Yes, it is safe to travel to Egypt with extra precautions, provided you avoid warned regions. The US State Department says do not travel to the Northern and Middle Sinai Peninsula due to terrorism, and the UK FCDO advises against travel to parts of the country. At Safe to Go, we track daily travel advisories from Western governments so travelers can separate isolated regional risks from standard tourist corridors.
The primary safety concerns in everyday Egyptian tourist hubs are scams, touts, opportunistic theft, and harassment, alongside strict local speech and public conduct laws.
Where the Travel Warnings Concentrate in Egypt
The US Department of State warns against all travel to the Northern and Middle Sinai Peninsula due to terrorist activity. The UK FCDO also advises against all travel to some parts of Egypt and all but essential travel to others, and its Egypt page lists them.
Conversely, regular holiday destinations experience a heavy security presence from Egyptian authorities. The US State Department says security is generally present at likely targets, which it lists as including religious sites, tourist sites, transportation centers, resorts, roadside checkpoints and urban areas in Cairo. The live panel above shows today’s level from each government.
Approximately one million British travelers visit Egypt each year, and the UK government reports that most visits are trouble-free.
- Northern and Middle Sinai Peninsula: The US Department of State issues an explicit do-not-travel warning due to terrorism.
- Cairo and major urban hubs: Potential targets where security is generally present.
- Red Sea resorts: The UK FCDO says most sexual assaults reported to the British Embassy took place in Red Sea tourist resorts, often by someone the victim had met, including hotel and excursion staff.
Common Visitor Risks and Daily Precautions
Opportunistic offenses such as purse snatching and pickpocketing can occur, though the UK government notes pickpocketing is rare in Egypt. To protect your property, carry paper photocopies of your passport, entry visa, and flight tickets separately from original documents, and report any theft immediately to local authorities.
To report a crime, phone the tourist police on 126. A formal police report is mandatory if you lose your passport, as Egyptian authorities require this documentation to transfer entry visa stamps to your emergency replacement passport.
The US Department of State explicitly warns that harassment of women is a problem in Egypt, ranging from vulgar comments and gestures to indecent exposure and unwanted physical contact. The UK FCDO says a number of sexual assaults, including cases involving minors, have been reported to the British Embassy, most of them in Red Sea tourist resorts and often by someone the victim had met, such as hotel workers or excursion staff.
- Report before you fly home: the UK FCDO says a crime not reported before you leave Egypt will be difficult to prosecute later.
- Hotel room security: Do not let hotel staff into your room when you are alone. Try to have a friend or relative there.
- Taxis: Avoid taking a taxi alone. If you must, share the driver’s details, your trip and your live location with a friend.
- Excursion vetting: Rely on reputable tour providers and avoid sharing personal contact details or social media profiles with excursion staff.
- Supervision of minors: Keep children accompanied at all times during excursions and resort stays.
Terrorism and Protest Laws in Egypt
The UK FCDO says terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Egypt, and lists security forces, religious sites, large public gatherings and places visited by foreign nationals as possible targets. The UK FCDO notes historical incidents, including fatal shooting attacks against foreign visitors in Alexandria in 2023 and 2024, as well as an insurgent attack on an Ismailiya City police checkpoint in 2022. While Egyptian security forces have extra measures in place at tourist sites, travelers must stay vigilant during large public gatherings.
Egypt enforces restrictive laws regarding public demonstrations and political expression. Protests without an official government permit are strictly illegal under Egyptian law, and security forces respond forcefully to street disturbances. The US State Department says people have been arrested just for being near protests, even when not taking part. You may be detained for posting anything on social media seen as critical of Egypt or its allies, or for disrespecting its cultural sites.
Emergency medical infrastructure across Egypt remains limited. The US State Department says emergency and intensive care facilities are limited and may be unavailable in remote areas, and ambulances are rare and unreliable in most areas. Egypt has circulating poliovirus, so make sure your polio vaccines are up to date before you travel.
Comparing US, UK, and Canadian Travel Advisories
The US State Department says do not travel to the Northern and Middle Sinai Peninsula, the UK FCDO advises against all travel to some parts of Egypt and all but essential travel to others, and the Government of Canada has regional advisories. When the three governments disagree on nuance, we show all three and lean on the strictest guidance for your specific destination.
The US State Department adds that Egyptian law treats dual US-Egyptian citizens as solely Egyptian, which limits the help the US Embassy can give if they are arrested or detained. Canada most recent change was an editorial edit to its Health section, and the UK FCDO latest update covered entry requirements and regional tensions.
Travelers comparing regional trips can review how we rate safety across our guides, or contrast Egyptian security measures with other North African hubs by reading is Morocco safe? to choose an appropriate itinerary.
| Advisory Body | Primary Regional Warning | Main Risks Highlighted |
|---|---|---|
| US Department of State | Northern and Middle Sinai Peninsula | Terrorism, health care limits, harassment of women |
| UK FCDO | Parts of the country | Sexual assault in resorts, drone bans, political speech laws |
| Government of Canada | Regional advisories | Not given in its summary |
Egyptian Laws That Can Lead to Arrest
Alcohol consumption is strictly forbidden in public, remaining legal only within licensed restaurants, bars, private homes, and designated tourist resorts. Violating alcohol laws can lead directly to arrest. Possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs, even small amounts, can lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty, and people given life sentences on drugs charges normally spend the rest of their lives in prison with no chance of parole. Khat is illegal in Egypt.
Egypt enforces strict restrictions on photography, videography, and aerial equipment. Do not import, use or produce a drone in Egypt without permission from the Egyptian Ministry of Defence. Doing so could mean a prison sentence of up to 7 years or a fine of 5,000 to 50,000 Egyptian pounds. Furthermore, you cannot enter Egypt with professional photography gear, lighting umbrellas, or equipment that obstructs public streets without a formal permit.
Taking photos of or near military property, including the Suez Canal, is illegal, and so is taking or sharing photos that could damage Egypt image. Get permission before photographing embassies, government buildings or religious buildings. Ministry of Tourism regulations require written permission before photographing an Egyptian citizen, taking photographs of children is prohibited, and officials must give consent before being filmed.
- Carrying identification: Police check ID regularly and may detain you if you cannot show your ID and visa, or a digital or paper copy.
- Religious customs and Ramadan: Eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight during Ramadan is culturally insensitive. Encouraging anyone to convert to another religion is illegal.
- Modest attire: Dress modestly when visiting mosques, markets, and rural regions to avoid cultural friction.
- Public conduct: Public displays of affection between couples are frowned upon, though holding hands is generally fine.
- LGBT+ travelers: While same-sex relations are not explicitly named in the penal code, authorities prosecute individuals under debauchery laws, and travelers whose physical appearance differs from passport gender markers risk entry denial.
How to Verify Travel Safety Before Departure
The panel at the top of this page updates daily to show current advisory statuses across US, UK, and Canadian foreign ministries. If you want to monitor regional shifts across the continent, explore the safest countries in Africa or consult latest advisory changes to see global updates.
US citizens can enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before they travel. British citizens should review updates published on the UK foreign travel advice for Egypt portal regarding entry rules and regional tensions.
For Egypt capital, see Is Cairo safe?. Our verdict on Egypt would change if the US, UK or Canada widened or narrowed the areas it warns against. If your plans include the Northern or Middle Sinai, or flying a drone without Ministry of Defence permission, change them before you book. You can also download our free travel safety checklist.