I am traveling to Egypt in a few weeks to meet some people i know who live there, one being my boyfriend. I just wanted to know if it was safe for a 21 year old American girl like me to travel to an arab country like egypt. I have never been out of the USA and I am just a little nervous about being abroad there. Is there terrorism and rape? or kidnapping. I apologize if i sound niave I just don't know what to expect and I want to get the facts to help me be better prepared. Any advice anyone can give would be greatly appreciated! I am staying in Alexandria with him and his family whom I have met before. Thank you soooo much!
Reply to this Hello Samantha 😊
I dont think Egypt is too dangerous for you to visit.
Is there terrorism and rape? or kidnapping.
Yes, but I think you would be very unlucky to exprience these things. Many tourists, including young females go to Egypt and never experience anything like this. You will be especially safe, since you will be with people who live there. So, of course take safety precautions like not wandering around the streets alone at night, or wearing mini skirts or bikinis especially in rural areas, but dont get paranoid. I think you will enjoy Egypt, and your boyfriends family will likey treat you like an honoured guest, because the tradition of hospitality is very strong in muslim countries.
Mel
Reply to this Thank you so much for the info!!!!! I can rest easy now!
Reply to this If you have time, come back and let us know how it went. 😊
Reply to this In response to your private message: You boyfriend can wait at an arrivals area and meet you after you have gone through the baggage collection, immigration and customs. All these things are easy to find. You will see other foreigners doing the same. Also, you will be able to have mobile phone contact with you boyfriend, while you are going through all these areas, if you both have mobile phones.
The customs, immigration and baggage colllection can be time consuming though. There are often long queues. But, your boyfriends will be able to see when your flight lands, so will know you have arrived at the airport.
Mel
Reply to this oh I thought like in the movies when you see people holding the signs at people in the airport with peoples name on it lol, they are waiting right at the gate hahaha i guess thats why its the movies. so what do i do at customs and immigration just show my passport?
Reply to this Well, there will be people holding signs with names on, but I dont think your boyfriend will have one because you surely will recognise him without it. 😉 But, those people with the signs are waiting at the arrivals area, which comes after the immigration etc.
At immigration, you just show your passport. They might put a stamp in it. Also you may be given a form to fill in on the plane, so give them that. Also, if they give you a piece of paper, dont lose it. You may need it when exiting the country. As far as I know US citizens dont need to have a visa before they arrive in Egypt.
There will likely also be a form to fill in about Swine Flu while on the plane. Somebody at the airport in Egypt will take that. If you have any of the symptoms listed, tick that you havent anyway, because otherwise it may cause unnecessary problems for you at the airport.
But, dont worry, this all seems more complicated than it is. There is always somebody there to point you in the right direction or to answer quesions. You would never get lost going through all the airport proceedures.
At the customs, go through the Nothing to Declare section, unless you have bought an awful lot of duty free alcohol and cigarettes.
Reply to this lol ok thanks so much!! sorry for all the silly questions again. I am just so nervous!! nut iam sure i will be fine though hhahah
Reply to this sorry for all the silly questions again.
No problem! That is what the forums are for. 😊
Reply to this If I remember correctly from 2002 (and assuming it is still the same), the waiting area for the airport in Cairo is outside of the terminal, and when you leave the building you enter a fenced off canyon of people on what seems a few levels all looking at you. It was quite a surprise! However, organise before with your boyfriend as to where exactly you will meet. For example, you could say that when you leave the terminal/arrival area you will head left, and he can wait on the left side of the exit.
If you know people in Egypt who are looking out for you, your trip will be a breeze and you'll wonder why you became so anxious before you went! I second Mel's comment - dress conservatively - long sleeves and skirts, and nothing that is fitted. You'll only need a head scarf if you want to visit a mosque.
You will need to purchase a visa on arrival at the airport, but that is an easy process - and if you are unsure what to do, (and to quote Mel) there will always be someone to point you in the right direction. According to my memory (and research) one must purchase some quaint looking visa stamps prior to immigration, and they cost US$25.00, so make sure you have exact money. Once you have these, proceed through immigration.
The only hassle you are likely to get is someone trying to get you to buy perfume or tacky souvenirs - but if you are with a local person, they are far less likely to bother you.
Egypt is an amazing place to visit - you will love it!
Reply to this Thanks for the info!! and i love that picture of the camel hes so cute!!!!
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