Going to Turkey in September with Rick Steves tour and thinking of a quick trip to Cairo from Istanbul. Would spend a couple of days there seeing the usual sights such as pyramids, Egyptian museum etc. Was looking at using VIATOR tours for these activities.
We have been to Europe several times but never North Africa.
We have concerns over safety there based on news reports and warning from various governments in the western world. Has anyone been there recently and if so, any comments on personal safety and your overall comfort while there? Any comments on VIATOR Tours? Thank you!
Posted by
Chicago
7837 posts
I did not travel in a tour; It is a wonderful city. We felt safe; there are a lot of harmless touts;
Avoid the metro/subway though as the women I traveled with were groped when it was crowded; we understood too late why there were separate cars for Egyptian women.
This is the US state department's travel to Egypt advisory
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/egypt-travel-advisory.html
Posted by
Laveen, AZ, USA
39 posts
I was part of 2 couples that traveled to Egypt in March 2017. We had a great time. We used Djed Egypt Travel for our tour. Our tour consisted of us 4 and the guide and driver. That's it. Viator does not actually run the tours they are a broker.
Posted by
Pacific Northwest
2622 posts
We were there in 2017 and loved it. We felt perfectly safe and comfortable. We did use a tour company there and I would NOT have wanted to tour around on my own, even though I do it almost everywhere else. We did our tour with Egypt and Beyond Travel. I loved them. Their guides were amazing - especially the one we had for Cairo. You might contact them to see if they'll put together a little 3 day package for you. Definitely go to Egypt!!!
Posted by
546 posts
I lived in Cairo and worked in Egypt for two years. But this was in 1988/89. I can't really address the current safety issue except to say this: There were safety concerns then too. Yet I found Cairo safe, friendly and a wonderful place. I would go there today without hesitation.
I think there are a couple of neat but touristy things to do that shouldn't be missed. The first is take a horseback ride around the pyramids at sunset. I am sure your tour may include such but if not the stables were across the street from the Mena House Hotel if my memory serves me correctly.
Going inside the pyramids can be fun but it is cramped and can be hot. And there is nothing to see. The Son et Lumiere is well worth it I think.
If there is one thing I would see in Egypt over all others it would be the Tomb of the Nobles. This is just over the hill from the Valley of The Kings. These are the tombs of some of the high ranking nobles who were charged with building the tombs in the VoK. The artwork on the walls is truly stunning and much more "realistic" than that of the formal Burial art found in the Pharaohs tombs. These give you a real life feeling and look at the way life was lived. But of course this means a day trip to Luxor which is not a bad idea at any rate.
My advice would be to GO! don't be put off by the 'fraidy cats and the Nabobs of Negativity that bloom the moment mention of traveling somewhere most Americans have little or no understanding of.
I loved my time in Egypt and made some very good friends there and miss them and the country.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks very much everyone for your input. Appreciate the suggestions of the tour companies too and will certainly check them out, versus using VIATOR.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11179 posts
My niece and her mother were there last week. No comment that 'safety' was an issue. Well, except that their parked tour bus got hit by another bus while at some site. Comment was that from the looks of the buses, it not that rare an event. Otherwise reported having a wonderful time. Sorry, no idea with whom they booked their various tours/excursions.
Posted by
7662 posts
I have used Viator many times and never been disappointed, however, you should compare with other tours you find on the internet.
Check TripAdvisor for ratings.
Go to the Egyptian Museum, a day at Giza to see the Pyramids and Sphinx. The Step Pyramid (the earliest ones) and Memphis are good. Much of the best is done in Luxor, but that is a long trip from Cairo. The Nile Hilton is near the Egyptian Museum.
First, don't eat or drink anything purchased from street vendors. Don't even eat at restaurants unless they are in a four or five star hotel or the equivalent.
Second, don't drink the tap water, drink only bottled water that has not been opened.
Beer is available, but buy bottled beer unopened.
Third, don't wanted around in the streets on your own unless it is in some areas very near your hotel.
Fourth, only take a taxi from your hotel that will keep the taxi registration number. Don't even think of taking the subway on your own.
Egypt is still a little risky, but if you follow these tips around Cairo, you should be fine.