FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is Egypt safe after 9/11?
Absolutely! The Egyptian government has been fighting terrorism longer than most foreigners realize. They understand the importance of safety to foreigners, and they understand the importance of foreigners to their tourist industry. The Egyptian government and military are doing more than enough to guard the sites of interest, and the foreigners that travel to see them.

What is the best month to travel to Egypt?
There is no doubt in my mind that October or November, are by far, my favorite months to be in Egypt. The weather is at its best--warm during the days, and cooler in the evenings. In general there are no bad sides to being in Egypt during October and November. April is another wonderfully comfortable month and certainly second choice if spring is a better travel time for your schedule.

Do women need to veil (cover their head) when they visit Egypt?
No. About 20% of the population in Egypt is Christian and none of these women veil at all. While more and more Muslim girls and women are choosing to cover their hair, many do not. The only occasions you will have to wear the hajib (scarf head covering) are if you visit a mosque that is rarely visited by tourists, or if you choose to for camouflage. In my experience, the one time I visited a mosque where I felt uncomfortable without something on my head, the guide found something for me to wear, but he insisted it wasn’t necessary.

Can I wear shorts in Egypt?
The answer to this question must be qualified. Yes, you can wear shorts. However, you may find in many areas you are more comfortable if you are dressed in long pants or a skirt. When traveling with Casual Cairo detours, I do require my guests to dress in a manner that is respectful to the people we will be visiting. Since we may be in places where tourists rarely go, it is appropriate to dress more conservatively in long pants, long skirts, and tops with sleeves. Men should refrain from wearing shorts and tank tops (singlets/vests) except on the beaches or in areas mostly frequented by tourists.

All tourists should plan some time in Luxor or on the Red Sea, if time permits, and in both of these areas you will find many tourists in shorts and sleeveless tops. Caution should be used when making the decision to wear shorts even in these areas, but in general, it will be okay for sightseeing days.

Is Cairo safe for women?
The answer to this is an unqualified YES. While the Egyptian men have a reputation for being smooth talkers and always interested in foreign women, they aren’t generally dangerous to anything but our hearts. Take care while being chatted up by some tall dark and handsome Egyptian, but don’t worry for your safety. Having said this, I need to mention that using common sense and knowing a few tips about how to handle the situation when/if he becomes too annoying are useful: women are your best allies in any situation. Even if you can’t speak the language, if you find yourself in a situation where you feel uncomfortable, move toward Egyptian women. They will do what they can to help you. If you ever need directions, ask a woman. Women are your best bet for safety and harbor if you need it in Egypt. Make noise. If you feel you are in serious danger for any reason, make noise and a fuss. Egyptians are curious and even nosey--if you are making enough noise, you will attract a crowd, and in a crowd you will be safe. I have been here for many years. I feel completely comfortable alone anywhere in Cairo, at any time of day. I have yet to have any problems, but caution is always necessary when alone.

I’d like to rent a car. Can I drive a car in Egypt?
In general, my response to that question is NO. Technically, yes, you can rent an AVIS or BUDGET car, but usually it will come with a driver included and you don’t end up driving anyway. Hiring a car and driver are easy, and economical in the greater scheme of things. Some of the reasons you don’t want to drive in Cairo include: driving is paramount to insanity in Cairo; parking is next to impossible; and most of the signs are written in Arabic, and many are not translated to English. It is much wiser to hire the car with a driver and allow him to deal with both the traffic problems and the parking problems. Overall, you will find that the cost for a car and driver will be less than renting a car from one of the rental agencies mentioned above. When touring with Casual Cairo detours, we will hire a car and driver, or use public transportation, depending on our destination, your time schedule and your budget.

What are other modes of transportation like in Egypt?
Egypt has a good intercity transportation network. EgyptAir is the nationally owned and operated airline. It has a reputation for late departures and arrivals, but the airline has a remarkable safety record and is as comfortable for flights within Egypt as anything. However, if you prefer to get a view of some of the countryside that you won’t see from a plane, there are buses and trains. Trains runs to many areas of Egypt, including the Nile Delta and out to Port Said on the Suez Canal, as well to Upper Egypt (Luxor and Aswan). There are three classes of trains; however only first- and second-class tickets will be sold to foreigners. For those looking for a bit of luxury on an overnight train trip to Aswan or Luxor, there is a private company operating a sleeper train, complete with bar car and meal service. If you are traveling to the Western Desert, the Sinai, or the Red Sea, air-conditioned buses that offer meal service and have bathrooms make several trips daily. Bus stations are located throughout Cairo, and tickets should be purchased in advance. Ask your tour operator to help you get bus tickets as necessary.

What is Ramadan all about?

The Israeli–Palestinian war seems very close to Egypt. Can you hear it or see it?
No. What we see of what is happening is what the local news and CNN want to show us, the same as you. Even if you take a trip to the Sinai Peninsula, you won’t see or hear the war.