To ask about a holiday to Egypt

[Iwillnotdancewiththedevil]

First of all - yes, my family holiday is totally insignificant with the events in Israel, but I'm just looking for practical advice and thoughts.

We are due to go to Hurghada at the end of Oct. While the FCDO have advised against travel to other parts of Egypt, Hurghada is still (currently)open for travel.

For now, EasyJet won't commit to any decisions on whether they will cancel the holiday. If they decide it will still run, where do we stand?
Our travel insurance is being helpfully vague and saying wait until the tour operator make a decision.

I feel very uncomfortable travelling to Egypt for a jolly holiday while the region is going through such trauma and as it stands now, I really don't want to go.

Bumping this up - has anyone else been in the last month / thinking of going?

We have an opportunity to go over New Year but I’m just not sure. And things have got even worse in the area, what with the Yemens stepping in.

Went in October. Stayed in Sharm. Did a day trip to Cairo. No trouble, no sign of trouble at all.

I can’t find information about this, was has happened please and in what area?

https://news.sky.com/story/policeman-shoots-dead-two-israelis-at-egyptian-tourist-site-in-alexandria-local-media-12979928

@LittleGlowingOblong I go Thursday. Was over in June/July last time. Be perfectly fine. It’s safe. I’ve never felt in any danger and I’ve travelled all over.

June/July was Hurghada and Luxor. We even travelled by public bus between the two. Any questions ask away. This is out 20th trip over.

@DazedandConcerned the concern is the fall out from Israel’s actions in Gaza. Nothing to do with what it was like last summer!

@AnnieSnap and why would that concern Egypt? The border is hundreds of miles away from the tourist centres. There’s been no bombing in Egypt. Egypt has kept Hamas out of Egypt.

Issues in Sinai with Hamas have been going on for years and other than the flight ban after the bombing of the Russian flight to Sharm there’s been no issues.

Nothing has changed in Egypt from last summer.

@DazedandConcerned because the deaths of 10s of thousands of Palestinians is understandably angering the Arab world. The Police Officer who shot several tourists in October, Killing two, did so because if his anger at that. There is now talk of all-out war between Israel and hezbollah. Country are not separate, neat little packages!

@AnnieSnap do not talk to me like I’m stupid. I have many friends over there.

One incident against Israelis. Stop scaremongering when you know FA.

@AnnieSnap have you ever been to Egypt?

I am concerned that the UK Govt have conspicuously taken Israel’s side, and sent out RAF fleet, and are selling arms to the Israelis, etc.

Things are particularly horrific now.

Also, Hurghada may be a distance from Israel / Gaza, but how far is it from where the Houthis are operating? (I should know this, but don’t!)

I’m not sure if the situation has changed I haven’t been following but I went to Egypt (sharm) last month and felt the same as you. We were taking our children and I was abit concerned!
we ended up going as tui said we couldn’t change location and we’re a family of 8 so it had cost a lot of money which I really didn’t want to lose.
we felt very safe whilst there and had a lovely holiday, I would go and enjoy yourself x

We fly tomorrow to Hurghada, have no concerns. The hotel page is also full of active discussion from brits, Germans, French.

Are you having a nice time @CombatBarbie ?

Just back from Sharm, all fine. Our hotel was pretty full of Russians and Italians, not that many Brits, but that's probably normal. Egypt has been the subject of internal terrorist attacks such as the downed Russian plane in the 2010s, and the Valley of the Kings attacks, and I don't feel as relaxed in Egypt as in the Med to be honest, however risks are in the great scheme of things, minimal. It's a good destination for winter heat and sun and we went for the sealife which was outstanding.

PS, the Houtis are in Yemen, they are focussing on the Southern Red Sea a great distance away. We did spot a military ship patrolling the coast one day, no idea if usual.

Currently in Hurghada. All fine. Great weather.

The issues with the Houthi militias attacking shipping are focused around the Bab al-Mandab Strait as I understand it. It's about as far from Hurghada as Kyiv is from Margate (1200 miles, give or take).

Thanks for this @CasperGutman .
In the end I decided against though.
Another time!

Fair enough, @LittleGlowingOblong . If the situation would make you anxious it wouldn't help you have a good holiday, even if the actual chances of an issue were slim. Hope you enjoy whatever you do instead!

Thank you for the updates, to all of you who have been recently.

@BlackTuesday still here and loving it. Back in April. Any questions about any area of the country ask. I’ve been everywhere.

@DazedandConcerned that's great to know. We are going to El Gouna with some friends and all our kids in Feb. We've been before a few years ago and loved it but they are a bit worried and we've been trying to ease their concerns. What's the general vibe like? Any noticeable differences if you've been before?

@Daddydog no differences at all. This is my 4th visit this year. Vibe is exactly the same. We’re at Sentido Mamlouk and it’s the same it was in January 2023. You won’t see any changes or upheaval.