Is Cairo Safe in January 2026?

A well-dressed local near Tahrir Square, the Egyptian Museum, or the Khan el-Khalili entrance approaches tourists claiming the site they are looking for is closed today for a holiday or government event. They then offer to personally escort the tourist to a "special gallery," papyrus institute, or spice market where they receive a commission on every purchase made.

How to avoid: Verify opening hours independently using Google Maps or the official Egypt Tourism Authority website before visiting any site. If someone tells you a site is closed, walk to the entrance yourself and check. Licensed sites in Cairo very rarely close without advance notice.

Near the Giza Pyramids entrance, at the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, and along the tourist strip in Islamic Cairo, vendors physically place a bracelet, scarf, or small figurine into a tourist's hand or onto their wrist without asking. The moment the tourist holds the item the vendor demands payment, often becoming aggressive or grabbing the tourist's arm if they try to return it.

How to avoid: Keep your hands at your sides and do not accept or touch anything offered to you. If an item is placed on your wrist, remove it immediately and set it down on the nearest flat surface — do not hand it back, as this re-engages the vendor. Walk away without making eye contact.

At the Pyramids and Egyptian Museum, men approach claiming to be licensed guides or "antiquities police." They tag along, point out things, then demand large sums. Refusal leads to aggressive confrontation or blocking of the path.

How to avoid: Hire guides only through official channels (your hotel, licensed tour company). Wear headphones if you don't want a guide. Tell uninvited followers firmly and loudly "I did not hire you and I will not pay you." Do not engage in friendly conversation.

Cairo taxis rarely use meters. Drivers quote prices at pickup that sound reasonable but demand more at the destination, or claim the price was in US dollars when quoted in Egyptian pounds. Airport routes are the worst affected.

How to avoid: Use Uber or Careem apps which offer fixed prices and no haggling. Agree on a price before entering any metered taxi — ask a local or your hotel what a fair price is. Have small bills ready to pay and avoid large notes.

Tourists are taken by taxi drivers or guides to a "family perfume factory" near tourist sites. They are pressured into buying overpriced essential oils and perfumes, often told the oils are duty-free or that prices are wholesale. The same products are available in shops for a fraction of the price.

How to avoid: Decline any offer from a taxi driver or guide to visit a factory, spice market, or craft workshop that was not on your itinerary. If you want perfume, buy from established stores in Khan el-Khalili after comparing prices.