Safety Tips and general advice for Egypt

[Maggie-Mae]

Hi. Im travelling to Eqypt in February with my three children. Im a single mum. Can anyone advise on any safety tips and/or general advice. Obviously I know to only drink bottled water, but what about taxis, valuables, eating fruit and salads in the hotel, toilets when away from the hotel and any other helpful advice would be great. Thank you in advance.

[Richard1966]

Ok, other will I am sure add to what I will say. We went to eqypt a couple of years ago. It was a fairly organized tour so no taxis, so cant comment.

The toilets were not as bad as i thought they might be. Certainly seen a lot worse here in the UK but running water to wash your hands isnt always available outside the hotels. We all took a small bottle of alcohol hand gel to use. Wash your hands a lot.

Your right about the water. Only drink from bottles you have opened yourself. Personally I would avoid salad as it will have been washed in water and there is bound to be some left on. Cooked food should be ok as the cooking will have killed any bacteria.

Take anti diarrhea medication with you. Loperamide and re-hydration salts. If you have nothing then in an emergency drink flat coka cola.

Finally, TIPS, most of the Egyptians live on tips and you are expected to give a tip for the smallest of services. Small change is all you need to give but getting hold of very small denomination egyptian money if very difficult. Start collecting as soon as you can and make sure you have some small change with you whenever your out.

We had the best holiday of our lives but got a bit tomb and templed out after 12 days of sightseeing.

Take care.

[jno]

if your hotel has a safe in reception or your room, leave valuables in it (passport, return tickets, more money than you can spend in a day etc). That's true of any country, really. You'll probably get a lot of hassle from people wanting you to buy things or come into their shops; if you don't want to go just say No firmly but politely. People want baksheesh (tips) for everything, and you should give modest amounts for services you have asked for. Be as laid back and as good-humoured as you can; the constant clamour of people tugging at your sleeve can be tiring, but they're just trying to make a living, and you're much richer than most of them will ever be.

[jno]

PS if you know what hotel or hotels you're going to, look them up on Tripadvisor to see if anyone has recorded any health concerns. It's worth trying to avoid salads etc but don't get paranoid about it. Most upset stomachs are caused not because the water is dirty but just because it has unfamiliar chemicals in it; heat (even in Feb) and tiredness can also weaken your resistance.

[Lil O'lady]

Depending on how you are travelling - ie if you are in a resort, or if in Cairo / Luxor etc making your own way: you get a much more westernised outlook in resort hotels but even in these I would avoid eating salads, and only eat fruit you have peeled. As above, bottled water or soft drinks.
As a woman especially not accompanied by a man outside resort hotels, you must take responsibilty for yourself and dress in the knowledge that Egyptian men appear turned on by the sight of an ankle. You really do need to cover up - I don't mean going to extremes but a calf-length or longer skirt and a top that shows no cleavage and is elbow length will give out safer messages that 'normal' western clothes. Trousers are fine, but as loos can be a bit dodgy outside the resorts, a skirt makes it easier to manage a p.
Wearing dark sunglasses also helps 'cut off'' predatory male attention. keep a pashmina or similar handy for covering head / shoulders as this too can help give out a certain message.
The further you go from Cairo, the more conservatively women dress and so again it all depends on where you are going.
Taxis are a notorious rip-off. Your hotels may have some favourite drivers if you ask. If you need to stop a street taxi agree a price before you get in. They are very cheap but it is not unknown for a driver to start demanding exorbitant amounts if they are evil and sense vulnerability. Most Egyptians are lovely honest people but as a lone woman tourist you have to protect yourself if only with knowledge in advance.
I would take as few valuables as possible - my own practice is to keep my passport on my person in a secure body belt all the time, and any handbags of the sort that can hang right across your body rather than on one shoulder.

[Lil O'lady]

Egyptian authorities are very nervous about tourists mixing with 'ordinary people' so expect to be questioned if you are moving around on your own.
Again, if you are planning to visit he pyramids etc independently, the hotels you stay in may be willing to negotiate a reliable driver on a daily basis.
I am sure you will enjoy Egypt and the travelling will be a wonderful experience for the children.