cl4udie

I'm planning to be in Egypt Dec 11-15 and after reading a lot of posts, I'm getting more scared. I haven't book my hotel yet because I'm debating to join an escorted tour. Any solo women travelers out there...would you comment on this? Also, if you take an escorted tour, which one would you recommend? Thanks in advance!!

Ohdonnaoh

Hi, (I posted this on another post of yours, but just in case, putting it here as well...)

While I was not traveling alone - I was with my Mother, and I wasw there on business for part of the time, I would not advise traipsing around on your own - we felt very obvious and I felt very uncomfortable with the staring an comments in certain areas. Cairo is not a walking city, the pollution is just too much to take, in my opinion.

I had a wonderful woman guide - Marwa Galal, who I booked through the hotel, but she also does private tours of the museum, pyramids, souk, and anything else. She is from Alexandria and can take you there as well. she is simply lovely, and I have nothing but good things to say about her.

Her details are: [email protected]

A dinner cruise on the nile was a fun way to pass an evening too.

Good luck - please feel free to contact me with any other questions.

By the way, if you can swing a day trip to Luxor - I would!!!!

cl4udie

Thank you!! Yea, I decided to wrote another post specifically to address women traveling alone in Egypt. Thanks for the info!!

Lynneb

I've been to a few parts of the middle east and cairo is the only place where I felt at all uncomfortable as a western woman on my own. I wouldn't say that I felt unsafe - just uncomfortable. (Incidentaly, I was dressed very conservatively). When I was accompanied by a male colleague it was fine.

atravelynn

I'll just chime in on being scared to death. You are going on vacation and it should be pleasant. If you are worried about going alone, then don't. Go with a group so you can anticipate your trip with enthusiasm and excitement, not dread. And more importantly, you can enjoy yourself while you are over there.

Casual_Cairo

While I think it is absolutely safe for a smart, well dressed, modest woman to travel through Egypt alone, I have to agree with the last post that said for you to go with a group if you are "scared to death", as you titled this thread. It is rediculous for you to come on a holiday, terrified. Go with a group if that will make you feel more comfortable. Why in the world would you even consider coming alone if you are that scared. 100% you need a group around you so you can enjoy what you will get to see. I'm sorry you will miss so much of the wonderful parts the groups never see, but that's life. You will never miss it. What is important is that you come and enjoy yourself and go home with nice stories of what you did do to tell your friends about.
Sounds to me like if you come by yourself, you may never get out of your hotel...and that would be a disaster.

atravelynn

cl4udie,

Let us know what you decide!

sunshine007

While I agree that you should take a guided tour if you are petrified, I noticed that you will be here the 11th to the 15th. Where will you be going? What do you want to see? If it's just Cairo, your hotel probably will have all day or half day tours to places. That way you won't be stuck with the same group of people each day.

Or you could hire someone to take you around Cairo. Debbie (Casual Cairo) can take you around Cairo without being in a group. The hotels also can refer you to companies/people who can take you on a solo tour. You can eat in your hotel. They are familiar with solo women travels & will take care of you -- at least the 5 stars do.

sandi

For 4/days only in Cairo, you can arrange for a guide/driver to take you anywhere - to Giza for the Pyramids, Sphinx; to Memphis & Saqqara; the Museum; Old & Coptic Cairo and the Bazaar.

We were 2 single gals in Cairo and had pre-arranged a guide/driver who was wonderful. Except for getting from Point A to B (Saqqara/Memphis), we could have probably done much on our own. Of course, it was nice to have the guide to run interference... not from anyone who may have (no one did) hassle us, but more for knowledge, crossing the streets (which we got real good at doing ourselves) and the language barrier; we were surprised though how many Egyptians spoke English and quite well at that. On our last day, we ventured to the Bazaar ourselves, by taxi to/from hotel and it was fine and so much fun.

The hotel can arrange a guide/driver for half- or full-days, depending on what you want to do/see. Or just contact Debbie.

P_M

cl4udie, our poster Casual Cairo is very careful to obey the rules and not to advertise her services on the message boards. Debbie (aka Casual Cairo) is an American lady working as a tour guide in Cairo and I've heard great things about her. Please get in touch, she might be able to help you. Her email address is by her screen name.

sunshine007

One other question. Why are you so petrified?

cl4udie

Thanks so much for everyone's response. It meant a lot to me. I'm pretty independent and this Cairo trip is part of my 2 months trip where I'll be traveling alone (I'll be traveling to Bali, Dubai, Athens, Rome, Barcelona and London as well)but for some reasons I'm nervous about Cairo...I have a Middle Eastern girlfriend here in US and she warned me about being very careful there with the men... she said she speaks the language and wouldn't even travel to Eqypt by herself

I will contact Debbie! I also got a quote from SelectEqypt.com. for their City Tour. I'll let you all know what I decide.

sunshine007

I was talking to an Egyptian business man last week. He told me that when he goes to other Arabic countries that they think that the women all belly dance and the men all commit adultery. That's because they think they know Egyptian society from seeing Egyptian movies & TV.

Here people think that all american women sleep with men they don't know, that all Americans are rich and that all black people are gangsters. They get that idea from the Americn TV and movies that they see.

So I wouldn't rely on a Middle Eastern woman in assessing Egyptians. That said, there are a certain group of Egyptian men who will profess great love for you and will charm you out of your drawers.
But there are men like that in America.

cl4udie

Thank you, Sunshine. That makes much sense. Now that I listen to you all - I felt optimistic and can't wait for my trip

I found websites such as Viator and SelectEqypt so I think I will do that - their prices seems so reasonable. I'm waiting for Debbie's reply as well.

Thank you so much again for everyone's replies!!