Women Travelers

Foreign women, especially those traveling alone, should expect to be harassed by Egyptian men. Harassment can take many forms, from a mildly sinister “hello,” to the more annoying and frequent pssst, to frightening and potentially harmful physical contact. Your stay in Egypt might be a bit more enjoyable if you make it a point to visit crowded areas in lengthier clothing and less crowded sites (tombs, desert areas) with at least one other person.

Via Western music, movies, television, and hearsay, some Egyptians have developed the idea that Americans and Europeans are excessively “free” in their dealings and in their behavior. Women are advised to avoid the crowded public buses and most nightclubs ("nightclubs” in the West are equivalent to “discos” in the Middle East; Middle Eastern nightclubs are something completely different, so don’t get confused). The best way to deal with harassment is probably to ignore it: repeated advances and extensive verbal harassment, however, are best quelled with a loud, indignant response in front of many people. For more information, see Safety and Women and Travel in Essentials. If you feel intimidated or harassed in any way, do not hesitate to alert the police.