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Egypt was one of these places that I had a ton of questions about before I visited. More so than other countries I’ve been to. You could say I was being extra cautious and a bit wary, based on the negative reporting coming out of so many travelers.
I would even go as far as to say that Egypt features most heavily in “places I’d never visit again,” especially for solo females.
With that said, here are 10 questions you might have as a first-time visitor to Egypt and my take on the matter based on traveling around the country for 10 days.
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🚖 Airport Tip: Skip the bargaining with taxi drivers and book your Cairo airport transfer in advance with Welcome Pickups. For under $30 you’ll have peace of mind and comfort.
🗺️ Navigation: Download Google Maps and Uber before landing — they’re essential for getting around Cairo.
🏺 Something Special: Consider diving in Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab.
1. What currency should I bring for Egypt?
This one is so silly but also kind of important. Do you bring euros, dollars, or Egyptian pounds? And how much?
A lot of travel blogs said to bring USD dollars, as that retains its value more and is easy to trade. The exchange counter at the airport also told me to skip the euros and go for US dollars (new ones specifically), since serial numbers that are older might not get accepted.
Yet, as soon as I arrived, Egyptian pounds were preferred. Not only that, but with the exchange, paying in USD ended up always being more expensive for me, especially because I didn’t have an unlimited amount of $1 notes for the necessary (ahem) tipping, also called baksheesh.
If you are traveling from Europe, then make sure to take advantage of Revolut for better exchange rates. Then have some extra cash in your local currency that you can exchange while in the country.
2. How to pack?
This is a question more so for women, and I would lean on the side of conservative wear, even if some touristy areas are okay. Longer sleeves, or at least covered neck and shoulders, would help you be a lot more comfortable. Plus, it is more culturally polite.
With that said, I didn’t get unwanted attention due to what I was wearing. Funnily enough, my knee brace was the main reason why people stared. I also tend to wear a loose scarf around my head when visiting Muslim countries, so I would recommend bringing one. It will come in handy for the heat as well, or if you travel on the bus and need a little pillow.
I would say this was most needed in Cairo and around Giza, as well as Luxor but was less needed in Hurghada.
3. Is it expected to bargain for things in Egypt?
Unfortunately, yes.
I dislike bargaining more than anything, but it is a cultural phenomenon that you either embrace or avoid. If you also are not a fan, like me, then I would suggest you look out for shops with “fixed price” on them. There are quite a few, even in Khan el-Khalil in Cairo.
You can also bargain for experiences and tours directly, or pay full price through a ticket service like Get Your Guide. Just keep in mind that services still require, or at least expect, baksheesh after. This was one of our favorite tours we took in Egypt, with a lovely guide called Adam!
Another note on bargaining is to avoid eye contact unless you want to play “the dance.” Sellers are well versed in the dance of “yes, no, maybe.” When walking near a stall, if you appear eager but hesitant and keep walking, you will soon find yourself surrounded by the seller of the store and those nearby, shouting prices.
If you stop, look, or offer another price, the dance continues. You have to appear and look 100% decided on not wanting an item in order to be left alone, and that is not always guaranteed.
This bag of sweet and savory snacks from this bakery, ended up being about $20… which we had to pass on!
4. Is it safe for solo females to travel?
Maybe? It really depends on where you go and how you engage with people and locals plus bad luck.
Overall, I didn’t feel unsafe in Egypt, I was more uncomfortable… but I wouldn’t push it and say, “everything is awesome have no worries”. The middle ground approach of “worry realistically with a plan”, is best.
My one “shouldn’t have done this” story is walking alone late at night in Luxor, from the restaurant to the hotel. I had a knee brace and thus was limping, and a head scarf around my face, yet was followed by dozens of men for a few streets each time, until they got bored of me acting like they didn’t exist at all.
Another thing to mention is that the Tourist Police, and police in general, are all around the place. Not sure how safe that makes you feel, but it definitely is accessible if needed.
I also didn’t get the sense that petty crime is much of an issue when it comes to tourists. I didn’t feel as stressed about my phone as as I did in, say, London. Instead, you feel scammed through purchases or overcharging, which brings me to my next point.
5. Are things cheaper in Egypt?
Yes, but not always for foreigners.
You know how Netflix adjusts its prices by country? Egypt works the same way. One price for locals, and another one for you… rich foreign people!
This is true for everything from Ubers (taxis) to food and services. Even cigarettes or snacks at little kiosks had different prices at times.
This is easily avoided if you have a local guide or friend to do the shopping. A few times, I did ask a hotel employee to buy me some snacks and tipped him the extra instead. The difference is night and day!
For example, Uber prices or local prices for a taxi might be less than 20 Egyptian pounds, or $0.40 for locals, which is quoted on the app when you order one. But when you as a foreigner show up, the price jumps at minimum t0 150 or 300 plus baksheesh.
Now, should I complain about a $4-6 taxi ride? Maybe not the first 10 times, but it does get very tiring fighting over the price every single moment of the day, plus being asked to tip extra when you know the price is different because you are a foreigner.
I wrote this short guide on baksheesh and what to do to survive the tipping culture.
6. How to avoid Egypt belly?
The main things to avoid in most countries when traveling, especially if you have a sensitive stomach, are ice, fruit, and vegetables.
That means no fruit salads at the hotel bar, no ice in drinks, and no brushing your teeth with tap water.
I was by no means extreme with my measures , and the whole group survived with no major stomach issues.
7. Why does every driver ask for a phone number?
One of the things you’ll soon realize in Egypt is that everyone wants your phone number. And by that, I mean your WhatsApp.
You will soon find yourself being sent offers, tours, and being asked if you need a taxi driver or other service.
There are two options here. One is to buy a proper SIM when you arrive in the country or use an eSIM which is much more convenient. Just make sure your WhatsApp doesn’t have identifying information or is linked to other services you’d rather keep private.
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8. Can I drink alcohol in Egypt?
As a Muslim country, drinking alcohol is forbidden. But you can still find alcohol in Western-style hotels and bars, which will prominently say it and advertise it.
9. What happens with drones and lots of camera equipment?
You might want to leave it at home.
One really informative videos on this is from a food influencer and his trip to Egypt with a press visa that explicitly allowed his professional camera equipment. You must watch it.
Long story short: equipment got confiscated, his local guide scammed him, he filmed the whole thing on an iPhone. Marvelous ad for an iPhone actually if you ask me.
So… entering Egypt with a drone or too many professional cameras and lenses, the types that vloggers or influencers might have when doing a longer trip or episode, will be a red flag at customs.
The rule seems to be that if it looks like you are a potential journalist or photographing the country a lot, they will confiscate the equipment and you’ll get it back before you leave.
So I would not risk it. Don’t bring it at all.
10. Can I stay in the same hotel as my partner if we are not married?
In my experience, yes.
But it seems this is a grey area for foreign non-Muslim couples only. Based on what I’ve read, Muslim couples from other countries might also be turned down for a room unless they can show a marriage certificate.
Also, it would be best to avoid too much PDA.
This might also be an issue in smaller budget hotels or if you are renting as a group.
At some point during the trip, I needed to pick up some stuff left in our male friend’s room and went up the elevator to their floor. I was promptly stopped by the 10 year old guard of the floor. “Girl doesn’t go in”. Fair my friend.
11. Should I get a local guide when visiting Egypt?
That is not a bad idea at all. Depending on the arrangement, I really loved the few days we had a local taxi driver that doubled as a guide. It will definitely be cheaper to secure a person once you are in the country, but if you are actually after a guide, and not just a driver, then paying a bit extra for language skills and knowledge is better.
Our wonderful guide, Adam showing us around Luxor Temple.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Must Know When Visiting Egypt
- Emergency: Dial 122 for police, 123 for ambulance, and 180 for fire services. English is not always guaranteed, so if it’s a serious situation, ask your hotel or a local contact for help calling.
- Language: Arabic is the official language. In tourist areas, hotels, and with guides, English is commonly spoken, but don’t expect it everywhere. Learning a few basics helps: Salam Aleikum (hello), Shukran (thank you), La shukran (no thank you). Google Translate works fairly well for Egyptian Arabic when you download it offline. Also keep in mind that some people can’t read so using voice recordings to communicate is better than showing them a translation in written Arabic.
- Navigation: Google Maps works in Egypt for driving and walking, but directions and ETAs can be unreliable, especially in Cairo. I found it most useful just for orientation and tracking routes in taxis rather than strict navigation. Always keep offline maps downloaded.
- Water: The general word of advice is to not drink the water in Egypt. You can stick to bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth, especially if you have a sensitive stomach.
- Driving: Cars drive on the right-hand side. Driving in Egypt, especially Cairo, is chaotic and not recommended unless you are very experienced and calm under pressure. If you need a car, arrange a driver or transfers instead. For longer distances, internal flights or trains are much easier. I would not drive in Egypt. If you must drive, check out Discover Cars for the best rates and comparisons across all major and local companies.
- Accommodation: Booking.com offers the widest range of hotels, from budget stays to luxury Nile-view properties. Hotels in Egypt tend to use their own rating scale: 1–3* are usually very basic, while 4–5* properties can be extremely expensive but often feel closer to a 3* in terms of amenities. Keep in mind that reviews at both the low and high end can be unreliable. A 3* property I booked turned out to be quite good, while an 8/10-rated one was underwhelming. Many hotels don’t even appear on Google Maps or have much of an online presence, so if you value comfort and predictability, it’s best to stick to well-known hotel chains.
- Public Transport: Public transport exists but is not tourist-friendly. Cairo’s metro is cheap and functional but very crowded. Most visitors rely on Uber, Careem, or pre-arranged drivers. For longer distances, domestic flights save a lot of time and stress.
- Activities: There’s no shortage of things to do in Egypt, from food tours around Cairo to full day guided tours in Luxor and lots of water and scuba activities near the coast. For hassle-free bookings with verified reviews, use Get Your Guide to arrange activities in advance.
- Taxi & Ride Apps: Uber works well in Cairo and was my preferred option. Careem is another solid alternative. Always avoid getting into random taxis off the street unless arranged by your hotel. Keep in mind that even Uber drivers will try to haggle a price with you (ahem, overcharge you) and cancel the ride if you don’t agree to it. If you find an Uber driver that you feel good with, exchange phones so you can request him when you need him.
- Culture: Egypt is conservative but welcoming. Dress modestly at religious sites (covered shoulders and knees). Expect attention as a tourist, especially in busy areas — staying polite, firm, and not engaging too much with unsolicited offers goes a long way. Tipping (baksheesh) is common for small services, though not mandatory everywhere. With that said, you will be asked to tip almost everywhere and sometimes less politely than other times.
- Connection and WiFi: The Wifi in Egypt is not very reliable. I’ve written a full guide on options for sims and e-sims plus my experience using them.
