Africa
Is Egypt safe?
L2Exercise increased caution
Is Egypt safe?
Low street crime and heavy security around tourist sites; touts, scams and harassment are the daily hassles. Avoid North Sinai and border regions, and watch 2026 regional tensions.
Key facts
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-07-14.
- Homicide rate: 1.3 per 100,000 people (2017, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths: 10.1 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126.
- Solo women: Verbal harassment and groping are common, especially in Cairo crowds; dress conservatively, use women-only metro cars and share ride details.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Avoid North Sinai, the Libyan border and remote Western Desert
- Regional tension: drone strike on ships off Damietta, July 2026
- Unsafe dive boats, balloons and quad bikes; vet operators
- Terrorist attacks possible at tourist and religious sites
Common scams
- Camel and horse rides at Giza with prices that change mid-ride
- Fake visa 'agents' at airports charging above the official fee
- Free 'tours' that end in papyrus, perfume or carpet shops
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.
Safety by place 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 Egypt safe for tourists?
Low street crime and heavy security around tourist sites; touts, scams and harassment are the daily hassles. Avoid North Sinai and border regions, and watch 2026 regional tensions.
Is Egypt safe for solo female travelers?
Verbal harassment and groping are common, especially in Cairo crowds; dress conservatively, use women-only metro cars and share ride details.
What is the emergency number in Egypt?
Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: Egypt
- Egypt e-Visa portal (Ministry of Interior)
- Egypt digital visa on arrival
- Speedtest Global Index: Egypt
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.