Cairo

Is Cairo safe?

From crime, mostly yes. From everything else, it takes work. Egypt's homicide rateHomicide rateThe number of people killed on purpose each year for every 100,000 residents. It is the most comparable crime figure between countries.More in the glossary was 1.3 per 100,000 in 2017, the latest UNODC figure, and the UK Foreign Office calls crime generally low and pickpocketing rare. Tourist sites are guarded by police and checkpoints, and most of the million British visitors a year have trouble-free trips.

The risks are of a different kind. Cairo's air is among the dirtiest of any capital, its traffic kills more people than in any other Egyptian governorate, emergency care is thin, and visitors deal with a constant stream of touts. Women face harassment that many describe as the worst part of the trip. We score Cairo 59, a little below Marrakech and above Delhi.

Touts and scams

The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary and the US State Department both warn of scammers, touts and overcharging at tourist sites. The patterns are well worn:

• Giza plateau. Men in uniform-like clothes say the entrance is closed or that you need a "guide ticket". Camel and horse owners agree one price and demand three times as much to bring you back. Buy tickets online or at the official window, and agree all prices before you mount.
• Khan el-Khalili. Shop owners who "just want to practise English" lead you to a perfume or papyrus shop. Prices start far above value; walk away freely.
• Taxis. Old black-and-white cabs rarely use the meter. Uber and Careem avoid the argument.
• Photos. People in costume or with animals expect payment after you take a picture.

The US State Department says crimes against foreigners are mostly opportunistic, such as purse snatching, so keep bags zipped in crowds and on the metro.

Terrorism and security

The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Egypt, and the US State Department lists urban areas of Cairo among potential targets. In December 2018 a roadside bomb hit a tour bus near the Giza pyramids, killing three Vietnamese tourists and their Egyptian guide. The recent attacks the FCDO lists, in 2023 and 2024, were in Alexandria. Security is heavy at museums, hotels and churches, and you will pass through metal detectors often.

Protests are rare and illegal without a permit, and the US says people have been arrested just for being near one. Avoid gatherings and political comments online.

Harassment and night safety

Cairo is a late city. Downtown, Zamalek and Heliopolis are busy past midnight, and families eat out until late, so the streets rarely feel empty. The problem is harassment. The US State Department says it ranges from vulgar comments and gestures to indecent exposure and unwanted physical contact, and it affects foreign women as well as Egyptians. Dressing conservatively reduces it but does not stop it. The metro has women-only carriages; ride apps with trip-sharing are the safer option at night.

Crossing the road and breathing the air

CAPMAS, Egypt's statistics agency, counted 779 road deaths in Cairo governorate in 2025, more than any other governorate, out of 5,829 nationally. Across Egypt, people on foot or beside the road were the largest group killed. Cars rarely stop for pedestrians, many main roads have no crossings, and microbuses pull in anywhere. Use the metro, which is cheap and efficient, and avoid crossing highways on foot.

The air is the other daily risk. IQAir recorded an average PM2.5PM2.5Tiny airborne particles 2.5 micrometres across or smaller. They reach deep into the lungs and are the air pollutant most linked to early death.More in the glossary of 39.9 µg/m³ in Cairo in 2024, about eight times the WHO guideline, from traffic, industry, desert dust and crop burning in the delta each autumn. People with asthma or heart conditions should bring medication and limit time outdoors on hazy days. In spring, khamsin winds bring dust storms, and summer heat regularly passes 40 °C.

Health care

The US State Department says emergency and intensive care facilities are limited and ambulances are rare, unreliable and poorly equipped. Private hospitals in Zamalek, Maadi and Heliopolis are the usual choice for foreigners; have insurance that covers them and evacuation. Most visitors drink bottled water, and stomach bugs are common.

For the rest of the country, from the Red Sea resorts to the closed zones of North Sinai, see our Egypt page.

How we scored it

Health and environment (35) is Cairo's weakest factor, followed by traffic safety (48), because of the air and the roads. Violent crime (78) and natural hazards (72) are its strongest. Theft and scams (55) reflects the touts rather than pickpocketing. For another big city where pollution and traffic outweigh crime, compare Istanbul.