6 Common Tourist Scams to Avoid in Egypt

Egypt, a popular country in the Middle East, is famous among tourists for its rich culture, pyramids, and historical architecture. Some of the notable places to visit in Egypt are the Pyramids of Giza, the Monastery, and the Funeral Grounds of Pharaohs. 

Despite the historic landscapes, one can fall prey to tourist scams in Egypt and learning about them can help safeguard themselves as well as their belongings.

If you are planning to travel to Egypt, it is ideal to know about different tourist scams in Egypt and the necessary tips to avoid them. Here are some of the most popular scams in Egypt: 

1. Scammers at the Great Pyramid

Often, scammers like camel riders or horse riders misguide tourists and force them to take a ride from them. They purposely tell them the wrong route so that the tourists have to hire a camel or horse to ride and, in return, charge a hefty return. 

In order to avoid this situation, it is ideal to ask the hotel to book a tour guide for better exploration. 

Common around: Great Pyramid

2. Hotel Issue at Giza

Sometimes, tourists are scammed by different hotels and accommodation facilities that claim to offer the best view. Though they charge a high amount for your preference, upon reaching the spot, one will notice that they have been assigned a completely different room, much lower than what was promised. 

Common around: Giza 

3. Problems with Camel/Horse Riders

In different parts of Egypt, tourists are bombarded by camel or horse riders who insist tourists take rides from them. Sometimes, they forcefully demand to ride and chase after tourists with their questions. 

This intrusive nature is a problem often considered a tourist scam in Egypt. 

Common around: Across the country

4. Overpriced Item

If buying souvenirs and historical authentic products is your hobby, then beware of the fake or overpriced items that shopkeepers sell in Egypt. This is among the common scams in Egypt and is most prevalent in the village market where one can find different handicrafts products. 

Hence, to combat these scams, one needs to improvise their bargaining skills. 

Common around: Across the country

5. Fake Tour Guide

Being one of the popular Cairo tourist scams, scammers often approach you outside the transportation platform, claiming to offer you a complete tour of the city at a discounted fare. 

Irrespective of the fact that you are travelling solo or in groups, it will be advisable not to trust these people; instead, ask the hotel to get you a tour guide. 

Common around: Cairo and other tourist places.

6. Beach Scams

It is a dream of many to swim to the majestic Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Scammers often take advantage of this situation and steal any essentials that you left on the beach while swimming. 

To avoid this popular Hurghada scam, you can keep the valuables at the hotel if you have no one to look after at the beach. 

Common around: Hurghada

Tourists, upon any problems faced during their staycation in Egypt, can immediately seek assistance from the Indian Embassy in Cairo. Moreover, getting reliable and comprehensive Travel insurance in Egypt can offer an extensive range of coverage. 

In addition to this, here are the following list of tips to follow to avoid scams in Egypt: 

• As overcharging taxis is one of the famous Egypt tourist scams, it is advisable to book a cab from Uber or any other hiring application. If you have to book a taxi, ensure that the driver has turned on the metre for the fare calculation. 

• To avoid accommodation or hotel scams in Egypt, check the authenticity of the website before making the booking. You can also go through the reviews and check what other tourists have to say about a specific hotel and its services.  

• To avoid Egyptian scammers robbing the most valuable belongings, keep a close eye on your essentials and expensive items like jewellery or cameras. For this reason, it is important to purchase travel insurance as it also offers financial emergency cash assistance. 

• Ensure to check the menu card properly before ordering any food or drinks. Moreover, before paying, verify the bill and check whether you have ordered all the items mentioned there. 

• Keep your important travel documents, cash, and belongings in the hotels safely to avoid any misplacement. In case of loss of your passport, immediately inform the Indian Embassy in Egypt for further assistance. 

The local government and police authorities offer complete and extensive assistance to the tourists visiting the country. Here are some of the important emergency helpline numbers that every tourist visiting the country must know about: 

• Indian Embassy in Cairo, Egypt: +202 2736-0052

• Ambulance: 123

• Traffic Police: 128

• Emergency Police: 122

• Tourist Police: 126

• Fire Department: 180

• Electricity Emergency: 121

The above-mentioned are the common tourist scams in Egypt that tourists must know about and stay careful about. So, if you are planning to spend your next vacation in Egypt, knowing these scams can help you stay cautious. Moreover, to ensure a safe visit to Egypt, tourists must get all-inclusive travel insurance from a reliable provider.