# Egypt Safety Advice: Official Advisories and Practical Checks

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[Egypt Travel Guide](https://egyptmore.com/travel-guide)

Safety and health

# Safety advice for Egypt

The short answer

No honest guide can tell you whether a country is safe for you. What we can do is send you to the government advisories that are updated as conditions change, show you what they flag, and tell you what we would check before paying for transport, boats or activities. Read your own government’s page when you book, again a week before you fly, and before any desert or border-area journey.

Official government advice

## Where to read current official advice

These pages are written by governments for their own citizens and are revised when conditions change. They divide Egypt into areas and give each a different level of advice, so read the regional section and the map as well as the headline. The UK’s page warns that travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against its advice; check how your own policy treats your government’s wording.

When we read the UK’s regional advice on 21 September 2026, it advised against all travel to North Sinai and to the area within 20km of the Libyan border, and against all but essential travel to several other areas. We do not reproduce the full list, because it changes. Open it.

-   [United Kingdom: Egypt travel advice](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt) and its [regional risks and map](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/regional-risks)
-   [United States: Egypt travel advisory](https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/egypt.html)
-   [Canada: travel advice and advisories for Egypt](https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/egypt)
-   [Ireland: Egypt travel advice](https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/advice/egypt/)

Sources: [UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Egypt travel advice)](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt) · [UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Egypt: regional risks)](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/regional-risks) · [US Department of State](https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/egypt.html) · [Government of Canada](https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/egypt) · [Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland](https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/advice/egypt/)

Official government advice

## What the advisories say about everyday risks

This is a summary of what we read on 21 September 2026, attributed so you can find the original wording. It is not our assessment.

-   Touts and scams: the Foreign Office tells visitors to be cautious in tourist areas, where scammers and touts sometimes target foreign nationals.
-   Harassment and assault: Canada says women, particularly foreigners, are frequently subject to unpleasant male attention, sexual harassment and verbal abuse. The Foreign Office says sexual assaults have been reported to the British Embassy, most of them in Red Sea resorts and often involving hotel workers. It advises not letting hotel staff into your room when you are alone, and avoiding travelling alone in a taxi.
-   LGBT+ travellers: the Foreign Office says same-sex sexual activity is not explicitly criminalised, but that the authorities have prosecuted LGBT+ people under “debauchery” laws, and that public affection is likely to draw negative attention.
-   Drugs and alcohol: the Foreign Office says possession of illegal drugs, even in small amounts, can lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty, and that drinking alcohol outside licensed venues is illegal.
-   Photography and drones: it is illegal to take or share photographs that could be considered damaging to the country’s image, and the Foreign Office says not to bring or use a drone without prior permission from the Egyptian Ministry of Defence. The [culture and etiquette guide](https://egyptmore.com/travel-guide/culture-etiquette) has the official photography rules.
-   Transport: the Foreign Office says road accidents are common and advises against driving outside main cities and resorts at night; it also records fatal rail and bus accidents. More in [getting around](https://egyptmore.com/travel-guide/getting-around).

Sources: [UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/safety-and-security) · [Government of Canada](https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/egypt)

EgyptMore editorial guidance

## Practical awareness, place by place

Cairo and Giza. Traffic is the hazard you will meet most often, as a passenger and on foot. Cross with local people where you can, and allow far more time than the map suggests. Around the Giza plateau and the big bazaars, expect persistent selling. Agree the service and the price before a camel ride, a photograph or an offer of help, and let your guide deal with approaches you do not want. “La, shukran”, no thank you, said once and without stopping, usually does it.

Luxor and Aswan. Heat is the main risk for most of the year, on open sites with little shade; the [weather guide](https://egyptmore.com/travel-guide/weather-best-time) covers how to pace for it. For hot-air balloon flights, the Foreign Office notes that some UK tour operators have stopped selling them because they could not verify safety standards. If a flight matters to you, ask the operator who licenses it, what its weather limits are, and what happens to your money when a flight is cancelled.

The Red Sea. The Foreign Office reports recent incidents involving dive boats and boat tours, some of them fatal, and says safety standards vary considerably. Ask a dive or boat operator about lifejackets, crew numbers, emergency oxygen and its cancellation policy in bad weather. A boat that looks expensive is not evidence of any of them.

Sinai, the Western Desert and border areas. This is where government advice differs most from one area to the next, and where it changes. Read the regional pages above for your exact route, use a licensed operator, and ask which permits and escorts the journey needs.

Sources: [UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Egypt: safety and security)](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/safety-and-security) · [UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Egypt: regional risks)](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/regional-risks)

EgyptMore editorial guidance

## Questions to ask before you pay anyone

Three of the questions worth asking any provider are about safety. A provider worth booking answers them specifically and in writing. They apply to us as much as to anyone.

-   Who is the licensed local operator, who is the guide, and who answers the phone in an emergency?
-   What vehicle is planned, does every seat have a belt, and how are long driving days managed?
-   For boats and activities: what safety equipment is carried, and what are the weather limits?

[All nine questions to ask a travel provider](https://egyptmore.com/travel-guide#provider-questions)

Official government advice

## Health basics, from public-health sources

This is not medical advice. It is a list of what the US Centers for Disease Control and the UK Foreign Office publish, so you know what to raise with a clinician who knows your health and your route. The CDC suggests seeing a doctor at least a month before you travel.

-   Water and food: the CDC’s Yellow Book says tap water is not safe to drink outside international tourist hotels, and advises against raw or undercooked meat and shellfish.
-   Heat: the Yellow Book notes that thirst is a late sign of dehydration and that in dry heat you can dehydrate without noticing. Drink regularly, and plan shade.
-   Fresh water: the CDC advises against swimming or wading in fresh, unchlorinated water such as rivers and canals, because of schistosomiasis.
-   Animals: the CDC says not to touch or feed animals you do not know, and to wash any bite and seek care at once. Rabies is present in dogs in Egypt.
-   Medicines: the Foreign Office says some prescribed and over-the-counter medicines may be controlled substances in Egypt, and that you may need permission from the Ministry of Health before you arrive. It suggests carrying a doctor’s letter stating your condition, the quantity you are carrying and that it is for personal use.

Sources: [US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Egypt: health information for travellers)](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/egypt) · [US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC Yellow Book: Egypt)](https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/africa-middle-east/egypt.html) · [UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/health)

Official government advice

## Emergency numbers

These are the numbers published by the UK Foreign Office; Egypt’s tourism ministry publishes the same ambulance, fire and tourist-police numbers. Save them, along with your embassy’s number and the emergency contact your planner or hotel gives you.

**Emergency telephone numbers in Egypt**

| Service | Number |
| --- | --- |
| Police | 122 |
| Ambulance | 123 |
| Tourist police | 126 |
| Fire | 180 |

Sources: [UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/getting-help) · [Experience Egypt](https://www.experienceegypt.eg/en/usefulinfo)

EgyptMore editorial guidance

## What this means for your plans

-   Check your government’s advice for every area on your route before you pay a non-refundable deposit, and check that your insurance covers those areas.
-   Book arrivals and late-night transport ahead, especially if you are travelling alone.
-   Decide about balloons, diving and desert trips on the operator’s answers, not on the price.
-   Book a travel-health appointment early and take your full itinerary with you.
-   If something happens, report it. Your embassy, your hotel and your planner can all help, and none of them can if they do not know.

## Related guides

-   [Getting around Egypt](https://egyptmore.com/travel-guide/getting-around)
-   [Culture and etiquette](https://egyptmore.com/travel-guide/culture-etiquette)
-   [Visa and entry requirements](https://egyptmore.com/travel-guide/visa-entry)

## Sources

Open the source behind a claim and check it against your own dates, passport, health and route. Rules, prices and schedules can change after our check.

Time-sensitive facts last checked against these sources: 21 September 2026

-   [UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: Egypt travel advice ](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt)
    
    Live regional warnings, entry rules, local laws, transport risks, and insurance implications.
    
-   [UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: Egypt: regional risks ](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/regional-risks)
    
    The areas the UK currently advises against travelling to, with a map.
    
-   [UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: Egypt: safety and security ](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/safety-and-security)
    
    Crime, harassment, local laws, photography and drones, and road, rail and water transport risks.
    
-   [UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: Egypt: health ](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/health)
    
    Medicines that may be controlled in Egypt, healthcare and the ambulance number.
    
-   [UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: Emergency help in Egypt ](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/getting-help)
    
    Current emergency numbers for police, ambulance, fire, and tourist police.
    
-   [US Department of State: Egypt travel advisory ](https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/egypt.html)
    
    Current security advisory and specific guidance for different traveller profiles.
    
-   [Government of Canada: Egypt travel advice and advisories ](https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/egypt)
    
    Regional advisories plus detail on road, rail and taxi safety and on women’s safety.
    
-   [Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland: Egypt travel advice ](https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/advice/egypt/)
    
    Ireland’s current security status and consular guidance for Egypt.
    
-   [US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Egypt: health information for travellers ](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/egypt)
    
    Current vaccine, food and water, insect, and traveller-health guidance.
    
-   [US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC Yellow Book: Egypt ](https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/africa-middle-east/egypt.html)
    
    Clinical travel-health reference covering desert heat, dehydration, sandstorms, food, water and road safety.
    
-   [Experience Egypt: Official practical information ](https://www.experienceegypt.eg/en/usefulinfo)
    
    The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities portal for transport, useful numbers, and visitor information.
    

[How we check time-sensitive travel information](https://egyptmore.com/editorial-standards)