Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin Egypt due to terrorism, crime, and health. Some areas have increased risk.”
Updated Tue, 15 Jul 2025
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Is Cairo safe? 🇪🇬
Egypt · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Cairo scores 61/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes, Cairo is moderately safe for visitors who exercise increased caution, particularly avoiding border areas and staying alert to petty crime and scams. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Cairo 🇪🇬
Egypt · Assessed 19 October 2026
61
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime58/100FairCrime index 46.0 / 100
Sentiment64/100FairMostly positive
Advisories75Good
Stability56Fair
Health85Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel Egypt-Libya border FCDO advises against all travel to within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border, except for the town of El Salloum, where we advise against all but essential travel.”
Updated 2026-10-07T12:59:52Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Egypt: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-10-14T09:16:11.770000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
9.6M residents
39
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
1.3 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Egypt1.3World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
92
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging risk exists in isolated areas and after dark; avoid poorly lit streets and carry minimal cash
Pickpocketing
HighBag-snatching and pickpocketing are common in crowded markets, tourist sites, and on public transport
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
64/100
Reported feel70Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Visitors report feeling safe in heavily policed tourist zones but remain vigilant against scams and petty crime, especially in crowded areas.
Yes, Cairo is moderately safe for visitors who exercise increased caution, particularly avoiding border areas and staying alert to petty crime and scams.
Cairo scores 60/100 on safety indices, reflecting moderate risk driven by petty crime and scams rather than violence. Tourist zones are heavily policed, but pickpocketing and robbery occur in crowded markets and isolated areas after dark. Visitors report feeling generally safe in secured corridors when following standard precautions.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Egyptian journalists plan weekend protest over detention of six colleagues— The Guardian
- Oct 2026Egypt summons Colombian Chargé d’Affaires in Cairo in protest against embassy opening in occupied Jerusalem— Egypt Today
- Sep 2026Bloodshed grips Egypt— Middle East Monitor
- Aug 2026Egyptian TV presenter Sarah Khalifa sentenced to death in drugs case— Al Jazeera
Common scams
- Inflated taxi fares
- Fake 'free' camel rides demanding payment
- Unsolicited guides requesting baksheesh
- Counterfeit papyrus sales
Full briefing
Cairo remains a city where visible security presence in tourist corridors contributes to a generally safe environment for visitors who stay alert. The heavy policing around major landmarks like the Giza Plateau and Grand Egyptian Museum reduces violent crime risks, though pickpocketing is prevalent in crowded markets such as Khan el-Khalili and on public transport. Visitors should avoid carrying valuables openly and use ride-hailing apps instead of street taxis to prevent overcharging scams.
Recent developments include planned journalist protests in October 2026 over detained colleagues and diplomatic tensions following Egypt’s summoning of a Colombian official over Jerusalem-related embassy openings. While these events do not directly target tourists, they reflect underlying political sensitivities that could lead to localized unrest. Border areas, particularly near Libya, remain off-limits per official advisories due to heightened risks.
Scams targeting tourists persist as a primary concern, with common tactics including inflated taxi fares, fake 'free' camel rides that demand payment afterward, unsolicited guides offering tours for baksheesh, and counterfeit papyrus sales. Travelers are advised to firmly but politely decline unsolicited assistance, negotiate prices upfront for any service, and use official guides from reputable agencies. Staying in well-reviewed accommodations in districts like Zamalek or Maadi and avoiding isolated streets after dark further enhances safety. By maintaining awareness and following basic precautions, visitors can navigate Cairo confidently while enjoying its rich historical offerings.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Cairo districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Cairo safety map.
ImbabaavoidNorthern district; cited in dossier as one of five neighborhoods where 80% of violent crime occurs; avoid especially after dark.
ShubraavoidDensely populated northern area; identified in dossier as high-risk for violent crime; not recommended for tourists.
Islamic CairocautionHistoric area around Khan el-Khalili; pickpocketing and aggressive touts common in crowds, especially after dark.
Coptic CairocautionAncient religious sites draw tourists; watch for scams and bag-snatching near churches and museums.
Giza (Pyramids area)cautionMajor tourist site with visible security; touts, camel/horse scams, and overpriced services target visitors.
Downtown CairosaferHeavily policed tourist and business district; petty scams and traffic hazards exist but violent crime rare.
ZamaleksaferUpscale island district with embassies and hotels; low crime, good lighting, popular with expats and tourists.
MaadisaferLeafy southern suburb popular with expats; residential feel, low petty crime, good for families.
07 · After Dark
Is Cairo safe at night?
Mugging risk exists in isolated areas and after dark; avoid poorly lit streets and carry minimal cash
After dark, be most careful around Imbaba, Shubra, Islamic Cairo, Coptic Cairo. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Cairo safety FAQ (2026)
Is Cairo safe right now (2026)?
Yes, Cairo is moderately safe for visitors who exercise increased caution, particularly avoiding border areas and staying alert to petty crime and scams. Cairo scores 60/100 on safety indices, reflecting moderate risk driven by petty crime and scams rather than violence. Tourist zones are heavily policed, but pickpocketing and robbery occur in crowded markets and isolated areas after dark. Visitors report feeling generally safe in secured corridors when following standard precautions. (Assessed 19 October 2026.)
Is Cairo safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Cairo report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Cairo should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Imbaba, Shubra as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Cairo (2026)?
- Inflated taxi fares
- Fake 'free' camel rides demanding payment
- Unsolicited guides requesting baksheesh
- Counterfeit papyrus sales
How does Cairo compare with other places in Egypt (2026)?
Cairo ranks #8 of 9 Egypt destinations we've assessed, scoring 61/100. See the Egypt safety overview for the full list.
How is this cairo safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: cairo.json (CC BY 4.0).