Cairo Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Cairo.
Healthcare System
Cairo has a dual healthcare system with public hospitals (often overcrowded and basic) and private hospitals and clinics (modern with international standards). Private healthcare facilities in Cairo offer good quality care with English-speaking staff.
Hospitals
International-standard private hospitals are concentrated in areas like Zamalek, Heliopolis, and Maadi. Many doctors trained abroad and speak English. Payment is typically required upfront or proof of insurance. Major hotels can arrange medical visits and recommend reputable facilities.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies ('Saydaliya') are abundant throughout Cairo and many are open 24 hours. Pharmacists are knowledgeable and many medications available over-the-counter without prescription. However, bring sufficient supplies of prescription medications as specific brands may be unavailable. Most pharmacies in tourist areas have English-speaking staff.
Insurance
Travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage is strongly recommended and often required by tour operators. Ensure coverage includes medical evacuation, as this may be necessary for serious conditions. Private hospitals will require payment or insurance guarantee before treatment.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring a complete supply of prescription medications in original packaging with doctor's letter
- Drink only bottled water to avoid stomach issues; check seals are intact
- Use sunscreen and stay hydrated, especially in summer when temperatures exceed 40°C (104°F)
- Keep your travel insurance details and emergency contact numbers easily accessible
- Consider getting hepatitis A, typhoid, and routine vaccinations before travel
- Private clinics like Dr. Essam Clinic or Cairo Medical Center offer quality care for minor issues
- Air pollution can be severe; those with respiratory conditions should bring necessary medications
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpocketing and bag snatching occur in crowded tourist areas, markets, and public transportation. Thieves target distracted tourists, especially those with visible valuables.
Cairo's traffic is chaotic with aggressive driving, limited traffic law enforcement, and pedestrians sharing roads with vehicles. Traffic accidents are common and represent a significant risk to visitors.
Traveler's diarrhea and food poisoning are common due to different food preparation standards and water quality. Tap water is not safe for drinking.
Persistent vendors, touts, and unofficial 'guides' are common at tourist sites. Women may experience verbal harassment and unwanted attention. While usually not dangerous, it can be uncomfortable and stressful.
Tourists frequently face overcharging in taxis, shops, and by unofficial guides. Price gouging is common at tourist sites.
Summer temperatures regularly exceed 40°C (104°F) with intense sun exposure. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are real risks, especially for those not acclimatized.
Cairo has significant air pollution from traffic, industrial emissions, and dust. This can aggravate respiratory conditions and cause eye irritation.
Political demonstrations can occur with little warning and may turn confrontational. Security forces respond quickly and areas can be closed suddenly.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Friendly locals or taxi drivers offer to take you to a 'special' papyrus institute or perfume shop where you'll get 'authentic' products. Prices are highly inflated and quality is often poor. You may feel pressured to buy after a long presentation.
A helpful stranger informs you that the museum/pyramids/attraction you're heading to is closed today for prayer/holiday/renovation, but they know somewhere better or can arrange a special tour. The attraction is actually open.
You agree on a price for a camel or horse ride at the Pyramids, but after mounting, the handler demands more money to help you down, take photos, or return to the starting point. They may lead the animal away from the starting point.
Someone in traditional costume poses for a photo with you, then demands payment. Or someone offers to take your photo, then demands money. At some sites, people claim to be official photographers requiring payment.
Someone approaches claiming to be an official guide or student who will show you around for free or a small fee. They provide poor information and pressure you for tips, to visit shops (where they get commission), or demand much higher payment than agreed.
Taxi drivers claim their meter is broken and quote an inflated flat rate, or run the meter on a higher rate. Some take unnecessarily long routes to increase the fare.
Vendors sell 'ancient' artifacts or scarabs, claiming they're genuine antiquities. These are always fake, and attempting to export real antiquities is illegal with severe penalties.
Someone approaches with a petition for a charity or school, asking for your signature and donation. After signing, they demand a large 'minimum donation' or the petition shows others gave large amounts.
Unofficial money changers offer better rates than banks, but use sleight of hand to short-change you, swap bills, or give counterfeit notes. Some work in pairs to distract you during the transaction.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
General Safety
- Register with your embassy upon arrival for emergency alerts
- Keep copies of passport and important documents separate from originals
- Share your itinerary with family or friends back home
- Keep emergency contacts and hotel address in Arabic on your phone
- Stay in reputable hotels in established tourist areas like Zamalek, Maadi, or near the Nile
- Be cautious of overly friendly strangers offering unsolicited help
- Trust your instincts; if a situation feels wrong, remove yourself
- Keep your phone charged and consider a local SIM card for emergencies
Transportation Safety
- Use Uber or Careem instead of street taxis for transparent pricing and tracking
- Never get in unmarked taxis or vehicles
- Avoid driving yourself; traffic is extremely chaotic and dangerous
- If using the metro, avoid rush hours and keep valuables secure
- For airport transfers, book through your hotel or reputable companies
- Always wear seatbelts when available
- Avoid microbuses and unlicensed transportation
- When crossing streets, wait for groups and cross together
Money and Valuables
- Use ATMs inside banks or hotels during daytime
- Carry only necessary cash; leave excess money and valuables in hotel safe
- Keep small bills separate for daily expenses to avoid revealing large amounts
- Don't display expensive jewelry, watches, or electronics
- Use anti-theft bags with slash-proof material and lockable zippers
- Consider a money belt for passport and emergency cash
- Notify your bank of travel plans to avoid card blocks
- Have backup payment methods in case one is lost or stolen
Cultural Sensitivity
- Dress modestly: cover shoulders and knees, especially at religious sites
- Remove shoes when entering mosques
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially women
- Avoid public displays of affection
- Use right hand for eating and greeting (left hand is considered unclean)
- During Ramadan, avoid eating/drinking/smoking in public during daylight hours
- Learn basic Arabic phrases; locals appreciate the effort
- Respect prayer times; some shops and attractions may close briefly
Food and Water Safety
- Only drink bottled water with sealed caps; check for intact seals
- Avoid ice unless you're certain it's made from purified water
- Eat at busy restaurants with high customer turnover
- Choose cooked foods served hot rather than room temperature buffets
- Peel fruits yourself rather than buying pre-cut fruit
- Avoid raw vegetables unless washed in purified water
- Bring anti-diarrheal medication and oral rehydration salts
- Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer before eating
Accommodation Safety
- Choose hotels in safe neighborhoods like Zamalek, Garden City, or near the Nile
- Ensure your room has working locks and use the deadbolt
- Use hotel safes for valuables, passport, and excess cash
- Keep your room number private; don't announce it in public areas
- Verify hotel staff identity before opening your door
- Know the location of emergency exits
- Keep the hotel's business card with you for taxi directions
- Use hotel-recommended transportation and tour operators
At Tourist Sites
- Arrive early to avoid crowds and heat at outdoor sites
- Hire guides through official channels or your hotel
- Keep valuables minimal and secure when visiting crowded attractions
- Be firm but polite with persistent vendors; 'la shukran' (no thank you)
- Don't accept 'free' items or services; payment will be demanded
- Stay with your group if on a tour
- Bring water, sunscreen, and hat for outdoor archaeological sites
- Be aware of your surroundings and watch for pickpockets in crowds
Communication
- Purchase a local SIM card for data and local calls (Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat)
- Download offline maps (Google Maps, Maps.me) before arriving
- Learn key Arabic phrases: 'la' (no), 'shukran' (thank you), 'aywa' (yes)
- Keep your hotel's address in Arabic for taxi drivers
- Download translation apps (Google Translate works offline with downloaded languages)
- Save emergency numbers in your phone
- Have your embassy contact information readily available
- Many younger Egyptians speak English, especially in tourist areas
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Women travelers can safely visit Cairo, but should be prepared for a more conservative cultural environment and the likelihood of experiencing verbal harassment. While physical safety is generally not a major concern in tourist areas, unwanted attention, catcalling, and staring are common. Many women travel solo to Cairo successfully by taking appropriate precautions and dressing modestly. The experience can be more comfortable when traveling with others or joining group tours.
- Dress conservatively: cover shoulders, chest, and knees; loose-fitting clothing is most comfortable and respectful
- Carry a light scarf to cover your head when visiting mosques and to use as an extra layer if needed
- Wear sunglasses to avoid eye contact with harassers; ignore catcalls and comments completely
- Walk confidently and purposefully; appearing lost or uncertain may attract unwanted attention
- Use women-only metro cars during rush hours (first two cars of the train)
- Book accommodations in safe, tourist-friendly neighborhoods like Zamalek or Garden City
- Use Uber or Careem rather than street taxis, especially at night
- Consider hiring female guides or joining women-only tour groups
- Keep phone charged and share location with trusted contacts
- If harassed, loudly say 'ayb' (shame) or 'haraam' (forbidden) to draw attention
- Avoid being alone in isolated areas, especially after dark
- Wedding rings (real or fake) may reduce some unwanted attention
- Trust your instincts; if a situation feels uncomfortable, remove yourself
- Connect with other travelers at your hotel for group outings
- Consider staying at women-friendly hotels or hostels with good reviews from solo female travelers
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Homosexuality is not explicitly illegal in Egypt, but LGBTQ+ individuals face prosecution under 'debauchery' laws, morality laws, and laws against 'habitual debauchery.' Same-sex relationships are not recognized, and there are no anti-discrimination protections. Police have arrested individuals based on social media activity, dating apps, and rainbow flags. The legal environment is hostile to LGBTQ+ people.
- Exercise extreme discretion; do not display affection with same-sex partners in public
- Avoid discussing LGBTQ+ topics or identity with locals, including hotel staff or guides
- Do not use dating apps or LGBTQ+ social media while in Egypt; these have been used to entrap and arrest individuals
- Remove any LGBTQ+ identifiers from luggage, clothing, or accessories (rainbow items, pride symbols)
- Be cautious about photos on your phone; authorities may search devices
- If asked about relationship status, consider using vague answers
- Avoid any LGBTQ+ events or gatherings; these are monitored by authorities
- Book accommodations carefully; request rooms that won't draw questions
- Be aware that even private behavior can lead to arrest if reported
- Know your embassy's contact information; they can provide assistance if detained
- Consider whether the risks of visiting are acceptable given the legal and social environment
- Travel with extreme caution and maintain a low profile at all times
- Research current conditions before travel; enforcement and attitudes can vary
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for Cairo and Egypt. Medical evacuation from Cairo can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Private hospitals require payment upfront or insurance guarantees before treatment. Political instability can lead to sudden flight cancellations or trip interruptions. The risk of accidents, food-borne illness, and heat-related illness makes medical coverage critical. Many tour operators and hotels require proof of insurance.