Hi there, we use cookies to improve your experience on our website. You can update your settings by clicking the Privacy policy link at the bottom of the page. Details here. It seems that the topic of females traveling in Egypt is a common discussion on this board so thought I would share my experiences. I spent almost 4 weeks wandering around Egypt by myself and it was fantastic. At no time did I ever feel my safety threatened.
Prior to the trip I read this board regularly for information. But of course you really don't know what it will be like until you get there. I always dressed conservatively, elbow length tee-shirts or long sleeved, long pants or skirts, and a scarf usually to cover my neck never showing cleavage of course. I did not wear a ring Of course I was hassled to no end but this was expected.
When I did walk around with a Western man this seemed to help quite a bit. But when alone, walking down the street it was comment after comment. Most of it was harmless eg. I love you, where have you been all my life, you dropped something…. There was also lots of "ssssss" which sounds like hissing. Initially I found it quite offensive but then realized it seem to be a way to get someones attention. Maybe someone who is more knowledgeable about Egyptian culture could provide insight.
It was the same eating in restaurants, dealing with hotel staff, riding on the bus etc etc. If you are alone, it just makes you that much more approachable. I tried as much as possible to deal with women, but this can be difficult except in Cairo and Alexandria. The difficult part was arranging tours or guides. Because inevitably if I was alone with any young guy, for any period of time, they would say I was the girl of their dreams.
Now you may wonder why I would allow myself to get in such a situation where I was alone with an Egyptian guy. I tried to avoid these situations at all costs. However it still happened a few times, eg. The guide in Siwa Oasis in the desert decided instead of having me in the group he was taking out, to hire a private 4WD for me and him.
