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Is Egypt secure for solo feminine vacationers?
I have been to 50+ countries around the world as a solo feminine traveler, however I’ve to confess, I used to be somewhat apprehensive about touring to Egypt alone.
So I booked a 10-day group tour of the nation to begin off with, adopted by some exploring alone.
And I truthfully should say that whereas I beloved Egypt and wouldn’t hesitate to return in the future, it was one of the difficult and exhausting nations I’ve ever been to on the similar time.
Total, I do not suppose it is a good vacation spot for almost all of solo feminine vacationers, however that should not discourage you from visiting in any respect.
Listed here are a very powerful issues you need to find out about solo feminine journey and security in Egypt:
1. It is Protected, However It is Not For The Faint Of Coronary heart
Egypt is secure for solo feminine vacationers, however I would not suggest it for almost all of ladies.
It’s best to solely go to Egypt solo when you’re extraordinarily assertive, assured, and skilled touring by yourself.
This is not a very good first-time solo travel destination.
Whereas I by no means felt bodily unsafe in Egypt, the fixed staring, feedback, and hassling from males grew tiresome and was not like something I might skilled elsewhere on this planet.
2. Scams Abound
One factor you need to find out about Egypt earlier than you go is that vacationer scams abound.
This may not be a problem so long as you come ready and know determine and keep away from scams.
By no means get right into a taxi with out agreeing on a worth with the driving force beforehand.
Know that if a vendor presents you a “present,” it is not really going to be free, so simply ignore them and stroll on by.
And in case you are buying within the markets, prepare for some hardcore haggling and by no means comply with the primary (or second, or third) worth you are quoted.
3. You Want To Be Assertive
Egypt is a vacation spot the place it’s worthwhile to be in your guard on a regular basis and the place you should be snug being assertive, even when it feels “impolite.”
If you happen to do not completely ignore distributors on the street or firmly inform them “no” and preserve strolling, they may observe you and preserve pestering you endlessly.
Do not fall prey to the high-pressure gross sales techniques that distributors will use as you stroll down the road or via markets and bear in mind you may at all times stroll away.
4. Tipping Is A Manner Of Life
Tipping is a large a part of the tradition in Egypt, and there is actually no method round it.
If you happen to go to Egypt on a guided tour as I did, your information will possible take up a set of suggestions for everybody (mine was $75 per individual for a 10-day tour) and handle distributing them to drivers, porters, waiters, and so forth.
To make use of any restroom in Egypt, you may additionally normally must tip the attendant a small quantity (5 to 10 Egyptian kilos, or $0.10 to $0.20.)
Going again to level #3 above, do not be afraid to push again and say no if somebody like a tour information calls for extra money after you’ve got already tipped them.
5. Costume Conservatively
Egypt was the primary Center Jap nation I traveled to, and I knew it might be essential to decorate conservatively.
However understand that when you’re a overseas girl, dressing conservatively continues to be not going that can assist you mix in or keep away from catcalls and fixed hassling.
I at all times wore lengthy attire (with a sweater or scarf to cowl my chest and shoulders) or flowy pants and a long-sleeved high in Egypt and felt snug.
6. Poverty Is Very Seen In Egypt
Poverty is extraordinarily seen in lots of elements of Egypt, and that is one thing you have to be ready for earlier than you go.
It doesn’t suggest that Egypt is unsafe, but it surely’s one thing that may actually catch you off guard when you’ve solely seen Instagram-worthy pictures of the nation on-line.
One significantly heartbreaking factor that is frequent to see in Egypt is baby beggars.
As terrible of a scenario as it’s, it is best to not give cash to them as a result of it perpetuates the cycle of exploitation — the kids do not get to maintain this cash, and adults are sometimes forcing them to beg.
7. Meals Hygiene Is Questionable
As I’ve talked about a number of occasions, Egypt just isn’t essentially an unsafe place — it could possibly simply be uncomfortable. Except for the fixed hassling and scams, I’d say one of many greatest points you may face is getting sick.
Meals hygiene requirements in Egypt usually are not the identical as they’re within the U.S. or Europe, which might result in many vacationers getting sick.
That is positively a vacation spot the place you may need to journey with loads of Pepto-Bismol and Imodium, and be picky about the place you eat.
You additionally can not drink the faucet water in Egypt. I like to recommend getting a LifeStraw filtering water bottle. It is cheaper than shopping for bottled water on a regular basis and higher for the setting.
I actually by no means journey with out mine and I’ve used it to securely drink the faucet water in so many nations all over the world.
8. There’s Not A lot Of A Solo Journey Scene
One factor I discovered attention-grabbing about Egypt is that there is not a lot of a solo journey or backpacker scene.
I believe a part of the explanation I’ve discovered it really easy to journey solo all through virtually all of Central and South America is due to how frequent it’s to remain in hostels, meet different solo vacationers, guide backpacker actions, and so forth.
That is simply not as a lot of a “factor” in Egypt. So when you do not journey Egypt solo, you are not lacking out on a lot, which leads me to my last tip…
9. Touring Solo Is Not Essentially Cheaper
You will not save a ton of cash touring independently in Egypt versus reserving a bunch tour.
There are many reasonably priced group excursions in Egypt (try corporations like G Adventures or Intrepid Travel) that work out to value solely barely greater than when you had been to attempt to guide your individual lodging, transportation, and actions.
I am not normally one for group excursions, however in Egypt I 100% suppose it is the most suitable choice.
It additionally takes away the entire stress of navigating what generally is a difficult vacation spot so you may really get pleasure from Egypt.
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Opinions expressed listed below are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorized or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the publish.