I live in Washington, DC, and I really do not believe tourists here are routinely subjected to drive-by shootings and muggings at gunpoint. I can't recall the last driveby shooting here except in really bad areas (many outside DC) and they involved drug deals or something.

There are occasional muggings at gunpoint, though -- not a lot, and few are tourists.

There are many more panhandlers in Egypt than DC, and they are more aggressive. The ones in DC are generally not agressives at all in the downtown area. I've been to Egypt, the kids there are very aggressive.

It is foolish to pretend Egypt is like Disneyland, there is terrorism there and there have been notable actions against tourists, although I"ve never heard about anything to do with kids per se.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Sinai_bombings

Wonder what's up for the 2008 season.

I would not go to Egypt in summer. Too hot !

I have been to Egypt and felt completely safe. I would go back in a minute. IT is a wonderful country. We traveled with a group, with OAT, and had no problems.

Reggs - I am not sure and am no expert by any means on Egypt. I do know that our church pulled a group of people going on a trip there a while ago (within the last year or so) due to safety issues. I would check the US State Department and go from there.

btw, where did you live in Thailand. I went to Northen Thailand several years ago and it was lovely.

The only dangerous things in Egypt are the traffic and the wine.

Worrying about going to Egypt is like worrying about going to the local mall just in case someone decides to go postal - so all you church groups out there BE VERY careful the next time you organise a trip to Mall of America

I'm not sure why you can't answer a question about Egypt without slandering the U.S.A.
Are you a troll, alan?

I don't know if alanRow is a troll or not? I do know he has no idea what he's talking about! I would guess he is not from America or has ever been to DC. I have been to DC 20 times AT LEAST and I have NEVER had ANY problem with drive by shootings,mugged at the point of a gun or even accosted by an aggressive begger! Let me guess, alanRow is going to reply to my post and let me know.... how many times he's been to DC and was robbed,shot at and roughed up by panhandlers and how many times he's been to Egypt and was treated like family! LOL. OK maybe he is a TROLL!

Thanks Alan - I will be sure to pass that important information along.

The homicide rate in the USA is FIFTEEN TIMES HIGHER than that in Egypt.

15, one five.

Yup, but YOU are THE target in Egypt. In the US you're just a member of the public :D

Not according to the US State Department.

CNN? Terrific show. Up there with "I Love Lucy"

<<< I'm not sure why you can't answer a question about Egypt without slandering the U.S.A. >>>

When Americans post, I reply in terms that Americans are used to - so in order to illustrate the "danger" to Americans in Egypt, I use the illustration of Americans visiting their own Capital city.

But I've been to Washington, D.C. many times and I've never been "subjected to drive by shootings, muggings at the point of a gun or been accosted by aggressive beggars."

How many times have you been a victim of the above?

The OP asked a legitimate question about Egypt (as would an Englishman's question about being safe in D.C. be legitimate).

Why not just answer the question...if you're an expert on travel to Egypt?

logos999 -
you said:
"Yup, but YOU are THE target in Egypt. In the US you're just a member of the public" and then referenced 3 wikipedia articles on events in 2004, 2005, 2006.

No one is saying that attacks don't happen in Egypt. Things do - just as they do in other places in the world. But they are NOT "targeting" Americans, and the majority of the attacks have taken place on the Sinai peninsula, which is a more vulnerable location.

2004, Taba - this attack took place on a weekend that jointly celebrated a major Egyptian and a major Israeli holiday. Taba, due to it's location, is a popular spot for Israelis. Because of that, we were always advised to AVOID that area. In any case - the attack was "targeted" at Israelis - but of course others were injured. 31 people were killed, 27 of which were Egyptians and Israelis. The only American was an Israeli-American.

2005, Sharm El Sheik - Again, this coincided with an Egyptian holiday. Of the casualties -most of them were Egyptians, and only 1 was American. Also, while Sharm is a popular destination, it is not at it's busiest during the summer months because of the heat. It is much more crowded in the fall, winter, and spring.

2006, Dahab - Again, this attack took place on a major holiday. Dahab is popular among divers and Egyptians, but is NOT a major tourist spot. Of the 23 people killed, most were Egyptian and none were Americans, altho there were a couple of Americans injured.

<<< But I've been to Washington, D.C. many times and I've never been "subjected to drive by shootings, muggings at the point of a gun or been accosted by aggressive beggars." >>>

EXACTLY - that's the point I'm trying to make

I had to run off to a meeting and didn't have time to finish my last post.

Simply put - all of these attacks were tragic. Many lives were lost. But they were not aimed at Americans.

It could be said that the Taba attack was aimed at Israelis and that Sharm and Dahab attacks aimed at tourists, in general, but some of the target locations were places more commonly frequented by Egyptians, not tourists.

So, as the original poster asked "Is Egypt Safe for American Family Travelers?" - my answer would be YES - as safe as anywhere these days.

Target are tourists. Of course not specificllay American tourists. Why? Because there aren't that many American tourists around. If you cant kill Americans, you go for second best, that's Europeans. You as foreiner will stick out everywhere.
I've been there serveral times and liked it, but I didn't like the guns and the aggressive begging. (Why must they touch you?). For women travelling alone this place must be a nightmare.

There are LOTS of American tourists in Egypt and a HUGE ex-pat population.

I LOVED the 4 years I lived there and I always felt safe. I often went to the Khan el Khalili and other more "local" bazaars by myself and never felt uncomfortable in those situations. We are even considering a move back there if the right opportunity comes up.

Tourists can be a target anywhere. So, does the fear of potential attacks stop you from going to or recommending other places? Indonesia? Turkey? London?

>>> For women travelling alone this place must be a nightmare.<<<

No, quite the contrary.I have only been one week in Luxor, but it was a blast, I had so much fum. Because a woman travelling alone people seemed to think that it is their duty to take care of me. I was even invited to a wedding! There I danced with the women of the family.

And nobody touched me, except the bride´s mother who held my hand and stroked my cheek. And then when I went the haggling process in the bazaar I think I performed quite well, because the seller hit his forehead with his hand and yelled: "Madame, you are impossible! You must be an Egyptian in disguise!"