Thoughts on travel to Egypt...is it safe?
 

A trip to Egypt is one of my life "goals".

Unfortunately there still seems to be a bit of negativity about travel to Egypt due to the terrorist troubles a few years back.... because of this I am having a difficult time convincing my partner that it is safe .... my question is... Is it safe? Would you travel to Egypt now?

Probably safer than the US -- the odds of encountering "ordinary" crime are about the same as an American city (keep your wits about you), but in Egypt you don't have Osama & co gunning for for you. I would still avoid the southern stretch of the Nile though.

Yes - no issues at all. While there is a risk of terrorism anywhere in the world, you are certainly at less risk of petty crime in Egypt than many other countries. There is a lot of very high profile policing pretty much anywhere tourists go - keep the petty criminals at bay. I was there last month at felt very safe...and welcomed!

Even as an American, I felt very welcomed and safe in Cairo and the surrounding area. Probably the biggest problem/hassle you will encounter are the touts, who are more aggressive than most (although I never encountered an unfriendly one).

Actually - I was just talking to a Belgian friend of mine who just came back from a guided tour of a cruise down the Nile. She said she felt very safe on the tour, but she would never risk travelling by herself.

So, that seems to be a vote on the opposite side of the ballot.

I'll be going this September, staying with friends. I would hesitate were I not with someone I knew or with a group, as I would for many third world countries. Likewise, I'm hesitant to walk around Washington D.C. by myself after dark.

Egypt relies heavily on the tourist dollar for their economy. It is when their government does something that distresses the populace that I would be truly concerned. This is what happened at Luxor some years back: shoot up some tourists, scare the rest away, the economy goes south, the current government is on shaky ground.

JP

I just returned myself about 2 months ago. I was on a guided tour and it was very safe.

Only one caveat: Never go off anywhere by yourself. Be it inside a very quiet shop or "on a camel". I did the camel thing (which was stupid of me but I had sort-of trusted my tour guide) and truly regretted it. Through a series of thinly (and not-so-thinly) veiled threats, they tried for a grab of cash. My tour guide sure got an earful after that one.

I just came back from a few days in Cairo and vicinity and we felt as safe as at home or in the US (both during daytime and in the evenings). We were there on our own, but sometimes rented a car with driver for our convenience when visiting several places.

In general the people were very friendly. Sometimes they may be a bit pushy when they want to sell something (compared to what I am used to as a European), but this is more a cultural thing and we never felt threatened.

I disagree. Egypt can be a very rewarding travel experience if you do break away from your group. You do get touts who will try and sell you stuff - saying 'no thanks' in Arabic ( la shukran) is surprisingly effective at warding them off, so is looking like you know where you are going. It is also perfectly possible to venture into carpet shops and emerge with your credit card intact - it's all about the attitude you show - friendly but firm. The only caveat is if you are a single female when you should think a little bit more about the situation you could get in to.

I spent 3 weeks in Egypt in '99 (and 10 days in Libya) when I was a much less experienced traveller, had a fantastic time and did not get stitched up/ripped off badly once in that time. If you get a little of the beaten track people are very, very friendly and curious. 3 hours drinking tea and smoking sheesha in Port Said with a group of teachers was a highlight for me.

What's The Point of Being Afraid?
 

I was in Cairo for three days this past February and had a great time. I never felt unsafe, but will concur with the touts, who can be annoying, but not really dangerous. The people were all friendly and welcoming.

Life is too short to be worried about terrorism. Just not worth it. I am under no illusions of my own idespensibility. Should I be taken out in a terrorism incident, the World would go on just fine. What's the point of being alive if you're going to be scared of your own shadow?

Don't go with a tour group unless that is what you want to do. Surely don't do it for safety (if anything, you're more of a target in a large group). FWIW, I would rather chop off my arm than join a tour group, but I am very independent when it comes to travel (I avoid traveling with other people so as not to have to accomidate other preferences).

Getting off of camels...
 

The experience of many is that it is one price to get on a camel, and quite another to get back off...

JP

My sister last year went on a Egypt tour alone. She had a BLAST!!! Egypt is very rewarding. They are very friendly to tourists.

She initially wanted to go in Sept'02. But with all the talk about the War or Iraq booked her trip for March, figuring the war would be over by then. Luck would have it, her flight left the day before the war started. (My family was terrified)

Her tour group was small and she was the only American. There were Australians and Europeans. She felt safe at all times. The tour guide was fabulous, spoke clear fluent English. She had an amazing time. Egyptians she came across here nice and friendly and asked why Americans stayed away? Their economy depends on tourism. The best part was, the attractions were empty and no lines.

By the way she took Trafalgar Tours. They also provided airport transfers. She wants to go back there again!!

It might be safe, but I'd avoid Egypt Air. You never can tell when one of those guys decides it's time to become a martyr. :eek:

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I hope so - I am going there tomorrow