We are planning a trip to Italy/Malta and have planned to fly from Malta to Cairo for 3 days. My question is "how safe do you think Cairo is for an American?"

I think no more dangerous than for any other nationality. You, yourself, have to weigh up the risk for your own personal safety. It is simply impossible to guess what's going to happen there. If it was my decision, for all its worth, I would not be visiting the country. I was fortunate enough to visit in November 2010. The place was chaotic then let alone any political turmoil that has or may occur. The situation in Egypt is nowhere near stabilised. Your post suggests you have doubts about your security. I think you have a gut feeling that you're not comfortable about going. The attractions of Egypt have been there thousands of years. I'm sure they can wait for your visit in the next couple of years

From all I've read on the subject the tourist sites are not where the demonstrations tend to be. Your decision would also depend on your capacity to ignore the more alarmist press reports and your sense of adventure. One might say that those who are canceling trips to Egypt are missing out on a great opportunity to visit places that are teeming with tourists in more normal times. I'd tend to go as I did to Morocco after 9-11 and it felt as though I had the place to myself. It was a real treat.

For just 3 days you might wait and make your decision at the last minute when you have a better idea of conditions for your time frame.

I disagree with Joannay's statement about the tourist sites.
Most visitors to Egypt want to visit the Museum which is located right at the edge of Tahir Square. If you are determined to go, I would suggest staying out near the Pyramids. If the situation is calm, you could arrange for a taxi or driver/guide to take you into Cairo to the Museum and
other areas like Coptic Cairo. I would be leary about the market.

Pat

"...the tourist sites are not where the demonstrations tend to be."

If the demonstrations escalate the sites are closed down and protected by armed guards. To what level the unrest has to reach for this action to be taken is up to the authorities and hence anyone's guess.

"Most visitors to Egypt want to visit the Museum which is located right at the edge of Tahir Square." Wantago

It's my understanding that the demonstrations on Tahrir Square near the museum are on Fridays. Unless your itinerary is set in stone you should be able to visit the museum on any other day.

Additionally, the Egyptian Museum is not all there is to see in Egypt and I would not let the proximity of 1 site to political activity deter me from visiting the country. Unless one is particularly looking for that sort of excitement all reports point to the fact that it's easy to avoid.

Egypt big country
many places you can go
Democracy in action only violent in Alexandria and Cairo
Why not visit Luxor a good 650km from Cairo?

travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1108.html

Travel alerts/protests off and on still overall pretty safe.
Usually stay at the Oberai Mena House out by the
pyramids safer more to see for a short stay.
www.insremytrip.com wise have a back up plan or go
to Luxor.Looks to me like the Muslim Brotherhood will win
the election so things do not look like they will improve
anytime soon to me.Careful with the many for profit touts
posting here and elsewhere with commercial motives.Always
pay with CC never wire money.Stay VERY flexible if you go.
Good luck!

November 07, 2011
The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens traveling to or living in Egypt to the continuing possibility of sporadic unrest. A series of elections for the lower and upper houses of parliament is scheduled to take place from November 2011 through March 2012. Political rallies and demonstrations are likely to occur in the period leading up to and following the elections. In the past nine months, demonstrations have degenerated on occasion into violent clashes between police and protesters, in some instances resulting in deaths, injuries, and extensive property damage. U.S. citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security. The security situation in most tourist centers, including Luxor, Aswan, and the Red Sea Resorts such as Sharm el Sheikh, continues to be calm. This Travel Alert supersedes the Travel Alert dated April 28, 2011 and updates information on the security situation and upcoming elections. This Travel Alert expires on April 1, 2012.

Suggest you ask this question on the Africa/Middle East board where you are more likely to find people who have been recently.

Hi Con,

>"how safe do you think Cairo is for an American?"<

"No less safe, and not much dirtier, than NYC" is what I was told by several folks who spent a day in Cairo as part of a cruise in Oct 2010.

A day in Cairo as part of a cruise over a year ago is pretty irrelevant to this situation, I'd say.