Taba from Cairo

[maidtotravel 1]

I know this should mostly be about visa but I cannot find a better place to ask.

My husband and I will be touring Egypt in October. We'll be in Cairo then plan to take a bus to the Taba border to Eilat. But I heard that foreigners are not allowed to take the bus to Taba from Cairo as it is dangerous. How true is this? I also read that foreigners have to take a longer route to Dahab then Taba as this is more safe. I hope someone can give me advice.

Edited June 5, 2013 by maidtotravel

[jkedhd 5]

Well as i been speaking to few egyptions friends recently they assured me that there is nothing to worry about all over egypt. Just dont be flashy dont keep any valuables appear in public.., ppl are friendly and surely u will enjoy it

[sherryrose 0]

I have never felt unsafe in Egypt, even been in country by myself. Now as the person said above, don't scream, wear diamonds, lol. Now in central Africa, that is a bit more dangerous, South Africa, where I have family can be even more dangerous when you are out in the bush. I just got back my daughter join the Peace Corp and the one city she has to have permission is Johannesburg, now that is the rape capital of the world, stay away. Egypt is great time.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

I know this should mostly be about visa but I cannot find a better place to ask.

My husband and I will be touring Egypt in October. We'll be in Cairo then plan to take a bus to the Taba border to Eilat. But I heard that foreigners are not allowed to take the bus to Taba from Cairo as it is dangerous. How true is this? I also read that foreigners have to take a longer route to Dahab then Taba as this is more safe. I hope someone can give me advice.

It sounds like you've done a fair amount of independent research. Have you read the travel advisory's in Egypt on the State Department's website? They mention Sinai and the Israeli border, It also encourages us to visit the website and email our travel questions directly to the US Embassy in Cairo. I searched for security advisories for Taba and there is one dated June 3rd and two for Eilat dated June 4th, 2013. However when I click on the link it won't take me directly to what it says and I can't seem to find it elsewhere. I would email them directly with the links and ask them specifically about it.

Other wise this is what I could find on the website in regards to your travel from Cairo to Taba and Eilat. Sending you best wishes for a safe trip.

There have been multiple kidnappings in the Sinai of U.S. citizens over the past four years. U.S. citizens who plan to visit the Sinai in spite of the persistent threat of terrorist attacks should exercise great caution. Travelers should remain alert to their surroundings and are reminded that crowded tourist areas have been the target of terrorist activities. Travelers should use caution when visiting destination resorts and hotels without significant physical setback and security procedures. U.S. citizens are encouraged to visit the U.S. Embassy in Cairo website for the most up-to-date security information.

The Egyptian government screens travelers before allowing entry/exit through the Rafah border crossing with Gaza. The State Department advises U.S. citizens not to travel to Gaza. U.S. travel groups and/or humanitarian aid convoys that need to cross this border should contact the Egyptian Embassy in Washington and arrange for permission for their trip before travel. Travelers to Gaza from Egypt should read the Travel Warning for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.

In the past, Egypt has suffered deadly terrorist attacks in or near tourist sites often coinciding with major local holidays. U.S. citizens should be especially vigilant in crowded tourist areas, practice good personal security measures, and be alert to their surroundings. A heavy security presence is apparent to travelers throughout the country. U.S. citizens do not appear to have been targeted in any of these incidents.

Restricted Areas: Safari travelers to Egypt's frontiers, including the borders with Libya, Sudan, and Israel and parts of the Sinai off the main paved roads, must obtain permission and a travel route from the Egyptian Military Intelligence and the Tourist Police Headquarters via a local travel agency. Police escorts are assigned to accompany foreigners during their tour. Also, travelers may inquire with the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority in country or its offices overseas. Reports indicate that the security situation in the northern Sinai area, which is generally defined as the area north of the Cairo-Nekhl-Taba road, remains difficult due to the continuing potential for violence. Travelers should be aware of the possible dangers of overland travel.

U.S. Embassy personnel in Egypt are currently prohibited from traveling to the Sinai, except by air to Sharm El Sheikh. Overland travel by U.S. Government (USG) employees anywhere in the Sinai outside of Sharm El Sheikh is prohibited. In addition, travel by road by USG employees west of Marsa Matruh on the north coast is prohibited. Travel between Fayoum, Assiut, Sohag, and Qena; and to Fayoum is only approved on a case by case basis.

In addition, travelers should be aware that landmines have caused many casualties, including deaths of U.S. citizens, in Egypt. All travelers should check with local authorities before embarking on off-road travel. Known minefields are not reliably marked by signs, but are sometimes enclosed by barbed wire. After heavy rains, which can cause flooding and the consequent shifting of landmines, travelers should be careful when driving through build-ups of sand on roadways. Though mines are found in other parts of Egypt, the highest concentrations are in World War II battlefields along the Mediterranean coast west of Alexandria, the Eastern Desert between Cairo and the Suez Canal, and much of the Sinai Peninsula. Travelers are urged to be especially prudent in these areas.

Stay up to date by:

Bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.

Following us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.

Downloading our free Smart Traveler App, available through iTunes and Android market, to have travel information at your fingertips.

Calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.

Taking some time before travel to consider your personal security –Here are some useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

Edited June 5, 2013 by Dr. A ♥ O

[Heather&Ramy 22]

I have never actually felt unsafe in Egypt either, but I would definitely heed our government's warnings since they do mention travel in the area you are considering. If travel on that route is restricted unless you get permission from Egypt and are assigned personal body guards, it doesn't sound too promising! Don't put yourself in danger when there are many other beautiful places to visit. Also, do your best to keep a low profile as other said, don't wear jewelry, cover yourself completely, etc.

I love Egypt, but please be careful! Also, the best advice you can get is from your husband and his family. Tell him the serious warnings from your embassy, but see what his family thinks. I wonder if his mom or sisters or aunts would even want to take that route. I've found that between my fiancé and his mom, there's no way I will end up anywhere dangerous. She has a good feel as an Egyptian woman as to what parts of the country she would feel comfortable in herself and what parts are particularly hostile to Westerners. Sometimes I think she is too cautious with me, but it's better to be safe than sorry!

[relshamy 11]

I've been living in Egypt for the past year and I can assure you that there's nothing really to worry about. Just take the normal care you always do anywhere but don't be too paranoid