Travel Advice - Egypt

[DJKeefy]

Still current at: 07 October 2008
Updated: 30 September 2008

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Crime and River and Sea Safety sections. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

SUMMARY

There is a high threat from terrorism in Egypt. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers, such as hotels and restaurants.

The Egyptian authorities are reported to have suspended issuing travel permits to the South West corner of the country near the Egypt/Sudan/Libya border. This follows the kidnap of 19 people (8 Egyptians, 5 Germans, 5 Italians and a Romanian) whilst on safari in Karkur Talh. We advise extreme caution if you are considering travel to this area.

Since 2004 there have been three separate bomb attacks in the Sinai Peninsula. These attacks killed and injured a number of British nationals. The most recent incident on 24 April 2006 in the resort town of Dahab killed 23 people, and injured more than 60 including three British nationals. See the Terrorism Section of this advice for more details.

Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Egypt have led to more than a dozen human fatalities since 2006. The last fatality was in 2007. See the Health (Avian Influenza) section of this advice and Avian and Pandemic Influenza for more details - http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and ... -influenza

Approximately 1,055,000 British nationals visited Egypt in 2007 (source: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism). Most visits are trouble-free. The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Egypt in 2007 were: replacing lost and stolen passports (over 100 cases); hospitalisation, especially in relation to psychiatric illness (67 cases); deaths, mostly from natural causes and drowning (52 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (39 cases). The majority of consular cases occur in Cairo, Luxor and Sharm el-Sheikh, where most tourists stay.

Egyptian society is conservative and women should dress modestly. See the Local Laws and Customs section of this advice for details.

The crime rate in Egypt is low but you should safeguard valuables including your passport and money. You should carry some form of photographic ID at all times. A copy of your passport is sufficient.

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details - http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and ... insurance/




SAFETY AND SECURITY

Terrorism

There is a high threat from terrorism in Egypt. Security is tight throughout Egypt, especially in resort areas. There remains a risk of indiscriminate attacks in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers, such as hotels and restaurants. Egyptian security forces continue to carry out counter-terrorist operations in some areas of Sinai. Security authorities may insist on escorting you in some areas.

The Egyptian authorities have reportedly suspended issuing travel permits to the South West corner of the country near the Egypt/Sudan/Libya border. This follows the kidnap of 19 people (8 Egyptians, 5 Germans, 5 Italians and a Romanian) whilst on safari in Karkur Talh area near the border. The hostages were taken out of Egypt and held for a week before being released. The borders in this area are porous and bandits operateYou should not travel to the area without a legally obtained permit. We advise extreme caution in travelling to this area.

On 26 April 2006, there were two suicide bomb attacks at the Multinational Force and Observers base in north Sinai. There were no fatalities.

On 24 April 2006, there were explosions at three separate locations in the resort town of Dahab in the Sinai Peninsular, in which 23 people were killed and more than 60 injured, including three British nationals.

In August 2005, two police vehicles and one Multinational Force and Observers’ vehicle were damaged when three roadside bombs exploded in Northern Sinai. Two policemen were killed and seven others injured.

On 23 July 2005, three bombs exploded in Sharm al-Sheikh in the Sinai Peninsula. 63 people, including 11 British nationals, were killed. 124 others were injured in these attacks.

On 30 April 2005, terrorists carried out two suicide bomb attacks in Cairo. Seven civilians, including four foreign nationals, were injured. On 7 April 2005, there was a suicide bomb attack in central Cairo near the Khan El Khalili bazaar, a location frequented by tourists. Three tourists were killed and 19 injured.

On 7 October 2004, three terrorist attacks in resorts and hotels in Taba and near Nuweiba in the Sinai Peninsula killed 34 (including tourists) and injured 159. Prior to these attacks the last terrorist attacks in Egypt were in 1997 in Luxor.

You should be aware that some of these attacks have taken place over local holiday weekends. Egyptian security forces tend to step up their presence at these times. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad - http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and ... ism-abroad

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 many cases 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.

In 2007 Egypt was one of the countries with the highest number of cases reported to our Consular staff of British nationals who were the victim of a sexual offence. Half a dozen of the cases reported to our Consular staff involved children under the age of 18.

There has been a noticeable increase recently in cases reported to Consular staff of British nationals who were the victim of sexual assault. Many of these assaults have occurred in what were considered to be safe environs e.g. hotel premises. The majority are connected with tourist related activities e.g. massage in spas. For more guidance about this see Rape and Sexual Assault - http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and ... wrong/rape

Be aware that alcohol and drugs can lead to you being less alert, less in control and less aware of your environment. If you are going to drink, know your limit. Remember that drinks served in bars overseas are often stronger than those in the UK. For more guidance about this see Rape and Sexual Assault - http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and ... wrong/rape

Taxis and minibuses often overcharge tourists for airport transfers. You should ensure that you agree with the driver a charge for the ride before taking it.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad - http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and ... ong/crime/



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. You should avoid political gatherings and demonstrations, and respect any advice or instruction from the local security authorities.

There was a demonstration near Karnak Temple in Luxor at the end of March 2008, where residents protested against being relocated as a result of a new tourist project. There have been protests elsewhere in Egypt, including Cairo, in advance of the local elections (8 April) and against price rises in basic commodities. You should avoid getting caught up in any disturbance.

Border areas

The area of the border between Egypt and Gaza is likely to remain tense after clashes and breaches of the border earlier this year. Other border areas e.g. with Libya, Sudan and Israel should also be treated with extreme caution. You should obtain the necessary permits before travelling to these areas and check regularly for updates. See the Road Travel section of this advice (below) for more details.



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 Travel

You can drive in Egypt on an International driving licence for up to six months. If you intend to remain in Egypt for a longer period you must apply for an Egyptian driving licence.

Road accidents are very common in Egypt, mainly due to poor roads, dangerous driving and non-enforcement of traffic laws. Police estimate that road accidents kill over 6,000 people in Egypt each year. This is twice the UK figure. Avoid driving on country roads at night and observe the local speed limit. Make sure you obtain adequate third party insurance. In the event of an accident emergency medical facilities are limited.

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.

Only certain categories of foreign residents may import vehicles. Vehicles of visitors should be temporarily imported with a valid “carnet de passageâ€

[niletraveller]

Really useful information. Thank you

[tut bar dancer]

Good info there thanks Keefy

[Ess]

Good to have all this info in a succinct format. Much appreciated.

[DJKeefy]

Updated 07 October 2008 and links added.

[Angela]

Thanks Keefy. That was really interesting.

There are a couple of comments about purchasing property, land etc and the importance of not signing anything that you don't understand (Marriage contracts included!).

[DJKeefy]

We have a great lawyer who works with some of the people who come through our estate agency, he his on the british embassy lawyers list, his prices are very reasonable and everything is done in English and Arabic.

[Moonstone]

Previous information remains unchanged but please see pasted paragraphs re latest events in Aswan (anyone got more details?) and update regarding the cessation of the convoy system.

Still current at: 02 December 2008
Updated: 02 December 2008

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary (situation in Aswan) and Road Travel section (Luxor-Hurghada-Luxor and Luxor-Aswan-Luxor roads). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Aswan Update

The situation in Aswan is reported to be calm following reported disturbances on 24 November 2008, outside the state security office, the courthouse, Aswan Educational hospital and the morgue. Caution is advised.

The Egyptian authorities are reported to have suspended issuing travel permits to the South West corner of the country near the Egypt/Sudan/Libya border. This follows the kidnap of 19 people (8 Egyptians, 5 Germans, 5 Italians and a Romanian) whilst on safari in Karkur Talh. We advise extreme caution if you are considering travel to this area.

Luxor Convoy Update

The military convoy system between Luxor-Hurghada-Luxor and Luxor-Aswan-Luxor ceased to operate on 1 December 2008. These roads will now be open from 0600 to 1800 for normal traffic and closed outside these times.

[FABlux]

There was a thread about the problem in Aswan a few days ago. Basically it seems to have been a "disagreement " between authorities & some drug dealers from what I could gather.

[Brian Yare]

Luxor Convoy Update

The military convoy system between Luxor-Hurghada-Luxor and Luxor-Aswan-Luxor ceased to operate on 1 December 2008. These roads will now be open from 0600 to 1800 for normal traffic and closed outside these times.

Does this still apply to Luxor-Aswan-Luxor?

[Major Thom]

does not make good reading for anyone wanting to visit. After all the money spent on security, you would have thought that the Country would be fairly crime free or crimes should be getting on for a 40% reduction. When I was there I showed an officer the Blackstones Police Handbook, they have nothing like it, it contains over 500 pages of law and offences, not just road laws but both Common and Statute Laws, you need this to reign in criminals and others committing crimes. Is there a reason why there are so many unenforceable offences on the roads, or is it because the drivers/riders are not chased and caught. No wonder police vehicles are not changed every 2 years, they must last them 10 years or more, the low mileage they do. 6000 killed on the roads every year is a very low estimate indeed for a Country has big as Egypt, and I would think that figure is a very conservative estimate, by rights they should know the figure both locally and nationally by Police reports.
For terrorism, kidnaps and killings, it's world known that Egypt has a high percentage, even where I live you only have to mention the Country and people pull faces regarding it's safety. I have not a clue how they will deal with all the adverse publicity at all, just hope people change their minds but I cannot see it. Who knows another couple of generations time it may blow over. Personally myself until the last 2 years I had not felt any problems to my own security. But has the Country (Apart from Cairo) heads towards poverty and high unemployment things will not change. More consideration in my mind should be given to the poverty situation to stop and keep the hotheaded locals from tantrums.Good information but seems like things have not changed too much over the years and it proves money does not seem to be changing things either.

[newcastle]

does not make good reading for anyone wanting to visit.....................Good information but seems like things have not changed too much over the years and it proves money does not seem to be changing things either.

It's only perceptions that change.

No matter what you hear, we have been travelling to and from Luxor for 20 years and lived here for 18 months, we have never had and are still not experiencing any problems from local people. The trouble is, people listen to gossip and hyper-inflated nonsence, and then form the wrong impression of Luxor. Yes young people do gather around the Cornice but that is possibly because there is no work for them to do and that is their form of entertainment, remember the times when we would gather around the local Fish and Chip shops with our Dansettes and buy a Fish supper for half a crown and that included a bottle of coke. In the 18 months of living here we have never come across trouble, but I can tell everone that during the Revolution the local villagers would knock on our gate and ask if we were alright, and did we need anything.... They are not the actions of disturbed people.. They are the actions of people that care.
We used to live in Rural Norfolk in a Broads Village, folowing living on the Isle of Skye, (We had a purpose built Guest House built) and the great cosmopolitan cit of Sheffield and the safest place we feel to live is Luxor, even during and after the Revolution we felt totally safe.. I would not submit my wife to anywhere that i did not feel to be safe

I wonder what became of that happy and contented soul

[newcastle]

Better watch out if visiting Thailand Dusak.......it ranks close to Egypt in "dangerous places for tourists".

Try Cyprus for your visa run..

The main risk there is that you'll die of terminal boredom....if you're there for more than a couple of weeks.

Unless, of course, you're into tribute bands or twittering endlessly on internet forums.

[HEPZIBAH]

I am locking this thread.

I am surprised that it has been resurrected, and how fast it is moving off topic.

The original information is over ten years old. It may still be current but, as so much has happened in the years since, anyone needing such information should check out more upto date official releases.

Brian Yare - please feel free to open a new thread and ask your perfectly relevant question there.