Egypt Travel advice

Check for the latest travel advice and travel warnings from the links below. Innoculation regulations and medical advice can change at short notice for Egypt. In case of doubt, please seek medical advise. If you are travelling within Egypt, it is advisable to get a Medical Insurance or Travel Insurance for Egypt. rnThere are strict customs and health controls on entering and leaving Egypt, and Egyptian law can inflict severe penalties on health infringements. rnFind out the local emergency number and the address of the nearest hospital when you arrive in Egypt. Your local guide should know.rnGet Travel Insurance for Egypt & check that the cover is appropriate for all your Travel in Egypt. rnCheck what vaccinations you need at least 6 weeks before you go & consider whether you need to take extra health precautions. rnGet a good travel guidebook for Egypt and get to know your destinations in Egypt and local laws & customs of Egypt. rnEnsure you have a valid passport and the necessary Visas for Egypt. rnMake copies of your passport & any visa pages, insurance policy plus 24-hour emergency number & ticket details. Leave these copies, itinerary & contact details with family & friends.rnLOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMSrnEgyptian society is conservative and women should dress modestly. Local laws reflect the fact that Egypt is predominantly an Islamic country. Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs. This is especially important during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas. See our Travelling During Ramadan page.rnThe government does not interfere with the practice of Christianity but encouraging conversion to the Christian faith is illegal.rnEgypt is also a conservative society; dress modestly, especially in rural areas, mosques and souqs (markets). Women's clothes should cover their legs and upper arms. Men should cover their chests. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. What may be acceptable in the tourist resort areas may not be in other areas.rnDrinking in the street and anywhere other than a licensed restaurant or bar is not allowed and can lead to arrest.rnPossession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs is a serious offence and can, even for possession of small amounts, lead to lengthy prison sentences (25 years), life imprisonment or the death penalty. Those convicted to life imprisonment on drugs charges will normally spend the rest of their life in prison with no possibility of parole or pardon. Khat is illegal in Egypt. rnPhotography of or near military official installations is strictly prohibited. This includes the Suez Canal. Don’t photograph officials without their consent. Plane spotting is not advised in any circumstances. You may be detained or arrested if you use binoculars near an airport.rnAlthough homosexuality is not in itself illegal under Egyptian law, homosexual acts in public are illegal and homosexuals have been convicted for breaching laws on public decency.rnWomen are advised to take extra caution when travelling alone as there have been cases of harassment and sexual assault, including rape. Egyptian family law is very different from UK law and particular caution is needed when, for example, child custody becomes an issue.