Middle East and North Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There are confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) in Egypt, including several reported deaths. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine flu page on this website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website. See the Health section of this advice for further information. Egyptian authorities screen for t Swine Flu at several airports, including Cairo, Hurghada, Taba, Luxor and Sharm El Sheikh. You may be asked to undergo further tests if you show flu-like symptoms, including high temperatures. If you have a high temperature and/or flu like symptoms, you should seek medical advice prior to travel to prevent problems on arrival in Egypt. Please see the Swine Flu section of this advice for more information.  
  

• There is a high threat from terrorism in Egypt.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers, such as hotels and restaurants.
  

• Since 2004 there have been three separate bomb attacks in the Sinai Peninsula and four in Cairo, the latest on 10 May 2009. These attacks killed and injured a number of British nationals. See the Terrorism Section of this advice for more details.
  

• The Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza remains closed for an indefinite period.  For travel advice on Gaza see the travel advice for Israel and the Occupied Territories.
  

• You should avoid political gatherings and demonstrations, and respect any advice or instruction from the local security authorities.
  

• Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Egypt have led to 27 human fatalities since 2006.  The last fatality was in May 2009.  See the Health (Avian Influenza) section of this advice and Avian and Pandemic Influenza for more details.
  
  
• 1,201,859 British nationals visited Egypt in 2008 (source: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism).  Most visits are trouble-free.  432 British nationals required consular assistance in Egypt in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (108 cases); hospitalisations (97 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (45 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (153 cases).  The majority of consular cases occur in Cairo and Sharm el-Sheikh.
  
• Egyptian society is conservative and women should dress modestly.  See the Local Laws and Customs section of this advice for details.
  
  
• The crime rate in Egypt is low but you should safeguard valuables including your passport and money. You should carry some form of photographic ID at all times.  A copy of your passport is sufficient.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, e.g. around pandemic flu and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.