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Is Egypt secure for solo feminine vacationers?
I’ve been to 50+ countries around the world as a solo feminine traveler, however I’ve to confess, I used to be a bit of apprehensive about touring to Egypt alone.
So I booked a 10-day group tour of the nation to start out off with, adopted by some exploring by myself.
And I actually should say that whereas I liked Egypt and wouldn’t hesitate to return someday, it was one of the crucial difficult and exhausting international locations I’ve ever been to on the identical time.
Overall, I do not assume it is a good vacation spot for almost all of solo feminine vacationers, however that should not discourage you from visiting in any respect.
Here are crucial issues it is best to find out about solo feminine journey and security in Egypt:
1. It’s Safe, But It’s Not For The Faint Of Heart
Egypt is secure for solo feminine vacationers, however I would not advocate it for almost all of girls.
You ought to solely go to Egypt solo in case you’re extraordinarily assertive, assured, and skilled touring by yourself.
This is not a very good first-time solo travel destination.
While 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’d skilled elsewhere on the earth.
2. Scams Abound
One factor it is best to find out about Egypt earlier than you go is that vacationer scams abound.
This will not be a difficulty so long as you come ready and know how one can determine and keep away from scams.
Never get right into a taxi with out agreeing on a worth with the motive force beforehand.
Know that if a vendor provides you a “gift,” it is not truly going to be free, so simply ignore them and stroll on by.
And if you’re buying within the markets, prepare for some hardcore haggling and by no means conform to the primary (or second, or third) worth you are quoted.
3. You Need To Be Assertive
Egypt is a vacation spot the place you could be in your guard on a regular basis and the place you have to be comfy being assertive, even when it feels “rude.”
If you do not completely ignore distributors on the street or firmly inform them “no” and hold strolling, they may observe you and hold pestering you endlessly.
Don’t fall prey to the high-pressure gross sales techniques that distributors will use as you stroll down the road or by means of markets and keep in mind you’ll be able to all the time stroll away.
4. Tipping Is A Way Of Life
Tipping is a big a part of the tradition in Egypt, and there is actually no means round it.
If you go to Egypt on a guided tour as I did, your information will doubtless take up a set of ideas for everybody (mine was $75 per particular person for a 10-day tour) and care for distributing them to drivers, porters, waiters, and so forth.
To use any restroom in Egypt, you may additionally often have to 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. Dress Conservatively
Egypt was the primary Middle Eastern nation I traveled to, and I knew it could be necessary to decorate conservatively.
But understand that in case you’re a overseas lady, dressing conservatively remains to be not going that can assist you mix in or keep away from catcalls and fixed hassling.
I all the time wore lengthy clothes (with a sweater or scarf to cowl my chest and shoulders) or flowy pants and a long-sleeved prime in Egypt and felt comfy.
6. Poverty Is Very Visible In Egypt
Poverty is extraordinarily seen in lots of components of Egypt, and that is one thing you ought to be ready for earlier than you go.
It does not imply that Egypt is unsafe, but it surely’s one thing that may actually catch you off guard in case you’ve solely seen Instagram-worthy pictures of the nation on-line.
One notably heartbreaking factor that is widespread to see in Egypt is youngster 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 youngsters do not get to maintain this cash, and adults are sometimes forcing them to beg.
7. Food Hygiene Is Questionable
As I’ve talked about a number of instances, Egypt just isn’t essentially an unsafe place — it may well simply be uncomfortable. Aside from the fixed hassling and scams, I’d say one of many largest points you would possibly face is getting sick.
Food hygiene requirements in Egypt are usually not the identical as they’re within the U.S. or Europe, which might result in many vacationers getting sick.
This is unquestionably 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’t drink the faucet water in Egypt. I like to recommend getting a LifeStraw filtering water bottle. It’s cheaper than shopping for bottled water on a regular basis and higher for the atmosphere.
I actually by no means journey with out mine and I’ve used it to soundly drink the faucet water in so many international locations around the globe.
8. There’s Not Much Of A Solo Travel Scene
One factor I discovered fascinating 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 widespread it’s to remain in hostels, meet different solo vacationers, e-book backpacker actions, and so forth.
This is simply not as a lot of a “thing” in Egypt. So in case you do not journey Egypt solo, you are not lacking out on a lot, which leads me to my remaining tip…
9. Traveling Solo Is Not Necessarily Cheaper
You will not save a ton of cash touring independently in Egypt versus reserving a bunch tour.
There are loads of reasonably priced group excursions in Egypt (try corporations like G Adventures or Intrepid Travel) that work out to price solely barely greater than in case you had been to try to e-book your individual lodging, transportation, and actions.
I’m not often one for group excursions, however in Egypt I 100% assume it is the best choice.
It additionally takes away the entire stress of navigating what could be a difficult vacation spot so you’ll be able to truly take pleasure in Egypt.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed below are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, accepted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the publish.
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