How I Traveled Solo to Egypt (and Felt Safe While Doing It)

Egypt is one of the most unforgettable places I’ve ever been. It’s ancient, vibrant, warm and deeply alive. The culture is rich, the history mind blowing and the hospitality 🤌✨ truly unmatched. But, before I went, almost everything I read said the same thing: do. not. go. alone! Especially as a woman. And yet, I kept feeling the pull to go anyways. So, being the version of me I am now… I listened to myself 🙃 I spent 4 days and 5 nights by myself in Cairo exploring the city + surrounding areas. I’m happy to report it went really well, too!

Egypt solo female travel? A yes from me.

That said, Egypt is not a place I think you can just show up and vibe, regardless of how you’re traveling. It rewards preparation. Below is what helped me feel comfortable, confident, and able to focus on enjoying the experience:

1️⃣ Expect contrast: Egypt is incredibly beautiful and charming. It’s also loud, dusty, intense and chaotic (especially around Cairo). Knowing this ahead of time helps prevent overwhelm.

2️⃣ Attention is part of daily life: Staring and hustling are common realities. Ignoring most interactions worked best for me. When needed, a calm firm “la shukran” (“no thank you”) repeated once or twice was enough. Occasionally, a smile or laugh diffused things too.

3️⃣ Stay in a hotel: Hotels provide structure, support and a soft landing especially when you first arrive.

4️⃣ Arrange transportation through your hotel: To/from the airport and to anywhere else in the city if you can. You get trusted drivers, predetermined rates and no negotiating which removes a lot of unnecessary stress and uncertainty.

5️⃣ Hire a guide (with a driver): If you take only one tip from this list, let it be this. Egypt isn’t difficult, it’s layered. A good guide helps you move past the noise so you can get to and truly understand what you’re seeing. They assist with logistics, translation, security and minimizing scams. And Cairo traffic? That should get its own post… omg lol. Having a driver is invaluable! And I found it all to be quite reasonably priced.

6️⃣ Bring cash: Egyptian pounds in smaller bills (10, 20, 50, 100 EGP) are essential. Cash is king, tipping culture is widespread, and prices are often negotiable. Cash makes everything smoother.

7️⃣ Dress modestly: Egypt is a Muslim country. And, while I found it to be more liberal than some others I’ve been to and tourists have flexibility, dressing conservatively helped me blend in and noticeably reduced unwanted attention. Think covering up, solid colors, no logos. To be clear, there is no need for tourists to wear a head scarf though in most situations.

8️⃣ Use normal street smarts: Confidence, awareness and trusting your instincts go a long way just like in any major city.

9️⃣ Adjust your expectations around time: “A few minutes” might mean a few minutes or not lol. Flexibility and surrender make the experience for anything, but especially timing, far more enjoyable.

🔟 Schedule downtime: Egypt is incredibly stimulating — visually, emotionally, and socially. Between the heat, traffic, history, attention from strangers, and constant sensory input, it’s easy to become overwhelmed without realizing it. Build intentional rest into your days. For example, a long lunch, quiet evenings, hotel pool time, the spa or alternating sightseeing days with chill days. Giving yourself space to reset allows you to actually enjoy everything instead of burning out.

The Biggest Lesson? Egypt isn’t a place you control. It’s a place you plan for then surrender to.

If you can arrive prepared, open minded and ride the wave, Egypt will open itself to you and you’ll be able not only to see, but feel & enjoy the magic.

I’m incredibly glad I listened to my intuition and visited. If Egypt is calling you too, don’t let fear drive the decision making. Just set yourself up well, go in prepared, and allow the experience to unfold. Oh, and let me know how it goes when you do 😉

A note: Travel conditions can change. My experience reflects the time I was there. Of course, always be sure to check current travel advisories and make informed decisions when planning, too.