Solo Female Travel in Egypt: Fear, Reality, and What I Learned

Jan 19

Introduction: The Warnings Before I Went

I still remember the excitement rushing through my veins when I pressed buy on my flight to Alexandria, Egypt. I knew almost nothing about the country, aside from the Red Sea, the Giza pyramids, and the mummies, and that I would be standing on Egyptian soil in less than a week.

When I told my family and friends I was going to Egypt, the first question was always the same:
“Who are you going with?”

Who was I going with? Myself.

That answer was rarely met with enthusiasm. Many people told me I was “crazy,” that I had “lost my mind,” especially for choosing Egypt as a solo female traveler. But traveling alone wasn’t new to me, nor was visiting places often labeled as controversial or unsafe. In fact, I’ve always felt drawn to destinations others warn against, places misunderstood, misrepresented, or reduced to fear-based headlines.

Coming from a country that receives far fewer visitors than Egypt, this trip never felt out of place. On the contrary, I felt deeply connected to it. Although I never imagined I would experience Egypt alone, visiting the country had long been a dream of mine, with or without a travel partner.

That said, claiming I wasn’t nervous would be dishonest. In the days leading up to my departure, the warnings intensified. I was told Egypt was unsafe for women, that harassment was inevitable, that I needed to cover myself completely and avoid speaking to strangers. Some of the comments were rooted in stereotypes, others in sensational news stories, but together, they planted doubt.

For the first time in my solo travel journey, I questioned myself. Yet the more I was discouraged, the clearer it became: this journey was meant to be taken alone. There was no other way for me to experience Egypt, this journey of expansion, connection, spirituality, and creativity, than on my own terms.

Arriving in Egypt: What the Reality Looked Like

Landing in Alexandria quickly challenged the fear I had carried with me. The city felt alive, layered, and human. People went about their daily routines, families walking along the Corniche, vendors calling out greetings, café tables filled with conversation.

Rather than hostility, I was met with curiosity and warmth.

While I stayed alert and aware, I never felt unsafe. The difference between fear and awareness became clear almost immediately, and that distinction shaped the rest of my journey in Egypt.

Transportation: Getting Around as a Solo Woman

Getting around Egypt was far more manageable than I expected.

What worked best for me:

From the moment I left the airport, Uber was my best friend, especially in major cities like Alexandria and Cairo. In less crowded cities like Dahab and Hurghada, local taxis were also helpful.

If you are considering using local transportation such as taxis in smaller cities, be aware that you will have to bargain for reasonable prices; it is part of the Egyptian experience. Prices for both Uber and local transportation were very affordable. Most drivers spoke English or at least tried their best to accommodate passengers.

For longer journeys, I recommend using large bus companies such as GoBus or BlueBus. Prices range from as low as $7 to $20, depending on seating. There are also smaller private buses ranging from $30–$40, which tend to be faster and more comfortable.

All of these options are easily available online and in person at local bus offices. If you are tech-savvy, I recommend booking tickets online, as it saves time and guarantees better seating choices.

Though Egyptians are very attentive and helpful, I highly recommend having an idea of the places you would like to visit ahead of time, with names written in both English and Arabic. Transportation was not something I feared after the first day; it simply became routine and part of the experience.

Where to Stay in Egypt as a Solo Female Traveler

Choosing the right accommodation can make a significant difference as a solo female traveler. Safety is always the top priority, but comfort and trust matter just as much.

For my first two to three nights in Alexandria, I stayed in a female-only Airbnb hosted by a lovely elderly woman I came to call Mama Karim. From the moment I arrived, she took pride in making sure I had everything I needed to feel safe and comfortable.

On my first day, she noticed how hesitant I was to leave the house. Instead of pushing me, she invited me to sit with her, sharing tea and bread, communicating through Google Translate. I ended up spending most of that day inside with her, talking, resting, and slowly calming my nerves.

Mama Karim didn’t dismiss my fear, nor did she reinforce it. She gently encouraged me to start small. She suggested I walk just down the street and try a plate of koshari, reminding me that food has a way of opening doors. Since food is the key to my heart, I couldn’t resist.

That experience is exactly why accommodation matters so much. With Mama Karim, I felt protected without being confined, supported without being controlled. She reminded me to move at my own pace, but not to miss the beauty around me because of fear or outside opinions.

Accommodation Recommendations

Dahab: If you are staying in Dahab, the bohemian paradise located in the Sinai Peninsula, I highly recommend Rafiki Hostel. They offer daily activities such as horseback riding, music nights in the mountains, snorkeling, karaoke nights, and more. Rafiki Hostel is a hotspot for international solo travelers looking for a calm getaway.
Dorms start at around $9 per night, while private rooms are approximately $17 per night.

What I prioritized:

Well-reviewed hotels or hostels with 24/7 reception
Central neighborhoods close to daily activity
Female-only Airbnbs with 4–5-star reviews

In many cases, hotel and hostel staff were protective in a respectful, big-brother way, offering advice without restriction. Always listen to your intuition and do what will make you feel the most comfortable and at home.

Local Interactions: Respect, Boundaries, and Communication

One of the most misunderstood aspects of Egypt is how locals interact with visitors. When traveling in a country with different cultural norms, adaptation and mutual respect are essential.

Throughout my time in Egypt, people spoke to me, asked questions, offered help, occasionally flirted, and sometimes stared out of curiosity. What mattered most was not what happened but how I responded.

I learned that:

Confidence was more effective than defensiveness
Clear boundaries were respected when communicated calmly and firmly
Learning a few Arabic phrases transformed my interactions

Simple phrases like “la shukran” (no, thank you), “sabah el-kheir” (good morning), “khalas” (enough), “law samaht” (please), and “mashy” (okay) instantly established respect and eased communication.

Awareness of my surroundings allowed me to stay present without fear. Ultimately, it was the human connection that shaped my experience in Egypt.

Activities I Felt Comfortable Doing Alone

When I take on a solo journey, there isn’t much planning behind it. I may know a few things I want to do, but the point of solo travel for me is to find the soul of a place and a piece of myself within it.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a relaxed Mediterranean port city rich in history and coastal charm. I felt comfortable visiting the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Montaza Palace, the Corniche, and St. Mark’s Cathedral. It’s a city I enjoyed walking through, breathing in the sea air and the slower pace.

Sahel (North Coast)

Though my stay was brief, I enjoyed relaxing on white-sand, turquoise beaches. At night, I met up with a friend, walked around Marassi Galleria Mall, and had dinner. The North Coast is very tourist-oriented and safe for solo women day and night.

Dahab

Dahab was my main destination, where I spent a week and a half. What I thought would be a quiet retreat turned into an adventure hub.

Must-do activities in Dahab:

Snorkeling the Three Pools
Day trip to the Blue Lagoon
Sunrise horseback riding lessons
Walking in Dahab Square at any hour
Sunset paddleboarding
Full-day hike to Mount Sinai and St. Catherine’s Monastery

Most activities are booked through hotels or hostels and are solo-female-friendly.

Cairo

Though I spent limited time in Cairo, museums were a must. With help from my hostel receptionist, I hired a private driver for the day, a local who shared history and insights beyond tourist facts.

Places I recommend:

Coptic Cairo
Mosque of Ibn Tulun
Al-Azhar Mosque and Park
Museum of Islamic Art
Mosque of Muhammad Ali and Sultan Hassan
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
Saladin Citadel
Egyptian Museum
Giza Pyramids

I paired up with other solo travelers from my hostel (Rafiki Hostel in Cairo) to explore Khan el-Khalili and El Ataba markets, which made the experience more enjoyable and comfortable.

BONUS: White Desert National Park

If time allows, I highly recommend a one-night trip to the White Desert National Park. You’ll spend two days exploring the white and black deserts, crystal mountains, and star-filled skies. Prices range from $89–$200 depending on the company and can be booked through your hotel or hostel.

Spontaneity turned out to be my greatest advantage.

Practical Tips for Solo Female Travel in Egypt

What I wish I had known beforehand:

Modest dress is about cultural respect
Confidence matters more than blending in
Awareness is essential; fear is not

Budget: Very affordable outside luxury tourism
Language: Arabic helps, English is widely spoken; Spanish also goes a long way
Safety: Stay alert, trust your instincts, move with intention, and remain open to connection

Final Reflection: What Egypt Taught Me

This trip reminded me how often fear is inherited, not experienced.

Traveling solo in Egypt didn’t require fearlessness. It required presence, respect, and trust in myself. I left with a deeper understanding of cultural nuance and a stronger sense of independence.

Sometimes the places we’re warned against give us the most in return. Egypt didn’t ask me to be fearless, only aware, respectful, and open.

And in return, it gave me the most meaningful solo travel experience of my life.

If I had to describe Egypt in one word, it would be: poetic.

Taxandria Wallace

Taxandria Wallace is a writer and psychology-based mental health advocate whose journey has taken her from Panama to Texas, Miami, and now Paris.

Raised between cultures, she credits Panama with giving her the foundation and tools that continue to shape how she navigates the world. Having traveled across six continents and 21 countries, she approaches travel as both self-expression and a pathway to emotional growth and resilience. Shaped by cross-cultural movement and lived experience, she seeks to experience places as a local, aiming to feel a destination rather than simply visit it, through meaningful human connection and the quieter stories that exist beyond the surface. You can follow Taxandria’s journey on Instagram @Taxandria_

“Travel has taught me how to trust myself, adapt, and remain open in unfamiliar spaces. More than the places, it’s the people and emotional shifts along the way that shape who we become and how we see the world. Every journey reminds me that growth often happens when I allow myself to sit with discomfort rather than turn away from it.”