Some Friendly Advice

Before You Go to Egypt

First things first, safety

Solo travel isn't impossible, but I would have found it challenging.

Unlike many of the other countries I've travelled to, Egypt wasn't somewhere I’ve completely at ease travelling alone in, especially having ‘different’ hair. El Gouna was pretty okay, with just the odd stares and polite acknowledgement. Cairo though, another story… even with a guide, someone grabbed my ass in the city centre. With my general experience of it overall, I have absolutely no interest in ever returning.

Now please don’t get me wrong, that doesn't mean you shouldn't go solo to other parts, but I'd recommend planning ahead, booking reputable tours and trusting your instincts. Having guides for many of the major attractions made a huge difference to my time there and for example, even being alone on the nile cruise was superb! It’s only Cairo I have my beef with, so to say.

Curiosity, or lack of boundaries?

The sad truth is you should expect to be approached... quite a lot.

Whether it's taxis, souvenirs, camel rides or simply people trying to get your attention, you'll probably have people coming up to you constantly around the main tourist attractions. A polite but firm "No, thank you" goes a long way.

Then, if like me, you’re so lucky to have light eyes and red hair (sarcasm), or even blonde, I wish you luck! So many want photos, even families, which actually took me by surprise.

Tour Guides are a must

I mean you can wing it of course, but I’d strongly recommend booking reputable guides for the historical sites, at the very least. A sensible idea which helps bring the thousands of years of history to life, and also, avoid a lot of the hassling around the major attractions, meaning you can enjoy the experience more. I think that’s a win-win!

Cash is often king

Having a bit of cash on you might seem obvious, but even the best of us fall into the trap of relying on our cards. Here, it’s still used almost everywhere so good to have some small notes for tips, toilets and little purchases, as getting change for larger bills isn't always easy. But, whenever handling money, wash your hands. I’m pretty sure I got sick because of this reason (with the food/drinks, I was extremely careful).

What an earth to wear

Lightweight clothing is essential, especially in the summer months. You can for sure wear tank tops, shorts (not ultra short) for the extreme heat but as normal, respect goes a long way. If you're visiting mosques or religious sites, as expected, make sure you also have some bits that cover your shoulders and knees, and women should carry a scarf for their hair where required.

Hygiene: Take more care

Egyptian belly is real my friends. As you may expect, be cautious about food, water and ice, but at the same time wash or sanitise your hands regularly, as mentioned above, specifically after handling cash. I can't say for certain, but I was very careful with what I consumed so do wonder if the cash is how I ended up with slight morning runs… (tmi I know, but I did warn you this a no BS guide).

Then personally, I'd strongly avoid:

  • Ice in drinks unless you know it's made with filtered water.

  • Raw salads that may have been washed in tap water.

  • Unpeeled fruit from street stalls.

  • Drinking tap water.

Treatment of Animals

Being the animal lover I am, this one of the most difficult parts of my trip. I saw a lot of horses and donkeys that looked incredibly thin, more so around the tourist sites, and it really upset me. I also chose not to do a camel ride. It just didn't feel right to me personally, so while everyone else was off riding camels, I happily stayed behind making friends with the local cats instead.

Final Thoughts

I won’t lie, Egypt is definitely not an easy country but don't let the challenges put you off. Regardless of all of the above, I don't regret going for a second. Far from it! Seeing the pyramids in person, cruising along the Nile and standing inside temples that are thousands of years old is something I'll never forget, or take for granted. Sometimes, the most fascinating places have their hurdles and you just need to put your big girl knickers on and get on with it!