- The UK government says most visits to Egypt are trouble-free, and leaves Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and the Giza area out of its Western Desert warnings.
- The US Embassy in Cairo gave the State Department advisory as Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, on 4 March 2026.
- Both governments warn of terrorism, including at places foreign visitors go.
- To report a crime, the tourist police number is 126.
Both the Giza pyramids and Luxor sit outside the areas the UK government advises against visiting, and it says most visits to Egypt are trouble-free. No government calls a trip risk-free: the UK and the US both warn of terrorism, including at places foreign visitors go, and the US Embassy asks Americans to take extra care while regional tensions last. Official advice checked on 9 November 2026.
What the UK and US governments say
| Source | Last date on the page | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| UK government (FCDO) | 27 October 2026 | Most visits are trouble-free. Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, the Valley of the Kings and the Giza area are outside its warnings for the Western Desert. Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Egypt. |
| US Embassy in Cairo, on the State Department advisory | 4 March 2026 | Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, with Do Not Travel guidance for the Northern and Middle Sinai and parts of the Western Desert. |
| US Embassy in Cairo, security alert | 7 April 2026 | Security is generally present at potential targets, including tourist sites. Americans should stay alert and keep a low profile. |
The State Department's own page refused automated reading when we checked, so read its current level at travel.state.gov before you fly. Governments change this advice at short notice.
Is it safe for Americans to visit the pyramids?
The Giza plateau is at the edge of Cairo, in the part of Giza the UK advice leaves out of its warnings. Americans should add the embassy's advice: stay alert at places publicly associated with the United States, avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, and enroll in STEP, the State Department's traveler alert program. The UK government says the risk of sudden escalation in the Middle East is high, and that since conflict began in early 2026, Iran has stated its intention to target locations associated with the US and Israel.
Visitors at the plateau are commonly approached with offers, and the UK government warns that scammers and touts sometimes target visitors in tourist areas. Our guide to touts, camel offers and add-ons covers what to agree before a ride and how to decline.
