Is Egypt safe for travel right now? What the official advisories say

What do the official advisories say about Egypt today?

The two government pages we could open, the UK Foreign Office and the Government of Canada, both urge caution and both name terrorism and regional tension. Neither advises against all travel to Egypt as a whole. They advise against specific regions, which are mostly away from the main tourist route.

This page reports what the sources say. It does not rate the risk for you. Advisories change at short notice, so read the live page before you pay for anything.

What does the UK government say?

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office page was last updated on 27 October 2026 and was still current on 28 October. The latest update concerned regional tensions. It says “the context in the Middle East remains deeply unpredictable and the risk of sudden escalation is high.” It also says the Taba crossing with Israel could close at short notice.

The UK uses areas rather than a numbered level. It advises against all travel to the Egypt-Libya border area within 20 km (except El Salloum) and to North Sinai. It advises against all but essential travel to northern South Sinai, eastern Ismailiyah Governorate, most of the Western Desert, and the Hala’ib Triangle and Bir Tawil Trapezoid.

Luxor, Qina, Aswan, Abu Simbel, the Valley of the Kings, Faiyum and the Giza Governorate north-east of Bahariya Oasis are listed as exceptions to the Western Desert advice. The regional page adds that travel to Red Sea tourist areas in southern Sinai “is generally low risk” and that Hurghada and Marsa Alam have routine security checks.

On safety, the UK says “terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Egypt”. It gives shootings in Alexandria in 2023 and 2024 that killed foreign nationals as examples. It describes the crime rate as “generally low” and tells visitors to avoid large gatherings, demonstrations and protests.

What does the Government of Canada say?

The Canadian page reads “Exercise a high degree of caution” for Egypt, citing “ongoing tensions in the region, the unpredictable security situation and the threat of terrorism.” It was last updated on 26 May 2026, and the latest update concerned entry and exit requirements. We read it on 28 October 2026.

It says to avoid all travel to North Sinai, and to the Western Desert and Libyan border area. It says to avoid non-essential travel to northern South Sinai.

For Red Sea resorts and Upper Egypt, including Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Aswan and Luxor, it says “exercise a high degree of caution”. It adds that beach resorts are generally considered safe but sporadic attacks have targeted foreign tourists. It says Sharm el-Sheikh “may be seen as a high-value target by terrorists” and that Sinai resorts have seen incidents of petty theft.

What do the US and Australian governments say?

The Australian Smartraveller page reads “Exercise a high degree of caution” for Egypt overall. It shows an update of 14 September 2026 and was marked still current on 29 October 2026, the day we read it. It names terrorism as the reason and says higher levels apply in some areas. It lists Cairo, the Nile Delta, Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Sharm el Sheikh under that same level.

Smartraveller says “Do not travel” to the Governorate of North Sinai, to the area within 40 km of the Libyan border, and to the Bir Tawil Trapezoid. It says to reconsider travel to the South Sinai Governorate, apart from the southern coastal area of Sharm el Sheikh.

The US State Department page could not be opened on 28 or 29 October 2026: it returned an access error (HTTP 403) and then a bot-check screen. This page therefore states no level and no date for it. Check the current advisory on the US State Department site before you decide, and note the level and the issue date. The Smartraveller page is the one to read for the Australian view.

Which tourist areas does each source mention?

The two governments disagree on tone for Sharm el-Sheikh, so read both pages for that resort. For Cairo, Canada’s crime section says carjackings have occurred in busy areas of the city.

What do they say about protests and speech online?

The UK tells visitors to avoid large gatherings, demonstrations and protests as the situation could change quickly and without warning. It says security forces have responded forcefully and that foreigners involved in political activity, or in criticism of the government including on social media, may be at risk of detention.

Canada says the same in its own words: posts critical of the government or society can lead to arrest, and large gatherings should be avoided entirely.

What do they say about entry and border crossings?

Canada says its latest update concerned entry and exit requirements, including possible measures related to an Ebola outbreak. Check your own government’s page for the current entry conditions. The UK also warns that the Taba crossing with Israel could close at short notice. For visas, see our visa guide.

Do the two governments draw the border zone in the same place?

No. The UK advises against all travel within 20 km of the Egypt-Libya border, with El Salloum treated as an exception. Canada says to avoid all travel within 50 km of the Libyan border. Plan around the wider of the two figures if your route runs west. Canada also notes unexploded mines in some desert and coastal areas and recommends local advice before going off-road.

Are some dates riskier than others?

Canada says terrorist attacks could occur at any time, with the risk rising around 25 January and the week of Orthodox Easter. It names places of worship, airports and places frequented by foreigners as possible targets. It also says protests most often take place on Fridays after noon prayers. Neither point is a reason to cancel. They are reasons to keep a Friday afternoon plan flexible.

What do the advisories say about entry rules?

The UK entry page says your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after arrival and have a blank page. It lists a tourist e-visa valid up to 3 months and a visa on arrival at 30 US dollars in cash, valid up to 30 days. From 1 August 2026 it lists a digital visa at Cairo airport at 36 US dollars including a 6 dollar service fee, paid by card only. Air arrivals staying under 15 days in Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba do not need a visa, according to the UK.

Canada gives a different visa-on-arrival range of 60 to 100 US dollars depending on your plans. The two figures disagree, so use the official portal and your own government for the number that applies to you. If you decide to go, private day tours are one way to have a guide and driver in place for your first days.

Which laws surprise visitors?

• Drones: the UK says importing or using one needs prior Ministry of Defence permission, with penalties of up to 7 years in prison or a fine. Canada says drones are strictly prohibited.
• Photography: photographing military property, bridges and canals, including the Suez Canal, is illegal. Embassies and government buildings need permission.
• Alcohol: drinking in public places other than restaurants, bars and certain resorts is prohibited.
• Drugs: the UK says even small amounts can bring life imprisonment or the death penalty.
• Money: amounts of US$10,000 or more in foreign currency must be declared, and local currency has its own carrying limit.

How do the advisories treat roads and transport?

With practical advice rather than warnings. The UK tells visitors not to drive outside main cities and resorts at night. Canada advises avoiding microbuses and notes that many taxis lack working meters, so agree the fare before you set off.

What about weather and natural hazards?

Canada says sand and dust storms occur mainly in spring and advises staying indoors with windows closed. Heavy rain can cause severe flooding and landslides, especially in low-lying northern areas, and the Red Sea and Eastern Sinai sit in an active seismic zone, though minor quakes are rare. The UK page we read does not cover heat or flooding, so for those, check a weather service close to your dates.

What health rules apply?

Medicines are the main point. The UK says some medicines are controlled and may need permission from Egypt’s Ministry of Health, and recommends a GP letter. It also reports that some hotel doctors have overcharged, and that pharmacies outside hotels are often cheaper. Call 123 for an ambulance, the UK says.

Which pages matter for which kind of trip?

How do you keep up with changes?

The UK page offers email alerts when the Egypt advice is updated. Note the date on the page when you book and again a week before departure. Take a screenshot of the page on the day you book, so you can compare it with later updates.

What mistakes do people make with advisories?

• Reading one country’s page and treating it as a verdict.
• Skipping the regional map when the headline says caution.
• Confusing a country-wide “high degree of caution” with advice against travel.
• Booking a desert or border excursion without checking the permit rules.

For everyday tips once you have decided, see our Egypt travel tips.

What does this page not tell you?

It does not rate the risk for your trip, and it cannot predict changes. We could not read the US page, so one of the four major advisories is missing from this comparison.

What should I check before I book?

1. Open your own government’s advisory and note the level and date.
2. Check the Western Desert, Sinai and border areas on your itinerary against the lists above.
3. Save the ambulance number, 123, and check that any regular medicine is allowed in Egypt (UK health page).
4. Read the entry rules on your government’s page and the official e-visa portal.

What about crime and harassment?

The UK says crime is generally low and that pickpocketing is rare. Canada says purse snatching and pickpocketing occur most often in tourist locations and on the metro. Both note harassment of women, covered in our solo female travellers article.