Egypt - Safe to Travel?
Nov 26, 2014, 10:52 am
#1
Original Poster
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Egypt - Safe to Travel?
Hi everyone,
Have planned a trip to Egypt for December - specifically Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. With many travel advisories warning against travelling to Egypt, would like to hear if anyone has had recent experiences there. Is it as dangerous as it sounds?
Any information would be great. Thanks!
Have planned a trip to Egypt for December - specifically Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. With many travel advisories warning against travelling to Egypt, would like to hear if anyone has had recent experiences there. Is it as dangerous as it sounds?
Any information would be great. Thanks!
Nov 26, 2014, 1:45 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: London
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Hi everyone,
Have planned a trip to Egypt for December - specifically Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. With many travel advisories warning against travelling to Egypt, would like to hear if anyone has had recent experiences there. Is it as dangerous as it sounds?
Any information would be great. Thanks!
Have planned a trip to Egypt for December - specifically Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. With many travel advisories warning against travelling to Egypt, would like to hear if anyone has had recent experiences there. Is it as dangerous as it sounds?
Any information would be great. Thanks!
There's an awful lot in this thread about the subject. You'll be going to a a couple of tourism hot-spots (though Aswan manages to have something of a life outside tourism), so expect constant low-level hassle until you get used to things - but no overt or immediate dangers.
Nov 27, 2014, 3:20 am
#5
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Nov 27, 2014, 2:46 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NYC
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I just returned from a 5-day trip through Cairo/Luxor/Aswan/Abu Simbel and felt perfectly safe throughout. Crowds were noticeably absent, and shopkeepers are accordingly much more aggressive (and just about every site requires you to navigate through some bazaar).
Nov 27, 2014, 3:18 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 306
That is where a good guide will earn their tip, by keeping the touts away, while never taking you to a perfume, papyrus, or rug shop.
Dec 9, 2014, 1:47 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: MEM
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going to Egypt in times like these is much better based on my experience. I went a month after the revolution in 2011 and things were a lot cheaper and I had a ton more bargaining power over the touts when arranging things. Luxor was a steal back then.
Dec 18, 2014, 5:02 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2009
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Was there last February for 10 days. Not a better time to visit. Had many of the pyramids and antiquities too myself. I was the only person in King Tuts (not so exciting) tomb. AWESOME experience. Although once you've been in one pyramid, you've been in them all!
Luxor was a bit busy since it lined up with an Egyptian holiday, but still a great trip. My guide was top notch (PM for details) and as mentioned above kept the desperate touts away and catered to my every need. Even walked around Tahrir Sq and the remains of Mubarak's Gov't offices.
Luxor was a bit busy since it lined up with an Egyptian holiday, but still a great trip. My guide was top notch (PM for details) and as mentioned above kept the desperate touts away and catered to my every need. Even walked around Tahrir Sq and the remains of Mubarak's Gov't offices.
Dec 21, 2014, 1:29 pm
#11
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
Going into the pyramids might become tedious, but what's visible at Giza is hardly the same as seeing those at Saqqara and Dashur.
Dec 21, 2014, 1:36 pm
#12
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Dec 21, 2014, 6:54 pm
#13
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Dec 22, 2014, 9:11 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 306
I find going to Dashur the best place to see the Pyramids without touts or crowds. You get to see the Bent pyramid and the Red pyramid up close and can go into the Red pyramid if you want. Also not close, but very visible is the Black pyramid from both.
Dec 24, 2014, 11:01 pm
#15
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To follow up, I'm coming near the end of my trip in Egypt and everything has been amazing so far. Especially enjoyed my time in Luxor. As many have mentioned it's a great time to visit without the usual crowds.
Just got to get used to the hustlers and touts who tend to get quite persistent.
Have a great holiday season everyone!
Just got to get used to the hustlers and touts who tend to get quite persistent.
Have a great holiday season everyone!