Safety in Egypt, region by region
Egypt's main tourist areas (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, the Red Sea coast, the South Sinai coast) lie outside the areas foreign ministries strongly advise against, which cover North Sinai and the Libyan and Sudanese borders. This guide goes region by region, then covers everyday risks, the laws to know and insurance.
Checked on 14 October 2026
Foreign ministry advice, region by region
Each country publishes its own travel advice for Egypt. Their maps broadly overlap: the areas advised against are border deserts and the north of Sinai, far from travel itineraries, and North Sinai is closed to foreigners. Foreign ministries do not all give the same advice. Here is your country's:
| Country | Official advice | Source |
|---|---|---|
| France | Increased vigilance (yellow) in Cairo, Alexandria, the Nile Valley, the Red Sea coast and the South Sinai coast (secured hotels advised); North Sinai and the Israeli border in red, North Sinai closed to foreigners; Libyan and Sudanese borders in red, western desert in orange; no driving at night outside towns, buses included; registration with Ariane advised; French embassy in Cairo: +20 2 35 67 32 00. | diplomatie.gouv.fr (Site last updated 21 September 2026) |
| Belgium | Except North Sinai, the Western Desert and the border zone with Libya and Sudan (advised against, no consular assistance possible), it is generally safe to travel in Egypt, taking into account the points of attention and the regional situation. After the events in Israel and the Palestinian Territory, demonstrations may flare up again, including without warning; the army and police may intervene violently. In case of unrest, limit travel outside hotel complexes; avoid demonstrations and gatherings and take no photos or videos; participants may be held in custody for long periods. Egyptian airspace remains open. Register on Travellers Online. | SPF Affaires étrangères (Belgique), Égypte, dernière mise à jour (Site last updated 2 October 2026) |
| United Kingdom | All travel advised against in North Sinai, along the Israeli border and within 20 km of the Libyan border; all but essential travel advised against in the Western Desert, except Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Fayoum, the Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla, Kharga and Siwa oases and the roads linking them (the Bahariya–Siwa road remains advised against), and in the north of South Sinai beyond the St Catherine–Nuweiba road, coasts excepted. | GOV.UK (accessed 14 October 2026) |
| Netherlands | Red (do not travel): North Sinai north of the Suez–Taba line, the border areas with Libya and Sudan, the Halaib Triangle and Bir Tawil. Orange (essential travel only, no holidays): western Egypt except the town of Siwa, reachable by the secured Highway 19; central Sinai north of the St Catherine–Nuweiba road, with permission from the local authorities; north-west Sinai; the area around the Halaib Triangle. Yellow for the rest of the country, including the Suez Canal. Risk of terrorist attacks throughout the country; Hurghada–Luxor road open in daytime only, with prior permission from the tourist police for tour operators; demonstrations banned. Dutch embassy reachable 24/7 through the contact centre: +31 247 247 247. | Nederland Wereldwijd (Site last updated 19 June 2026) |
| Switzerland | Not checked by Sabaro: see DFAE (eda.admin.ch) | |
| Luxembourg | Not checked by Sabaro: see mae.gouvernement.lu | |
| Ireland | Not checked by Sabaro: see ireland.ie (DFA) | |
| Germany | Not checked by Sabaro: see Auswärtiges Amt | |
| Sweden | Not checked by Sabaro: see Regeringen (UD) | |
| Denmark | Not checked by Sabaro: see Udenrigsministeriet (um.dk) | |
| Norway | Not checked by Sabaro: see Regjeringen | |
| Poland | Not checked by Sabaro: see Odyseusz (MSZ) | |
| Czechia | Not checked by Sabaro: see MZV ČR | |
| Austria | Not checked by Sabaro: see BMEIA | |
| Italy | Not checked by Sabaro: see Viaggiare Sicuri | |
| Spain | Not checked by Sabaro: see exteriores.gob.es | |
| Portugal | Not checked by Sabaro: see Portal das Comunidades | |
| Finland | Not checked by Sabaro: see Ulkoministeriö (um.fi) | |
Each region's page shows your ministry's advice for that region in its "Travel advice" table. Travelling to an area your ministry advises against can invalidate a travel insurance policy: check what your policy says. Sabaro's itineraries stay outside the areas advised against. Advice changes: before you leave, check France Diplomatiediplomatie.belgium.beDFAE (eda.admin.ch)mae.gouvernement.luGOV.UK (FCDO)ireland.ie (DFA)Auswärtiges AmtRegeringen (UD)Udenrigsministeriet (um.dk)RegjeringenOdyseusz (MSZ)MZV ČRBMEIANederland WereldwijdViaggiare Sicuriexteriores.gob.esPortal das ComunidadesUlkoministeriö (um.fi) again.
The regional context in 2026
Foreign ministries describe the terrorist threat as permanent. The targets they mention are the security forces, places of worship, large gatherings and places visited by foreigners; the last attacks in Cairo date from 2018 and 2019, and two shootings targeted Israelis in Alexandria, in 2023 and 2024.
The war in Gaza and tensions between Iran and the United States weigh on the region. On 29 July 2026, two ships were damaged in an apparent drone strike off Damietta, on the Mediterranean coast. The Taba border crossing with Israel can close without notice, and the Rafah crossing with Gaza is closed. On the Red Sea, yacht crews are asked to postpone voyages towards the south and the Bab-el-Mandeb strait.
To follow the situation during the trip, most governments offer a traveller registration service that sends security alerts: register with your country's service. Before you leave, check France Diplomatiediplomatie.belgium.beDFAE (eda.admin.ch)mae.gouvernement.luGOV.UK (FCDO)ireland.ie (DFA)Auswärtiges AmtRegeringen (UD)Udenrigsministeriet (um.dk)RegjeringenOdyseusz (MSZ)MZV ČRBMEIANederland WereldwijdViaggiare Sicuriexteriores.gob.esPortal das ComunidadesUlkoministeriö (um.fi).
Everyday risks
Crime levels are low and pickpocketing is rare. Most of the hassle comes from touts and scammers who target foreigners in tourist areas.
Street harassment exists. The UK Foreign Office also reports sexual assaults reported to its embassy, mostly in Red Sea resorts, often by someone the victim had just met, including hotel and excursion staff. The resulting advice is simple: do not leave children unsupervised, do not let staff into your room when you are alone, and share the driver's details and your live location when taking a taxi alone. Women are advised not to travel alone by taxi.
The tourist police can be reached on 126. Report any crime before leaving Egypt: once home, prosecution becomes difficult. If your passport is lost, the police report is also needed to transfer the visa to the new document. Note your embassy's contact details in Cairo before you leave.
Laws to know
- Papers. Police check identities regularly; carry your passport and visa, or copies.
- Drugs. Even small amounts can lead to long prison sentences. Tramadol, a common painkiller in Europe, and CBD (cannabidiol) products are banned.
- Alcohol. It is served in licensed hotels, restaurants and bars, and in the resorts; drinking in public elsewhere can lead to arrest.
- Public speech. Criticising the government, including on social media, can lead to detention. Avoid political conversations and demonstrations.
- Same-sex couples. Relationships are not explicitly criminalised, but people have been prosecuted under "debauchery" laws, including for flying a rainbow flag. Discretion in public is advised.
- Dress. Shoulders and knees covered, for men and women alike, in towns, places of worship and souks. During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public during the day.
- Photos and drones. Military sites, official buildings and the Suez Canal must not be photographed, and drones need prior permission: Sabaro's guide "Drones, photography and prohibited items in Egypt" covers these rules.
Roads, desert and activities
No night driving. Night driving outside towns should be ruled out altogether, including by bus. Road accidents are frequent and often fatal; for long daytime journeys, a driver who knows the route and speaks Arabic is recommended. Sabaro arranges all its transfers by day, with a driver. The guide "Getting around Egypt" gives the details by mode of transport.
Stay on the tracks. The desert still has minefields and restricted zones, which are poorly marked. Go with a recognised guide, who obtains the necessary permits, and carry water, food and a means of communication.
Choose your activities. Some UK tour operators have stopped selling hot-air balloon flights because they could not verify safety standards; several serious quad-bike accidents have involved tourists, and a helmet is a must. At sea, standards vary from boat to boat: the guide "Diving in the Red Sea" explains how to choose a dive centre and a liveaboard.
Insurance
Insurance covering medical costs, assistance and repatriation is essential. According to the FCDO, an air or sea rescue can cost more than USD 4,000 an hour, and it only starts once payment is guaranteed. For diving, check that the policy covers the planned depth.
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Frequently asked questions
Are Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel advised against?
No. These sites lie outside the areas strongly advised against. Only the road south of Abu Simbel towards Sudan and the desert west of the site are advised against. Your ministry's advice appears in the "Travel advice" table of the Luxor and Aswan pages.
Can I travel to Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab?
Yes. The South Sinai coast lies outside the areas strongly advised against; secure hotels are recommended. North Sinai is closed to foreigners. Your ministry's advice appears in the "Travel advice" table of the Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab pages.
Can I visit the White Desert and Siwa?
Yes, with a recognised agency or guide who applies for the permits, plus water, food and a means of communication. The direct road between Bahariya and Siwa is closed; Siwa is reached via Marsa Matruh.
Does the Gaza conflict affect tourist areas?
Tourist areas remain outside the advisory zones. The conflict means the Taba crossing may close, Rafah is closed, and the areas along the Israeli border and in North Sinai are strongly advised against, far from travel itineraries.
Which number should I call in an emergency?
The tourist police, on 126. For consular help, your embassy in Cairo: its contact details are on your country's foreign ministry website.
Official sources
- France Diplomatie : Égypte, sécurité (accessed 14 October 2026)
- France Diplomatie : Égypte, dernières minutes (accessed 14 October 2026)
- GOV.UK (FCDO) : Egypt, warnings and insurance (accessed 14 October 2026)
- GOV.UK (FCDO) : Egypt, safety and security (accessed 14 October 2026)
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