I will have 8-10 days off in October and I'm considering to go to Egypt, but all I know is that I'd want to spend my time around/between Cairo and Luxor. No intention to go to Dahab and Alexandria. I'd say I am well-travelled but many ppl are warning me against Egypt and I am becoming a little insecure...
Now, how easy or difficult is it to travel around Egypt in general? Can you get by with English, and is the public transport system working well?
I somehow like to think that Egypt is less 'dangerous' than South America, but is this true?
Just read some posts regarding the safety of women travelling solo and I understand that there are annoyances but nothing too serious - so I'm not really worried about that. However I'd still like to hook up with other ppl just for company on daytrips. Are there any touroperators that offer affordable daytrips aimed at backpackers?
Seriously you have no worries travelling solo as a woman in Egypt. You will do fine with English, and if you've done South America you find Egypt easy peasy........
Egyptian Healing
I agree with #1.
Egypt surely is the safest African country and there are 52 of them. Nearly everyone speaks English but try to learn some arabic.
Cheers.
#3.....
In South America you can be robbed in some places, many places, and with weapons.
Egypt is much safer. Probably safer than Europe, I would say.
Michel
Q]Nearly everyone speaks English<hr></blockquote>
Well I disagree with this, but what you will find is that the Egyptians you meet will be more than willing to do charades with you to figure out what you need OR find someone who does speak English who can help you. However, it will make your life easier and will lighten the hearts of the Egyptians you meet if you learn some basic Arabic.
As for safety, it IS safe, but with some caveats. I lived in Cairo for 2 years and wouldn't hesitate to walk home at 3 am there, whereas I wouldn't consider doing that in cities of that size in the US. I would get harassed by the military guys on the way home (cat calls and whistles, nothing threatening) but had no fears of being robbed or raped. I did get grabbed a few times on the street (hormonal teenage boys) but I didn't feel threatened or unsafe when that happened, just annoyed. I did get harassed endlessly on the streets, and that got old after awhile, but it wasn't dangerous.
However, around the tourist areas, especially in Cairo, there are plenty of pickpockets and plenty of people who try and scam you. The most common scam I know of is this: If you take a taxi to the Pyramids, someone will get into your taxi when it is stopped at a stoplight. This is normal in Cairo, but in this stuation, these guys will try to get you to take a tour with them or with their friend, at a ridiculous price. And sometimes, if your taxi driver is "in on it" with the other guy, you can sometimes find yourself being taken to one of the horse stables or tour offices without your consent. They rely on people wanting to avoid making a fuss to "coerce" them into taking the tour, renting the horse, or whatever. If you throw a fit, however, they will stop -- so you aren't in danger, just in for a hassle.
As for public transport, I'd recommend using the street taxis rather than the buses and microbuses. These are the run-down black and white taxis, not the fancy sedans you see parked in front of the hotels. They aren't that much more expensive (just find out the price ahead of time from someone on the street and then agree on the price with the driver before you get in the car) and you will save yourself the experience of getting felt up/grabbed by impolite men on the buses who think you are an easy target. There are also women-only cars in the front of the subway trains and they are a welcome relief from the harassment.
Have a wonderful trip!!
Hello....
"then agree on the price with the driver before you get in the car"
Never.
Never speak about money, and if the driver does change for another taxi.
You must know the price, step out and give money, exact amount. And go.
Michel
Agreed...know the taxi price beforehand and just pay it without negotiating. Cairo isn't too hard to get around. I don't think you should take the bus unless you just want that crazy experience :). Few people on the bus will speak English, bus stops aren't announced (not that you would understand anyway), and the bus doesn't exactly stop in the sense we may be familiar with. Luxor is pretty small...you can actually walk everywhere, or take a very cheap taxi or caleche (the horse-drawn carriages).
"South America" is pretty broad to compare to a single country, but I will say that my first trip back to South America after an amazing journey through the Middle East had me a little nervous before I actually departed...just thinking about how easy it is to trust EVERYONE (well, almost) in the Middle East and not constantly be on guard with your belongings (but as usual, that trip to South America was totally fine).
Of course there are scams, but in my experience they are not "surprise" scams, like the one in SA where people throw something messy on you and clean you while their partner steals your stuff. It's sort of slow, you're being talked into something, and you kind of see it happening. Pickpocketing on the other hand...well, that's kind of everywhere in the world. Always be alert in markets, bus stations, other busy spots.
If you are only sticking with Cairo and Luxor, I think you'll find most people speak English. Especially in the short time you have, you will mainly be doing tourist-oriented things anyway. And the ones that don't, will try anyway...people are pretty friendly. Learn some Arabic, people love that.
trusted partner
