Health in Egypt: Vaccinations, Water, Sun and Stomach Tips

Staying healthy in Egypt comes down to four things: drinking sealed bottled water, taking the sun seriously, choosing food sensibly and carrying travel insurance with medical coverage. Entry rules depend on your passport and can change, so please check the official source before you travel. Routine boosters should be up to date and a travel clinic can advise on extras. The health problems travelers actually meet are usually mild, with sunburn and stomach upsets at the top of the list.

Egypt is a well-traveled country with pharmacies on almost every street, private hospitals in the main cities and resorts, and a tourism industry used to looking after visitors. Serious health problems are uncommon. What tends to spoil days is more ordinary: too much sun at an open archaeological site, not enough water on a long touring day, or a rich meal on the first evening before your stomach has adjusted.

This guide explains how to prepare before you leave, what to do on the ground, and where to get help if you need it. It is general guidance, not medical advice, so talk to your own doctor about your personal situation.

Before you go

See a doctor or travel clinic

Book an appointment with your doctor or a travel clinic four to six weeks before departure. That gives time for any vaccinations that need more than one dose or a few weeks to take effect. Bring your itinerary, since advice can differ for a city-and-cruise trip compared with long stays, rural travel or work with animals.

Vaccinations

Entry rules depend on your passport and can change, so please check the official source before you travel. Health authorities such as the CDC in the United States and the NHS travel health service in the UK commonly recommend that travelers be up to date with routine vaccines and consider hepatitis A and typhoid, with hepatitis B and rabies for some travelers depending on their plans. Your clinician will tailor this to you.

Medication and a small kit

Pack prescription medication in its original packaging, with a copy of the prescription and a letter from your doctor for anything unusual, and carry it in your hand luggage. Some medicines that are routine at home are controlled elsewhere, so if you take strong painkillers, sleep aids or ADHD medication, check the rules before you fly. A compact kit saves a hunt for a pharmacy:

• Oral rehydration salts
• A stomach remedy your doctor is happy for you to use
• Painkillers and an antihistamine
• Bandages, blister pads and antiseptic wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• High-SPF sunscreen and lip balm

Travel insurance

Buy insurance that covers emergency medical treatment, hospital stays and medical evacuation, and declare any pre-existing conditions. Keep the policy number and the insurer's emergency line in your phone and on paper. If you are planning to scuba dive on the Red Sea or fly in a hot-air balloon in Luxor, check that those activities are covered.

Water and food

Water

Drink sealed bottled water, which is cheap and sold everywhere, and check that the seal is intact when you buy it. Use it for brushing your teeth too if you want to be careful. Hotels and cruise ships generally provide bottled water in rooms and cabins, and many tour vehicles carry a supply. Ice in good hotels and restaurants is usually made from purified water, but be cautious with ice of unknown origin at street stalls.

Food

Egyptian food is one of the pleasures of the trip, and you do not need to eat nervously. Choose food that is cooked fresh and served hot, eat where locals are eating in numbers, and peel fruit yourself. Salads and raw vegetables are generally fine in good hotels and restaurants that cater to visitors; elsewhere, it is reasonable to be selective. Ease into rich, oily or spicy dishes over the first few days rather than starting with a feast.

If your stomach protests

Most traveler's stomach upsets are short-lived. Rest, drink plenty of fluids and use rehydration salts to replace what you lose. Plain food such as bread, rice and bananas helps. Seek medical advice if symptoms are severe, last more than a couple of days, or come with a high fever or blood, and be quicker to get help for children, older travelers and anyone with underlying conditions. Your guide or hotel can call a doctor.

Sun and heat

Egypt's sun is strong even in winter, and many archaeological sites have little shade. Use a high-SPF sunscreen and reapply it through the day, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and choose loose, breathable clothing that covers your shoulders. Light long sleeves often feel cooler than bare skin in direct sun.

Staying hydrated

Drink regularly, before you feel thirsty, and carry a bottle at every site. On hot days, a rehydration sachet in the evening can help. Signs of heat exhaustion include headache, dizziness, nausea, heavy sweating and unusual tiredness; if you notice them, get into shade or air-conditioning, cool down and drink. Confusion, a very high temperature or fainting needs urgent medical help.

Planning around the heat

From April to October, schedule the big outdoor sites for early morning and late afternoon, especially in Luxor and Aswan, where summer days are very hot. Use the middle of the day for museums, lunch and rest. Even in the cooler months, the Valley of the Kings and the Giza plateau are tiring under a clear sky.

Other things to know

Swimming

The Red Sea resorts are popular for swimming, snorkeling and diving. Watch for strong currents, follow local flag systems, and wear reef shoes where advised, as coral and sea urchins can cause cuts. Avoid swimming or wading in the Nile and other fresh water, which can carry parasitic infections such as schistosomiasis.

Insects and animals

Mosquitoes can be a nuisance in the evenings, particularly near the river, so pack insect repellent. Do not touch stray dogs or cats, however friendly; if you are bitten or scratched, clean the wound and seek medical advice promptly.

Physical demands

Sites such as the Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Abu Simbel involve walking on uneven ground, steps and sometimes steep or narrow passages. Entering the Great Pyramid means crouching through a low, hot corridor. If you have mobility, heart or breathing concerns, tell your tour planner so the itinerary can be paced to suit you.

If you need medical help

Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh have private clinics and hospitals used to treating international visitors, and many doctors speak English. Your hotel, cruise reception or tour operator can direct you to a reputable facility or call a doctor to you. Contact your insurer early if you need treatment beyond a simple consultation, as they may arrange payment or direct you to a preferred hospital.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies are everywhere, well stocked and often staffed by English-speaking pharmacists who can advise on minor ailments. Many medicines are available without a prescription, but brand names differ, so bring the generic name of anything you take regularly. Keep receipts for any claim.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need vaccinations to travel to Egypt?

Entry rules depend on your passport and can change, so please check the official source before you travel. Routine vaccines should be current, and a doctor or travel clinic can advise on hepatitis A, typhoid and others for your trip.

Can I drink tap water in Egypt?

Visitors should drink sealed bottled water, which is inexpensive and sold everywhere. Hotels and cruise ships generally supply it in rooms and cabins, and many people use it for brushing their teeth as well.

What is the most common health problem for tourists in Egypt?

Mild stomach upsets and sunburn are the most common issues. Bottled water, freshly cooked food, steady hydration and good sun protection prevent most of both.

Are there good hospitals in Egypt?

Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh have private hospitals and clinics experienced with international visitors. Your hotel or tour operator can recommend one, and your travel insurer can help arrange treatment.

Is it safe to swim in the Nile?

It is best not to swim or wade in the Nile or other fresh water, which can carry parasitic infections. Swim in hotel pools and at the Red Sea instead, and enjoy the river from a cruise deck or felucca.

Plan it with Nourbelle

Our tours include 24/7 local support, so if you feel unwell on the road, we help you get care fast. To plan a trip paced for your needs, tell us about your trip or browse our Egypt tours.