*At the moment, visiting Egypt is safe, according to all government recommendations.*

Yes, visiting Egypt is safe, according to the most recent government travel recommendations. Let's talk about:

1. Why Egypt is safe

2. Current travel advisories for Egypt from the U.S. State Department

3. Is Egypt safe for Americans

4. Is Egypt safe for women

5. Advice on staying safe in Egypt

6. Frequently asked questions about safety in Egypt

*That’s me on the bottom right! I’ve been living in Egypt off and on for 13 years, and have led* *dozens of group tours* *in Egypt.*

My name is Gus, and I've been living in Cairo off and on for 13 years. I'm a travel advisor specializing in Egypt, and I've arranged over 200 trips for close to one thousand travelers over the past 5 years. I speak fluent Egyptian Arabic, and advise my clients regularly on safety throughout the country. I also personally lead group tours in Egypt every year, so I’d love to have you join me on a trip!

Is it safe to travel to Egypt right now

For those asking what is the current situation in Egypt now considering the war in Iran, Egypt remains just as safe as it's been for the past several months - nothing has changed in the government recommendations to Egypt, and if you'd like to learn more about safety in Egypt, check out this quick video:

Is Egypt Safe?

Yes, Egypt is safe, according to all government sources, plus thousands of traveler reports from on the ground.

The overall answer to this question requires nuance and explanation, but after 13 years of living in Egypt off and on (my first time in Egypt was in August 2012, and I've been going back ever since), I can confidently say that Egypt is a safe international destination to visit.

But don't just take my word for it - the US State Department currently ranks Egypt as a "Level 2" for safety (more on that later), which is the same safety ranking as France and England. If you feel safe planning a getaway to Paris, in the eyes of the US Government, you should feel the same level of safety planning a Nile Cruise or a sojourn at the Pyramids.

Anecdotally, almost one thousand travelers have gone to Egypt with my company over the past five years, and all of them have felt extremely safe.

There are thousands of posts across different social media sites and blogs from other travelers who have been to Egypt, all having safe trips.

Sure, if you don't use a professional company, or if you go with the wrong people, you might get scammed or conned (which is why I always recommend working with a reputable company or local Egypt guide), but in terms of safety, Egypt is safe to travel to, whether you are on a Dahabiya Yacht, trying street food in downtown Cairo, or enjoying a holiday on the Red Sea.

This is not to say that bad things have never happened in Egypt; international travel always comes with some level of risk. Over the past 25 years, there have been several times where tourists were harmed or killed in Egypt during different incidents, however, these are rare occurrences, compared with the millions of tourists who visit Egypt, year after year, and have wonderful trips.

In fact, almost 19 million tourists visited Egypt in 2025! If Egypt were not a safe destination, we'd certainly be hearing about all sorts of negative things happening to tourists in the news. The fact is, Egypt is very safe, and that's why more and more travelers are putting Egypt on their bucketlist year after year.

*Almost 19 million tourists visited Egypt in 2025 and had totally safe trips - just check out the crowds at the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum!*

Since the current President El Sisi has been in power, Egyptian Police, military, and security forces have a very strong presence throughout the entire country; the past several years have been the safest on record for travel to Egypt, and the government and country's number one priority is the providing safe travel for tourists, so that more visitors will come to Egypt and stimulate one of the most important industries in their economy.

In addition to this, violent or even petty crime is rare in Egypt; I never worry about being pickpocketed, robbed, or harmed, even when going places by myself, or walking around large cities like Cairo, especially at night. This isn't true when I am traveling in destinations people say are "safe" like London or Paris, where I am often thinking about where my wallet and phone are to avoid pickpockets, and I exercise increased caution when going anywhere alone at night.

When people ask me if there is a safety risk to visit Egypt, I always ask them, "What makes you feel safe, or unsafe?". Especially for folks from the United States, where mass shootings have been happening dozens of times every single year, does this make an American feel unsafe to be in the USA versus traveling Egypt?

Often if I reverse the question, and talk about how safety is a perception, people realize that the biggest fear they have about visiting Egypt is just that it is an unknown, unfamiliar place, and don't realize what the actual statistics are regarding the millions of tourists who visit Egypt every single year, versus the very small amount of unsafe occurrences that happen to tourists in Egypt.

Current Travel Advisories for Egypt

The United States State Department ranks countries on a scale of 1 to 4, a 1 being a country travelers should "Exercise Normal Precautions" (almost no crime or other issues), and a 4 being a country where they do not recommend any travel, under any circumstances "Do Not Travel".

The U.S. State Department currently has Egypt at a "Level 2", which means, "Exercise Increased Caution".

Here some example countries the State Department considers "Level 2":

-Denmark

-The Netherlands

-France

-The United Kingdom

-Italy

-Sweden

-Egypt

It really puts things into perspective to look at all the other countries considered the same safety level as the U.S. Government. In fact, Egypt is the safest country in the entire Middle East, according to these government recommendations!

The State Department says to "Exercise Increased Caution" in Egypt due to "terrorism, crime, and health".

You can read the full State Department advisory on their website: https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/egypt.html

Despite the warnings relating to "terrorism, crime and health", I still consider Egypt very safe, and so do all of my guests.

-It's been a while since there were any terrorist attacks involving tourists in Egypt, and compared to the millions of tourists who visit each year, the risk is statistically very, very low.

-I have never been the victim of a crime in Egypt over the 13 years I've been there, and none of the almost 1,000 tourists I've organized trips for have ever reported a crime.

-The health concern stems from the fact that emergency and intensive care facilities are limited in Egypt, but this is an issue travelers will run into visiting many developing countries. There is also a risk of poliovirus in Egypt, but as long as you're up to date on your polio vaccines, that won’t be an issue.

There are a few areas in Egypt that the U.S. considers a "Level 4 - Do Not Travel", including:

-The Northern and Middle Sinai (these areas are off-limits to non Egyptian citizens, anyway)

-The Western Desert (they recommend if you do go, to go with a licensed tour company)

-Egyptian border areas (these wouldn't be accessible to Americans at the moment, anyway)

None of these areas are places your average tourist in Egypt will visit, and none of them are places you'll go if you want to:

-Take a Nile Cruise

-Visit the Pyramids and Sphinx

-Scuba or snorkel in the Red Sea

-Visit Alexandria and the Mediterranean Coast

-Explore Cairo

By the way, up until July 2025 (when they dropped it to a Level 2), Egypt had always been on a “Level 3” or higher since the very first time I came to Egypt 13 years ago.

So travelers who are worried about coming to Egypt because the State Department has it at a “Level 2”, should realize that this is the safest Egypt has been in the past decade!

Most ironically, is that I've always felt the same in terms of safety in Egypt this whole time - whether it's been a Level 3 or Level 2, I've always felt safe and secury traveling throughout Egypt.

In order to have up to date information about safety in Egypt, you should follow your country’s embassy on social media, and check their website a minimum of three months before, one month before, one week before, and then every day leading up to your trip.

For example, in addition to being able to provide consular services, the U.S. Embassy in Cairo posts relevant security alerts and updates as necessary. These are great ways to stay informed about the current safety situation in Egypt, and if there is a new travel advisory, be sure to review it before your trip.

It’s a great idea to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) when traveling anywhere outside the United States.

Be sure to sign up for any type of text-message alert system your country's embassy uses to keep citizens informed about any safety updates, like the U.S. State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This is also a great way to stay informed and to access consular services as needed.

Is Egypt Safe for Americans

Yes - according to the U.S. State Department, Egypt is safe for Americans.

In general, Egyptians love American tourists. Americans have a reputation for being easy-going, having a wonderful sense of humor (Egyptians love to joke), and usually tip well (which is a big part of the culture in Egypt).

Over the past decade plus that I've been in Egypt, I've never felt uncomfortable or shy to say that I'm from the United States, and the reactions I get from local Egyptians are always overwhelmingly positive.

Egyptians love American movies, TV shows, and music, so if you tell an Egyptian you're from the USA, be prepared to answer questions about that Egyptian's favorite American sports players, pop star, or celebrity!

Of course, politics can be a tricky topic, and Egyptians may not support everything that the U.S. government does. However, if someone brings up anything political, I remind them that I am not a representative of the U.S. government, and that I don't agree with a lot of what the government does, either! As soon as they hear this, Egyptian people get it - they realize that we're all the same, since they don't always support all of their government's policies, either.

Is Egypt safe for women

Egypt is a safe destination for women, but there are additional safety tips to consider:

Dressing more conservatively

I recommend women in Egypt dress more conservatively, keeping their shoulders, cleavage, midriff, and knees covered, unless at the beach, on a Nile Cruise, at a hotel pool, or in very popular tourist areas like Sharm el Sheikh or Hurghada.

Check out my article with more specific recommendations on what to wear in Egypt.

Staying more covered is a great way to avoid unwanted attention, but you don't need to cover your hair, unless going inside an active mosque. Between 10-20% of Egypt's population are Coptic Orthodox Christian, so many Egyptian women never cover their hair!

Traveling with a buddy

I've helped many solo female travelers experience Egypt safely, however, it's a good idea if visiting Egypt as a woman to travel with at least one other person, or even better, in a small group.

If there is a male in the group, even better - Egyptian men are much less likely to give unwanted attention to female travelers if there is a male in the group.

More tips for being safe in Egypt as a woman

-Avoid taxis, and use Uber or other rideshare apps instead, where you have a name and license plate for the driver, and you can report him if need be. Always sit in the back seat of any car, never in the front next to the driver.

-Share your travel plans with friends and family and check in with them each day.

-Use a local guide (you can even request a female guide!) or work with a travel company

-Avoid traveling alone at night

-Stick to more touristy areas, like downtown Cairo, Zamalek, Luxor, Hurghada, Aswan, etc.

-Get a local SIM card, and keep the contact information for Egyptian authorities ready to go (dial 112 for emergencies, or 126 for the tourism police) in case you need to call someone

How to stay safe in Egypt

Even though Egypt is overall very safe, there are some things you can do to ensure a comfortable experience in the land of the Pharaohs.

*Save this free resource, print it out, and keep it handy during your Egypt trip!*

Consider an Egypt Group Tour

Egypt Adventures Travel hosts group tours every year, which are a great way for travelers to have a safe and comfortable experience in Egypt. Gus (that’s me!) is on every group tour, and along with the local Egyptian partners, tour guides, and drivers, helps make sure each tour follows all recommended safety standards.

Consider working with an Egypt Guide or Company

If a group tour is not right for you, consider a private tour. Companies (like Egypt Adventures Travel) can connect you with vetted and trusted Egyptian guides and partners, who can handle all of the logistical details for your time in Egypt. Their main job is to make sure you are safe and taken care of while in Egypt, and they will always be keeping this in mind.

For example, tourism companies by law are required to file paperwork with Egypt’s Tourism Police (that’s right, Egypt has a police branch in each major city and governorate dedicated solely to keeping tourists safe) and also the Ministry of Tourism.

This paperwork has all the identifying information of the individuals in the group, as well as all the tour guides and drivers the group will be working with, along with a basic itinerary for their time in Egypt. These paperwork documents are checked each morning upon pickup from the hotel, along the way each day at various sites, and upon returning to the hotel in the evening.

Sometimes, depending on the situation or the size of the group, additional security or a tourism police officer will join a group for a day, to keep an eye on everyone and make sure everyone is safe.

If there were to be some type of disaster, accident, civil unrest, etc., tourism companies have plans in place to help tourists find a safe place, and then consider next steps depending on the situation. Tour guides, drivers, and tour leaders are all prepared to spring to action if something happens during a tour. This allows you to simply enjoy your time, take in the sites, and not worry about safety or what to do in a crisis or emergency; your company and guide will have your back.

*Going on a group tour is a great way to stay safe in Egypt. This is one of my groups outside of King Tut’s Tomb in the Valley of the Kings!*

Contact the Tourism Police or the Ministry of Tourism

Local authorities, like the Tourism Police, exist solely to help foreigners with any issues that pop up at tourist sites, hotels, restaurants, cities, or anywhere throughout all of Egypt. Want to talk to the Tourism Police in Egypt? Just call "126" or visit the nearest branch of the Tourism Police (they have locations in all major Egyptian cities).

Or you can contact the Ministry of Tourism - they have a hotline specifically for tourist questions and concerns (19654) or you can tag them on social media.

For Americans: Enroll in the STEP Program

The “Smart Traveler Enrollment Program” is sponsored by the U.S. State Department, and allows travelers to get real-time text message updates from the relevant embassy wherever they are traveling. When you sign up for an account with STEP, and put in your travel plans to come to Egypt, you will get notifications any time the U.S. Embassy has an announcement or security update.

Consider Egypt Travel Insurance

I am not an insurance agent or company! Before purchasing any travel insurance policy, make sure you speak to your insurance agent to get advice on what to do, and to know what your different policy options include!

Travel and Trip Insurance are a great way to keep yourself covered in case something does happen, and you need medical attention or to be evacuated. Or, in case Egypt becomes a place that is too dangerous for tourism (or you simply decide to cancel your trip for personal reasons), many insurance companies will offer a plan that has “cancel for any reason” coverage, which usually returns back 75% of the cost you paid on your trip.

Avoid Demonstrations in Egypt

Before you head out for the day, check the news to see if there are any potential demonstrations, and be especially cautious on Fridays after prayer time (early afternoon) when protests usually happen.

If you notice a demonstration when out and about, try to avoid the area as much as possible. Certain areas, like Tahrir Square, may become epicenters for protests and demonstrations.

If you do find yourself in a demonstration, try to keep a low profile, move with the crowd (avoiding stationary objects like walls, poles, etc.), and break away to a more quiet, safe area as soon as possible.

Avoid Talking Politics in Egypt

Egyptians have been talking a lot recently about the war in Israel and Gaza. As best you can, avoid these conversations entirely, or if engaged in one, try:

Saying you do not know a lot about politics
Pretending you do not understand
If you are American, saying that you do not agree with what the American Government is doing regarding the situation (this is often an easy answer to stop further conversation)
No matter what, avoid expressing support for Israel — in general, Egyptians are very supportive of Palestinians, and are lukewarm to hostile when it comes to Israel

Frequently Asked Questions About Safety in Egypt

Is it safe to travel to Egypt as a woman?

Yes, Egypt is totally safe for women to travel to, but I recommend women travel as part of a group, especially with at least one male in the group, in order to reduce the chance of harassment, like staring or catcalling.

Is Egypt safe for solo female travelers?

This is a tough question. I have organized trips for solo female travelers in Egypt, and they have had great experiences, but I highly recommend solo female travelers find a vetted and trusted local Egypt guide to help with their trip. This will help reduce the chance of unwelcome male attention, and will make a trip to Egypt much more comfortable and easy. That being said, I have met many solo female travelers (Gisselle is one of them, and she has a great YouTube channel sharing her experiences), and despite the chance of sexual harassment, many solo female travelers have positive experiences in Egypt.

Do I need travel insurance to visit Egypt?

Travel insurance is not required in order to visit Egypt, however, I highly recommend purchasing it! Travel insurance could cover things like needing to cancel your trip, having a medical issue while traveling, facing a delay with a flight, and more.

Is Alexandria Egypt safe?

Yes, Alexandria is totally safe, despite being the second largest city in Egypt. I love Alexandria, and encourage anyone with a few extra days in their itinerary to pay Egypt's Mediterranean Jewel a visit.

Is Uber safe in Egypt?

Uber is far safer than taking a normal, "white" taxi, since you know who your driver will be, you have GPS tracking enabled, you have a record of your ride, and you have the Uber central office in Cairo to contact in case anything goes wrong. Uber also has in-app safeguards to report issues in real time. Of course, every once in a while, something unsafe may happen while taking Uber, but the chance of this while using Uber is much less than while taking a normal taxi, or using public transportation.

Is it safe to take public transit in Egypt?

Public transit like buses, the metro, and microbuses are not often taken by tourists, but all modes of public transit in Egypt are perfectly safe. I have never worried about pickpockets, being harmed, or any other issues while taking public transit. However, I would not recommend solo female travelers who are not familiar with Egypt to take public transit by themselves, and any female taking public transit in Egypt should dress conservatively, covering up everything from ankles to wrists (no need to cover hair).

Is child abduction and kidnapping an issue in Egypt?

There are very rare cases of kidnapping and abduction when traveling in Egypt. It does happen )only once in a blue moon), so it's not something that the average Egypt tourist visiting in order to see the Pyramids, do a Nile Cruise, and enjoy time on the Red Sea needs to worry about.

Is traveling to Egypt safe for gay and lesbian travelers?

This blog post has a lot of information about the topic to prepare for your Egypt visit, but overall, yes, Egypt is safe for LGBT travelers, as long as these travelers know what the Egyptian law says about homosexuality, avoid public displays of affection, and respect local customs.

Is Cairo Egypt safe?

Cairo, despite being one of the largest cities in the world, is very safe. I have been living in Cairo off and on for 12 years, and, ironically, feel safer in Cairo than any other major city in the world I've been to, including where I live in the USA. Things like getting robbed, pickpocketed, or jumped have never been a concern to me in Cairo, and all of the travelers I have helped visit Egypt have felt safe in the capital city.

Are there any Egypt travel restrictions?

Aside from barring tourists from visiting the northern Sinai Peninsula, and the area of the Western Desert within 50 kilometers of Libya, there are no Egypt travel restrictions for tourists.

Is it safe to visit the Pyramids?

The Giza Plateau is one of the safest parts of Cairo, with a heavy security presence monitoring the entirety of the Pyramids and Sphinx, all roadways leading to the area, and all entrances. The only thing you may need to worry about at the Giza Plateau is getting scammed (see my YouTube video for how to avoid this), but if you go with a reputable tour guide/company, you won't need to worry about this at all.

Is it safe to travel to Egypt with the war in Israel and Iran?

Yes, it is safe to travel to Egypt with the war in Israel - the U.S. State Department has not changed their safety recommendations since these conflicts, so in the eyes of the U.S. State Department nothing has changed about the security situation in Egypt after the conflict in Gaza and Israel and more recently, Iran.

Is Hurghada Egypt safe?

Like all major tourist cities in Egypt, Hurghada has a heavy security presence that is focused on keeping toursits safe. There have been a few instances over the past 10 years where tourists in Hurghada have been harmed, but with the hundreds of thousands of tourists visiting Hurghada year after year, and the increased security presence after the election of President Sisi, you are probably more at risk of getting bitten by a shark than something dangerous happening in Hurghada.

Do you have any advice for Egypt travel aside from just safety recommendations?

Yes! Check out this blog post that has a ton of Egypt travel advice, and if you don't see something in the article you have a question about, ask! I love giving travel advice on Egypt.

So, overall, travel to Egypt is safe, as long as you know what to expect when traveling to Egypt, follow along with your country's embassy to have up-to-date information, and follow any guidelines and advice on travelling to Egypt. What questions do you have about safety in Egypt? Leave a comment and let me know!

Is visiting Egypt safe?