Reality Brief: Cairo

Current alerts

No official alerts recorded for this region.

Alerts checked on October 2, 2026 against the sources cited.

Essentials before you arrive

• A visa is required. Get it online before departure (e-visa), from a consulate, or on arrival at international airports, paid in cash in dollars or euros (30 USD single entry according to France and the UK); it is valid for 30 days. Do not buy it from an agent: the official kiosk is enough.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Egypt travel advice: entry requirementsGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: EgyptGuide: Entry and residence

• Passport valid for at least 6 months: after your return date according to France and Canada, after arrival according to the UK. French nationals may also enter with an ID card valid for 6 months, with two passport photos; check the spelling of your name and the number on the entry document, and note that the visa cannot then be extended.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Egypt travel advice: entry requirementsGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: EgyptGuide: Entry and residence

• Banned without authorisation: drones (confiscated and never returned), binoculars even small ones, professional photo or video equipment. CBD is banned and tramadol strictly prohibited, with very heavy penalties. Keep a prescription, ideally in English, for your medication.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, useful informationGOV.UK (FCDO), Egypt travel advice: safety and securityGuide: Entry and residence

• According to the UK: ambulance 123, fire 180, police 122, tourist police 126. Canada also lists police 112, medical assistance 113, fire 110.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Egypt travel advice: getting helpGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: EgyptFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, useful contactsGuide: Health

• Strongly advised against by France (update of 5 March 2026): the Western Desert towards the Libyan border (except the Cairo-Farafra-El Kharga triangle), the military no-go zone south of Siwa, the whole Sudanese border including the road south of Abu Simbel, and North Sinai beyond the Suez-Taba line, as well as Gaza via Rafah.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• The currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP). Dollars are welcome at tourist sites; cards are accepted in larger shops, but many merchants take cash only.

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: EgyptGuide: Money and banking

• Dress modestly (knees and shoulders covered), especially outside resorts, in mosques and souks. Alcohol is only allowed in licensed venues. Ask before photographing someone; photographing children is prohibited.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, useful informationGOV.UK (FCDO), Egypt travel advice: safety and securityGuide: Daily life and local laws

Living in Cairo

• The terrorist threat remains permanent and diffuse; it has mainly targeted security forces, places of worship and tourist sites. Stay alert in crowded places and avoid gatherings.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Street harassment is widespread. Women travellers: avoid taking a taxi alone at night, or share the trip and your location with someone. Online dating has led to blackmail and assaults.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, useful informationGOV.UK (FCDO), Egypt travel advice: safety and securityGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Crime is generally low, but scammers and touts are common at tourist sites. Report any crime to the tourist police (126) before leaving the country.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Egypt travel advice: safety and securityFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, useful contactsGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Trains are only recommended on Cairo-Alexandria and Cairo-Luxor-Aswan. Foreigners pay a separate fare, payable in euros or dollars; keep the receipt with the ticket for inspections.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, useful informationGuide: Getting around

Field experience

• Tip

  Pharmacies, clinics and hospitals

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): pharmacies (155), clinics (147), hospitals (218). Locate those near your home in the first days and check opening hours and on-call services locally.

• Tip

  Where to shop for food

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): markets (23), supermarkets (539). Compare a few basic prices between market and supermarket before settling into habits.

• Tip

  Banks, cash machines and exchange

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): banks (237), cash machines (28), currency exchange (6), money transfer (1). Withdraw and change money at these official places, preferably during the day, never in the street.

• Tip

  A shop for your SIM card

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): phone and internet (72). Go with your passport: SIM registration is often mandatory.

• Tip

  A furnished flat for the first weeks

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): furnished apartments (41). A furnished flat gives you time to visit several neighbourhoods before signing a lease.

• Tip

  A coworking space as a fallback

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): coworking (10). Useful for remote work when the connection or power fails at home.

• Tip

  Consulates in the city

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): consulates (5). Note the address of your country's consulate or the nearest embassy.

• Emergency numbers

  Ambulance 123, fire 180, police 122, tourist police 126.

  123180122126

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Egypt travel advice: getting helpFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Centre médical Ghaly

  Health, Cairo.

  +20 2 23 80 99 95+20 100 366 22 77

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Embassy of France in Egypt

  Passport: France

  French embassy in Cairo.

  29 avenue Charles de Gaulle, Guizeh, Le Caire+20 2 35 67 32 00

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Consulate General of France in Caire

  Passport: France

  French consulate general.

  7 rue Abi Shammar, Guizeh, Le Caire

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Embassy of Canada to Egypt

  Passport: Canada

  Embassy of Canada in Cairo.

  Nile City Towers, 2005 (A) Corniche El Nile, South Tower, 18th floor, Cairo+20 2 2461 2200

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: Egypt· Oct 2, 2026