I'm coming alone for a tour in Egypt, and will probably be on my own in Cairo till the tour starts, and even after the tour ends. I would like some reassurances about Cairo - being an arabic city (and it's the first time i'm going to an arabic country) i have these doubts about safety. Is it safe enough to walk around on your own?
Cairo - the city
Re: Cairo - the city
My daughter and I have just come back after doing the Nile Valley and Red Sea tour. We also had a few days to ourselves before and after the tour. We felt safe, but found the culture and constant harassing overwhelming. It was better after the tour, because some of the other members also stayed on a few days and we were able to do things together. Stick to the main tourist points and do not be talked into any unusual tours by taxi drivers. We found the Lonely Planet Guide very helpful and stuck to their guidelines.
Re: Cairo - the city
Hello Kris,
Almost 2 years ago I left for my tour of Egypt, I have seen alot of my own country but had never been overseas before. I was travelling on my own, so this was a pretty big step for a blonde country girl from Oz.
Before my tour started I spent a week in which I was on my own quite a bit. I walked down the streets during day time & night with out being hassled too much. Most of the time they are just trying to sell you something!! You will always have some idiot approach you in a verbal manner......but that will be it. I have to admit though that I have had much worse said to me by men in my own country. I'm certain if people are really honest they have had the same experience themselves.
Do not sit in the front seat with the taxi driver, don't go of the beaten track so to speak & you should have a great time without too many problems. You must also dress modestly.......no bare knees or shoulders, loose fitting clothing is best.
I enjoyed my time in Egypt & hope to return very soon......God willing. I made friends with an Egyptian family that I still corresponde with.
When going out on your own have the Hotel address & phone number written in arabic so that you can show it to taxi drivers.
Above all go with an open frame of mind & just enjoy yourself. Your T.L. will be very well trained & the tour will be well organised. Have a great time, wish I could be there too..........
[This message has been edited by Debbie Comini (edited March 07, 2001).]
Re: Cairo - the city
Hi, I was just in Egypt in November of 2000 with my husband. We took the Nile Safari Tour. I had concerns regarding safety as well, however did not feel unsafe at any point of the tour, even when we were alone in Cairo before and after the tour. Being constantly harassed was sometimes very annoying, but not in an unsafe way. Don't worry, you will probably meet other travellers in your hotel before the tour as we did and ended up doing things as a group, if not it is perfectly safe to stroll around Cairo. Hope you enjoy your tour..if you are taking the Nile Cruise, it is just beautiful and very relaxing, to me it was the highlight of the tour. Enjoy!!
Re: Cairo - the city
Cairo is a very international city, so Egyptians are accustomed to seeing a European face. Best advice is to dress very conservatively - no flashy jewelry or skin showing. When you walk avoid eye contact (Egyptians are always looking for an opening to talk to tourist), turn a deaf ear to people on the street, etc. who approach you - or at least appear annoyed and wave them aside. Don't hire a "guide" off the street. Be prepared for beggers (DO NOT give them anything, people trying to sell you something (say LA! IF you say anything at all - means NO), people trying to talk to you, trying to find out where you are staying, or just generally trying to talk to you (with a motive - money). Don't accept any marriage proposals. Act like you have lived there all your life. The more confident you are, the easier it will be. It's really a safe place if you practice common sense. Good luck. [img]http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/ubb/wink.gif[/img]
Re: Cairo - the city
Kris, I travelled alone to Cairo in August last year and like you I was worried about my safety. On the first morning I met 2 Aussie women at breakfast who were also on the same tour as me. I heard the accent and went up and introduced myself. We spent the day before our tour began exploring the area around our hotel and the market together. After my tour I was also alone but was much braver and armed with instructions from the tour leader I went to the Coptic area on the underground train which was great, the first car is for women travelling alone, but I also travelled in a mixed sex car, people stared at me but just out of interest and a small girl was most interested in me and came up and shook my hand!.
Sure people will hassle you and want to talk to you and I did get sick of that, but it was safe and a fantastic city to explore.
Make sure you find out how much to pay the taxi drivers before you get in, the staff at the hotel will be able to help there, and get out of the car before you pay him. Take a card from the hotel with the address written in Arabic so you can show it to the driver to get home. Relax and have a great time
Re: Cairo - the city
Great to hear you enjoyed your time in Egypt Tina, I certainly did. I keep telling people that it is quite safe to travel in Egypt, but there are some people you can not convince!
I found the Egyptian people very approachable , yes at times the constant sell is hard to take but you do become accostommed to it. Most of the hassling you encounter is from people trying to sell something.
Common sense & an open mind are 2 very important things to bring with you when you travel to Egypt (& I guess anywhere). But rest assured the Egyptians mainly want to sell you something, not harm you. Yes there will always be some idiot who will be verbally suggestive , but that will happen even in your home country...I have had some terrible things said to me by the males right here in Australia.
I was able to walk around Cairo day & night on my own without being hassled. Just try to relax....you are on holiday remember. Enjoy your time in Egypt....it has made a lasting immpression on my life & I can't wait to return
Re: Cairo - the city
There may not be a safer city on Earth to visit than Cairo. Street sellers are very persistant, but they and the rest of the people you meet will be scrupulously honest. Just be careful learning how to cross streets..Cairo traffic is legendary for its chaos..traffic signals are just for show, traffic cops don't have vehicles, an it is considered impolite to use your headlights at night!
Re: Cairo - the city
Hi!
Cairo is a pretty cool place to be travelling by yourself before or after tours. Depending on the hotel your staying at you might meet other people in the same type of situation and are more than happy to have another person to share the sights with. I spent time in cairo before and after my tour and ended up meeting some really great people in the hotel who, happen to be joining the next tour I was on.
Don't worry, you will be fine and remember to enjoy yourself.