Is it safe to visit the pyramids? What government travel advice says

What government travel advice says

We read the travel advice of four governments on 29 October 2026. This table gives the overall level for Egypt and the date that each government gives.

Cairo and the Giza pyramids are not on the "avoid" lists

The US, UK, Canadian and Australian advice each list areas to avoid. On 29 October 2026, none of these lists named Cairo or the Giza pyramids.

• United States. "Do not travel" to the Northern and Middle Sinai Peninsula, the Western Desert and the border areas. The Western Desert advice has an exception for travel with a "professionally licensed tour company".
• United Kingdom. The areas include North Sinai, parts of South Sinai and the Western Desert, and the area near the Libyan border. The Western Desert list has an exception for the Giza Governorate north-east of the Bahariya Oasis.
• Canada. "Avoid all travel" to northern Sinai, the Libyan border area and the Western Desert west of the Giza–Luxor–Aswan–Abu Simbel road.
• Australia. "Do not travel" to North Sinai, the area within 40 km of the Libyan border and the Bir Tawil Trapezoid. "Reconsider your need to travel" to most of South Sinai, the area west of the Nile Valley and Delta (with exceptions), and some other areas. Australia puts Cairo in its "Exercise a high degree of caution" list.

The risks that the advice names

Terrorism. All four governments name terrorism as a risk in Egypt. The UK advice says that terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Egypt. It says that attacks can be in places that foreign visitors go to. The US advice lists tourist sites and urban areas in Cairo as possible targets.

Security at tourist sites. The UK advice says that extra security measures are in place at tourist sites. The US advice says that Egyptian authorities generally give effective security protection.

Regional tensions. The UK advice says that the risk of sudden escalation in the Middle East is high. Canada and Australia also name tensions in the region.

Crime. The UK advice says that the crime rate is generally low. The US advice says that most crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity, such as purse snatching and pickpocketing.

Scams and overcharging. The US advice tells tourists to beware of overcharging and scams in tourist areas. The UK advice says that scammers and touts sometimes target foreign visitors at tourist sites.

Harassment of women. The US advice says that harassment of women, including foreigners, is a problem in Egypt. The Canadian advice says that women, particularly foreigners, frequently get unpleasant male attention, sexual harassment and verbal abuse.

Health. The US advice says that emergency and intensive care facilities are limited in Egypt. It also tells travelers to check that their polio vaccines are up to date.

The UK advice also says that approximately one million British people travel to Egypt each year, and that most visits are trouble-free.

Precautions from the advice

• Read the full advice from your own government before you travel. Read it again just before you leave.
• Stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowds.
• Do not go to demonstrations or large gatherings.
• Carry your passport or a copy, with your visa. The UK advice says that police check ID regularly.
• Use reputable providers for transport and excursions. The UK and Canadian advice give this precaution.
• The US advice warns of overcharging in tourist areas. Agree each price before you accept a service. See How much a Giza tour costs for the questions to ask.
• Report a crime to the tourist police on 126 before you leave Egypt.

For the transport options to the plateau, see How to get to the pyramids from Cairo. For a short visit from the airport, see Cairo layover tour.

For the tour options and the stops on the plateau, see Pyramids of Giza tours.