We started saying La, Shakira to all the street vendors trying to sell us stuff instead of Shukran and no one ever called us out on it. I dont want to sugar-coat it. If you have time pay a visit to the Citadel, an Islamic fortification which was home to Egypts rulers for seven centuries. Egypt is one of the oldest countries in the world and has been known as the cradle of civilisation for centuries. Gareth Leonard 571K subscribers 47K views 9 months ago CAIRO WATCH NEXT: Egypt Travel Guide EGYPT. (local) bars are best avoided if youre by yourself. Sunhat: Necessary, the sun is so strong!!! Women should also be aware of the cultural differences in Egypt and respect local customs. Travel to Egypt as a Solo Female - Is It Safe? - Anna Everywhere 81-year-old Ronna has been a nudist for over 30 years, and she's seen it all. RELATED ARTICLE 20 Essential Egypt Travel Tips. Read More Haggling in Egypt & Morocco (The Fast & Easy Way)Continue. I knew I wanted to visit the West Desert while in Egypt, a magical alien-looking place you can only access by driving out in an off-road vehicle and camping, usually in private small groups. Harassment drops off a cliff for women rocking grey hair, but women are very likely to run into some sexual and verbal harassment. twenty years to build. The opening date of the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum is still unconfirmed. In Sharm El-Sheik, Dahab, and Hurghada you can wear whatever you want. Solo Travel Egypt, Travel to Egypt Alone, Solo female Travel Egypt If you do visit during the heat visit the sites as early as possible. The keywords for staying cool in the hot desert sun are loose & flowing. They just cant help it! The Middle Kingdom tomb of Meru, the oldest archaeological site accessible to the public on Luxor's West Bank, opened for visitors. Youre absolutely right. This family-run hotel resort is not only fabulously designed, but also eco-friendly. I didnt feel the safest, being the only woman on the street, and I just went right back inside . Photo / Kalen Emsley, Unsplash On my first trip to the Middle East, I was uncharacteristically . 14 days in Egypt: If you only have two weeks to spare, heres an itinerary that incorporates the best of Egypt. Sharm El Sheikh is the place to meet others. *Click here for the full itineraries, prices, and startdates. Writer Marcia DeSanctis shares photos from a recent trip to Rome, highlighting the best places to eat, drink & sleep in. Welcome to my blog! Most have good intentions, but some dont. 21 minute read. You can dress a bit more freely in certain areas, like the more touristic cities of Aswan and Luxor. Like this tip on travelling as a woman in Egypt? Blue-eyed travellers, black travellers and travellers with curvier body-shapes seem to attract more. Did you know? 7. Many cruise boats operate along the Nile and include your cabin, food and excursions as you dock. Well, that all depends. Whether you want to set sail along the River Nile or roam the incredible Valley of the Kings, theres a new adventure around every corner when you visit Egypt. I have personally used G Adventures and recommend themas a solo female friendly company. Here youll find good nightlife and a plethora of restaurants. Here is the list of best countries. In fact, most of the locals weve made friends with have been men and they have without a doubt made our experience in Egypt exceptional. Safety Tip! If youre a woman simplyexisting, youre fair game. Always sit in the back seat of taxis, and stay alert, as there have been reports of assaults. Her mission is to help her readers travel better, and more often by providing quality travel resources and first-hand accounts of what to expect while on the road. Always take an Uber, or hire a car. If you only have two weeks to spare, heres an itinerary that incorporates the best of Egypt. My 12-day diary of running in Iten, the Home of Champions. Journey into the heart of the Western Desert to Siwa, an oasis town surrounded by large saline lakes. Here are top safety tips for solo female travelers for their Trip to Egypt: 1. Egyptian Tourism plummeted after the 2011 revolution, but is it safe to travel to Egypt now? Also note that there's rarely a toilet for women. When I went to Egypt alone, my friends and family kept asking me if Egypt is safe for solo female travelers. All of the accommodations below have been recommended by solo female travellers from our Girls about the Globe community and come with a Solo Female Friendly endorsement. Which historical site Everything you need to know about the Great Serengeti or Masai Mara? But to put it in context, the environment reminded me of countries in Latin America and Europe that have a macho culture (e.g. Our solo travel safety guide. Egypt is relatively easy to get around with long distance buses and trains. As for that other hassling that Egypt is famous for the souvenir-tat vendors, boat and camel touts hustling for business take comfort in the fact that theyre equal opportunity hasslers: theyll happily harass both male and female tourists until you crack and buy that toy pyramid and gold glitter snow globe. Choose from a day trip to the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, a skip the line ticket for the Cairo Egyptian Museum, or a 3 hour quad bike and camel ride on a desert safari. Most visitors bypass Abu Simbel but if you do have time, travel to southern Egypt to see this ancient complex that isn't comparable to any other site that I've seen. This giant temple carved out of solid rock is definitely worth the flight, and as you gaze up at the famous temple of Ramses II, youll wonder how this magnificent structure was ever created. Is Egypt safe for solo female travellers? The level of harassment when we were all together and dressed a bit more skimpy was much worse than the treatment I received when I wore long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Tip:Even if youre covering the same amount of skin with a long-sleeve maxi dress vs pants and a shirt, youll receive less attention the less feminine youre dressed. Analysis Of Solo Female Travel To Egypt - Mauresque Travel Egypt is actually pretty safe in my experience. And I wouldnt have it any other way. Fortunately, there are significant efforts pushing to change perceptions and improve the treatment of women. After dark, when the heat fizzles out, cities such as Cairo and Luxor buzz with families strolling the streets until late. If you can't take a cruise then opt for a sailing trip on a traditional wooden boat called a felucca. In conclusion, is Egypt safe for solo female travelers? And while sexual harassment and catcalls (ranging from hello, my future wife! to more sleazy lines) are unfortunately common, as they are in many countries, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a far lower volume of unwanted attention than I expected. Read More 10 Best Hollywood Movies About Egypt Egypt Travel InspirationContinue. Italy or Spain? LA!!. If youre not comfortable saying no to people, I wouldnt recommend traveling to Egypt! The street art of downtown Cairo hints at the citys troubled past. Situated on its own private sandy beach, this sociable resort is a short walk to Hurghadas Old Town. The 5 safest countries for women to travel alone in 2023 Theyre very enthusiastic about getting to know foreigners and showing them around. You need at least two weeks to see most of Egypt's iconic sites. Uber rides are tracked via GPS, you can share your location with friends in live-time, and you rate your driver at the end (which is an incentive against them acting creepy). The Royal Mummy Room is where youll be able to get up close to the most famous pharaohs such as Ramses I, and Seti I. Haggling is a foreign concept to a lot of westerners, but its a must if youre shopping in North Africa! Save $20 off your first stay with this Airbnb link. BUT what you choose to wear does help a little bit! For a more relaxing experience on the Red Sea choose Hurghada which is more tailored to the all-inclusive market. So, off I went! Every truly mind-blowing meal has been a recommendation from a local. You'll find mini Sphinxes as well as the Royal Mummies collection featuring the famous Ramses II. You can also watch the light show from the terrace too. solo female travel in Egypt - What You Need To Know For A Safe Visit (See, While Egypt is still very much ahead in terms of womens rights compared to other countries in the Middle East, Cairo remains one of the, Fortunately, there are significant efforts pushing to change perceptions and improve the treatment of women. Blue-eyed travellers, black travellers and travellers with curvier body-shapes seem to attract more. This is my super easy how-to for bartering in Egypt and Morocco. At this point, you might get the impression that every man in Egypt is a creepy perv. You can pretty much wear whatever you want in the major landmarks like Abu Simbel and the many landmarks in Luxor. A good Egyptian breakfast is also included in the rate. ear modest clothing when you are away from the developed resort areas. This allowed me to ease into the destination in the comfort of a group before tackling it on my own. Nope. Reconsider travel to Egypt due to terrorism . If you only have 5 days, or even if youre staying a full two weeks, this itinerary has everything you need to have the best time in Egypt. The staff are really professional and you can relax on the beach, enjoy a drink at the pool bar or beach bar or laze around at one of the swimming pools. Cairo 3 days , Luxor 3 days, Aswan 1 day, Abu Simbel 1 day, Cairo 2 days. European-style bars and restaurants serving alcohol are fine for solo women to drink in. I got used to wearing the hood of my jacket when I walked around on my own and I noticed a dramatic difference in the number of stares I would get. The TRUTH told by Solo Female Travelers. Its seen me through so many overnight bus/train trips, and it packs down pretty small (but I usually just hang it on the outside of my bag with a carabiner). Wet Wipes: Toilet paper isnt the norm in Egypt, usually they use a Shatafa which is a type of bidet A Travel Adaptor: I originally bought this exact adaptor for my first trip to Morocco in 2019 and its still going strong with 3 years of nearly daily use. In a 2013 study by the UN's Enitity for Gender Equality, an estimated 99% of women in Egypt have been sexually harassed at some point; with most reporting groping followed by verbal abuse. Unfortunately, the short answer is yes. What to expect as a female foreigner in Egypt, Its three light beeps which means ba-hib-bik, which means I love you in Arabic. Sharm El Sheikh is the place to meet others. What I loved about it is that one could clearly read between the lines that you didnt just stay in the parallel world of the sterile tourist only destinations but rather deep divided into the country and explored its society and way of living. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. A good resting bitch face will serve you well. This isnt the case at all! And with visitor arrivals so low at the moment, I couldnt resist the opportunity to explore the sights without the crowds. Text. Stay in a desert camp along the Sinai coast or an eco lodge, or choose to sleep on a boat on a short cruise along the River Nile. This beautiful palace is stunning. Like this in-depth guide to travel off the beaten track? Safety for solo female travelers In some areas in Egypt, female travelers may feel uncomfortable when travelling. But, Egypt! Would love your thoughts, please comment. Is Egypt Safe for Female Travelers in 2023? - Nomadic Matt's Travel Site It got so ridiculous. Bugspray: Lots of mosquitos around the banks of the Nile / bodies of water in Egypt. Sometimes this attention is unwanted and offensive. When walking around town, however, you should bring a scarf to cover up our shoulders. or if they received groups like this a lot, and they responded like well like this: Not the response I wanted from people taking us to the desert! The men would say Shakira come here and we would say La, Shukran, which means no, thank you 100 times in a day we developed a joke where we would just say it right back. As for travelling between tourist areas, solo women may find it more comfortable to fly, which costs about the same as first-class train tickets (the safest option). Types of Girl about the Globe (GatG) Ancient Civilisation GatG, Beach GatG, Diving GatG, History GatG, Market GatG, Museum GatG. Do not accept invitations from friendly strangers to show you around or take you for a meal unless you feel 100% safe. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you prefer to make the most of the weather you can just sunbathe on the miles of sandy beaches. In Cairo, if youre a bit of a foodie, consider supporting the women behind Bellies Enroutewho run food tours in the downtown area. If you need directions, ask a woman or ask a storekeeper instead of a man on the street. If you are on a budget there are cheaper Egypt hotels called pensions. Even if you only have 5-days in Egypt, make room for visiting the White Desert! 4 Comments These are our solo women traveller safety tips for Cairo and Egypt. So, going out at night in Egypt is fine (and fun!) What kind of business is this! (lol). With hot springs, Roman ruins, and the mud walled town of Shabli to explore, stay in an eco lodge to immerse yourself within this Egyptian town. For solo female travelers, safety is a top concern. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. We were able to hear stories and perspectives of all aspects of Egyptian culture things that you cant find in any article online. The mummified bodies are preserved so well that their features are still recognisable. Luxor is known as the best open air museum in the world. The typical drunken-male-at-bar hassle that can happen anywhere in the world is amplified here because women are a rare sight in these establishments. Luxor is also home to the Luxor Temple and the Karnak Temple. Thank you! Theres a watersport centre for the active solo and a spa to pamper yourself. Once you book your trip you pay extra for any excursions you want to do when youre there. Im sure you two will make some unforgettable memories! Traveling in Egypt was an incredibly rewarding experience but a difficult one. A traditional felucca along the River Nile. Our goal is to bring you closer to places and people that would otherwise seem foreign by providing guides to studying languages, understanding culture, and living in unfamiliar places. I have some lightweight joggers and long-sleeved linen shirts that helped me stay cool while being covered in the heat. If youre using Cairos metro, seek out the womens carriages. Harassment drops off a cliff for women rocking grey hair, but women are very likely to run into some sexual and verbal harassment. Solo Female Travel Safety - 50 Best & Worst Countries Ranked The 50 Worst (& Safest) Countries For Solo Female Travel By Asher Fergusson & Lyric Fergusson Updated on July 15, 2019 A study of the world's most dangerous countries for women traveling alone reveals the good, the bad and the ugly There's hearsay. Is Solo Female Travel Safe In Cairo, Egypt? - We Are Travel Girls Although catcalling is rife, for every time a young man yells at you in the street, there will be an invitation to sit down and have lunch with a shopkeeper or a temple site-guardian who dishes out tea and jokes with you. Subscribe to Girl about the Globe and receive 101 Solo Travel Tips for your next solo trip! Egyptians are some of the most hospitable and garrulous people in the world. Dress Conservatively: After all Modesty is the best Virtue. Camping in the White Desert was the BEST thing we did in Egypt (along with our AMAZING Nile River Cruise!). July 2, 2023 9:00 pm ET. Carved out of a sandstone cliff, the temples were discovered in the early 19th century. Read More 25 Essential Travel Tips for Your First Time in Morocco (2023)Continue. Please note that some links on my site are affiliate links, including Amazon Affiliate links. A former New Yorker, Katie grew up in the USA and frequently writes about her travels both close to home and abroad for an audience of over 76,000 monthly readers. There are plenty of options to choose. Luxor, Egypt. This is wearying, though not usually particularly threatening. Is Cairo safe for solo female tourists? - Egypt United Tours But how do you remain safe while going it alone? Is Egypt Safe for Women? The TRUTH told by Solo - YouTube Is Egypt Safe for Women? Essential Tips and Travel Advice - World Nomads See the Philae Temple & Aswan Dam, then fly to Abu Simbel then a felucca in Luxor and the Valley of the Kings. Sign up to our fairly exclusive email list for more! Although some women may feel intrepid at the thought of visiting this country alone, there are many tours you can take to see this beautiful country. From swimming with rays in Australia to spotting lionfish in Honduras, if you're going to snorkel anywhere, make it one of these seven special spots. The vibe was much more relaxed when traveling to other parts of Egypt. Our life-changing trip to Habiba Community was thanks to a spontaneous invitation from our Egyptian friends. Katie Caf is the founder of Katie Caf Travel. Some younger female travellers are huge flag-wavers for using Uber and Careem (the Middle Eastern version of the ride-hailing service) over standard taxis, though many experienced women travellers in Egypt dont think theres any difference in safety. Rest assured, no one is trying to trade you for a camel. Arrange it at your hotel for a trusted operator. Egypt has Airbnb where you can stay with locals or rent an entire apartment in various locations across the country. Not only will you be giving up the freedom to explore, but group-think also leads to less interaction with locals (yes, even with the small-group operators who tout local experiences as their catchphrase), so those preconceived ideas you had about travelling in Egypt are unlikely to be smashed. Everything from classic A-Frames to romantic cozy cabin vibes. Theres fantastic service with welcoming owners and fantastic food to match. Introduction to Solo Female Travel in Egypt. Is Egypt Safe for Women? Overall, I did find traveling in Egypt to be very safe as a female traveler, and I enjoyed my time there. Travel Destinations For Solos in 2023 - Girl about the Globe Nomadic Matts Travel Site, Where to Stay in Nashville When Your Visit, How to Make Your Money Last When You Travel, Certain cities, like Cairo and Alexandria, have rideshare apps like Careem and Uber, my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites, We Need to Stop Telling Women Theyll Get Assaulted If They Travel Solo. For a more relaxing experience on the Red Sea choose Hurghada which is more tailored to the all-inclusive market. N.b. 10 days in Egypt:Travel from Cairo to Luxor on a sleeper train. This mythical creature has the body of a lion and the head of a Pharaoh and is one of the most iconic symbols of Egypt. After all, I only know what female friends tell me. Whatever taxi form you use though, sit in the back seat. Dressing modestly doesnt necessarily lessen harassment (Egyptian women suffer just as much), but it helps hugely in other interactions. If I could do it again, I would have liked to have a more accurate picture of day-to-day life as a woman beforehand and to mentally prepare myself. Especially if youre traveling alone, what kind of tour guide and company you go with. We saw tourists wearing all kinds of things, and if youre on a multi-day guided tour where youre just being shuttled from one touristic location to another It matters what you wear a lot less. It was founded by women in the Cairo community and they are continuing their work with universities and other organizations to bringing awareness to the prevalence of sexual harassment in Egypt. If you want to check out these bars (and they can be great fun), go as part of a mixed group. A law was passed to explicitly criminalize sexual harassment for the first time. Is Egypt safe for solo female travellers? Victim-blaming is rampant and both men and women believe that if a woman dresses in revealing clothing, she wants the attention and harassment. Luxor has a third of the worlds monuments. Covering up (a long skirt or pants and a t-shirt is fine, though a long-sleeved shirt is ideal) also conveys your respect for Egyptian culture. Its three light beeps which means ba-hib-bik, which means I love you in Arabic. Of course not (but hey, you can even have your stuff stolen in the safest country in the world). Prices from 22/$28 USD per night for a double room with city view, Prices from 85/$118 USD per night for a double room, Prices from 49/$68 USD per night for a single room, Prices from 80/$110 USD per night for a dorm bed. Here youll find good nightlife and a plethora of restaurants. The Pyramids are one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the most famous site in Egypt. Thanks for all the insights, I feel so well prepared now and am really hyped to visit Egypt. Book Your Cairo Airport Transfer Now! September 10, 2021 | | 1 answer Is Cairo safe for solo female tourists? Tutankhamun died when he was just 19 years old, and it is said that mask is 11kg of pure solid gold. Egypt Travel Advisory My Top Travel EssentialsGirl's Safety Guide To Egypt. If you prefer the underwater world to the historic sites, head to the Red Sea to swim with turtles, stingrays and sharks. May 19, 2019 - South African tourists on a tour bus injured by a roadside bomb next to the pyramids in Giza. Egypts baladi (local) bars are best avoided if youre by yourself. See Also: Take a solo trip this year. Having traversed nearly 100 countries, many of them alone, I like to think Im a pretty fearless traveller. READ MORE: WHAT TRAVELLING THE WORLD SOLO HAS TAUGHT ME ABOUT LIFE. As a result, Egypt is on many nations' travel advisory list. With both tour companies you share a room with someone of the same gender or you can pay extra for your own room. Below is our guide on how to solo travel Egypt including the best place to visit in Egypt, which tour company to use and how to get around. Heres everything you need to know before you go. Day Tours Get Your Guide helps you to find top-rated activities and day tours in worldwide destinations including Egypt. https://shop.lonelyplanet.com/products/egypt-travel-guide-13. If youre a woman traveling either alone or in a group, you will probably experience more harassment than the typical male tourist in Egypt. Cairo is a big city and many females ask "Is Cairo safe for solo female tourists?"! RELATED ARTICLE Culture Shocks From My First Trip To Egypt. Even though Egypt is a majority Muslim country where alcohol is technically restricted, Cairo and the tourist locations by the beach have a fun nightlife scene. Survival Arabic Language Guide When Should You Go to Egypt? If you do lose your cool, its important to realise that everybody reaches breaking point at some stage: be kind to yourself. Is Egypt Safe? One Solo Female Traveler Fills Us In - Jessie on a Journey Likewise, politely decline selfie requests if youre not comfortable. So, while I do still take photos with people if they ask, never boys or men! Ive met plenty of women who have travelled to Egypt independently and had a good time, but I felt more comfortable signing up for a small group tour taking in Cairo, Aswan and Luxor for the first part of my trip, then staying on for a few days in Luxor, and then in Cairo, on my own. VDOMDHTMLtml> IS EGYPT SAFE FOR A SOLO FEMALE TRAVELER IN 2021?? Click here for the full itineraries, prices, and startdates, To book, check prices or availability for all accommodation in Egypt, To book, check prices or availability for, Use Rome2Rio to help you plan your journeys, Prices start from 68 per night for a double room. Safety Tip! Edfu temple. Most people feel safe when traveling through Egypt, though it's important to take certain precautions like researching the areas you plan to visit, learning some basic phrases in Arabic, dressing conservatively, avoiding isolated streets at night, and trusting your instincts. When my little career break morphed into two ski seasons in Canada, followed by a year-long backpacking odyssey through Latin America, I could no longer see myself going back to the features desk on a womens lifestyle magazine.