Advice for travel to Cairo
RPS has just posted some advice for holiday destinations and is now posting some up to date information for travel to Cairo.
The airport will be your first port of call in Cairo. This is located in Heliopolis, to the north-east of the city centre. The airport is most likely the safest spot in Cairo at present, well-secured and continuing very much as normal.
The only exception is in the difficulty that has been reported in getting there unimpeded – past roadblocks etc set up by protestors. Transport out of the airport is achieved either by taxi, bus or the rail system, of which the latter is the best option.
Protests can occur at any time but will most likely arise after Friday prayers in the hours before the curfew is enacted. Common areas for protest are the al-Adawiya Mosque, Nahda Square and Tahrir Square. Avoid these at all times, especially if there is a strong police or military presence there. The security forces have taken to pre-emptively barring people from areas where they think a demonstration is likely to occur so use this to your advantage and plan your route to avoid such areas.
The military/police have checkpoints set up all over the city and patrols are regular. They are unlikely to challenge you without just cause so ensure you are not close to any unrest and you should be able to conduct yourself unimpeded.
Women will be expected to dress conservatively. Due to the civil unrest there is a higher than usual risk of sexual attack and assault, so stay away from large crowds of men and consider carrying a rape alarm at all times. Cairo is the worst for this among all the reports so far so remain cautious, even it is reported that the curfew may mean that the potential for attacks is limited, this can not be guaranteed. It is not advised to attempt to break the curfew for any reason.
Zamalek is a relatively up-market area of Cairo, with Western-marketed hotels, a sports complex, and upscale shopping centres. So far it has remained mostly unaffected by the protests, but as it is frequented by expatriates comparatively more than other Cairo districts it may become a target for anti-Western sentiment if the tide of protest takes that specific turn. Hotels and shopping centres will be generally safe, but lock your door and hide your valuables as always to minimise the risk. English is likely to be spoken by hotel employees.
Otherwise, the normal advice for travelling to Cairo applies.
Drink bottled water and consume only cooked food; be aware of opportunistic thieves and pickpockets, and be cautious in congregated urban areas. The protests have targeted Coptic and Christian churches as a matter of course special care should be taken around such areas. Some may associate you with these religions purely on the basis that you are a Westerner and react accordingly.
It is advised to carry a form of identification on you at all times; especially if needing to speak to either a member of the British Consulate or the Egyptian police for help. You are, however, likely to receive such help as the government is keen to demonstrate that it remains control of Cairo.
If you require more detailed information please contact us at [email protected]
Photo shows the key areas of unrest in Cairo.