Is Sharm el-Sheikh safe for solo female travelers?

Sharm el-Sheikh, a well-known resort city in Egypt, is considered a relatively safe travel destination for solo female travelers. However, being careful about personal safety is still crucial. While the city offers a friendly atmosphere and stringent security, cultural differences and occasional local harassment can pose challenges, particularly for solo females. It's highly recommended to respect local customs, dress modestly, avoid going out late at night alone and stay vigilant at all times.

Safety rating

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How safe is Sharm el-Sheikh?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Moderate

Sharm el-Sheikh is generally regarded as safe for solo female travelers, especially compared to other areas in Egypt. Tourism is a significant part of the city's economy, and measures are in place to safeguard tourists. However, it's important to be cautious, particularly at night. Stick to well-lit, bustling areas and avoid remote spots. Always maintain your situational awareness and ensure you're using reputable transportation options. As with any travel destination, common sense and vigilance are key.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Moderate

Public transportation in Sharm el-Sheikh is moderately safe, but it can be unreliable and crowded. The buses are the most common form of public transport but they do not run on a fixed schedule. Taxis are more reliable but make sure to agree on a fare before getting on to avoid being overcharged. Always be vigilant of your belongings and surroundings for your safety.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Moderate

While Sharm el-Sheikh is a popular tourist destination and generally safe, it's not uncommon to be subject to some degree of street harassment. As a solo female traveler, you may experience some unpleasant situations such as catcalling or unwanted attention. However, this is more often the case in areas that are not heavily touristic. Businesses and hotels in tourist areas are generally diligent about making sure tourists are not harassed. Remember, the local authorities take the harassment of tourists quite seriously, so do not hesitate to report particularly unwanted incidents.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

Sharm el-Sheikh is a popular tourist spot, and although petty crimes like pickpocketing or bag-snatching occur, it's generally considered relatively safe. A high police presence in touristic areas contributes to maintaining security. However, it's always essential to stay aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings secure to avoid such situations.
Tap water:

Tap water:Unsafe

In Sharm el-Sheikh, the tap water is generally clean and treated, but it tends to be highly chlorinated, resulting in an unpleasant taste and may cause a risk of stomach upset, especially for those not used to the local water. Hence, it is recommended to use bottled water for drinking and also for brushing teeth.

Is Sharm el-Sheikh safe to travel?

3.7 /5

Based on 3 experiences

Solo travel experience

Sharm is a great place but it takes some time to adjust to the plethora of men. One thing I noticed is that there are no Egyptian natives that are female and mainly men. So just get used to a bit of light harassment if that makes sense. Also haggle! Honestly though as an Arab/African British Woman my radar was probably much higher as I have been dealing with this for much of my life. One thing I can say was using get your guide and going on the ATV/star gazing tour was absolutely phenomenal and I would highly recommend. I came here purely for diving and that’s like what you’ll be doing here. Night life isn’t exactly something I would partake in alone. As it’s off season it’s been quite hard to meet people so be ok with being alone most of the time when not doing a tour. I felt safe just a little bit more hyper vigilant than usual.

Posted: February 11, 2024Experienced: February, 2024
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Solo travel experience

I felt safer alone in Sharm El Sheikh than in my hometown (London). I've been there 3 times. The aggressive trade annoyed me, but I simply ignored it. I dressed conservatively there because it was just easier and I wore a ring.

Posted: July 15, 2023
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Is Sharm el-Sheikh safe right now?

Before your visit to Sharm el-Sheikh, it's essential to check travel advisories for Egypt, including your home country's official travel advisory. These advisories can provide up-to-date information on safety, health, and any specific considerations for travelers.
🇺🇸

United States Travel AdvisoryReconsider your need to travel

The United States government advises reconsidering travel to Egypt due to terrorism. Exercise increased caution in Egypt due to the embassy's limited ability to assist dual-national U.S.-Egyptian citizens who are arrested or detained. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: July 13, 2023
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Canada's Travel AdvisoryExercise a high degree of caution

The Canadian Government advises exercising a high degree of caution in Egypt. This is due to the unpredictable security situation and the threat of terrorism. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: April 17, 2024
🇦🇺

Australia's Travel AdvisoryReconsider your need to travel

The Australian Government advises reconsidering your need to travel to Egypt overall due to the threat of terrorism. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: April 14, 2024

Is Sharm el-Sheikh worth visiting?

Overall rating

3.7 /5

based on 3 experiences

Family travel experience

In all honesty, Sharm-El-Sheikh was a interesting spin. The people were lovely ver welcoming and friendly, most of the time.. although some if the other tourists behaviour was.. questionable. Despite the stares me and my family got it was a decent experience.

Posted: January 2, 2024
Things to do: 4/5Food: 3/5Budget-friendly: 1/5Safety: 5/5
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Safety in Egypt