Travel advice
from the British Embassy in Cairo Website
Crime
The crime rate in Egypt is low but you should take sensible precautions. Take care of your passport and valuables. Use hotel safes and be aware of pickpockets and bag snatchers. If you are travelling alone or in small groups, you are advised to take extra caution, as there have been reports of harassment, the majority targeting women, especially on the streets of busy cities or at the beach resorts. If you are the victim of any crime you must report it to the Tourist Police immediately. Failure to report crimes before you leave Egypt will make it impossible to seek a prosecution at a later date.
There have been attacks by armed pirates against ships in the southern Red Sea. Travellers in small boats should move in convoy and obtain detailed advice from Maritime Agencies before travelling through the area.
Political Situation
Opposition in Egypt to Western and British policy in the Middle East is widespread. The conflict in Iraq triggered demonstrations across the country and the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians continues to provoke public anger and demonstrations.
You should follow news reports and be alert to developments in the Middle East that might trigger public disturbance. Any increase in regional tension might affect travel advice. You should avoid political gatherings and demonstrations, and respect any advice or instruction from the local security authorities.
Local Travel
There remains a small risk from unexploded mines in certain desert areas in the north west of Egypt near to Alamein, and on some limited stretches of the Mediterranean coast near MarsaMatrouh and on the Red Sea coast south of Suez. Danger areas are usually well marked with signs and barbed wire fencing. Visitors should exercise caution and follow local advice.
Road Safety
Local driving conditions and poor vehicle maintenance make road travel outside the main cities hazardous. Avoid driving on country roads at night and observe the local speed limit. Make sure you obtain third party insurance. In the event of an accident emergency medical facilities are limited.
There have been two serious bus crashes since 1 January 2006, in which 46 people were killed.
By law, seatbelts must be worn when travelling in the front of a vehicle. Where available, seatbelts should be worn at all times. Child car seats are available locally.
Foreign residents must apply for an Egyptian driving licence. Visitors need an international driving licence.
Only certain categories of foreign residents may import vehicles. Vehicles of visitors should be temporarily imported with a valid “carnet de passage” available from the Automobile Association.
Pavement and pedestrian crossings are not always present and drivers do not give right of way to pedestrians.
If travelling off road, a qualified guide should be employed.
River and Sea Safety
There have been a number of accidents involving Nile cruisers during the last couple of years. An Egyptian ferry sank in the Red Sea between Duba, Saudi Arabia and Safaga, Egypt in February 2006.
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
Egypt is a conservative society. You should dress modestly and especially when visiting traditional areas like mosques and souqs (markets). Women's clothes should cover their legs and upper arms. Public displays of affection are frowned upon.
You should be aware that during Ramadan (which in 2006 falls between end September and end October) eating, drinking or smoking between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims (though not for children under the age of eight). Although alcohol will be available in some hotels and restaurants, drinking alcohol elsewhere may cause offence. As a courtesy you may wish to avoid drinking, eating and smoking in public places during Ramadan.
Possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs is a serious offence and can, even for possession of small amounts, lead to long prison sentences (25 years) or the death penalty.
Photography of or near military official installations is strictly prohibited. Don’t photograph officials without their consent.
Egypt is an Islamic country. The government does not interfere with the practice of Christianity, but conversion to the Christian faith is frowned upon and encouraging conversion is illegal.
Although homosexuality is not in itself illegal under Egyptian law, homosexual acts in public are illegal and practising homosexuals have been convicted for breaching laws on public decency.
Women are advised to take extra caution when travelling alone as there have been isolated incidents of harassment.
It is becoming more common in Egypt for hotels and medical facilities to seek payment in hard currency.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
British visitors need a visa. These can be obtained from an Egyptian Consulate outside Egypt or on arrival by payment in Sterling or USD, for stays up to a month. Applications for extensions should be made at the Egyptian Passport and Immigration Offices. You may have difficulties leaving Egypt with an out of date visa. You will not normally be allowed to leave if the visa is out of date by more than 14 days. For visas and further information on entry requirements, check with the Egyptian Embassy in your country of residence. (Egyptian Representation in the UK.)
Evidence of an AIDS test is required if you are applying for a work permit.
Passports should be valid for at least six months. However, many Immigration officials will admit visitors providing the passport is valid for the duration of the intended stay.
5,000 Egyptian pounds is the maximum amount of local currency you are allowed to bring in or take out of Egypt. There is no limit to the amount of hard currency that you may bring in, but sums that exceed USD 10,000 should be declared on arrival. Egyptian currency should not be sent through the post.
Certain valuables such as electrical equipment, video camera etc must be declared on arrival. Electrical items noted in passports must be produced on exit from the country. Failure to do so will result in payment of high rates of customs duty. It is advisable to contact the Egyptian embassy in your country of residence for specific information regarding customs requirements.
HEALTH
You are strongly recommended to obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Make sure it covers the cost of local hospitalisation and medical repatriation to your country of residence. Medical facilities outside Cairo can be basic and in case of emergency you are advised to seek treatment in Cairo. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see: Travel Insurance
Come prepared for the heat. Use a high factor sun block and drink plenty of water to guard against exposure and dehydration, which can result in serious health problems.
Contact your GP for medical advice about current inoculation requirements, including Hepatitis A. Contact your insurer if you have had a previous health condition, including mental illness, which may not be covered if it recurs.
In general tap water is not safe to drink. Bottled water is cheap and readily available.
For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at: www.dh.gov.uk.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
The first cases of bird flu in Egypt were confirmed on 17 February 2006. Since then, bird flu has been confirmed in 19 governorates. This has led to a small number of cases of human infection, including four fatalities, believed to have arisen from close contact with infected poultry. Since the end of 2003, a number of human deaths have also occurred in Azerbaijan, Iraq, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Turkey and China.
The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. However, as a precaution you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of the possibility that the Avian Influenza outbreaks could lead at some point to a human flu pandemic, if the virus mutates to a form which is easily transmissible between people.
British nationals living longer term in an Avian-Influenza affected region should take personal responsibility for their own safety in the event of a future pandemic, including considering their access to adequate healthcare and ensuring travel documents are up to date.
You should read this advice in conjunction with the FCO’s Avian and Pandemic Influenza Factsheet.
NATURAL DISASTERS
Egypt is susceptible to occasional earthquakes; the last major one was in 1992.
