Egypt: tourist security concerns

montane · 22-02-2011 7:43pm #1

Hi all,

Was just wondering if anyone knows what the security situation is in tourist regions of Egypt.

The Irish department of Foreign Affairs is still warning of avoiding all travel, and it being extremely dangerous. Other jurisdictions are lifting their warnings.

I have heard that many tour operators have reassigned charter flights, and other resources away from Egypt for the forseeable months, due to political uncertainty.

Has anyone managed to book holdiays, or have plans on travelling?

Thanks

Topper Harley01 · 22-02-2011 8:14pm

If the DFA are advising not to go, then, how shall I put this....... DON'T GO.

Just go somewhere else. If you have something already booked, you are entitled to a refund.

Naked Lepper · 22-02-2011 8:44pm

heading to shram el sheikh on tues
its all safe and calm there
plus its 27 degrees too yay

Fratton Fred · 23-02-2011 11:12am

Naked Lepper wrote: »

heading to shram el sheikh on tues
its all safe and calm there
plus its 27 degrees too yay

Are you flying from Dublin?

I was looking to go in April, but there was nothing available. Some great deals to be had going from the UK though.

I think the British foreign office are advising against travel to Cairo and Aswan, but Sharm, Hurghada etc are ok.

23-02-2011 1:37pm

Sharm el sheikh is fine,I'll be there next week aswell.
The trip was booked nearly a year ago[via london] and I'll tell you theres no way I was canceling.

Fratton Fred · 23-02-2011 3:00pm

Biggest danger is the sharks I guess.

SomeFool · 23-02-2011 5:20pm

My only bit of advice is to make sure your travel insurance is valid, it can happen sometimes that if the FO are advising against travel you may not be insured.

orchidsrpretty · 23-02-2011 5:28pm

Not trying to scaremonger or anything, but I would lean towards extreme caution on thinking of going there. I have been there a couple of times and love it but have heard alot of stories of numerous attempts of bombing on various hotels and tourist spots some successful some not.

You should do alot of research as only you can decide if it is worth the risk

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Sharm_el-Sheikh_attacks

montane · 23-02-2011 7:23pm

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Are you flying from Dublin?

I was looking to go in April, but there was nothing available. Some great deals to be had going from the UK though.

I think the British foreign office are advising against travel to Cairo and Aswan, but Sharm, Hurghada etc are ok.

I presume trips on the Red Sea are fine too around the Sinai pennisula for diving, etc? Im hoping there are no suicide extremist sailors!

killbillvol2 · 23-02-2011 7:38pm

Trips on the Red Sea should be extra safe now that the Iranian navy has sent a few ships in!

Seriously though, the main thing I'd be concerned about is the validity or otherwise of your travel insurance. Some policies are void if you travel when a DFA travel warning is in effect.

Fratton Fred · 24-02-2011 12:40am

montane wrote: »

I presume trips on the Red Sea are fine too around the Sinai pennisula for diving, etc? Im hoping there are no suicide extremist sailors!

now you're just making me jealous:(

mzoe · 24-02-2011 11:50am

I am just about to book a flight to Egypt, and to my surprise I don't seem to get any better rates than before. Anyway, it's still reasonable.
I've been talking to friends living there and everything is OK according to them. I personally don't like crowds and I am not expecting to see them even at the main sights such as the Pyramids. I will enjoy it better this way.

Egypt: tourist security concerns

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