Egypt - would this trip be unsafe with kids?

[Anonymous]

from the US Embassy in Egypt

"The U.S. Department of State issued an updated Travel Advisory for Egypt on October 15, 2024. This is a regular update, replacing the earlier Travel Advisory dated July 13, 2023. The overall Travel Advisory level remains at Level 3 and has not changed.

Updated information related to the Sinai Peninsula and country summary.

Reconsider travel to Egypt due to terrorism. Exercise increased caution in Egypt due to the Embassy’s limited ability to assist dual national U.S.-Egyptian citizens who are arrested or detained.  Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. "
https://eg.usembassy.gov/travel-advisory-annual-update-of-travel-advisory-for-egypt/

[Anonymous]

We visited Egypt a couple of summers ago. We didn't visit Sharm or Luxor but we hired Abercrombie and Kent for the entire duration. Our guide and driver met us at the plane and we drove straight to Alexandria. We also had an armed off duty officer with us as well (the government typically provides this for US tourists that book their travel with a company like A&K). Stayed at FS Alexandria in a villa right on the Med and it was stunning. Amazing catacombs and history. Drove back to FS Cairo Nile Plaza and toured there for a few days. You can cater as little as much of your day with A&K. We split days both touring and by the pool/beach so it wasn't nonstop sightseeing.

Amazing, memorable trip! Definitely recommend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We visited Egypt a couple of summers ago. We didn't visit Sharm or Luxor but we hired Abercrombie and Kent for the entire duration. Our guide and driver met us at the plane and we drove straight to Alexandria. We also had an armed off duty officer with us as well (the government typically provides this for US tourists that book their travel with a company like A&K). Stayed at FS Alexandria in a villa right on the Med and it was stunning. Amazing catacombs and history. Drove back to FS Cairo Nile Plaza and toured there for a few days. You can cater as little as much of your day with A&K. We split days both touring and by the pool/beach so it wasn't nonstop sightseeing.

Amazing, memorable trip! Definitely recommend.

Yes definitely want to visit somewhere where you need a personal ARMED GUARD

[Anonymous]

Ugh rich people problems

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited Egypt a couple of summers ago. We didn't visit Sharm or Luxor but we hired Abercrombie and Kent for the entire duration. Our guide and driver met us at the plane and we drove straight to Alexandria. We also had an armed off duty officer with us as well (the government typically provides this for US tourists that book their travel with a company like A&K). Stayed at FS Alexandria in a villa right on the Med and it was stunning. Amazing catacombs and history. Drove back to FS Cairo Nile Plaza and toured there for a few days. You can cater as little as much of your day with A&K. We split days both touring and by the pool/beach so it wasn't nonstop sightseeing.

Amazing, memorable trip! Definitely recommend.

Yes definitely want to visit somewhere where you need a personal ARMED GUARD

Stay scared. We love the Middle East. It is a beautiful part of the world with beautiful people. Narrow minded people like you aren’t needed there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited Egypt a couple of summers ago. We didn't visit Sharm or Luxor but we hired Abercrombie and Kent for the entire duration. Our guide and driver met us at the plane and we drove straight to Alexandria. We also had an armed off duty officer with us as well (the government typically provides this for US tourists that book their travel with a company like A&K). Stayed at FS Alexandria in a villa right on the Med and it was stunning. Amazing catacombs and history. Drove back to FS Cairo Nile Plaza and toured there for a few days. You can cater as little as much of your day with A&K. We split days both touring and by the pool/beach so it wasn't nonstop sightseeing.

Amazing, memorable trip! Definitely recommend.

Yes definitely want to visit somewhere where you need a personal ARMED GUARD

This. If armed security is provided to tourists, there's a reason, and I would not assume that the local security provided is well-trained or committed to your defense in case of an incident. It may be security theater to try to assuage tourist fears more than offering genuine reliable protection.

I wouldn't travel there alone, let alone with my family, when there are so many other places in the world to see which don't implicate those kinds of risks. You can see the pyramids on YouTube.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We would love to do that trip but the germs thing is a worry.

Well, that is really going to limit you.

Just get educated about how to travel safely, from a food hygiene perspective.

(Only drink bottled water you open yourself, no ice cubes, no raw vegetables/salads or fruit that you do but peel yourself, no street food, only cooked food basically. Pasteurized dairy products. ) Beer and wine are fine, not drinks mixed with water such as iced tea or lemonade. Put a reminder on your hotel tap, so you do not brush your teeth with tap water by accident.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited Egypt a couple of summers ago. We didn't visit Sharm or Luxor but we hired Abercrombie and Kent for the entire duration. Our guide and driver met us at the plane and we drove straight to Alexandria. We also had an armed off duty officer with us as well (the government typically provides this for US tourists that book their travel with a company like A&K). Stayed at FS Alexandria in a villa right on the Med and it was stunning. Amazing catacombs and history. Drove back to FS Cairo Nile Plaza and toured there for a few days. You can cater as little as much of your day with A&K. We split days both touring and by the pool/beach so it wasn't nonstop sightseeing.

Amazing, memorable trip! Definitely recommend.

Yes definitely want to visit somewhere where you need a personal ARMED GUARD

This. If armed security is provided to tourists, there's a reason, and I would not assume that the local security provided is well-trained or committed to your defense in case of an incident. It may be security theater to try to assuage tourist fears more than offering genuine reliable protection.

I wouldn't travel there alone, let alone with my family, when there are so many other places in the world to see which don't implicate those kinds of risks. You can see the pyramids on YouTube.

You are misunderstanding the situation. The government doesn’t give security to every single tourist visiting. They assign this to many Americans and Europeans that they know are using a high end company like A&K. Didn’t ask or expect it but for better or worse, they understand the headache involved if there were to be an incident. This is a rarity and way more rare than the daily gun violence all over our country! Their lifeline is tourism, decimated previously by Covid. Yes, you go through metal detectors to get into hotels and museums there. How is this any different than going to a pro sports game?

Seeing the pyramids in person is not the same as seeing them on YouTube but cope however you wish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited Egypt a couple of summers ago. We didn't visit Sharm or Luxor but we hired Abercrombie and Kent for the entire duration. Our guide and driver met us at the plane and we drove straight to Alexandria. We also had an armed off duty officer with us as well (the government typically provides this for US tourists that book their travel with a company like A&K). Stayed at FS Alexandria in a villa right on the Med and it was stunning. Amazing catacombs and history. Drove back to FS Cairo Nile Plaza and toured there for a few days. You can cater as little as much of your day with A&K. We split days both touring and by the pool/beach so it wasn't nonstop sightseeing.

Amazing, memorable trip! Definitely recommend.

Yes definitely want to visit somewhere where you need a personal ARMED GUARD

Stay scared. We love the Middle East. It is a beautiful part of the world with beautiful people. Narrow minded people like you aren’t needed there.

NP. I don’t understand. Didn’t you have an armed guard because you were scared? If you weren’t scared, why did you need an armed guard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited Egypt a couple of summers ago. We didn't visit Sharm or Luxor but we hired Abercrombie and Kent for the entire duration. Our guide and driver met us at the plane and we drove straight to Alexandria. We also had an armed off duty officer with us as well (the government typically provides this for US tourists that book their travel with a company like A&K). Stayed at FS Alexandria in a villa right on the Med and it was stunning. Amazing catacombs and history. Drove back to FS Cairo Nile Plaza and toured there for a few days. You can cater as little as much of your day with A&K. We split days both touring and by the pool/beach so it wasn't nonstop sightseeing.

Amazing, memorable trip! Definitely recommend.

Yes definitely want to visit somewhere where you need a personal ARMED GUARD

Stay scared. We love the Middle East. It is a beautiful part of the world with beautiful people. Narrow minded people like you aren’t needed there.

NP. I don’t understand. Didn’t you have an armed guard because you were scared? If you weren’t scared, why did you need an armed guard?

Didn’t ask for one nor we ever scared. Never once. They assigned someone to us, which our guide explained is a common occurrence the government does with certain companies. We have travelled to Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE. These are amazing countries that many of you are missing out on experiencing. You live in the USA. You certainly don’t need to be scared visiting most other countries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited Egypt a couple of summers ago. We didn't visit Sharm or Luxor but we hired Abercrombie and Kent for the entire duration. Our guide and driver met us at the plane and we drove straight to Alexandria. We also had an armed off duty officer with us as well (the government typically provides this for US tourists that book their travel with a company like A&K). Stayed at FS Alexandria in a villa right on the Med and it was stunning. Amazing catacombs and history. Drove back to FS Cairo Nile Plaza and toured there for a few days. You can cater as little as much of your day with A&K. We split days both touring and by the pool/beach so it wasn't nonstop sightseeing.

Amazing, memorable trip! Definitely recommend.

Yes definitely want to visit somewhere where you need a personal ARMED GUARD

Stay scared. We love the Middle East. It is a beautiful part of the world with beautiful people. Narrow minded people like you aren’t needed there.

NP. I don’t understand. Didn’t you have an armed guard because you were scared? If you weren’t scared, why did you need an armed guard?

Didn’t ask for one nor we ever scared. Never once. They assigned someone to us, which our guide explained is a common occurrence the government does with certain companies. We have travelled to Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE. These are amazing countries that many of you are missing out on experiencing. You live in the USA. You certainly don’t need to be scared visiting most other countries.

Yeah, I know. I’ve been to Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and UAE. Never had an armed guard. Seems like terrified rich white people bullshit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited Egypt a couple of summers ago. We didn't visit Sharm or Luxor but we hired Abercrombie and Kent for the entire duration. Our guide and driver met us at the plane and we drove straight to Alexandria. We also had an armed off duty officer with us as well (the government typically provides this for US tourists that book their travel with a company like A&K). Stayed at FS Alexandria in a villa right on the Med and it was stunning. Amazing catacombs and history. Drove back to FS Cairo Nile Plaza and toured there for a few days. You can cater as little as much of your day with A&K. We split days both touring and by the pool/beach so it wasn't nonstop sightseeing.

Amazing, memorable trip! Definitely recommend.

Yes definitely want to visit somewhere where you need a personal ARMED GUARD

Stay scared. We love the Middle East. It is a beautiful part of the world with beautiful people. Narrow minded people like you aren’t needed there.

NP. I don’t understand. Didn’t you have an armed guard because you were scared? If you weren’t scared, why did you need an armed guard?

Didn’t ask for one nor we ever scared. Never once. They assigned someone to us, which our guide explained is a common occurrence the government does with certain companies. We have travelled to Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE. These are amazing countries that many of you are missing out on experiencing. You live in the USA. You certainly don’t need to be scared visiting most other countries.

Yeah, I know. I’ve been to Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and UAE. Never had an armed guard. Seems like terrified rich white people bullshit.

.

Not sure why you’re mad at me? The op asked about security and safety and I’m giving my experience. Be mad at the Egyptian government?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited Egypt a couple of summers ago. We didn't visit Sharm or Luxor but we hired Abercrombie and Kent for the entire duration. Our guide and driver met us at the plane and we drove straight to Alexandria. We also had an armed off duty officer with us as well (the government typically provides this for US tourists that book their travel with a company like A&K). Stayed at FS Alexandria in a villa right on the Med and it was stunning. Amazing catacombs and history. Drove back to FS Cairo Nile Plaza and toured there for a few days. You can cater as little as much of your day with A&K. We split days both touring and by the pool/beach so it wasn't nonstop sightseeing.

Amazing, memorable trip! Definitely recommend.

Yes definitely want to visit somewhere where you need a personal ARMED GUARD

This. If armed security is provided to tourists, there's a reason, and I would not assume that the local security provided is well-trained or committed to your defense in case of an incident. It may be security theater to try to assuage tourist fears more than offering genuine reliable protection.

I wouldn't travel there alone, let alone with my family, when there are so many other places in the world to see which don't implicate those kinds of risks. You can see the pyramids on YouTube.

You are misunderstanding the situation. The government doesn’t give security to every single tourist visiting. They assign this to many Americans and Europeans that they know are using a high end company like A&K. Didn’t ask or expect it but for better or worse, they understand the headache involved if there were to be an incident. This is a rarity and way more rare than the daily gun violence all over our country! Their lifeline is tourism, decimated previously by Covid. Yes, you go through metal detectors to get into hotels and museums there. How is this any different than going to a pro sports game?

Seeing the pyramids in person is not the same as seeing them on YouTube but cope however you wish.

This has to be up there on DCUM absurdity…”go see them on YouTube”

Like PP, we also used A&K and had armed guards. No government wants to have to deal with something happening to Americans on their soil.

We also had some strange security measures in Tunisia, including constant phone checks by the government when transiting between locations. This was immediately before the Arab spring.

OP - like PP, I would suggest you ignore the minutia on here and report back! I can’t wait to take my kids when they are older.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited Egypt a couple of summers ago. We didn't visit Sharm or Luxor but we hired Abercrombie and Kent for the entire duration. Our guide and driver met us at the plane and we drove straight to Alexandria. We also had an armed off duty officer with us as well (the government typically provides this for US tourists that book their travel with a company like A&K). Stayed at FS Alexandria in a villa right on the Med and it was stunning. Amazing catacombs and history. Drove back to FS Cairo Nile Plaza and toured there for a few days. You can cater as little as much of your day with A&K. We split days both touring and by the pool/beach so it wasn't nonstop sightseeing.

Amazing, memorable trip! Definitely recommend.

Yes definitely want to visit somewhere where you need a personal ARMED GUARD

Stay scared. We love the Middle East. It is a beautiful part of the world with beautiful people. Narrow minded people like you aren’t needed there.

NP. I don’t understand. Didn’t you have an armed guard because you were scared? If you weren’t scared, why did you need an armed guard?

Didn’t ask for one nor we ever scared. Never once. They assigned someone to us, which our guide explained is a common occurrence the government does with certain companies. We have travelled to Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE. These are amazing countries that many of you are missing out on experiencing. You live in the USA. You certainly don’t need to be scared visiting most other countries.

Yeah, I know. I’ve been to Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and UAE. Never had an armed guard. Seems like terrified rich white people bullshit.

.

Not sure why you’re mad at me? The op asked about security and safety and I’m giving my experience. Be mad at the Egyptian government?

+100

Also, comparing those four countries to Egypt is also pretty misplaced…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited Egypt a couple of summers ago. We didn't visit Sharm or Luxor but we hired Abercrombie and Kent for the entire duration. Our guide and driver met us at the plane and we drove straight to Alexandria. We also had an armed off duty officer with us as well (the government typically provides this for US tourists that book their travel with a company like A&K). Stayed at FS Alexandria in a villa right on the Med and it was stunning. Amazing catacombs and history. Drove back to FS Cairo Nile Plaza and toured there for a few days. You can cater as little as much of your day with A&K. We split days both touring and by the pool/beach so it wasn't nonstop sightseeing.

Amazing, memorable trip! Definitely recommend.

Yes definitely want to visit somewhere where you need a personal ARMED GUARD

Stay scared. We love the Middle East. It is a beautiful part of the world with beautiful people. Narrow minded people like you aren’t needed there.

NP. I don’t understand. Didn’t you have an armed guard because you were scared? If you weren’t scared, why did you need an armed guard?

Didn’t ask for one nor we ever scared. Never once. They assigned someone to us, which our guide explained is a common occurrence the government does with certain companies. We have travelled to Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE. These are amazing countries that many of you are missing out on experiencing. You live in the USA. You certainly don’t need to be scared visiting most other countries.

Yeah, I know. I’ve been to Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and UAE. Never had an armed guard. Seems like terrified rich white people bullshit.

.

Not sure why you’re mad at me? The op asked about security and safety and I’m giving my experience. Be mad at the Egyptian government?

+100

Also, comparing those four countries to Egypt is also pretty misplaced…

You do realize that the PP mentioned three of them in their response, right? Read it again. I’m not the one that dragged them into the conversation.