An Honest Guide to Solo Female Travel in Egypt: Safety Tips, Dress Codes, and Real Advice

Thousands of women explore Egypt on their own every year, and most come home with stories of kindness, history and hospitality. But it would not be honest to pretend there are no challenges. This guide to solo female travel in Egypt tells you what to really expect, what to wear, how to get around safely and how to handle unwanted attention – so you can enjoy the trip with confidence.

Is Egypt safe for solo female travellers?

For most women, yes – with preparation. The UK Foreign Office describes the crime rate in Egypt as generally low, and pickpocketing is rare. Most visitors never face anything worse than staring, comments in the street or over-friendly sellers at the big sites. Egyptians are famously hospitable, and many women travellers say that local women, families and older men often step in to help.

The honest part: verbal harassment does happen, especially in busy streets and tourist hotspots, and official advice also warns about assaults, most of them reported in Red Sea resorts and often by someone the victim had already met. That is why the practical habits below matter. Check your government’s current travel advice before you go, as some border areas of Egypt are off-limits to travellers.

What to wear in Egypt as a woman

Egypt is a mainly Muslim country, and modest dress will make you feel more comfortable and attract less attention. You do not need to cover your hair, except inside mosques.

• Cities and historic sites: loose clothes that cover shoulders, chest and knees – linen trousers, midi or maxi skirts, light long-sleeved shirts.
• Mosques: long sleeves, long skirt or trousers and a headscarf; you remove your shoes at the door. Some mosques lend coverings at the entrance.
• Red Sea resorts: normal swimwear is fine on hotel beaches and pools; cover up when you leave them.
• Nile cruises and hotels: relaxed dress on board; dress modestly for shore visits.
• Ramadan: dress codes matter even more, and you should avoid eating or drinking in public during daylight.

Pack comfortable closed shoes for sand and uneven ground, a sunhat and a light scarf that can double as sun protection or a head covering.

Getting around safely

• Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Careem operate in Cairo and other cities; the trip is tracked and priced in advance. Sit in the back seat.
• Share your trip – driver details and live location – with a friend, especially at night. The UK Foreign Office advises women to avoid taking taxis alone at night where possible.
• Book airport transfers in advance so a vetted driver is waiting for you on arrival, even after a late flight.
• Cairo Metro has clearly signed women-only carriages, which are a calm option at busy times.
• Long distances: domestic flights, sleeper trains and Nile cruises are comfortable ways to travel between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan.

Handling unwanted attention

• Don’t engage. Most comments stop if you keep walking without reacting.
• Learn two phrases: “la, shukran” (no, thank you) for sellers, and a firm “khalas” (enough) if someone persists.
• Look confident and move with purpose, even if you are checking your map.
• Ask for help from women, families, shopkeepers or the tourist police, who are stationed at major sites.
• Keep personal details private. Avoid giving your hotel room number, phone number or social media to people you have just met.
• In your hotel, don’t let staff into your room when you are alone, and use reputable companies for excursions.

Being friendly is fine – most Egyptians who start a conversation are simply curious and welcoming. Trust your instincts and leave any situation that feels wrong. Above all, solo female travel in Egypt is about preparation, not fear.

Where to go: the best route for solo female travel in Egypt

The classic route is the easiest for a first solo trip: Cairo and Giza for the pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum and Islamic Cairo; a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, where you travel with a group and a guide; and time in Aswan, known for its relaxed atmosphere. Zamalek in Cairo is a calm, leafy district with cafés and galleries. Organised trips work well for remote areas such as the White Desert.

Emergency numbers and getting help

• Tourist Police: 126
• Police: 122
• Ambulance: 123

Report any crime to the tourist police before you leave Egypt – it is difficult to prosecute later. Keep copies of your passport and visa separate from the originals, and save your embassy’s contact details on your phone.

Related reading: Egypt Visa on Arrival vs. E-Visa · Private Tour or Group Tour in Cairo? · Cairo in One Day: A Realistic Sightseeing Itinerary

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe for a woman to travel alone in Egypt?

Generally yes, with sensible precautions. Serious crime against tourists is rare, but staring, comments and persistent sellers are common. Dress modestly, use trusted transport and consider a private guide.

Do women have to cover their hair in Egypt?

No. Women only need to cover their hair inside mosques. Modest clothes covering shoulders and knees are recommended in cities and at historic sites.

Can I wear shorts in Egypt?

Shorts are fine at Red Sea resorts and on cruise ships, but in cities and at monuments long trousers or skirts are more respectful and attract less attention.

Are Uber and Careem safe for women in Cairo?

They are a popular, tracked option. Sit in the back, check the driver and car match the app, and share your trip with a friend, especially at night.

What should I do if someone harasses me?

Don’t engage, walk away, and ask women, families or the tourist police for help. Call the tourist police on 126 to report a crime.

Sources & further reading

• GOV.UK – Egypt travel advice: safety and security
• GOV.UK – Egypt travel advice (warnings and areas to avoid)
• Smartraveller (Australian Government) – Egypt travel advice

Written by the Deluxe Travel Egypt team and checked against the published sources above. Rules and prices can change, so always confirm with the official source before you travel. Last updated October 2026.