The FCDO travel advice for Egypt includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements, and legal differences. It advises against travel to certain areas due to threats such as terrorism or serious crime. Terrorist activities are advised to avoid within 50 kilometers of the border with the United States.
Despite the potential risks, safe travel to Egypt is possible with some considerations. Tourist gems like the Pyramids of Giza and The Sphinx have remained safe to date. However, there are risks associated with smuggling, terrorist activities, the presence of armed groups, and ongoing military operations.
Egyptian tourist areas, including Hurghada and the pyramids, are among the world’s safest places. Travel to the pyramids is safe, but pickpockets, purse snatchers, and scammers are the biggest risks. Mugging is a risk as in any other tourist destination. Terrorist activity is unlikely as Egypt takes security very seriously.
There are no travel advisories in place for popular tourist spots in Egypt, such as Cairo, cities along the Nile, Luxor, and Aswan. Egypt is mostly safe, with ISIS attacks only occurring in the distant Sinai peninsula. While there are terrorist attacks in Egypt, they rarely affect tourists and often occur in areas rated “don’t go”.
In conclusion, Egypt is a safe destination for travelers, but it is important to consider factors such as safety, security, insurance, and entry requirements.
📹 Don’t Visit Egypt Until You Watch This – Pyramids BEWARE
Egypt is one of the most famous travel destinations in the world with the amazing pyramids in Giza to the longest river on earth, the …
Is Egypt cheap or expensive?
Egypt is an affordable and incredible destination, offering a variety of attractions from the bustling city of Cairo to the mighty Nile, the marine life of the Red Sea, and the treasures and monuments left by ancient civilizations. This budget Egypt travel guide provides tips and insights on how to travel Egypt on a budget.
To explore Egypt on a budget, there are several budget-friendly ways to get around, depending on your destination. Cairo is often the best place to start, as it offers easy access to the country’s attractions and is a popular choice for those looking to explore the country on a budget.
Can you still touch the pyramids?
The Giza pyramids are no longer permitted for climbing due to safety concerns, but visitors can still walk around, inside, and touch them with some restrictions.
Are the Pyramids of Giza in danger?
Egypt’s world-famous antiquities, including the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids of Giza, could be lost to climate change by the end of the century. Rising sea levels threaten to flood Egypt’s archaeological sites, including the ancient temple complex in Luxor and most of Alexandria, Egypt’s largest city built below sea level in 331 B. C. E. The ancient city could be underwater within 30 years. Air pollution and extreme weather events also pose threats to these sites. According to Hussein Abdel Basir, one third of every natural site and one sixth of every cultural heritage site is currently under threat due to climate change.
Why is Egypt so cheap?
Egypt has become a bargain of the season due to a massive currency devaluation and a reduction in Chinese, Russian, Ukrainian, and American tourists. This has made Egypt a more attractive destination for travelers, as it offers more competitive prices and local experiences. Traveling independently, eating, drinking, and shopping locally can save money and directly benefit locals. Activities are priced in euros and dollars, and locally purchased trips are usually better priced than booking through a UK tour operator. Return flights to Sharm el-Sheikh and Cairo are currently priced at £369 and £603, respectively, with easyJet and British Airways offering similar options.
How safe is it to visit the pyramids?
Egypt remains a popular destination worldwide, despite threats of terrorism, crime, and internal conflicts. Tourist gems like the Pyramids and Ancient Egyptian sites across the Nile have remained safe. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) lists Aswan, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, and Giza as safe places to visit. However, there are some precautions to stay safe in Egypt. Official travel advisories and ethical rules should be followed when planning a safe trip.
The UK Foreign Office provides travel advice for high-threat areas in Egypt, and travelers should ensure their itinerary does not include these areas. Overall, Egypt is generally considered a safe country to visit.
Have the pyramids ever been attacked?
The Pyramids of Egypt have not been frequently used as military targets throughout history, despite historical evidence of conflicts and invasions in Egypt.
What do female tourists wear in Egypt?
To stay comfortable in Egypt, opt for light fabrics like linen, cotton, and athletic gear made for heat. Cover up from shoulders to below the knee and avoid wearing shorts and tight singlets. Pack white clothes as they can turn brown in desert dust. If traveling outside of winter, consider the cool change in the evenings, especially on desert nights or Nile cruises. A light fleece or jacket is sufficient for warmth. Wear walking shoes or sneakers for rocky and uneven paths on historical sites and main city footpaths. Remember to pack appropriately for the weather and avoid wearing white clothes.
How safe is Egypt for tourists now?
The Middle East may experience increased tensions, leading to airspace closures, flight cancellations, and travel disruptions. It is advised to avoid demonstrations and protests and exercise caution in Egypt due to terrorism threats. Landmines are present in certain areas, including the desert around El Alamein, Marsa Matruh coastline, the western shore of the Gulf of Suez, and the Sinai Peninsula.
Is it worth visiting the pyramids in Egypt?
The Great Pyramid of Giza is a popular attraction in Egypt, with visitors often amazed by its size and impressiveness. However, the Karnak Temple Complex, located near Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, is also a popular destination. Many visitors discover that the Pyramids of Giza are just as impressive as they were initially thought, but are surprised to learn more about it. The passageway leading to the tomb inside the Great Pyramid is a popular attraction, but some find it underwhelming. Despite personal expectations, the Great Pyramid and Karnak are both impressive landmarks in Egypt, and visitors are often surprised to discover they were not aware of them.
Are you allowed to take pictures of the pyramids?
The Pyramids of Giza are a remarkable example of human architecture, believed to be the tomb of the ancient Egyptian emperor. Visitors can explore the King’s Chamber and the granite sarcophagus inside the pyramid. The complex architecture and “coincidence” of numbers make it a mystery-filled place. The only passageway to the King’s Chamber is from the Grand Gallery. The Pyramid of Khufu, among the Egyptian Pyramids of Giza, allows tourists to visit the inside, but it is not allowed to take pictures during an inside visit. The only passageway is from the Grand Gallery to the King’s Chamber. Visitors are encouraged to appreciate the grandeur of the pyramids and leave puzzles to specialists and scholars.
Are tourists allowed to go inside the pyramids of Egypt?
The Giza pyramids are now open to visitors, but they require separate tickets. Previously, tourists could climb the pyramids freely, but this is now illegal. Offenders face up to three years in prison. In 2016, a teenage tourist was banned from visiting Egypt for life for posting photos and videos of his illegal climb.
📹 Avoid Hustlers at the Pyramids! How not to get scammed and what to expect!
This is Advice for the Solo Traveler! I originally posted parts of this as a short, but as many of you had so many questions I have …
That was my experience in Egypt. I was there for 2 months and the nagging never ended. I got in the habit of just completely ignoring people and never making any eye contact. If someone was trying to talk to me, I would look away and keep walking. They are not “bad” people. They just have no other way of making a living because the entire country is corrupt from the bottom to the top.
If you go to Egypt, this is my advice. I’ve been there 4 times. 1) when you go to tourist locations, ignore everyone selling things to you. 2) try and go with an organised tour rather than trying to explore the country by yourself. 3) don’t listen to anyone that isn’t behind a counter or desk 4) go with an Egyptian friend if you have one.
I experienced same thing 16 years when I visited Egypt. However not all egyptians are like that. I will forever remember an honest egyptian and his wife who helped me and my family when we were trapped in elevator. They did not ask for any money despite being poor. I will always pray for this man and his family for their help and kindness.
Egypt was an amazing place… but 95% of the people that we met were just genuinely awful… constant scams, dishonest behaviour and trying to shake you down for money… in 3.5 weeks of traveling the entire width and length of the country I can count on one hand the number of decent people we met (most of whom were family of a close Egyptian friend of mine)… There were some amazing things to see but you couldn’t pay me to go back there.
I had a friend who took an Uber in Egypt and twice, on two separate occasions, the taxi driver changed the drop off location against my friends wishes and actually drove him out to the desert and left him there when my friend complained about the destination change and the higher fare. This happened TWICE. My friend is Italian but works for the antiquities board as a film maker and Egyptologist and is currently trying to raise awareness with government bodies who could and SHOULD do something about this corrupt and abusive behaviour.
I visited Cairo just to see pyramids. It was an amazing experience but the scammers were everywhere. It was terrible even the taxi drivers will give you 1 price but by the time you reach your destination they will charge u double saying the traffic was too much or they miscalculated. It was so disappointed will not visit Egypt again
Absolutely agree with this . In cairo it was unbearable. My trip to the pyramids I was completely scammed. Pressured relentlessly, expecting tips . In cairo itself was a nightmare . Your constantly approached by random men asking where are you going etc. Try telling you the museum isn’t open etc and try and get you to shop at certain shops. I pretended I spoke no English as it was the only way to get them to back off. The market was probably the worst place. I stayed about 20 minutes and got a taxi back to my hotel. I couldn’t browse or shop as I was constantly pestered . Even tried to eat there in peace but even that was awful as traders constantly kept bothering me. I love egypt but it can be a nightmare. I did find luxor easier and alexandria was a dream . I got no pressure at all
Hearing this is so sad and frustrating to us decent, non scamming Egyptian citizens, but i have to say that we believe you completely, because pushy sales people and scammers bother us too when they feel that we have money or that we’re interested in what they sell. The people that interact with tourists most, unfortunately are the people that want to take advantage of them, other decent people would prefer giving you your space to let you enjoy your time, but we always wish to help because we know that others would only try to scam you. I’m so sorry for everyone’s bad experience. Egypt is a beautiful place, but these people really ruin it. Poverty is to blame.
Thanks for your article on Egypt!! I have seen several recent articles from YOUTUBERS and even PROFESSIONAL BLOGGER CHEFs that were visiting Egypt and they all said STAY AWAY!! As INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS with means, DON’T VISIT EGYPT and if enough of us stay away it will change behavior eventually we can hope anyway…
Hi! My husband and I went to Cairo in 2009…we were traveling in Europe so we decided to fly on over to visit my sister-in-law…her husband was the CEO of a major Corporation there…why do I tell you this? Because of her we had security detail, driver and tour guide…so we were VERY PRIVILEGED on our trip..and it was the same harassment for us as well…the Pyramids were the worst and yes…the thin working animals broke my heart…the locals are very pushy and aggressive…even with the benefits of local connections due to the Corporate contacts…when dealing with tourist areas it does take you aback and the brazenness of the locals demanding tips…we definitely had some good experiences but found Giza and Luxor to be overrated but the Red Sea was a must see…love your website and be safe!
This is a perfect article for Egypt. I was there for 3 weeks in 2021. It was chaotic and frustrating, but the best adventure I’ve ever had. The sights are incredible, but you have to push back hard with everyone. After day one, I didn’t mind meeting people at there level of assertiveness. They back off, but only if you are stern.
I watched this article before I went to Egypt and left a Thumb Up for your advice. However, despite everything you warned me (and people like me) about I wasn’t prepared for how intrinsic and industrial in scale the scamming and begging would be. Out on the streets I was able to shrug off the endless hassling by traders, but I was disgusted that it even went on in my resort hotel. In the lobby, in the restaurants, by the pool, on the beach… everyone wanted to upsell and get money for nothing. It was exhausting. Finally, in Cairo and at the pyramids we had a tour guide, but he was in cahoots with several local traders, so we were dragged into souvenir shops and went to other places we had no interest in. Having a guide, no matter how legitimate, is no guarantee of being safe from beggars and scammers, especially if the guide is one of them.
I started saying “No shukran” to everyone and it worked well. The moment you show up at the airport you will be exploited. DO NOT give anything to someone helping you. I left many people angry and it actually made me feel good by the end. As travelers we are the ones to end this insane exploitation. People tried to nag us while we were handling two babies, super annoying and I got pissed a couple times and just said I will never buy anything from you please don’t waste your time I’m trying to help you. Make eye contact and be direct and they’ll leave you alone.
Gosh! It’s all coming back to me, I had to hide my camera tripod so many times in Cairo. They’re paranoid with reporters. Scammers are really infuriating in Cairo, taxi drivers are the worst. One tried to over-charge me, had to drop off quarter-way. The other one had me go in circles. And those kids at the Giza pyramids…these 13-15 yr olds happy to take a photo with you, it’s all fun until they start asking for money. One old man at Khan El Halili market threw the F Bomb at me for not buying from his store. They are poor and desperately oppressed people, especially the women, I feel so sorry for them.
I feel like this is what happens when your country is mostly dependent on tourism. You would think one of the world wonders is the most important thing, no some people see it as an opportunity to exploit foreigners. Honestly, I can’t hate on people for adapting to that kind of environment, it’s just really sad to me they have to do it at all.
the trick is to completely ignore them, pretend they are invisible. Do not make eye contact, do not nod at them, smile at them or say hello, and absolutely never speak to them.. being rude by ignoring them is the only way to get rid of them! Do not speak to ANYONE who approaches you or initiates conversation with you.
I am no Egyptian but I am so amazed to see people now a days have opinion about others and other countries demeaning them and pretending “oooh we are from high scale places touch me nots”. Potentially they have no clue about other human and their emotions etc and calling others disrespectful. Scam is no good. But the attitude is wow. Shows who are actually from “first world” and who is not
I am Egyptian🇪🇬✌️, and many people in the comments offend Egypt and its people. I dont know how stupid this is! You judge an entire people. It’s really stupid, any country with advantages and faults, and not all people are like each other, the Egyptian people are good and there are bad people like any country in the world, and those people who have tried to cheat you and the people you meet are trying in all ways to take money from you these are not the Egyptian people. You have not been involved with the people and families and you have not dealt with the Egyptians. Those who offend Egyptian civilization are ignorant, ignorant, ignorant, and who don’t like my words i don’t care but these is reailty
Egypt was a great experience for me in 2021!!! Stayed in Cairo and got help from just about every Egyptian i came across. Not Hustled!! They used their own Uber apps for me, met up for lunch with an Egyptian girl, (Omnia) she paid for everything at Nile! I got lost during the day for hours and people selling prepaid phones called my hotel for me. Every experience is different, this couple looks like an easy target in any country. Its a beautiful country im def going back! I paid $60 for a tour of the pyraminds in Giza and tip my friend $20. Just like the guy who writes Youtube articles about food, dont believe everything you hear. The airport is small and the hospitals are small and 3 rd world but, dont bash it till you expereince it for yourself ! I walked around at midnight by myself not one time was I worried. I just got back from Colombia, now that shit is scary lol Egypt is amazing . Sux everyone is so negative about Egypt on Youtube.
You’re absolutely right about Egypt. It’s a beautiful country to visit because of the Pyramids. But the people’s attitude is a downside. In the tourist areas,If they see tourists the first thing comes to their mind is how to earn money from you. They are so persistent and it’s so annoying. I was assigned there for a full year training their engineers so I know much of Cairo and 6th October.
I felt every single one of these stories. So I was wearing my backpack going to the great pyramids and flew that evening .I wanted to rest and admire the pyramids and not even 30 sitting seconds and a guy came up to me . I said ughhhhhhhhhh out loud and the guy said,no you don’t have to buy anything I just want to talk as he had a whole arm full of souvenirs. I then had to find another spot tucked away. I was then in what I thought was a hidden spot at the base of the main pyramid in the temple ruin and a guy came up to me. He said I give you a gift of a blue Scarab. I didn’t accept it and he kept trying. He walked away then like five minutes later he kept popping in and out of the temple pillars and just look at me . This guy was like 75 years old .
I experienced something similar in Morocco. I took the ferry from Algeciras to Tangiers & when I got of the ferry there were some guys posing as tour guides for the locals. Two guys came up to me & I told them I had no money, they said it’s okay, we don’t want any money, we just want to practice our English. Long story short, after taking me to a few places, including a shop where I bought couple of things (I’m sure they knew the owner) when we were in the street, they said you pay us now. Fortunately there was a policeman nearby. I did give them a couple euros. Lesson is don’t trust Arabs, it sounds racist but honesty & good ethics is not in their nature when it comes to business & anyone that approaches you in public is not trying to be your friend or be friendly – it’s business. Arabs can be really nice people & you may meet some who just want to be friends, but beware.
We have just returned from Egypt. Yours was the second vlog I watched, the other was a family who had been travelling there. I’d say that your vlog is pretty unbiased and fair. Thank you for the ‘Halas’ tip. It worked really well. I was polite but firm and they did back off. We had a wonderful tour guide on our Nile cruise and he told us how much we should be paying for things. I loved haggling by the way. We also booked a tour of the pyramids with a camel ride ( mine was so funny. She looked as if she was smiling all the time and kept turning her head to show her best side). Our tour also went to Saqqara and Dahsur which took us into the countryside. It was fascinating and humbling to see how simply the people there live. I found that people were interested in us as foreigners and would stop us in the street, ask where we were from and welcome us to Egypt. I’d say the only sour note was at the Grand Egyptian Museum. We had been to the museum in Tahrir Square in the morning and I had purchased a book about Tutankhamen. Putting it through the security scanner, I was told I could not take in a book, despite me having the receipt. I had to go and put it in a secure locker. Some things in Egypt just don’t make sense. Thanks to your vlog, and others, it made us aware that nothing is for free in Egypt and made sure we were prepared for everything Egypt had to offer.
I just came from there, I wouldn’t mind hanging out with you. Where are you from? I’m from Indiana. Yeah the scammers and fake Egyptologists are horrible. I have a article of one following me around Luxor. I almost got in a fight with one at the Sphinx that was trying to scam me into a tip, he even started grabbing on me. And something you forgot to mention is how horrific the homeless situation is out there. There are so many homeless kids living on the streets. I’m glad you mentioned the animals, the dogs and cats out there are hard to look at as well. Plus trash being everywhere
I have visited Egypt many times and I am an Arabic speaker I understand that most countries face the same problem as I have visited many countries and cities but In Egypt, it is on another level, tens if not hundreds of them are there waiting for you to get you scammed even policemen at the airport. bitter reality
Egypt was crazy – you never know if people really smile at you because of humanity or because of 1-2 dollars. My blue-eyed wife receives compliments all around the world cash-free, only in Egypt the compliments were followed by the gesture with the three fingers sliding to each other. Fantastic history, amazing Nile, delicious food, but while we felt very sorry for the poor people and the misery, it looks like the mindset of the Egyptians is causing them to live that bad. Turkish people for example also are not swimming in cash, but they are kind, friendly, heartwarming and also trying to make you smile – and dont require tip for their job.
I am Egyptian, i live in Cairo..This is so true and so SAD! Egypt as a country will never have good tourism experience no matter how much they spend on infrastructure. I don’t care about the mummies parade anymore.. Khaled el Anani and his team should be doing something it’s been going like this forever!! The fun is gone when you get rubbish treatment and feel unsafe, ppl trying to get money out of you and harass you all the time. Sorry for you guys and wish things get better!!
Unfortunately this was also our experience while traveling in Egypt for 3 weeks. Constant nagging, very bad taste, those 3 weeks felt like 3 month. Airports also horrible, the way that they touch you after the metal detectors, every flight at least 3 people touch me and my wife! Sorry Egypt, very beautiful country with deep history, but never going back .
A little over 10 years ago Cairo was my first trip outside of the U.S, my friends and I were epically ripped off by our tour guide. By the end of the second day I had a weird feeling and decided to cancel the rest of our tours. We met a local who explained many scams in great detail. We were shocked and felt lame. I think I have PTSD from Cairo and Giza, it turned me into a borderline asshole lol. After that trip I became the King of no reaction, eye contact, and pretend to look like a mean person who’s unimpressed by everything.
A friend of mine worked in water sanitation in Constantine, Algeria. (Left his wife & daughter in Lyon, France). He wasn’t authorized to travel outside of the city by his employer bc of crime. Told me: “Mountains of garbage. These people will NEVER function as a society, NOT EVEN WITHIN 300 YEARS!”. End.
We had a nice experience in Cairo for a week. We went a few days travelling around with a female guide (Giza, Memphis, Red pyramid, Cairo museum,…) but also went wandering around alone for a day on the Giza plateau. Even the hotel people advised strongly against it. Yes, they were shouting at us from time to time that we needed an extra ticket and whatnot. I always just screamed back in Dutch that they could f** off. Even when walking around in Cairo in the small shopping alleys, we were left alone, I was prepared to step up for my beautiful blond Swedish wife, but I didn’t have to. It is all in your stance, if they see you’re not open for b**s***t they will leave you alone. So my advise is, just ignore them and, if you do not like to queue for certain entrances, just go via the exit and pay the guard half price to get in. They are poor and corrupt, so just play along. 🙂
so sorry for any bad experience anyone has gone through here. btw, keep speaking up and as you say the good things say the bad ones too, may the system here get improved, and may also the people change, I really hope. I would also like to say that there are some places where you can be more comfortable in Egypt/Cairo and Giza like “el Zamalek” “maady” “sheik Zayed” and there are more, Zamalek is my favorite, you can find the vintage Egyptian building and styles as you can bee more comfortable, I guess!
My wife and I love to travel, but Egypt was a horrible vacation. The sites are fantastic, but the people suck, and the Cairo museum was kind of a joke with how they treated their priceless relics. So many scams like you talked about, and there was a few moments when my wife and I got separated, and in that time, she had several dudes get grabby and wouldn’t leave her alone. I’m 6 foot 4 and 300 pounds, and when they saw me running up, they scurried away like cockroaches. It ruined the trip as my wife was on edge for the rest of our stay. We will never do that again. I always tell people not to go.
Oh gosh, I’ve heard about scams but this definitely tops my list of stories 😂 So sad to hear that the scams are EVERYWHERE. Even at the airport, seriously! Not cool to keep a traveller’s passport hostage! 😅 But looking forward to hearing about the good things about this country. I think it has an interesting history and many beautiful places, just sad to see so many scammers.
I just went to Cairo & please do yourself a favor & don’t listen to these people & their experience. It will never be bad like they described it. Me personally yeah people would try to ask for a tip for doing nothing, but I would just walk away & say no & that’s it. & if you are going to Cairo you don’t need a tour guide you can just buy your entrance ticket at the booth of every landmark as they are controlled by the government.
Hi guys, nice to have you back on your travels! Egypt has never been in our travel plans for this very reason, it’s certainly not now, I’d lose my s##t quickly there! We’ve now re-booked Malaysia for October, Kota, langkawi, sepilok and KL, a trip we lost 2 years ago due to covid, enjoyed re-watching your blogs from that trip last night! A huge Woot from us 👌
great tip from someone who lives in egypt. we’re not egyptians and it shows on us but we do speak egyptian, so its best if you have any local friends around or even any egyptian person, they’re gonna definetly leave you alone, also try ur best to ignore them, imagine they’re not even there, you’re right their feelings are not hurt.
I had made similar experiences with the locals in Marrakesch. During the exploration of the city, I was often asked in a friendly manner, how I was doing, where I wanted to go and after i asked them in which direction i need to go they wanted to come with me to show me the 5 to 10 minute route. Then they all wanted 20 to 40 euros for it because they had helped me after all. In a other case I stood by the men with the monkeys for just a few seconds on the market square and watched them, when they placed a monkey on my shoulder, took my camera, took a picture and asked 40€ for it. I thought the people there were nice, but they were deceitful and they really wanted to rip me off. In the end I never took more than the equivalent of 20€ per tour to show them after they fooled me that I didn’t have that much money with me and to explain to them that I still had to buy something to eat. My goal of the trip was not only to explore the city, it was also to get knowledge about the culture, the mentality of the people, how they live, how they are doing. I really wanted to immerse myself in that world there. That was the reason why i wanted to talk to them often. But they took advantage of that to fool me.
Everything you said is true. I’m from Egypt. But not all Egyptians are Scammers some of the workers in the shops or restaurants or any other places when they see a foreigner. The scamming and Swindling begins. My Experience is the same I’ve been in Cairo, Egypt for 10 years. This the worst country in the world when it comes to tourism.
We just got back from Egypt and enjoyed it but yes the first day or two we had to get used to the haggling. I found a big smile, zero eye contact and clear ‘no thanks!’ worked a treat – as others have said, they’re not bad people, just desperate for money. I actually ended up having plenty of fun haggling down prices in the end. Equally tipped where we could – we got a 50km, 1 hour taxi that was only £5 (pre-agreed price) but we gave them double as a tip and the gratitude from the driver was unbelievable. I would say try and make the haggling part of the experience and with the scams just use common sense – nothing is free, pre-agree prices for taxis etc.
It doesn’t happen to everyone but to people who look like tourists and who look like they have money flashing cameras ans article recorders and not dressed like locals. You were easy targets sorry and you actually stopped to talk to them So you shouldn’t say will happen to everyone as it doesn’t. And your not covered up if showing cleavage.. I think you really lacked some emotional intelligence integrating into another country’s culture. I found this whole article very negative ans I’m not Egyptian but its quite offensive criticise a country so much. Its really disrespect
As an Egyptian i usually just ignore these people while waving at them or give them a few pounds and i dont think its rude but maybe foreigners feel uncomfortable ignoring them and instead try to speak to them. If you talk to them they are gonna think your bargaining and they will try to sell it to you even more. Make it clear your not interested dw its not rude.
If visiting another culture was so “exhausting”, why did they go? Tourism–which includes all of the locals featured in this article–is one of the most important aspects of Eqypt’s economy. The country has had a difficult past. There is a high amount of poverty and income disparity. That means it is difficult-to-impossible for any of these ‘scammers’ to change their lives, and that includes feeding their animals. Sadly, the reaction of our hosts is the reaction of many Westerners who see what life is like on the other side. Instead of compassion, they respond was surprise, disgust, apprehension and annoyance.
Seriously guys I feel so embarrassed as Egyptian after perusal your article and I’m not going to be diplomatic here Unfortunately this happens and I can really relate but I just wanna clarify that not all Egyptians are opportunists and trying To take advantage of you financially xD When it comes to visiting the pyramids you’re ABSOLUTELY right The best way is to have a local friend or a tour guide with you . When it comes to being called (shakira) I’m profusely sorry for that This is not acceptable and should never have happened . Just take your normal precautions and everything should be fine After all, I hope that you have had a good time despite those little inconveniences and Please let me know if you want any help here in Egypt and don’t worry this will definitely be free xD Will be waiting for your upcoming articles Have a great day
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR YOU Coming from a wealthy side of life, it’s great that this was a “problem” for you. I agree that it’s an inconvenience. But, you casually mentioning “India is the second worse” was uncalled for. I believe, when you travel, you must have an open mind to other cultures and understand their circumstances that make them what they are. I don’t mean to be rude, whatsoever, but if you’re like this, I recommend you only visit parts of the US, CANADA, The UK and other wealthy nations. Avoid shading other countries just because money is not easy for them and that you can’t understand that. 🙂
You’re exaggerating things. It’s not that bad. I lived several days in a hostel in front of the ticket office. The sellers, hagglers, wanna-be-taxi-drivers, beggers (the give-me-money kids) are easy to avoid, and if you’re firm they give up fast. And not that many of them, around the office there are maybe a dozen or so (the territory seems to be controlled by a single group that pays the boss). Similarly, it’s quite possible to visit the pyramids without a guide. Actually, it’s more fun that way. The worst part of it is the realization they are all people living in abject poverty and have no way of it.
Here is what I did when I went to Egypt. I brought really good headphones and several pairs of wrap-around sunglasses that cover my eyes even on the sides. When I got to Giza, I put on my headphones and sunglasses and walked straight ahead. I was bombarded by these guys trying to make money off me like following me to take a camel ride, or take my picture and selling me things. I ignored EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. I could not hear them because I was blasting my music very loud in my headphones and they could not see my eyes and they eventually ALL left me alone. The people I travelled me also followed my lead and they were left alone. Celebrities should also do the same thing with paparazzi. Your welcome.
Egypt is a beautiful place. It can be intimidating if this is your first developing country you’re visiting. There’s good and bad to every country. People are poor here and money feeds their family. I’m currently in Egypt and like any other tourist, I’m cautious of my surroundings, carry myself with decency and follow the rules. While I do appreciate this article for the tips, I feel like you both are a bit entitled and also pushing your article at the cost of a country’s reputation and it’s culture. There’s a certain sense of grace one can maintain while asking others to be cautious while traveling! Also, I’m not an Egyptian, but respect and am currently enjoying Egypt to its fullest! Good people, good food, good hospitality, yes be cautious, careful, don’t draw attention, ignore people you don’t know, book through proper resources, and have fun!! And to the creators of this article, be a little less of attention seeking, instagrammy pricks at the cost of others! Everything will be fine!!!
Holy Hell! Thank you for posting this. From my personal experience and research, almost every Muslim country seems to be this way, but it definitely sounds far worse in Egypt than in any other place. I love how these people pretend to be good, devout Muslims, then just casually rob tourists like this. You don’t have to worry about getting mugged, because they will rob you another way. These people are sick, and should be ashamed of themselves. All they are doing is ruining the reputation of their country and religion. Maybe if tourists stopped coming, they would finally get a strong leader who would crack down on these people. Like you said, they only care about themselves. Who raised these people? To be honest, I think the revolution is partially responsible, because my uncle went in 2005, when Mubarak was still in power, and these problems existed, but it wasn’t nearly this bad. Egypt is a fascinating country, but if this is what I have to deal with, I think I’ll leave that corner of my travel map blank. I agree that these countries are best experienced with a local friend. Your boyfriend seems incredibly naive. If you want to experience an Islamic country, I recommend sticking to Iran and the Mediterranean countries. The worst that will happened is you might get overcharged, but you won’t experience anything on this level. North Africa is the absolute worse, when it comes to harassing tourists for money. You can visit, and have a good time, but avoid the big cities and major tourist sites, or go with a local friend.
After security at the airport, there was a random custom check of handbags. The custom guy, with uniform etc, checked thru my wallet, saw bills of 100$, and he goes, ‘You have too many, give me one or two’!!! Of course I didn t. But it doesn t end. I would die to visit more sites in Egypt, but remembering such people and perusal articles like yours, reminds me how tired we got during our trip, although we had a tour, guide, local guide and tourism cop!
I have been to Egypt many time and I have found that this touting never stops. You have to steel your heart and ignore these people. It may be rude, but just turn your back and walk away. However, you don’t need to say anything rude. That could be provocative. That said, two simple words may help if repeated as necessary. “Mish Awiz’ to be said by a man, and ‘Mish Awza’ by a woman. It means ‘I don’t want’. Then just gently walk away. If you do wish to get something, go to a market. There you can bargain – unless in shops or there are marked prices. But otherwise you should bargain. It is expected. Another useful phrase when bargaining is ‘Mish Mumkin = not possible, when you are trying to get a lower price. But in tourist places it is never any harm to haggle.
I am saddened by this report. I am desaible and if someone wanted to scam me I would react in a very defensive way. I suffered from PTSD. A frend has been planning a trip to Egypt for the last 12 months. And he is disabled us well. We have suffered enough. And though that going on this trip will do us a lot of good. You have put a big question mark about this trip. We have been saiving for a very long time. And don’t have a lot of money to be scum out off. We where planning on seen the pyramids and a trip down the Nile. My family has helped me with moust off the money for the trip. Can you get back to me with some tips on how to react and were to draw the line. Were is the police? Museum security? Pyramid security? We would be very grateful to you . All we usked is that you have actually been there. Many thanks
Ive experienced this at the pyramids scammers aproach us talking in English but i just reply in egyptian arabic and they like “oh its an Egyptian. I cant scam her damn it. ” And then back off 😂 the thing with egypt is that we are so diverse that you can easily pass for an Egyptian aslong as you dont have blue eyes and blonde hair or look way too asian. Just say “la2 shokran” to the scammers (the 2 is arabic letter hamsa which is pronounced like the ‘ in bo’o o’ wa’er if ur british and shokran is is pronounced in-between “shook” like in “im shook” (not shuuk or shoook its not a long vowel. ) And shock like in “shocked” and the ran in shokran is pronounced like “run” in “im gonna run” make sure to speak a little faster than you usually do but not too fast and also wave and look away seem geniunely not interested. And they will think “oh its an egyptian. ” And leave you alone
WOW this is good information. It must have gotten worst. I was there 20 years ago and it was the same. Bothering you at every turn. I’m 6’4″ and 250lbs and I think when I said to back off I didn’t get a lot of push back on that. They generally backed off the first time and moved on. You can get bothered to hell in Jamaica too, but nowhere was as bad as Cairo. We loved the trip though beside that. Were going again next year 2024. Looking forward to it. We have friends there we’ve known for over 20 years and looking forward to seeing them again.
I appreciate the awareness. Thks for sharing. I felt this in Cambodia near the border, not to that severity but I felt people were desperate to earn an income any way they could. I tend to think of it as just different culture, not necessarily scams. You are travelling so they see you as an opportunity in a country where there is limited opportunity. Just like tipping the grocery baggers in a country like Mexico is different culture than we expect in North America. It’s not a scam just a different way. You definitely did not ask for the service they force upon you, but they see themselves as entrepreneurs. People are just trying to feed their families. We have more respect for tourism in our countries bc we have less corrupt government, and benefit from tourism. Profits are reinvested in the economy, benefiting us all, where as there it is every man for himself. We have many opportunities to earn an income in our countries, where as there, the opportunities + pay are so limited. I think remembering this can help you feel more acceptance. Definitely no need to comply to their forced services, but feeling compassion for ppl living there with little opportunity can help you to understand the desperation, feel less offended and better enjoy the game of no eye contact lol.
First of all you guys are very sweet and cute with very informative article. I am going there from Denmark with 25 ppl group with a tour guide but I m a bit scared of the war conflict and then I saw this article and got another perspective… My husband is a bit worried for me as he is staying here for work… By the looks of it it looks safe <3
I agree with your article! I just got back and I will say I was initially annoyed by how many people tried to scam us. I had to use the washroom and in order to get toilet paper I had to pay the ladies sitting in the front of the restroom. I’m grateful that a friend from Egypt met up with us. I simply wanted to enjoy the pyramids but it was a little overwhelming. I felt bad for the horses and camels. Overall if you want to visit the pyramids go with a TRUSTED tour company.
every country has them disadvantages and beggars. this is a poor country what do you expect when you travel without a tour guide! I always think it’s a shame how people like you bring down beautiful countries by whining about every little thing. if I travel to America and go to the ghetto it is also life dangerous and every country has a dangerous or a scam area!!! Please don’t be like that and next time just take a travel guide booked from your own country. saves you a lot of stress! cheap is stressful vacation! worldwide!!!
I think we have to take travel advice with a grain of salt and just be prepared. I’ve lived in Egypt twice and worked there for two years off and, and only one time I had a issue with a taxi driver in Sharm. Once in two years is not too bad 😀. Every place is different and not everyone is the same as what you might experience when you go. Just keep an open mind. Be smart. And appreciate Egypt for what it is. And definitely learn some of the language to avoid being scammed so much! Thanks for the article guys :).
While I feel sorry for your experience, but, the overall tone of this article was extremely xenophobic. Scams are rampant in any popular European city as well. Muggings are so common in any big American city. My camera was stolen in Berlin. My friend was pickpocketed in Paris. Last year our car got broken into in the Redwoods, California. No way I am trying to justify what you had to face and I hate myself for sounding like a troll but having watched few of your recent articles, I now see a pattern. Maybe, perhaps, you shouldn’t visit “developing countries” (also known as colonized, looted and exploited countries) anymore. This is not 1980s and we don’t need any more Indiana Jones movies. By the way, I liked many of your van life articles.
This is not a scam, as the article claims. This is just the way that business is done; the way that people make money. For two years, there was almost no tourism to Egypt, so the people are desperate. Yes, the vendors do follow you and yes, you do have to pay small tips to use the bathrooms. The caretakers in the tombs and temples often have some useful information and can show you things that you might not otherwise see. A few Egyptian pounds is a small price to pay for an enhanced experience. Employ a tour guide. A good guide will buffer you somewhat from the constant sells pitch. I spent ten days in Egypt in 2021 and never felt that I was ‘ scammed.’ The people of Egypt are lively, exuberant, and outgoing. I enjoyed all the interactions I had with them. I tipped a young woman, in a restroom, in Egyptian pounds, about three and a half U.S. dollars and she kissed me on both cheeks. (And the word is Khalas, which means I am done, I am finished speaking. )
You forgot to mention that your Safety was at risk in Cairo, Luxor & Mexico. Security check info was invaluable. These places are poor and great con-artidts, they will bad for you to no end but have known about these scams for years. Picking up some phrases is terrific and getting a tour guide and/or local friends will give you a nice memory.
unf I’m egyptian and I want to tell everyone that living in egypt is impossible even food and clothes need ton of work to get them just think about getting a car or marrying not only the gov the people also most of them are thieves or sharpers if you need something to thanks God for it’s enough not to be born with this s**t nationality I always dream with the day I can go out of it and never ever come back again please God help me to do that I’m really tired of living here don’t believe anyone told lies like egypt welcome everyone no they just want to defraud you to st<>l your money and if someone told you living in egypt is comfortable you have to know that he is a thief with more than one meaning believe me life in egypt is more than h*ll
They also did this in Punta Cana. The airport story specifically. We were appalled when a guy helped us with our bags to the bus and then asked for money. We thought he was just a friendly airport worker. We couldn’t even lay out on the beach without people constantly walking by and trying to sell us things and wouldn’t take no for an answer. And it was an all inclusive resport so they weren’t even supposed to be there. A few times we had to get up, grab our things, leave our spots we had gotten up super early to get and go for a walk or back to our room. We were strongly advised not to leave our resort for reasons like this, plus all the crime. All of the people working at the resort were wonderful though. If you tipped your bellboy or bartenders $20 on night 1 they treated you like kings and queens the rest of the stay.
Halas and the woman as covered as possible, the guy with long pants – and you might be in more peace even in a scam place like Egypt. However, YOU MUST have a person you trust with you – a local. Own experience. Would never go there again unless my friends are waiting for me at the airport and go with me everywhere.
This is my last day in Cairo and I came alone. I just gave up. I will just stay in the hotel. I’m scared and pissed. Hated the experience. I would never come back here. They must have scammed me 200 dollars in total because I don’t know how to ignore. Now if I go out I completely ignore or I pretende I don’t speak English. Don’t come here alone and be ready to be pissed if you come.
Thanks for sharing, every time somebody approaches me when traveling, trying to make a buck selling stuff, I am reminded there are many hungry stomachs & that they are not some what fortunate as me! 😏 The biggest scammer are in walls street,& capital hill with stiff suits. & recently the big pharmas 😛 Cheers!
As an Egyptian we call those people usually found near the museum Kharty an Arabic slang he do many tricks to get money out of tourists like talking friendly until ending off taking you buying some sort of anything riping you off paying double or triple the normal price that’s the game It goes everywhere the same even with me in Egypt, Istanbul, shanghai, Bangkok,Kuala, ho chi Minh everywhere even in Rome around the coliseum but those of Cairo are the most pushing the most annoying the most to drive you nervous so be careful not to answer at all as if you don’t understand or you don’t hear at all
We are sorry that your facing all that scammers in Cairo, however not all local people in Cairo are scammers, when i found a tourist here in Cairo I offer a help and souvenirs for them to make there visit little bit easier, just look for decent guys and they will defiantly help you without waiting any thing in return. hope to see you again in Egypt and enjoy it more.
Some of your talk may be true but that is not everywhere in Egypt and also you can find things like this in others countries not just Egypt The point is in how you want to feel or focus on!! If you want to enjoy and be happy you can and let’s you didn’t have a good background before or while visiting about the things you could face or places not recommended 🙏🏻
Sorry for having a bad experience in Egypt, I am Egyptian currently live in Canada, and I had same experience when I visit the pyramids, Egypt was not like that, this manner started after the Arab spring revolution. If you want to enjoy Egypt places during your visit, I recommend having an Egyptian friend you can trust, it is easy to find them from the social media and they will be happy to help you guys (for free), this way he or she will advise you guys whom you should talk to and whom you should avoid and how to deal with bothering ppl like you met in the pyramids area. We still have same question to the Egyptian government which is why they don’t do something to prevent those ppl from bothering ppl in the tourist areas. I recommend you go to the red sea in Egypt it is beautiful, it is completely different from other places in Egypt. FYI UK also have same bad manner in the airport they prevent ppl from taking any photos there, I think for security reason the same in Egypt. Egypt is a very nice place but there is sometimes ppl ruin you visit there.
Anywhere you go in the world you will encounter scammers and people who harass tourists, it’s just more prevalent and aggressive in some countries versus others. This is due to levels of poverty, education, etc. It should not come as a shock if you’ve traveled to places outside of the western world. It’s like visiting a cold country you automatically factor in that you’ll be uncomfortably cold, visiting poorer countries just automatically assume you will encounter this.
Your taking a chance going there my sister went there not long ago and her daughter was nearly kidnapped over a camel of all things, she wanted to rent one and instead of paying they tried to take my niece for payment it got that bad that police and residents came from all over demanding my sister accepted the deal and give her daughter over, luckily a man from the local town knew the scammers and got rid of them my sister said this man was like an angel from heaven.
These principles aren’t applied to locals man, there are principles that we have as Arabs and especially Egyptians, and some of them are integrity, self-honor, and contentment. I wouldn’t come out to you and do you a favor waiting for money, no we would do so because in our religions whether Islam or Christianity it’s very praised by good to help the foreign. about the people that scammed you, yeah that’s true they’re the worst as all their job is built upon scamming stupid tourists. another point I’d like to declare is that our sense of humor is integrated into every little action that we do, so for example the old man punching at the camera was just joking, people telling you they would give thousands of camels as a price for your wife, that’s because it’s a popular meme that we have in a movie called “بوشكاش”. The moral of the story is don’t generalize a whole country based on individuals, you declared that clearly at the beginning of the article but the rest of it was generalizing like WTF, in the end, wish the next time to be better ISA
This was an excellent vid. Ask your tour guide where you’re going. Ours was very informative and great at warding off scammers at the sites. Ours however had 3 stops that included stopping for camel rides(they were hitting the camel’s. Don’t support it) he took us by a papyrus and art gallery as well as a fragrance/essence gallery. I’m sure he got a cut and the people there were aggressive. A seller in the gallery took my card and tried to run it for $350usd and I went off! He had to run back to quiet me down and not scare off other patrons. We went to stay in New Cairo and a guy bagging our groceries ( like 4 bags which we could carry) wanted to take them to our car. We told him that we might walk or take an Uber. He would not let them go until he could walk them down to the exit. We called an Uber and stood there with this guy and he placed them in the trunk. He held his hand out and we tipped him, he gave it back and we smiled. He said it wasn’t enough. TBF they try to do a good job…while scamming you. 😩
I want to say something that this is not all of egypt Egypt has a lot of places to visit like maadi,zmalek and of course if you want the sun kiss you should visit sharm el sheikh, hurdaga, north coast ( sahel) and much more places to visit I guarantee that you will be happy all the time there 🥰🥰 and of course the hospitality and the weather is so cool there 📸📸 so give it another try and you will not regret trust me ❤️
I was in Egypt and I got scammed so the guy came to me and my mom and they wanted us to take a picture with their camel. I said I don’t want to but they insisted so my mom said why not and they told me to ride it after, and just to confirm they took really bad photos. I didn’t wanna write it. I told him I didn’t want to. He said it’s not gonna go up and then I went on it and it started going up and I was like shaking so bad and I was like it’s OK. It’s OK it’s OK, and then the guy asked for money. My mom gave him and he kept asking for more. We went to our bus cause we had a tour guide, but he was not with us. He was with the other people. We just went to take some photos and he was standing on the bus asking for money and there’s one person that just took one photo and asked for money, we gave them so much but insisted.
You don’t talk to these people at all. Just talk to officers or authorities only (they’re in uniform) My wife is American and whenever we come here they try to scam us. They know I’m Egyptian and they try to scam me too 😂 Do not give anyone chance to touch you, get into your personal space, or touch your belongings.
Welcome to Egypt The population of Egypt is 100 million, most of them are poor, and of course not all residents are frauds, but a few want to earn money in stupid ways, but most of the population is very friendly Finally, you can enjoy staying for a month at a cost starting from $1,000 only, including housing, food, transportation, and museum tickets.
I do not know if Egypt is not visited, where the world’s tourists will go: Egyptian Pharaonic, Islamic and Coptic civilization, in addition to the Nile River, the shores of the Red Sea, the northern coast, and finally the city of New El Alamein. Where in the world is there more beautiful and more beautiful than all this civilization and coastal country?
That was not my experience at all. My time there was perfect. I was with my now husband that whole time and he is egyptian. I loved it. Animals are not abused and the ppl who are hustling are just trying to feed their families you do not know how hard life is there so stop judging animals are not abused there they are not pets they are workers and are treated as such. Egyptians are good ppl and are very united its different culture and we must learn to appreciate it. When i arrived in cairo airport there were no check points and no security i dont know what u ppl r talking about.
I thought i will be disrespected bc I am an Egyptian but everything u said r so true and my heart is tired from breaking everytime i see a not treated well animal and i hope when someone wants to visit it go with a Egyptian friend they literally scam the tourists one time i was at a tourism street and everything is so darn expensive!! If u want souvenir make sure an Egyptian friend buys it from a regular store
You really do have to just ignore some of the people, but when I went, I actually lost my GoPro at the pyramids of Giza. I didn’t realize it until I went to a gift store. My tour guide took us back to the pyramids and asked the locals if they found it. They did! And gave it back to me, denying any tips. I would NEVER have found such an experience in New York, where I live. That sucker would’ve been lost forever.
only touristic areas annoy and ask for money, and yeah at the airport, at every check point you have to pass money! as tourist you have to have tourist guide with you and other places, local friends. And wear what is appropriate for the country. I have been there as tourist and years later lived about 4 years, noone annoyed us.
This country was absolutely the worst place i’ve ever been, I planned 3 weeks but I fled after 5 days. I’ve been to more then 35 countries on almost every continent but Egypt was a horrible living nightmare. It’s even more catastrophic then india and Bangladesh combined. Cairo and Giza looks war torn, the mentality of the uneducated shameless and unhygienic ppl is also war time. I was so relieved when I was able to change my plane ticket to escape this horrendous country. I spend the rest of my holiday in northern Morocco and I’m heading next month again to this beautiful country Morocco 🇲🇦
I don’t know where those came from America? but I live in London, UK, a major tourist destination so those types are so common if you look obviously a tourist! Those Egyptians are not scams, it’s way to make money out of tourists who doesn’t do research before they travel. Egypt now is an Islamic country and women need cover up for own respect! Give them Tips your American dollers.
I have a couple friends in Cairo and helped one kid learn English whom I still speak with. If you want to hire a young kid to help keep the locals away let me know, he would be thrilled to have the chance, and it would probably help you tremendously if you return. I am easy to find, I use the same name everywhere. I have never had the chance to visit myself and am now retired and living in Texas.
Your biggest mistake is to not be with a local person, this is Egypt not Europe, yes you’re gonna get scammed yes you’re gonna get robbed and definitely yes people gonna annoy for money because this is a bad economic country, people there needs money to live in this expensive city, you treat third world countries like it’s the firsts and you go there asking why you get scammed, PLEASE BE WITH A LOCAL BUDDY, i’m not saying a tour guide I’m saying that there’s alot of people who can help you on budget or free also
As a rule, only newcomers are badly scammed. For all Egyptians you are super rich. Actually, Egypt is really easy once you understand why every guys there want to rip you off. Buy tickets only at official sales points and google the price beforehand. Only drive with Uber. Give Tips with a maximum of 50 EGP (which is a lot in tourist zones) and only, if you want. Negotiate any price beforehand. Never give your smartphone out of hand for photos, only use a selfie stick. The carriages and camels at the pyramids also ride the short tour to the photo spot for $2. Just say, you have only a credit card, no other cash. On my last trip to Cairo, I didn’t tip a single penny except in the restaurant. All you really have to do is say no.
Egypt is the most dangerous place for tourists in the world. Read up on the recent case of Giulio Regeni, the poor Italian university student who was abducted off the street by egypian police and ended up repeatedly tortured and homosexually raped by the local police chief, before being finally murdered and his body dumped by the same police who abducted him. The real horror is that Regeni was just one, while egyptian lawyers and activists state that at least twenty thousand young egyptians suffer a similar fate at the hands of egyptian military and police EVERY YEAR. For God’s sake, do not let your young people travel to this mad, cruel, corrupt country, run by thugs and perverts. Do not go there yourself. Once the police decide to abduct you, to rob, rape or whatever, your chances of getting out alive are negligible. Read up on the Regeni case. The police lied repeatedly and refused to co-operate with international investigations. But the truth got out, in piecemeal fashion, in the end. But, the horror is in the real numbers of more than twenty thousand Egyptian Regenis who die awful deaths EVERY YEAR in this sick, and dangerous nest of perverts and thugs.