Is Aswan safe?
Among Egypt's calmer tourist towns, with friendly locals. Touts and boat prices are the main hassle; heat and desert driving are the real risks.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-07-14.
- Homicide rate in Egypt: 1.3 per 100,000 people (2017, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Egypt: 10.1 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126.
Safety in Aswan at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Petty theft is uncommon; touts, price haggling and pushy felucca or bazaar sellers are the usual nuisances. |
| At night | The Corniche and souq are lively and calm in the evening. Side streets quiet down early; use a hotel-arranged taxi after dark. |
| Solo women | Calmer than Cairo, but verbal harassment from touts happens along the Corniche. Dress modestly and stay firm; Nubian guesthouses are generally comfortable. |
| Other risks | Extreme heat Apr–Oct; Dehydration on desert excursions; Boat accidents on overloaded river launches |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Felucca captains quoting one price, then asking for more at the end
- Souq sellers offering 'free gifts', then demanding payment
- Unlicensed drivers offering cheap Abu Simbel trips
- Island 'guides' pressing for tips or shop visits
Take care
- Desert roads to Abu Simbel: travel in convoys or by flight and check current guidance
- Walking alone on dark West Bank paths
- Midday sightseeing May–Sep
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Photographing people needs their consent; children, officials and military sites, including the Suez Canal, are off-limits.
- Importing or flying a drone without Defence Ministry permission can mean up to 7 years in prison.
- Criticising the government, including in social media posts, can lead to detention.
How Aswan compares in Egypt
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Hurghada | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sharm El Sheikh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Aswan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dahab | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Marsa Alam | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| El Gouna | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Siwa Oasis | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cairo | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Luxor | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Alexandria | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Aswan safe for solo female travelers?
Calmer than Cairo, but verbal harassment from touts happens along the Corniche. Dress modestly and stay firm; Nubian guesthouses are generally comfortable.
Is Aswan safe at night?
The Corniche and souq are lively and calm in the evening. Side streets quiet down early; use a hotel-arranged taxi after dark.
What is the crime rate in Aswan?
Petty theft is uncommon; touts, price haggling and pushy felucca or bazaar sellers are the usual nuisances. Nationally, Egypt records 1.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2017).
What number do I call in an emergency in Aswan?
Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126.
More about Aswan
Going to Aswan solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Aswan meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
- EgyptAir
- UK FCDO travel advice: Egypt
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.