If you love Turkey- would you go to Egypt?

[Batinhernightdress]

Years ago I asked on here about Turkey, (when things were a but more turbulent) lots said they wouldn't go but loads of advice and good comments so we went and had an amazing time- and have been back many times since.

Fancy a change and looking at Egypt, especially Sharm, possibly with a day trip to Cairo. Would you go, have you been?

Family with mid teens. Thanks.

Turkey and Egypt are utterly different sorts of places.
That said, if you are quite adventurous and enjoyed travelling in Turkey, you would probably enjoy Egypt.

Which aspects of Turkey did you like?

I’ve been to both and would not return to either .

Sorry only linked the two places as I know lots on MN don't rate Turkey and won't consider it but I love it.

I love the history most and scenery. Also the quality and size of the hotels, I like to have half the week exploring and half in the hotel.

So that is probably a positive for me?

I haven't been to Turkey but have been to Egypt - expensive hotel in Cairo, bliss. But outside hotel at tourist sites lots of hassle. Just have to ignore.

Sharm was awful. Hassle by hotel staff, hassle on beaches, hassle on roads. Very stressful and all just beach resorts so not much to explore.

I like Egypt. Cairo is a shithole though, but the pyramids are amazing.
Beach resorts, Sharm, Hurghada etc are nice for a holiday though.

@BatshitIsTheOnlyExplanation I have been to both more than once and if I had to pick I would choose Egypt over Turkey as the weather is amazing.
There are a lot more security checks to fly back from Egypt compared to any other country I have traveled to before, security to get into the departure lounge was over an hour not because of queues but because of the multiple explosive, drug, weapon screenings. Then once your through you follow the signs for flights departing to Uk or USA separate part of the airport and there is yet more checks there enforced by our government. Last week in Feb half term 2020 before covid lockdown and you couldn’t have a mobile phone, laptop, tablet or portable dvd player on board on the inbound flight but could on the outbound flight which I found bizarre.
We did a day trip with tui into Cairo, saw the pyramids and visited some wonderful museums. It felt save, the staff were local and fluent in English same for the holiday rep.

@Batinhernightdress i guess so If you liked turkey ! I travelled with my mum so 2 women together. Found Egypt worse than Turkey for feeling unsafe outside the resort . While these type of places tend to be cheaper and fabulous hotels , outside of the resorts to me is just an awful experience. If fact we got picked up un the middle of night from the resort bar by staff in one of those golf carts so take us back to our room. He picked up his friend along the way and took us to the beach (we had not asked for this !) it was pitch black u genuinely thought we were going to be murdered ! He was trying his luck thinking we were 2 single women (were not)
Maybe worse as we were women alone but I can think of many places I’d rather visit that feel safer !

Hi OP, I have been to Egypt twice in the last 9 years- Hurghada both times as Sharm was closed to tourists, both large all inclusive resorts that I know people don't always like but I do and we did a few excursions but not the pyramids as my daughter was young and wouldn’t manage the early pick up and long day travel. We have also been to Turkey a few times, Antalya, Marmaris x3 and Side and have done trips and excursions on all. We love Turkey but our reasons may be different to what you want from your holiday. If you have any questions i’m happy to try and help.

I swore I'd never ever EVER go back to Egypt. It's a filthy dirty hell hole and the men are awful. Trying to drag you into their shops and following you in the street. The pyramids are a massive disappointment. And it's so hot !!!! Vile place. Worse place I've ever been

I went years ago, just prior to the massacre at Hapshepsut near Luxor. I liked it but I’d check out the security situation. Not so much hassle, possibly because DH looks a bit Egyptian!

@Batinhernightdress I did not have any issues with local men nor did my blonde haired blue eyed teenage daughter when we visited Egypt but we were with DH not out at night alone. Similarly not had any issues in Turkey and we visited there last September when dd was 16, she did get lots of smiles from life guards but no inappropriate comment or advances.

Been to sharm and it’s awful. It’s a hideous mix of ‘Brits on tour’ mixed a lot of very lecherous men who have some quite backwards views on white women. Oh an I’m Muslim too but still go leered and jeered at. Nice hotel and if you can dive or snorkel the Red Sea is nice that’s the positives but go to Jordan instead if you like that sort of thing.

2 stars do not recommend, in fact least favourite places I’ve been and I’ve been to most of the Middle East.

If you're comparing at a beach holiday then sharm/hurgahda are pretty much on a par with bodrum/Antalya. I have a slight preference for Turkey, but couldn't really say why. If you're looking at the cities then the difference between Cairo and Istanbul is huge. Istanbul is pretty westernised, impeccably organised, and although it's crazy in sheer numbers of people, even coming off the beaten tourist track feels safe and comfortable. Public transport runs like clockwork and is easy to navigate. Cairo is just chaos. Good luck getting anywhere. Turn off a main street in downtown and there's a stray dog with it's leg handing off or a random man taking a dump in a doorway. If you're not a seasoned traveller then it could be a bit of a culture shock.

I’ve just been on a tour of all the sites in Egypt, Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, Abu Simbel etc and there are armed security at all the entrances to the sites, our coach was sometimes xrayed and we had to walk through and put our luggage through scanners at all sites and hotels.
Security is very tight at touristy areas.

Thanks you all for your messages @Glow23 I also like large resorts with lots going on which is part of the appeal. Also love to snorkle so that is another plus.

@FluffyUnionSocks we had the laptop/large phone issue one of the times we went to Turkey, although it was the other way round, we could have them inbound.

@Kay286 that sounds terrifying, glad you were OK.

@ginislife I'd agree that being pulled into shops in Turkey is my least favourite part, but I do think Turkey has changed massively in the 10+ years I've been going and they realise that it puts a lot of people off. We were in Greece last year and thinking about it I did enjoy not being hassled.

@RunningFromInsanity I've heard that about Cairo but it is the history that draws me.

I went to Egypt on my own with 2 kids. Horrible horrible place. Would never ever go back.
Vile men
In comparison I went to turkey last year and had amazing time. No hassle at all.

Went to Egypt (Sharm) over 10 years ago. Hotel was nice. Like pp have said, you get hassled everywhere and it’s a PITA. I also got a horrific stomach bug; I have friends who were flight crew and they said when they did a return flight from Egypt at least half the plane would be ill. I’d never go again.

If you like the AI type hotels in Turkey then I think you might like sharm. Personally hated Hurgada but hotels at both were better than turkey in terms of standards for the same cost size and layout, been to both several times. Food in Egypt was always better but less western and I have been caught by Egypt tummy once so be wary whereas never had any issues in Turkey. If you like exploring then i don't recommend Egypt. Parts are amazing but even with a husband who passed for Egyptian the hassle was unbearable and I wouldn't travel independently, we did excursions and it was still challenging. Whearas I've explored lots of Turkey by myself and felt relatively safe, lots of hassle but not as bad as Egypt by a mile. For weather Egypt wins hands down.

If you are into the temples, pyramids, Sphinx, Valley of the Kings and all that, yes it is worth the trip. If you mostly like beach resorts well I wouldn't travel that far for a bit of sand and sea that you can get (a bit more safely I'd say) in Europe than in Egypt.

That said, as pp said, a guided tour is invaluable. I am fairly brave, but I would never have seen half the things I did, if I had done it independently, and there is the security aspect of it all too. It was a wonderful trip and very glad I did it, but I would never go to Egypt again. Hygiene wasn't the best and hassle all the way, just a different way of life I suppose. But think about what you could tolerate, or not. It gets absolutely boiling hot there too.

I loved Turkey but get annoyed by the frequent pushy salesmen etc and I know Egypt is a lot worse than Turkey so have been put off. I’ve seen some fabulous hotels in Egypt but would not travel there

Yup! Forgot to mention that, you will get a dicky tummy in epypt, either from someone washing food or a plate in tap water, ice cubs or brushing your teeth or a tiny bit of water going in your mouth in the shower. Literally awful

Been to both several times and loved them both!

Seen the pyramids, and gone all round Cairo, snorkeling in Sharm as the sea is so beautiful. Going to Egypt again in the summer.

Turkish people are so lovely, stayed in beautiful resorts, love the food too. Went again last year for the 3rd time and would go again no question.

If you disliked that in Turkey, Egypt is so far beyond worse, there aren't words for it.

We love to go out and about exploring, when on holiday. We went out once in Egypt, on a hotel arranged tour to Naqb bay, after half an hour, got sick to the back teeth of it and got a taxi back to the resort. Would not return.

Quite liked Turkey. Think Istanbul has gotten worse in the last 5 years, but it still feels safe and welcoming.