Would you have any reservations about traveling to Egypt (either alone or with someone)?

Question

I kind of want to go alone, but it's kind of a business trip (delivering legal stuff to a friend) in exchange for travel $.

Is it safe to go alone? Better to go with someone? If it works out well I'd be going back every few months or so.

Are there are chances of getting robbed, raped, kidnapped etc?

I'd be staying in Cairo.

I'm an American too btw.

Everyone:

thanks for your input. The reason I'd like to go is to take my friend diet supplements. Apparently they are 4 times the amount i'd spend in the states. They sell for $80 but in the US they sell for $17.

It's just a thing to do to make extra money, and I wouldnt be able to travel any other way. If no one buys this stuff.. then I guess I'm screwed!

Answer 1

You will be safe do not worry. Cairo is safer than most other cities in the world.

Answer 2

It is perfectly safe for a western female to travel alone in Egypt.
It sound as if you wil be staying in the cities or regional areas and not going off in the the rural provinces so there is absolutely no reason for concern. You are properly safer on the streets of Cairo that in any American city. I know I feel safer here than when I am in Melbourne.
Here, there are no street gangs or drivebys to worry about.
The only scary thing is the crazy, erratic traffic in Cairo, until you get used to running the gauntlet across the road like the Caireans do.
I really do feel much more protected and have less concern for my safety here in Egypt .
The worst thing that you will have to endure is the whistles and "complimentary comments"from the young males,and really although they can be annoying they mean you no harm.
So don't take offence just try and let it slide.
Enjoy your trip and relax, nothing like you imagine is going to happen I am absolutely positive of that .

Answer 3

Been there, done that, and it's safe to go to Egypt alone and female. The one thing I suggest is for your friend to do the shopping for you, if you decide to buy some souvenirs or anything. Once they find out you're a tourist, up goes the price. That's true not just for Egypt, but for anywhere you go.

As for general safety, you have very little to fear. In fact, it is much safer in Egypt, even in Cairo, than it is in pretty much any American city. I walked down El Haram St (Pyramids Rd), which is a main drag in Geza that leads to the Pyramids, of course. I left my hotel at 1am, walked to an Internet cafe, and returned appx 2-3am. I passed by some people, including a group of men talking. There was absolutely to fear, because street crime is very low in Egypt.

Besides, there is plenty of tourist police to keep you safe. Trust me, Egypt is a lot safer than New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, or anywhere in the South... or anywhere in the States, really.

I'll be going again in January 2008, and yes, I'll be going alone. Not afraid at all.

Enjoy your trip!

Answer 4

First of all you can deliver "legal stuff" through DHL or another courier company, sounds fishy that someone wants you to deliver "legal stuff" personally and pay your way.

In answer to your question I am a Canadian woman who lived in egypt alone for one year. Besides the occassional cat call. And constant stares from men. And being asked if I could be accompanied. All was fine. Very safe country. People in the streets until all hours of the early morning, men and women. Also Egypt takes tourism very very seriously. There are tourist police every where you go. You know who they are by their uniform marked tourist police. If you have any problems at all they will take very good care of you.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Just go, there is nothing in Egypt to worry about.

with 20 million people living in Cairo you will hardly be seen. Cairo is tons times safer than LA or NY.

also, Cairo is not as you imagine it is a modern City with heaps of entertainment and things to do at night when you finished your work. and you can do all that alone or with a friend. Just apply common sense in you travel as you do at home.



Have a good and successful trip

.

Answer 6

It's better to go with someone else at least the first time, until you know the situation, the places, etc. I don't believe Egypt is a particularly dangerous place, as long as you stay in the tourist areas, good hotels and neighbourhoods, and so on. Egyptians are mostly kind and helpful people, but bad people exist everywhere.

Answer 7

yes you will be safe in cairo. i would not wonder around any foreign city late at night. perfectly fine to go on tours in day . hotels can make recommendations. do not take pictures in the musuem in cairo without paying for a picture taking fee. they will arrest you for this. the fee is very small / maybe 5 usd ? you must request the permit when you pay admission. it's not the same as at home in america.

sign up for the airlines frequent flyer point program. with the miles you accumulate and partner hotels points, using an airline credit card at home and a mileage run once or twice a year as needed will get you into preferred membership / get you first class seating upgrades / or you can redeem your mileage point credits for award travel. not free / but very small fee / tax / your family or friends can travel with you in the future after you build the account balance. the programs are pretty good if you are traveling. the higher your status goes you get double and triple mileage .

Answer 8

Go, have fun, don't worry....I live in Detroit and some areas here scare me even during the day time...but in Egypt???, I never felt safer. You will have no problems at all, day or night. I have gone alone and with someone. The biggest problem you will have is that you will not want to sleep because there are so many things to see and do! Enjoy!

Answer 9

I unquestionably love Egypt. i've got been there as a vacationer thrice and endless cases for employer. Your possibilities for procuring robbed, raped, abducted etc are minimum, as long as you're taking each and all of the protection precautions you may take everywhere interior the international (even your place of birth). Egyptians are very hospitable, yet notice of Egyptian adult adult males, they're very gentle with women people and extremely stable at flirting (do wonders for your self-properly worth). in case you reside in a stable lodge you are able to circulate by using your self, yet traveling is often extra relaxing once you share moments with a chum.

Answer 10

Just go and enjoy it. I would give anything to go to Egypt but can't do it because I couldn't afford it.