The overall level for Egypt has been lowered to Exercise a high degree of caution. We now advise Australians not to travel to the Governorate of North Sinai due to the high threat of terrorist attack and risks posed by violent criminals.
In January and February 2011 there were major disturbances across Egypt. Clashes between protestors and security quality accommodation paris forces occured across Egypt, including in central Cairo (particularly Tahrir Square) and in other cities, such as Alexandria and Suez.
Protests have continued in 2012 in a number of major cities in Egypt, some of which have turned violent. Further such protests could occur, particularly on Fridays. You should quality accommodation paris avoid all protests as they may turn violent.
There has been an increase quality accommodation paris in sectarian tensions in Egypt. These tensions have resulted in violent clashes. Australians should be aware that Islamist extremists have made threats against Coptic churches in Egypt.
You should reconsider your need to travel to the Governorate of South Sinai (except for Sharm el Sheikh, where you should exercise a high degree of caution) quality accommodation paris due to the unsettled security situation and the high threat of terrorist attack. In 2012, there have been a number of abductions along the road to St Catherine s Monastery. Travellers to Sharm el Sheikh are strongly encouraged to travel by air.
We now strongly advise Australians not to travel to the Governorate of North Sinai, including the Taba-Suez Road, due to the high threat of terrorist attack and risks posed by violent criminals. See under Safety and Security: Terrorism for further details.
Terrorist attacks could occur at anytime, anywhere in Egypt, quality accommodation paris including in tourist areas. For a list of possible targets, see Safety and Security: quality accommodation paris Terrorism . Some past attacks have coincided with local holiday weekends.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Egypt for the most up-to-date information.
Only EGP 5,000 can be brought into or taken out of Egypt at any one time. Cash amounts of hard currency over US$10,000 (or its equivalent) should be declared. Undeclared cash over this total may be confiscated.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies quality accommodation paris of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
quality accommodation paris Terrorist attacks could occur at anytime, anywhere in Egypt. Tourist areas throughout Egypt are potential terrorist targets. Past terrorist attacks have targeted foreign tourists and places of worship. They have often coincided with holiday weekends. There is a significant security presence at most places frequented by tourists and places of worship.
In February 2009, an explosion occurred outside the Khan el-Khalili bazaar (near the Al Hussein Mosque), a central tourist destination in Cairo, killing one foreign tourist and injuring a number of other people.
In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. These include places frequented by foreigners such as embassies, hotels, holiday resorts, clubs, restaurants, bars, cinemas and theatres, schools, banks, markets, shopping centres, supermarkets, quality accommodation paris places of worship, public transport and transport infrastructure such as the Cairo Metro system and its stations, outdoor recreation events, and commercial, public and tourist areas. Shipping, ports and symbols of the Egyptian government, including government buildings, polling places, police and security forces, are also potential terrorist targets.
Sharm el Sheikh: We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Sharm el Sheikh due to the threat of terrorist attack. Australians could be inadvertently caught up in terrorist attacks directed at others. Travellers to Sharm el Sheikh are strongly encouraged to travel by air.
Governorate of South Sinai (except Sharm el Sheikh) : You should reconsider your need to travel to the Governorate of South Sinai (except for Sharm el Shaikh, where you should exercise a high degree of caution) due to the unsettled security situation and the high threat of terrorist attack.
The Egyptian military have since launched a crackdown on extremist groups in the Sinai. You should avoid travel by road through the Sinai, as there is also a high threat of kidnapping and banditry. In 2012, there have been a number of abductions along the road to St Catherine s Monastery, with foreign tourists being held by gunmen before later being released. quality accommodation paris You should reconsider your need to travel to St Catherine s Monastery (including day trips). If you do use this road, you should exercise extreme caution. Travellers to Sharm el Sheikh are strongly encouraged to travel quality accommodation paris by air.
Australians could be inadvertently caught up in terrorist attacks directed at others, including kidnapping. For more information about kidnapping, see our Kidnapping Threat travel bulletin. The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it does not make payments or concessions to kidnappers. The Australian Government considers that paying a ransom increases the risk of further kidnappings, including quality accommodation paris of other Australians. If you do decide to travel to an area where there is a particular threat of kidnapping, you should ensure you have personal security measures in place, seek professional security advice and take out kidnapping insurance.
Governorate of North Sinai: We now strongly advise Australians not to travel to the Governorate of North Sinai, including the Taba-Suez Road, due to the high threat of terrorist attack and risks posed by violent criminals. On 29 July 2011, armed militants attacked a police station in the town or Arish, five people were killed and many injured. On 18 August 2011, terrorists attacked civilian quality accommodation paris targets near the Israeli quality accommodation paris town of Eilat. The terrorists allegedly crossed into Israel from Egyptian Sinai. On 5 August 2012, an attack on the Kerem Abu Salem border quality accommodation paris checkpoint between Egypt and Israel reportedly left 16 Egyptian security personnel dead.
In January and February 2011 there were major disturbances across Egypt. Clashes between protestors and security quality accommodation paris forces occured across Egypt, quality accommodation paris including in central Cairo (particularly Tahrir Square) and in other cities, quality accommodation paris such as Alexandria quality accommodation paris and Suez. Protests have continued in 2012 in a number of major cities in Egypt, some of which have turned violent. Further such protests could occur, particularly on Fridays.
There has been an increase quality accommodation paris in sectarian tensions in Egypt. These tensions have occasionally resulted in violent clashes. On 9 October 2011 demonstrations quality accommodation paris by Coptic protestors became violent resulting in at least 27 dead. Attacks on Coptic Churches have occurred as recently quality accommodation paris as July 2012. Australians should be aware that Islamist extremists have made threats against Coptic churches in Egypt.
You should be aware that protests and labour disputes throughout Egypt continue to disrupt transport. You should quality accommodation paris monitor local media and check with your tour operator, airline, or travel agent for information on transport disruptions.
Valuables such as cash, jewellery and electronic items should not be left unsecured in hotel rooms or unattended in public places. Victims of crime should report the incident to the tourist police immediately. Failure to do so before you depart Egypt may make it impossible to seek prosecution at a later date. The police contact number is 122.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' quality accommodation paris cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
Your passport is a valuable quality accommodation paris document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always quality accommodation paris be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. quality accommodation paris If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
Local driving quality accommodation paris practices and poor road conditions contribute to a high rate of road accidents in Egypt. Road travel, particularly outside the major cities, can be dangerous as cars, buses and trucks frequently drive at high speed and without headlights illuminated at night. Two major bus crashes in January 2006, in which Australians were killed and injured, highlight the risks. For this reason, tourists are advised quality accommodation paris to enter regional destinations (including Luxor) by air. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety .
The safety standards you might expect of transport and tour operators, including adventure activities, are not always met. Sufficient safety equipment may not be provided and recommended maintenance standards and safety precautions may not be observed. Tourists should ensure that expeditions are well equipped with adequate quality accommodation paris food, medical supplies and emergency communications.
There are landmines in some areas, notably quality accommodation paris in the desert areas around El Alamein, stretches of coastline near Mersa Matruh, and the western shore of the Gulf of Suez, and the Sinai peninsula. quality accommodation paris Talk to local authorities for advice on landmine locations.
Tourists travelling quality accommodation paris 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 from the Travel Permits Department of the Ministry of the Interior.
Tourists should check with local authorities for advice on local travel quality accommodation paris precautions. If you travel to Abu Simbel by road (40kms
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