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Safety and security
Political and security situation
Since former President Morsi was removed from office on 3 July 2013, there have been violent clashes between the opposing groups and the security forces. Most of the clashes have taken place in Cairo and Alexandria but there have also been clashes elsewhere, including, Assyut, Suez, Ismaliyya, Mansoura and Qena. Hurghada and Luxor saw a small number of limited protests in July and August 2013. The Red Sea resorts in South Sinai, including Sharm-el-Sheikh have remained calm throughout.
On 14 August 2013 security forces ended sit-in protests in Cairo, near Cairo University at Giza and at the Rabaa Al-Adaweya mosque in Nasr City. This resulted in at least 500 deaths. Violent clashes also occurred near Mostafa Mahmoud Square in Mohandiseen, Cairo. On 17 August 2013, there were further violent clashes in Ramses Square and at the Al Fatah Mosque between protesters and security forces. On 3 and 6 October 2013, there were political protests in Cairo and other cities in Egypt that resulted in more than 50 deaths. On 19 November 2013, at protests in and around Tahrir Square 2 people died and over 50 were injured. On 3 January 2014 there were at least 12 deaths at protests in Cairo, Alexandria, Fayoum and Ismailia. At protests in Cairo, Alexandria and Fayoum on 24 and 25 January 2014 there were reports of around 80 deaths.
Between early 2011 and mid 2013 there were regular protests in Cairo at the following locations: near the Constitutional Court and the Presidential Palace, Tahrir Square, the Maspero area of downtown Cairo, the Abasiya district, the Israeli embassy in the district of Giza, the US Embassy in the Garden City district, Simon Bolivar Square and the Muhammad Mahmoud area.
In Alexandria, demonstrations have centered on the Ibrahim Mosque and the area of Sidi Gaber. There have also been clashes between groups of demonstrators in Suez, Ismalia and Port Said Governorates. Further demonstrations are likely. Protests and disturbances have blocked roads in parts of Egypt including Sinai, Aswan, Qena, Suez and between Luxor and Hurghada.
Demonstrations often happen on Fridays but can occur at any time and with little warning. The atmosphere at demonstrations can change quickly and without warning. Police may use water cannon, tear gas, birdshot and live ammunition for crowd control.
A US citizen was killed in demonstrations in Alexandria on Friday 28 June 2013. Press reporting suggests that he was stabbed after being seen to be filming the demonstration. Other press reporting suggests that some demonstrators are hostile and suspicious of any foreigners present. British and foreign nationals have been arrested during demonstrations.
Serious sexual assaults on women have happened during some demonstrations in Tahrir Square. More than 40 rapes and sexual assaults of Egyptian and foreign women were reported at demonstrations on 30 June 2013.
Follow the news on television and radio closely, and take advice from the authorities, hotels and tour operators. Stay away from demonstrations and large gatherings of people. If you become aware of any nearby protests, leave the area immediately.
Crime
Although the crime rate remains generally low, since early 2011 there has been a marked increase in crime across Egypt both in cities and rural areas. Armed robberies, muggings, sexual assaults, rapes, break-ins to accommodation and cars, and car-jackings at gun and knife-point have taken place in areas popular with expatriates, including during the daytime. Muggings have occurred in taxis.
Reports of cases of sexual assault against British nationals have increased during and since the unrest of early 2011. In 2012, the FCO handled 23 cases of sexual assault and 6 cases of rape. Some assaults were against minors. Many occurred in what were considered to be safe places, like hotels. Assaults have occurred in taxis and on microbuses. If you are travelling on a microbus, avoid being the last passenger left on the bus. Women should take extra care when travelling alone.
Take care of your passport and valuables. Use hotel safes and beware of pickpockets and bag snatchers.
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.
If you are going to drink alcohol, know your limit. Remember that drinks served in bars overseas are often stronger than those in the UK.
North Sinai
The FCO advise against all travel to the Governorate of North Sinai.In North Sinai, terrorists and criminals seek to prevent the Egyptian authorities from exercising control. The Egyptian armed forces are conducting a military operation against these groups. The death toll has increased since July 2013 with reports of over two hundred deaths.
There are regular bomb attacks against government buildings, security forces and energy infrastructure. The Al Arish area has seen many attacks, but the whole of the North Sinai region is at risk.
Foreign workers have been taken hostage by Bedouin tribesmen.
Security authorities often close the Suez-Taba road.
South Sinai
The FCO advise against all but essential travel to the Governorate of South Sinai, with the exception of the area within the Sharm el Sheikh perimeter barrier, which includes the airport and the areas of Sharm el Maya, Hadaba, Naama Bay, Sharks Bay and Nabq.
Enhanced security measures are in place to protect the resort areas. Egyptian military are situated in Sharm el Sheikh international airport, at check points around the perimeter of Sharm el Sheikh and throughout the South Sinai Governorate. Routine security checks are being performed on entry into the airport and the police are carrying out vehicle checks in Sharm el-Sheikh. There were no violent protests in the South Sinai resorts during recent disturbances in Egypt.
The security situation outside the resort areas in the Governorate of South Sinai has deteriorated since early 2012 and there have been a number of hijacks, robberies and kidnaps in the interior of the Governorate.
On 7 October 2013 there was a bomb attack against a security forces building in El Tor, which killed 3 people and injured over 40.
On 6 March 2013 two British tourists were stopped while travelling near Ras Sudr, on the Suez to Sharm el Sheikh road, and detained by a local tribe. They were released unharmed.
On 21 March 2013 two foreign nationals were kidnapped on the Taba to Dahab road while travelling at night. They were released unharmed five days later.
You should be aware that the long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage-taking.
Hurghada
Enhanced security measures are in place to protect the resort areas. In Hurghada on 14 August 2013 there were some violent clashes, in an area away from tourist resorts. One man was killed. On 16 August 2013 there was a demonstration near the marina area. You are strongly advised to follow the advice of the local authorities and avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings. If you become aware of any nearby protests, leave the area immediately. Do not attempt to cross road blocks erected by the security forces or protestors.
Cairo
There have been a number of incidents reported around the Giza Pyramids where tourists have been accosted aggressively even while travelling by car, or taxi. Visitors using a pre-booked guide, or taking an organised tour to visit the Giza Pyramids are likely to face fewer difficulties.
Nile Delta
There are regular protests in many Delta towns. Since August 2013 there have been regular attacks against security forces buildings and personnel in and around the town of Ismailia. These attacks often happen at security checkpoints. Civilians have not been harmed in these attacks but there are reports of at least 15 deaths of members of the security forces and over 30 people injured
Border areas
Exercise extreme caution in all border areas.
There have been clashes close to and along the entire length of the border with Israel. There have also been clashes and attacks close to the Rafah border crossing with Gaza.
For the latest requirements on crossing from Egypt to Gaza, delivering aid or entering for humanitarian purposes, you should contact the Egyptian Embassy in London. However, the Egyptian authorities have stated that all aid going into Gaza from Egypt must be channeled through the Egyptian Red Crescent (telephone: + 20 226 703 979, + 20 226 703 983, fax: + 20 226 703 967). Short notice requests for humanitarian access and those made in Egypt are unlikely to be considered. The Egyptian authorities can request a letter from the British Embassy in Cairo as part of their entry requirements. The British Embassy considers each request carefully and is only able to provide letters in certain circumstances and against strict criteria when entry is for humanitarian aid purposes. Contact the British Embassy directly for details. You should also read the FCO Travel Advice for Israel and the Occupied Territories.
If you intend to travel to the south west corner of Egypt near the border with Sudan or Libya, you must apply for a permit from the Travel Permits Department of the Egyptian Ministry of the Interior. You should carefully consider your security arrangements; the border areas are porous, and bandits and armed groups operate.
Road travel
Accidents are common, mainly due to poor road conditions, dangerous driving and non-enforcement of traffic laws. The UN estimates that road accidents killed almost 16,000 people in Egypt in 2011. This is more than eight times the number in the UK. Observe the speed limit and if possible avoid independent road travel outside main cities and resorts at night. Make sure you have adequate insurance.
You can drive in Egypt on an International driving permit for up to six months. If you intend to remain in Egypt for a longer period you must apply for an Egyptian driving license.
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.
If you are travelling off road, employ a qualified guide and obtain appropriate permits from the Ministry of Interior. There have been reports of cars being held up and shots fired at them while off-road in the desert near Fayoum.
Only certain categories of foreign residents may import vehicles. Vehicles of visitors should be temporarily imported with a valid “carnet de passage” available from the Automobile Association.
There have been a number of serious bus crashes in recent years with large numbers of fatalities, including tourists. If you are a passenger in a vehicle that is travelling at an unsafe speed you should instruct the driver to slow down.
Rail travel
There have been a number of fatal accidents in recent years. On 15 January 2013 a train crash in Giza, close to Cairo, killed 19 people. On 17 November 2012 47 children died when a train collided with a bus at a level crossing at Assyut, south of Cairo.
River and sea travel
Overcrowding and poor safety standards have led to several accidents on Red Sea ferries and Nile cruisers. There were four significant fires on Nile cruisers between September 2006 and November 2012.
In February 2012, an accident near the resort of Hurghada involving a glass-bottomed boat resulted in 3 deaths and 5 injuries to a group of German nationals.
Adventure travel
Before undertaking any adventure activity, make sure you are covered by your travel insurance.
Nineteen people, including two British nationals, died in a hot air balloon accident in Luxor in February 2013. All balloon flights were suspended following the incident, but have now resumed. Some UK tour operators have not been able to verify independently security procedures in place for balloon flights and many are not selling balloon flights to their customers. Speak to your tour company before booking a balloon flight.
If you are considering diving or snorkelling in any of the Red Sea resorts be aware that safety standards of diving operators can vary considerably. Never dive or snorkel unaccompanied. Where possible make bookings through your tour representative. Very cheap operators may not provide adequate safety and insurance standards. Diving beyond the depth limit of your insurance policy will invalidate your cover.
The Egyptian Chamber of Diving and Water Sports website provides further details and regular updates on diving conditions in Egypt. Shark attacks of any kind are very unusual in the Red Sea but following a series of attacks in late 2011 you should monitor updates issued by the local authorities and your tour operator.
Make sure your travel insurance, or that of your tour or dive company, provides adequate cover for the costs involved in any air/sea rescue. The current fee can exceed US$4,000 per hour. The Egyptian authorities will only undertake air/sea rescue operations on receipt of a guarantee of payment. The British Embassy is unable to provide this initial guarantee, but can facilitate communication between insurance companies and the Egyptian authorities.
There have been several serious quad bike accidents involving British nationals in resort areas. Take the same precautions as you would in the UK and note that safety standards can vary considerably. Always wear a crash helmet.
Landmines
There remains a small risk from unexploded landmines in certain desert areas in the north west of Egypt near to Alamein, and on some limited stretches of the Mediterranean coast near Marsa Matrouh and on the Red Sea coast south of Suez. Danger areas are usually well marked with signs and barbed wire fencing. Take care and follow local advice, especially if planning trips off marked roads.