Traveling to Egypt as a female solo traveler is a great idea since you can experience the country at your own pace. But the best thing about it is that you get to immerse yourself in the experience in a unique and fun way. Traveling alone as a woman also has its fair share of downsides. Due to the local culture, you are more prone to robberies and attacks and might also not be allowed in some places.
Yet that shouldn’t deter you from going to Egypt and exploring this amazing country. There are a lot of great places to see and things to do here, which is why we created a list of great travel tips that will make visiting Egypt a lot more fun. You will know if Cairo is safe or not, and you will figure out other amazing spots and things to do while you are visiting Egypt.
Table of Contents
You should have a more conservative outfit
As you might already know, Egypt is one of those countries that stayed rather conservative over the year. So the way women dress here is quite different from other places. With that in mind, dressing in a way that’s not appropriate to the local culture will draw bad attention toward you, which is why you want a modest dressing pattern. The idea is to have opaque shirts and a long skirt or pants to cover your shoulders, chest, upper arms, and legs.
Yes, this might seem quite restrictive, but if you are a female solo traveler, you already know the impact culture can have on these things. So while it may not be a lot at first, you must ensure you know how to dress. Of course, how you are treated in the country will also stem from how you dress. You don’t want to draw negative attention, nor do you want people to see you are a tourist immediately. Because as you can imagine, there are plenty of scammers here, and the last thing you want is to bring more attention to yourself.
Always be aware of your surroundings
You should always ask, is Cairo safe, or is any of these cities safe when you travel there as a woman? The reason is simple. New locations can be quite challenging for a woman, especially if they are known to have a higher crime rate. Therefore, it makes sense to be aware of where you are and your surroundings. Consequently, you always want to research and see where you are heading and whether the city is safe.
Suppose you are traveling alone as a woman. In that case, it makes sense to go as a female solo traveler in the more populated areas. City outskirts are never safe for a woman, so considering the possible downsides makes sense. That’s why you have to approach this wisely, and if you do it right, the potential can be incredible. This is one of the better and more comprehensive solutions to focus on. Keep that in mind when you go to Egypt.
A good tip here is to learn the Arabic names of places you want to visit. Most people in Egypt are friendly and will help you, but you are more independent if you know the Arabic names of places you want to see. You also get to rely less on intrusive locals who can sometimes track and harm you. Cairo and cities in Egypt are just like any other city; they have great people but also sketchy ones. That’s why it’s crucial to be aware of your surroundings. In doing so, the benefits can be exceptional if you manage it all correctly.
Transportation ideas
When you travel in Egypt, it makes a lot of sense to figure out what transportation measure is the best one. And the truth is that the Metro is the best option based on our knowledge and expertise. Streetcars are safe too, and you will find a lot of these in Alexandria. So scouring the different transportation systems and seeing what works for you makes sense. Ultimately, the results are exceptional. You will be pleased with the process and how it all comes together, which is what you want to pursue in a situation like this.
You can also go in the mixed compartments if you are a female solo traveler. It might be a great idea since there are more people and safety is in numbers. Not only that, but you might even get a seat even if you can’t find one, and that alone is a thing that you need to consider as much as possible.
Work with female guides
It might not seem like a lot, but if you travel alone as a woman, you want to work with female guides. The idea here is that it will make it easier to figure out female-safe options for the entire travel experience. Plus, having a woman who understands the challenges of solo traveling and is willing to help is a great addition to the whole experience.
The cool thing about this is that most female guides gladly assist you. Plus, booking a guide in Egypt is already inexpensive, and you can get an exceptional experience and value. Doing so makes a lot of sense, and the benefits you receive are impressive. Most of these female guides also have much experience and training; some are even trained in Egyptology and other similar things. You don’t have to be picky, either. There are many incredible female guides; you just have to find the ideal one.
Picking the right, safest hotel
When you visit Egypt as a female solo traveler, you do want to ensure that the hotel where you go is as safe as it can be. That’s why a very good idea is always to check the overall safety ratings for any hotel you want to accommodate. Seeing any security checks and reviews is a good idea to narrow things down and ensure everything is appropriately managed. That alone is going to help make things easier.
Getting a business card from the hotel where you are is a good idea since it can be a good way to get back to the hotel if or when you are lost. All these things matter, and in the end, you will find them to be much better and more convenient all the time. That, on its own, will matter and provide you with a very good set of results. You can show the business card of that hotel, and a cab driver will be able to get you there without issues. So yes, these simple things seem like little, but they add up and deliver an excellent experience.
Find people to visit some of the locations
It’s always a good idea to find someone you can go with to some of the significant locations you want to visit. If you are part of a group, it’s safer, and that does help a lot. Even having another person with you is always going to be helpful. The best approach here is to join a small group, and you can find various groups that you can join online.
Another thing you can do is to stay close to a group on your own when you travel. The main focus is on safety, and doing that is definitely a thing that you want to consider as much as you can. All the little things matter here, and the more you focus on them, the better it will be. So yes, finding someone you can join up with helps a lot. They may be from the same country as you or have the same places they want to visit. That’s a great idea if you are traveling alone as a woman. The best idea is to join another female solo traveler or a group of women.
Have fun and joke around
Egyptians love the idea of joking around and having fun. After all, we are going through tough times worldwide, so a bit of fun can always bring in a very good set of ideas. This is why it’s an exceptional option and one of those things that can indeed make a huge difference. But, of course, the best approach is to always focus on success, and in doing so, the outcome is among some of the best.
Joking is fun. It can also make it easier to lower prices when you negotiate with vendors. This can often happen if you use your sense of humor to your advantage. It’s certainly a great idea to avoid any rush; nothing will stand in your way once you do that. Just avail the opportunity, which will be great for you in the long run.
Always pack some accessories
One of the main accessories that you should bring with you is definitely your pair of sunglasses. When you are a female solo traveler, you need someone to take care of you in case you get sick. So it makes sense to have sunglasses to protect your eyes and ensure everything is ok. Some women also wear fake wedding rings. That might be a good idea since it shows you are married, and thus flirtatious men will stay away. These things are very helpful, and you get to immerse yourself in the experience in a creative and unique way all the time.
Buy a SIM card
Getting a local SIM card will always help, mainly because it enables you to ensure you can call anyone as you see fit. Of course, you might also have a data plan that covers your trip, but if you still need to, getting a SIM card will always be a good idea. With that in mind, some tour operators will send you the info via WhatsApp, so these little things are all important and certainly something you want to consider.
With that being said, you can find a SIM card to purchase right at the airport. So this should be one of the first things you get while arriving in Egypt. It’s a clever idea and will offer you the benefit and value you want without any worries. It’s an exceptional thing to consider here, and in the end, it will definitely be one of those things you want to prevent in the best possible way.
Try to keep a flexible schedule
It’s always important to find time for some of the cool, exciting things that you can experience when visiting the country. It’s a cool idea to try it for yourself, and the best part is that it all works much better than expected. You will find some things that are worth a visit right near some of the major locations.
The same thing can be said about activities. Coffee shops, going on the train, and tours can be very exciting. At the end of the day, you always want to bring in a unique perspective, and it really helps bring in an amazing and empowering experience. Having fun for a change makes sense, which can make a huge difference.
Avoiding scams
If scammers see you traveling alone as a woman, they will approach you. Scammers always think that women are always very easy to scam, and thus you will be one of their first main targets. The thing to focus on is to book and buy anything only from authorized sellers and companies. That way, even if you are a female solo traveler, you get to stay safe and not worry about scams or people who want to harm you.
Another thing to note is that you should dress like a local. If you wear clothes that make you stand out as a foreigner, then that will become a disadvantage. You will have scammers and unlawful people immediately knowing you are a stranger. So yes, if you want to avoid scams, it does make sense to dress as a local. That way, you can prevent problems and ensure that, yes, everything is going to work the way you want.
Listen to your gut
If a person or a place doesn’t seem ok, try to walk away. Trusting your gut is always essential, especially if you are a female solo traveler anywhere. This can happen in Egypt or any other country. You might ask if Cairo is safe or any other city in the country, but where you go in that city and what people approach you to matter more than that. This is why taking your time, understanding the situation, and wisely addressing it makes a lot of sense. That alone is going to make things a whole lot better.
Trusting your instincts is ideal and will surely make things easier for you. But, at the end of the day, all cities have unsafe areas where many unlawful people hang out. So it does make sense to focus on safety and taking good care of yourself.
Don’t accept invitations from friendly strangers unless you trust them
This is a must-focus because you want to ensure you only interact with people you trust. It becomes a lot easier to take your time and understand what those people want and whether you can trust them. Of course, demanding challenges can arise, and if you know what you are doing, nothing will stand in your way.
Conclusion
When you are traveling alone as a woman in Egypt, you do need to take a lot of things into account. The way you dress and also how you interact with other people is fundamental. You also want to wear the appropriate dresses and avoid standing out. Even wearing a fake wedding ring can help you stay away from strangers. All these things matter, and you want to avoid any rush the best way you can. Yes, achieving the best results is always challenging, but if you manage it right and stick with these tips and tricks, things will be a whole lot better!
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