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Updated
The US Department of State currently has a level 2 travel alert to exercise increased caution for Egypt. This alert is due to Egypt’s high risk of terrorist attacks — it is not related to the coronavirus. A few important notes to consider:
Many people dream of seeing Egypt’s ancient sites or cruising the River Nile as the Pharaohs once did. But recent political turmoil has painted a question mark on the country’s safety for tourists, especially areas in or close to the Sinai Peninsula. However, you can still travel to some lower-risk areas if you stay aware of the risks and take precautions.
It depends on the area where you’re traveling. Egypt holds travel warnings from the Department of State because of unpredictable terirorist groups, as of March 2020. Safety considerations for Egypt:
To protect yourself against the threat of terrorism, keep these precautions in mind:
You can find safe areas to eat with a few considerations, but avoid drinking tap water in this country.
You can find many restaurants throughout Egypt that are up to Western food hygiene standards, but some will be questionable. The safest spots to eat are at hotels, on Nile cruise boats or in mainstream restaurants.
However, if you want to fully experience the local culture, you can lessen your chances of getting ill with a few tips:
Tap water isn’t safe in all locations. For safety, you should drink bottled water which is cheap and readily available in the country. A few things you can do to keep safe while drinking water in Egypt:
If you’re journeying to this monumental land, you might want a moderate amount of coverage for:
Before traveling to this African country, you should update your routine vaccinations and speak to a doctor about other important precautions. The CDC recommends travelers to Egypt get vaccines for:
Many travelers visit Egypt solo without incident, even women. Take care of your personal safety as other travelers are advised in Egypt and avoid unnecessary risks.
However, women face the added challenge of harassment and may be subject to Egypt’s religious or cultural beliefs toward women. Egyptians have been known to sexually harass American women verbally or physically.
Women can avoid unwanted attention by taking a few extra steps:
No, Egypt sees some of the most driving fatalities per mile in the world. Road travel in Egypt involves dangerous conditions, such as poorly marked roads, high-speed or erratic driving. Many locals drive without headlights at night, leave disabled cars without reflectors or walk along the roadways. The US Department of State recommends tourists consider other options like reputable taxi services.
If you do choose to drive, you should be able to use your US license as long as you’re not renting for more than three months. In some cases, you may need an international license along with your original license.
Our top tips for keeping safe while driving in Egypt:
No, using public buses, minibuses, metros or trains are not considered safe forms of travel around Egypt. Regular accidents and derailments happen with these types of transportation.
However, you might consider taxis or hired drivers since they’re used to navigating the streets. You can find Uber drivers in major cities like Cairo, including Uber scooters for a cheaper ride. You may have trouble finding your driver among other vehicles due to Arabic number plates. Make sure they identify themselves first or say your name before jumping in.
Travel to developing countries is not ideal during pregnancy due to risks of illness and limited medical care. If you take precautions, follow your doctor’s advice and travel during a healthy pregnancy, you might travel to Egypt without a problem. Your second trimester may prove the safest time so long as you aren’t experiencing pregnancy concerns.
Several vaccinations recommended for Egypt are not recommended for pregnant women, such as the measles or active typhoid vaccine. If you haven’t received them recently, you might go without some protection that could lead to complications. You can face food poisoning or typhoid fever risks from eating contaminated food in Egypt.
Medical care suited to Western travelers is available around several main ports and tourist areas. However, doctors and hospitals may be limited in other places. Ambulances may battle crowded streets, especially in Cairo. In addition, you should expect to pay cash up front for medical services. Payments for medical attention are covered under most travel insurance policies during emergencies.
A travel insurance policy designed for pregnancy should cover you for unforeseen pregnancy complications. However, most insurers won’t cover routine checkups or volunteer trip cancellations unless you found out about pregnancy after purchasing the policy. Also, most plans don’t protect you for normal childbirth expenses and may exclude traveling after a certain time period like 26 weeks.
Egypt offers the world a rich history, architecture and historical monuments that you can still see if you take adequate safety measures ahead of time. Safety measures include eating well-cooked food, getting recommended vaccines and avoiding main areas advised as unsafe. Gain extra peace of mind when you buy travel coverage.
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