25+ Things I Learned on My First Solo Trip to Egypt

6. Check for safety advisories before you book travel

Before crossing any borders, find out about your government’s embassy, consulate or home office in the country you’re visiting. Check their website for excellent and up-to-date online reports advising of security, safety, weather or health issues at your destination. Make note of their local address and telephone number. These people are your representatives on foreign soil and are an invaluable connection to have.

Currently, there are safety advisories against travel to the Sinai Peninsula and border regions due to ongoing developments in connection with hostilities in the Middle East. Check travel advisories before you travel, and register with your country’s travel program, such as the US STEP program, Canada’s Travel Abroad program, etc.

7. Dress conservatively in Egypt

There’s no hiding that you’re a tourist, but it’s best to dress conservatively in Egypt, otherwise you’ll stand out even more. Choose lightweight cotton fabrics, with elbows and knees covered, especially in larger cities. At temples and other monuments, longer shorts, skirts and pants are fine. I brought my Merrell hiking shoes and very comfortable Skechers sneakers; with uneven, sandy and sometimes grimy streets, you’ll want to protect your feet so I recommend against open-toed shoes.

8. Cover your shoulders and ankles when visiting mosques

If you go to a mosque, bring a scarf to cover your head, wear a long-sleeved shirt, and a long skirt or pants that cover your ankles. Shoes are removed at the door, so if you prefer not to have bare feet, wear socks. In mosques, men and women pray in separate areas.

9. Learn some Arabic words

According to Babbel, the Arabic alphabet technically has 28 letters, all of which are consonants (though three of them can act as vowels in certain situations, similar to a Y in English).  Knowing just a few phrases can be helpful, starting with thank you. Try Babbel here!

• “Thank you” – شكرا (chokran)
• “Good morning” – صباح الخير (Sabah al-khair)
• “Hello” – مرحبا (Marhaban)
• “Goodbye” – مع السلامة (ma-aa salama) or الى اللقاء (ila lika-e)
• “Yes” – نعم (Na-am)
• “No” – لا (La)
• “Please” – من فضلك (min fadlik)

10. Drink only bottled water

Do not drink tap water. You’ll want to bring your own water bottle and make sure you have lots of water to avoid dehydration. I drank about 8-10 bottles of water a day. Consider bringing electrolytes (pills or packets) and your own medication for stomach upset. Choose canned beverages.

11. Try the food

I found the food in Egypt tasteful and simple. A typical Egyptian diet includes rice, lentils, tomatoes, potatoes, seasoned with salt, cumin, coriander, onions and other spices. In addition to moussaka (eggplant) and tahini (chickpeas), bread is plentiful and served at most meals.  I ate a lot of street food, including shawarma and falafel balls several times; all delicious, without any issues. There were some things I declined to eat, but I’m not an adventurous eater.

However, plan ahead. Be sure to bring your hand sanitizer and wipes before you eat or handle food. Most restaurants provide tissues as napkins. Have some Imodium on hand should anything go awry.