Holiday add on recommendation please (for context I’m a female traveller, and I I usually stay in hostels)(no idea about hostels in Middle East). I’ll have about 5 days and needs to be as cheap as possible. I’ve always wanted to visit Egypt (worth stopping over for just 5 days?) and Jordan (have heard Jordan can be expensive). I may also be in Hungary so anywhere near there.
Egypt can be a great and inexpensive solo destination for an experienced traveler. Five days is plenty of time to discover Cairo and perhaps even add a day trip to Alexandria or the Red Sea.
Foreigners, especially foreign women, do get attention that can be unwelcome, but general safety is excellent—there is, at least in my 20+ years of experience, very little petty crime, and as long as you’re alert to scams, not much reason to be worried. It’s annoying to have say, but one way for women to feel more comfortable is to cover up—loose clothing, mid-length sleeves, longer skirt or trousers, and high necklines. No need to cover your head (although in the summer scarves and hats against the sun are pretty necessary). Few Egyptian women have visible tattoos or multiple piercings, and minimizing them can help one fit in as well.
Get a good guide book and make sure you have local phone reception. Uber is available and reliable. Google Maps is invaluable, both for navigation and for finding nearby cafes, restaurants, etc. There are some good English-language going-out and other sites, aimed at both tourists and locals—they’re easily found with some Googling. The Metro is safe and can be a fun adventure (and you can take advantage of the women-only cars).
I don’t know that I’d go for a hostel, but there are plenty of safe and comfortable two- and three-start hotels—look for ones with significant numbers of reviews by clearly native English speakers (some will have fake review added locally, but the language gives them away). You’ll want to be central, either Downtown or in the Garden City, Zamalek, or similar neighborhood. It’s worth spending a little more for safety and comfort.
(More)
Almost everywhere is fine to visit solo—The Egyptian Museum, the new Civilization Museum, the new Grand Museum (if it ever opens fully), the Citadel, the Khan el-Khalili, the various palaces, the Islamic Museum, Coptic Cairo, and many others. The only place I recommend all visitors do only with a car and driver, either solo or as a small group, is the Giza plateau, to see the pyramids and Sphinx—it’s chaotic, horrendously badly managed, and confusing, but a good guide can make all the difference. Most tours will inevitably also include at least one “touristic” experience (a papyrus ”museum” or jewelry factory, for example), but they can be kind of campy fun if taken in the right spirit.
Five days would give you time to go off the beaten path—maybe to the pyramid and tomb complex at Saqqara (magnificent), or to a show at the Opera House (there‘s a lot of fun live music and performance in Cairo). One of my favorite hidden gems is the Mahmoud Khalil Museum, a surprisingly fine collection of European Impressionist and other paintings in a historic villa on the Nile—one would never expect it there, but it’s a lovely and serene place. There are a number of good galleries and small independent art centers. I love just walking around, especially in the historic downtown, and especially in the early mornings or on Fridays, when it’s quieter.
There’s no question that Cairo can be daunting, but research, preparation, and patience can take you a long way, and the rewards of experiencing this ancient, sprawling, and resilient place can be immense.
the middle east and europe are both full of history obviously. meaning you cant really go wrong if you like historical things. so whether you go to budapest, prague, krakow, luxor or marrakech im sure you will have fun.
Cairo can be chaotic but amazing to explore ancient wonders like the Pyramids of Giza. Hostels in areas like Islamic Cairo or Gezira Island are reasonably priced. A 5-day stint could work to see the highlights, but the heat can be brutal in summer.
For Europe near Hungary, check out hostels in cities like:
- Krakow, Poland
- Prague, Czechia
- Budapest itself
Jordan is more expensive, though the ancient city of Petra is a wonder. Maybe save it for when you have more time/budget.
I'd recommend picking 1-2 cities max for a 5-day trip to really experience them.
Maybe 5 days would be barely enough time to race through Jordan, though a Jordan trip is better combined with a Israeli trip through Aqaba and up the West Bank of the Dead Sea.
Petra and Wadi Rum were incredible. In Jordan, it's less hostels, and more homestays where you live with the native Bedouin. Petra has always been a city with real residents. Try to stay in Petra if you have the charisma and bravery to pull it off.
There are 2 prices: the tourist price and the local price. If you are in with the locals the prices are good.
Egypt today as a solo female traveller, no. Really wouldn't advise. For most of the ME I would say not solo, maybe an organised group?
So much diversity in Europe it depends on what you're looking for, history, architecture, heritage, culture, food, r&r etc
I’ve travelled extensively alone (India for almost a year, central and South America, SE Asia etc) so I’m very well travelled and confident, would you still think no for Egypt? Even just for 5 days? I’m not an organised tour kinda person 😬
I really would say no to Egypt. I was so uncomfortable there and that was with my ex husband so I didn't get harassed directly but I got the looks and the shouts. Saw other women getting harassed though. On top of that, anyone I know who's gone to Egypt for the second or subsequent time since Covid has come back and said it was way worse than before and they'd never go back.
1 missing reply
Egypt is dirt cheap and loads of fun IF you stay away from the usual tourist shakedown spots and seek a genuine local experience. I stayed in Alexandria for a month and fell in love with the place. I'm an older man and had zero issues. I noticed single women travelers doing just fine on their own. The only place I got scammed was in Cairo - a crazy taxi driver held my suitcase hostage until I paid him the equivalet of $20...
Jordan, with its strong currency, is more expensive, but the attractions like Petra, Wadi Rum and other spots are absolutely mind-blowing experiences that should not be missed. Cheap accomodations and local eateries are available all over. $35/night for a typical guest house in Wadi Musa/Petra and around $12 for a large evening meal.
Despite the war in Gaza, it is safe for tourists in both Egypt and Jordan. Heavy police prescence and road checkpoints are common. No animosity towards Americans, either.