A deeply historical and yet excitingly modern city, Cairo is a gateway into all of the fascinating wonders of ancient and contemporary Egypt, easily accessible via flights to Egypt, including direct routes to Cairo. This popular tourist destination is a generally safe city with a low crime rate, but there are a few things that travellers should know before they visit in order to stay safe:
- There are not a lot of violent crimes in Cairo, but watch out for purse-snatchers in crowded touristic areas.
- People might approach you on the street and invite you to come shopping with them in places that you don’t know. They are trying to con you, so beware.
- If you are a woman travelling alone you can expect to receive a bit of attention and catcalling from the local males. It usually doesn’t go any further than this, but make sure that you are not wearing overly provocative clothing or walking around along late at night.
- If you are lost in Cairo, look for a police officer or a security officer who will be able to help you find your way.
- Crossing streets can be extremely dangerous in Cairo, as there are very few traffic lights and the ones that do exist are ignored anyway. You might see a police officer attempting to control traffic at a key intersection during busy hours. The safest way to cross a busy and chaotic street is to watch a local Egyptian who seems to know what they are doing and stay next to them as they dodge through traffic.
- Taxi drivers in Cairo can drive very dangerously, speeding and weaving through traffic. Don’t be afraid to tell the driver to slow down and stop if you feel unsafe.
- As in most destinations in Egypt, beware of what you eat to avoid suffering from an upset stomach. Raw vegetables, creamy salad dressings and minced meat are very likely to cause food poisoning. When eating from a buffet, avoid the foods which have been sitting out at room temperature such as cold salads and puddings. When you are eating fruit, choose ones with a thick skin that you can peel.
- If you become sick from eating the food in Cairo, you can purchase medication from the local pharmacy. However, if you experience vomiting and diarrhoea for an extended period of time you should visit a doctor because you will become at risk of severe dehydration in the high heat.
- It is a good idea to stick to drinking bottled water while you are in Cairo, and avoid taking ice in your drinks.
- The sun in Egypt can be very strong and harsh, so make sure that you wear sunscreen at all times to avoid your trip being ruined by painful sunburn.
Remember these trips and you will have a safe and enjoyable holiday to fascinating Cairo!
