Egypt's reputation precedes it - here, history stretches back not just centuries but to the dawn of civilization, with an impressive throng of on-site ancient ruins to prove it. But the country's reputation as a difficult place for single women to visit may feature as prominently as the pyramids in the tales shared by travelers.
Earlier this year, I spent six weeks in Egypt on my own, traversing the country from top to bottom, from Alexandria to Aswan and beyond. Although I am not going to pretend it was easy, traveling in Egypt on my own was very rewarding and exhilarating.
Do you want to travel to Egypt on your own? Here are six hard-won lessons gleaned from my recent experiences.
1: Join a small group tour
Hear me out: I know signing up for a tour may sound like the antithesis to traveling on your own, but in Egypt, that decision pays off. Joining a small group or even just getting a guide for yourself will greatly enhance your time exploring.
The country is not well adapted for independent travel. Signage at ancient sites in Egypt is almost non-existent, so if you hope to understand the hidden meanings behind hieroglyphs and learn about the complex of gods and goddesses of the pharaohs, you'll need an expert Egyptologist. Few prices are set, so you'll spend more of your precious vacation time haggling for transport to this or that temple, than standing in awe at ancient treasures. Would-be guides hang around the entrances to tourist sites, but when you come with your own, you'll bypass the hassle of their requests. Going with a guide or group allows you to focus entirely on enjoying your trip rather than figuring out the logistics to make it happen.
Remember that traveling alone does not necessarily mean traveling alone. If you join a tour, you're bound to meet other like-minded adventurers, maybe even solo travelers who decide to set out on their own, so you can exchange stories and experience the joys of solo travel together.
2: Dress up the part
Egypt is a conservative Muslim country, and it is important for travelers to respect the local culture. It's best for women - and men! Wear modest clothing from the upper arms to the knees. Swimwear and shorts are fine on Nile cruise boats and resorts in Sharm el-Sheikh and the Red Sea, but it's better to cover up more in the cities and especially in rural villages.
While you certainly don't need to wear an abaya (a long dress worn by women that covers from wrist to toe) or hijab (unless you're visiting a mosque), long, loose-fitting clothing will ensure you keep it on. Cool and comfortable in both climate and culture. Choose long skirts, comfortable sweatpants, T-shirts, loose-fitting shirts, and cardigans in cooler weather.
3: Bring your sense of humor
Egypt's economy relies heavily on tourism and is still recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic and political instability from the fallout from the Arab Spring in 2011. More than two million Egyptians work in tourism, and competition can be fierce to get a sale. . While being questioned and questioned everywhere you go is stressful, it is rarely malicious.
The path to nearly every historic site is lined with tourist-filled markets and makeshift stalls that one guide jokingly referred to as the "Valley of Vendors." If you are not interested in making a purchase, just keep walking and ignore the cloud of questions and pleas to be able to enter their stores. Walking around like you're covered in Teflon and letting trouble bounce off you is the best strategy, but it's not always the easiest if you're from a culture where it's considered rude.
Egyptians love to joke around, so if you tend to get involved, throw away your sense of humor. Make up completely where you're from (usually the first question is asked) or if the sales pitch is too boring, laugh and say you already have a bunch of canopic jars at home and don't need any more.
4: Pack your accessories
Egypt's harsh desert sun means sunglasses are a must-visit no matter the time of year, but they can also help you avoid eye contact and more easily distract looking-up salespeople.
Some women say that wearing a fake wedding ring helps ward off unwanted advances from flirtatious men, though I'm not entirely convinced it's worth the effort. Even if your ring gets noticed, expect it to be peppered with questions — from both men and women — about why you're traveling alone, whether you're married and how you can leave your family behind.
You'll get fewer second looks in Cairo and Alexandria, cities where tourism is less important (although urban chaos is another element to contend with). The Cairo Metro also has cars for women only.
5: Get a local SIM card
Solo travelers who decide to move around Egypt on their own should opt for a local SIM card or ensure their data plan from home is working when they arrive in the country. Having a data connection is essential for using map apps to find your way, especially in the warped maze of Islamic Cairo and the famous Khan el-Khalili bazaar (but don't forget to put your phone away, too—some of the joy here goes to waste).
Uber operates in Cairo, Alexandria, Hurghada, and a few other cities less well-known for tourism, and its set prices are a godsend for those tired of haggling with taxi drivers. With phone data you can keep in touch with friends back home and those you meet in Egypt, and many accommodation and tour operators use WhatsApp to make reservations and confirm details.
Buy a SIM card at the airport upon arrival - you'll find phone shops all over Egyptian cities, but the staff is unlikely to speak English.
6: Be flexible and have fun
Egypt isn't the easiest place on the planet for solo travelers - or independent travelers at all - but if you've got an appetite for adventure, Egypt offers an open invitation to dive head first. While in other countries you often have a well-planned itinerary, in Egypt some of the best stories come from seeing where the trip takes you. You never know who you might meet on a tour, in a hostel, in a coffee shop, or on the night train.
Every day in Egypt is an adventure. accept it.
Heading over there
Ready to explore Egypt on your own terms with a small group of like-minded travelers? Here are some solid tours packed with support and free time for self-guided exploration:
The best of Egypt
Egypt highlights
Egypt: Boats and Bazaars
Egypt promotion
The best of Egypt, Jordan and Israel
Adventure Egypt and Jordan
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