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

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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 slightly 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 should say that whereas I cherished Egypt and wouldn’t hesitate to return sooner or later, it was one of the crucial difficult and exhausting nations 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’s 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

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

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

This is not an excellent 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 planet.

2. Scams Abound

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

This will not be a difficulty so long as you come ready and know easy 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 provides you a “gift,” it is not really going to be free, so simply ignore them and stroll on by.

And in case you are procuring 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 want to be in your guard on a regular basis and the place you should 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 are going to comply with you and preserve pestering you endlessly.

Don’t fall prey to the high-pressure gross sales ways that distributors will use as you stroll down the road or via markets and bear in mind you may at all times stroll away.

4. Tipping Is A Way Of Life

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

If 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 individual for a 10-day tour) and maintain distributing them to drivers, porters, waiters, and so forth.

To use any restroom in Egypt, you will additionally normally have to 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 necessary to decorate conservatively.

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

I at all times wore lengthy attire (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 elements 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, however 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 significantly heartbreaking factor that is widespread to see in Egypt is little one 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 kids do not get to maintain this cash, and adults are sometimes forcing them to beg.

7. Food Hygiene Is Questionable

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

Food hygiene requirements in Egypt are usually 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 will 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’s 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 securely drink the faucet water in so many nations world wide.

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

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

I feel 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 widespread it’s to remain in hostels, meet different solo vacationers, e book 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 last tip…

9. Traveling Solo Is Not Necessarily Cheaper

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

There are loads of reasonably priced group excursions in Egypt (take a look at corporations like G Adventures or Intrepid Travel) that work out to price solely barely greater than should you have been to try to e book 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 may really take pleasure in Egypt.

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Opinions expressed listed below are the writer’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 put up.