travelers, particularly female tourists traveling alone, may feel like an easy target. Keep your stuff close and out of sight to prevent them from being stolen. Likewise, move to less congested areas of the train vehicle if you can. Women may now ride in carriages reserved just for them, making them feel more secure in public.

Cairo also boasts a vast bus and microbus system that employs bus-only lanes on the city's ring roads to bypass some of the city's busiest corridors. Although the buses are inexpensive, they are less secure at night because opportunistic robbers target unsuspecting passengers.

Mugging Risk

Some kidnappings have been reported in outlying regions, although the victims were mostly Egyptians rather than foreign visitors. Cities like Cairo pose little kidnapping risk because of their large populations. Bandits commonly target sports vehicles because they are easy targets and because thieves usually carry weapons. Giving them the automobile is the safest option since it ensures you won't come to any harm at their hands.

Egypt's Political-Social Unrest

Lastly, we'd want to discuss political unrest and terrorism. In 2011, Egypt was ground zero for the Arab Spring, as many of you will recall. Uncertainty on the political front continued for years, sometimes escalating into outright bloodshed. Egypt has been relatively peaceful over the last decade since its political climate has settled. It would be best if you always examined the travel advice issued by your home government before travelling to Egypt; this will ensure that you are prepared for any potential political unrest during your stay.

Conclusion

In a technical sense, Egypt is not a safe country. If you are prepared to put in the time and effort, you can have a safe journey. Even while Egypt is seeing a rise in visitor numbers, it is far from being a secure country, particularly for women. Living there as a foreign woman could be possible, but visiting is another story. Visiting Egypt safely may be achieved through maintaining a state of increased awareness and alertness, as well as avoiding large gatherings of people.