Capital city, Egypt
Is Cairo safe?
Violent crime against visitors is rare and tourist sites are heavily policed.
Is Cairo safe?
Violent crime against visitors is rare and tourist sites are heavily policed. Scams, relentless touts, traffic and harassment of women are the real daily problems.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- 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 Cairo at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Pickpocketing in crowded metro and markets, taxi overcharging, and persistent touts at Giza and Khan el-Khalili. Violent crime against visitors is uncommon. |
| At night | Central areas stay busy until late and feel fine. Use Uber or Careem after dark rather than hailing street taxis, and avoid empty side streets. |
| Solo women | Verbal harassment is constant and groping happens in crowds. Dress modestly, use the women-only metro cars, ride app cars with shared trip details and ignore catcalls. |
| Other risks | Heavy traffic and few pedestrian crossings; Heat above 40°C in summer; Stomach upsets from street food and ice |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Giza camel and horse rides that change price once you are on board
- Strangers saying a site is closed, then steering you to a shop
- Taxi drivers refusing the meter or claiming it is broken
- Fake 'official' guides or perfume shops near the Pyramids and Khan el-Khalili
Take care
- Giza Pyramids plateau: aggressive touts; buy tickets only at the official gate
- Crowded metro and Tahrir at rush hour: pickpockets and groping
- Crossing streets: traffic rarely stops, even at crossings
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 Cairo 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 Cairo safe for solo female travelers?
Verbal harassment is constant and groping happens in crowds. Dress modestly, use the women-only metro cars, ride app cars with shared trip details and ignore catcalls.
Is Cairo safe at night?
Central areas stay busy until late and feel fine. Use Uber or Careem after dark rather than hailing street taxis, and avoid empty side streets.
What is the crime rate in Cairo?
Pickpocketing in crowded metro and markets, taxi overcharging, and persistent touts at Giza and Khan el-Khalili. Violent crime against visitors is uncommon. Nationally, Egypt records 1.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2017).
What number do I call in an emergency in Cairo?
Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126.
More about Cairo
Going to Cairo solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Cairo 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
- Cairo International Airport
- 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.