Is Egypt safe to visit these days?

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KnickNut3

Platinum Member
Oct 1, 2001
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My friend an I are planning a vacation and want to include a trip to Egypt. We would probably go with Contiki or another inclusive tour group as opposed to trying to do things on our own.

I remember reading stories about tourists being targeted in attacks and similar problems in recent months. However, you can find horror stories about anywhere, so article searches are hard to make an objective opinion from. If it would be much safer to go in a couple years, I would do that. However, I really want to see the country, so if this time is no worse than others, it may be worth going now.

Thanks for the advice.
 
dainthomas

dainthomas

Lifer
Dec 7, 2004
14,856
3,808
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Originally posted by: KnickNut3
Useful link, thanks.

I would fly into Cairo and see Cairo, Luxor, and a Nile cruise, something similar to this:

http://contiki.com/tours/102-egypt-the-nile#itinerary

The tour guides should at least keep us in safe(r) areas, I would think. We are very white.
Click to expand...

Watch out! Your guide could be one of "them"!!! :Q

Seriously, who worries about stuff like this? I'd love to go see the pyramids!
 
FlashG

FlashG

Platinum Member
Dec 23, 1999
2,709
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"Proof of yellow fever immunization is required if arriving from an infected area. Evidence of an AIDS test is required for everyone staying over thirty days, for the purpose of studying or working in Egypt. " Is this SOP for most foreign countries now?
 
K

KnickNut3

Platinum Member
Oct 1, 2001
2,382
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Originally posted by: FlashG
"Proof of yellow fever immunization is required if arriving from an infected area. Evidence of an AIDS test is required for everyone staying over thirty days, for the purpose of studying or working in Egypt. " Is this SOP for most foreign countries now?
Click to expand...

Commercial African ones, maybe? Trying to control the epidemic? I noticed this, too.

Originally posted by: dainthomas
Originally posted by: KnickNut3
Useful link, thanks.

I would fly into Cairo and see Cairo, Luxor, and a Nile cruise, something similar to this:

http://contiki.com/tours/102-egypt-the-nile#itinerary

The tour guides should at least keep us in safe(r) areas, I would think. We are very white.
Click to expand...

Watch out! Your guide could be one of "them"!!! :Q

Seriously, who worries about stuff like this? I'd love to go see the pyramids!
Click to expand...

You think it's funny? There are many unsafe parts of the world right now. That kind of attitude can get you blowed up. Or worse!
 
Shawn

Shawn

Lifer
Apr 20, 2003
32,236
53
91
My grandparents went to Egypt for business in the early 90's and my granddad's company hired a body guard to look after my grandmom so that she could go out alone.
 
dainthomas

dainthomas

Lifer
Dec 7, 2004
14,856
3,808
136
Originally posted by: KnickNut3
Originally posted by: FlashG
"Proof of yellow fever immunization is required if arriving from an infected area. Evidence of an AIDS test is required for everyone staying over thirty days, for the purpose of studying or working in Egypt. " Is this SOP for most foreign countries now?
Click to expand...

Commercial African ones, maybe? Trying to control the epidemic? I noticed this, too.

Originally posted by: dainthomas
Originally posted by: KnickNut3
Useful link, thanks.

I would fly into Cairo and see Cairo, Luxor, and a Nile cruise, something similar to this:

http://contiki.com/tours/102-egypt-the-nile#itinerary

The tour guides should at least keep us in safe(r) areas, I would think. We are very white.
Click to expand...

Watch out! Your guide could be one of "them"!!! :Q

Seriously, who worries about stuff like this? I'd love to go see the pyramids!
Click to expand...

You think it's funny? There are many unsafe parts of the world right now. That kind of attitude can get you blowed up. Or worse!
Click to expand...

C'mon, you're many times more likely to die on the way to the airport or in a plane crash than being kidnapped or blown up by terrorists in Egypt.
 
L

LS21

Banned
Nov 27, 2007
3,745
1
0
Originally posted by: KnickNut3


You think it's funny? There are many unsafe parts of the world right now. That kind of attitude can get you blowed up. Or worse!
Click to expand...

lol joke rite

i would only stay away from iraq, somalia, sudan, congo (the fucked up one), etc in africa. everywhere else in the world is fair game. yes - that includes iran.
 
A

Aimster

Lifer
Jan 5, 2003
16,129
2
0
I have white friends who lived in Egypt because their parents used to work there. They loved it and said the people were nice.

Israelis go to parts of Egypt all the time for vacation. No problems
 
little elvis

little elvis

Senior member
Sep 8, 2005
227
0
0
A friend of mine was just there on a similar Contiki tour last month. Had absolutely no problems at all...
 
ThePresence

ThePresence

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
27,727
16
81
Originally posted by: Aimster
I have white friends who lived in Egypt because their parents used to work there. They loved it and said the people were nice.

Israelis go to parts of Egypt all the time for vacation. No problems
Click to expand...

Taba is not Cairo. :)
 
A

Aimster

Lifer
Jan 5, 2003
16,129
2
0
Originally posted by: ThePresence
Originally posted by: Aimster
I have white friends who lived in Egypt because their parents used to work there. They loved it and said the people were nice.

Israelis go to parts of Egypt all the time for vacation. No problems
Click to expand...

Taba is not Cairo. :)
Click to expand...

It is a popular spot for Egyptians as well. I am sure many of those Egyptians come from Cairo
 
feralkid

feralkid

Lifer
Jan 28, 2002
16,813
4,901
136
Originally posted by: KnickNut3
Useful link, thanks.

I would fly into Cairo and see Cairo, Luxor, and a Nile cruise, something similar to this:

http://contiki.com/tours/102-egypt-the-nile#itinerary

The tour guides should at least keep us in safe(r) areas, I would think. We are very white.
Click to expand...



Should be no problem.

Cairo is a wild ride through traffic, and a smoldering sea of humanity. Upon arrival at Cairo Airport you'll start to notice guards armed with knives, then pistols, and eventually, the sight of soldiers in white uniforms toting automatic rifles becomes routine, perhaps even comforting. You'll see them guarding any and all places of political, cultural or touristic significance. Ever since Sadat was assassinated, the country has been in various states of "emergency."


Luxor is like a quiet country town, by comparison.

I did a similar trip (semi-unguided) in 2006. The overnight train is old and bumpy, the bar car was jumping. Quite an international scene (The locals take the day trains) These are 1st class "tourist" trains...not a bad thing, as people from all over the world come to visit Egypt. These trains are well guarded (They are protecting you; a good thing). If you could find affordable airfare from Cairo to Luxor, even for one way, I'd recommend that simply because even if you are a train buff, there's not much to see in the dark.

Along with the Temples, make sure you visit this museum as well. Just as the article says, less cluttered than the Egyptian Museum, which is huge but less well organized and has much to be desired regarding information, but you should definitely see both. There's also a Mummification Museum in Luxor that is worth seeing.

You may want to spend more time in the Valley of the Kings than some guided tours allocate...There are dozens of tombs, and a basic ticket gets you into only three (your choice, Tut's is extra). I saw six and regret not seeing more. Bring your own flashlight.

Back in Cairo, if you can arrange to see the City of the Dead (particularly any "Royal" tombs) you won't regret it. It's not ancient Egyptian but is incredible nonetheless.
 
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