Is it safe to travel to Cairo?

Arnie123

I am due to go on holiday at the end of December 2013 to Cairo with disabled husband (he is blind) and 2 year old son. There has been a lot in the news recently with civil unrest and at the moment the advice at gov.uk states only go for necessary travel. Do you think things will be safer in December? Will we be safe if we go?

redmike123

No.it is not safe. Pick up a newpaper, read it.

mcc100

No-one knows at the moment whether it will be safe in December.

Have you actually booked your holiday yet ?

If you haven't booked then I would wait until nearer the time to see how the situation develops.

Arnie123

Yes we have booked it but the travel agency says we can transfer somewhere else

opinions4u

Take the advice of the Foreign Office.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt

jacques_chirac

Arnie123 wrote: »

Yes we have booked it but the travel agency says we can transfer somewhere else

It could be fine by then, but given the option I would transfer somewhere else. A holiday is something you should look forward to, not worry about.

von

I hope you have travel insurance.

triple_choc_chip

If you travel against the advice of the foreign office your travel insurance will be invalid. This reason alone is enough for most people to cancel.

The Red Sea areas are deemed safe at the moment but most first timers to Egypt like to visit the pyramids at Giza which is on the outskirts of Cairo. Also the museum is on one edge of Tahrir Square which should be avoided on a Friday especially.

Luxor to Aswan Nile cruises are still operating at reduced levels though peops are being discouraged from wandering both these cities in the evenings. Luxor airport suffered it's first problems with protestors this week which may cause more alarm amongst the holiday companies. Thomson, Thomas Cook, Sleazy jet and Eygpt Air have all cancelled their direct flights to Luxor from the UK, due to resume again in September

If it is the antiquities you are interested in seeing, they have stood for thousands of years and will be there if you postpone your visit until things settle down. If it is for the sun, and you are staying in a Red Sea resort don't do the day trips.

I would watch the situation until September at least before making a decision if you really want to go; it's Ramadan until August 5th which influences the masses. Things settled quickly in 2011 and this may pass too but only time will tell. FWIW I still intend to travel in August but not anywhere near Cairo.