Is water safe to drink in Egypt? | Intrepid Travel (2024)

FAQs

Is water safe to drink in Egypt? | Intrepid Travel? ›

It's important to stay hydrated while travelling in Egypt, but drinking tap water isn't recommended. Remember to avoid drinks with ice and to peel fruit before eating it, too. Help the environment and try to avoid buying bottled water.

Tap water in Egypt is actually safe to drink but as it is heavily chlorinated we do not recommend that you do as it causes stomach upsets. Bottled mineral water is easily available from hotels, restaurants and shops at low cost. The tap water in Egypt is fine for brushing your teeth and showering.

In Egypt, drinking water from the tap is not recommended. Water treatment plants in and around Cairo heavily chlorinate the supply, so the water in the capital is relatively safe to drink. However, it is advisable everywhere else in Egypt to purchase bottled water or drink treated or purified water.

The tap water is totally clear but it is strongly chlorinated, and thus it is better to drink bottled water of low cost and avoid tap water to maintain good health. However, you can use tap water for other things, including washing and brushing your teeth.

While tap water in Egypt is considered safe for showering and brushing your teeth, it contains high levels of chlorination and isn't advised for drinking.

It's important to stay hydrated while travelling in Egypt, but drinking tap water isn't recommended. Remember to avoid drinks with ice and to peel fruit before eating it, too. Help the environment and try to avoid buying bottled water.

In Egypt, drinking water from the tap is not recommended. Water treatment plants in and around Cairo heavily chlorinate the supply, so the water in the capital is relatively safe to drink.

Health & Water:

Tap water in Egypt is heavily chlorinated although U.S. embassy tests have confirmed the water to be safe and fit for consumption. However, if you are in Egypt for a relatively short - term stay, doctors recommend that you stick with bottled mineral water, in order to avoid gastric upsets.

The tap water in Egypt is supposed to be technically safe, but most people prefer to err on the side of caution and drink bottled water.

In restaurants, it is customary to tip between 10-15% of the total bill. For hotel staff, such as housekeeping, bellhops, and doormen, a tip of 20-30 Egyptian pounds per service is appropriate. For tour guides, a tip of 100-200 Egyptian pounds per day is customary, depending on the length and quality of the tour.

How to avoid bad stomach in Egypt? ›

Take a tip from the locals and always squeeze fresh lime juice over your salad - apparently this kills off any bacteria which may be lurking !! I always eat loads of salads in Egypt and have never had an upset stomach.

Toilet paper - You can always buy toilet paper while there or take some from your hotel. If you're particularly worried about hygiene, also bring your travel toilet seat covers. Note - don't flush anything down the toilet in Egypt, not even toilet paper. The pipes can't handle it.

Lot of people blame the food, it is not always so. Bad hygene, to much sun "sun stroke" not drinking enough water, all day drinking. If you really want to make sure not to get sick, avoid street food, avoid salad bar, avoid fresh juice, avoid anything raw.

As you might expect, toilet paper is rarely provided except occasionally when a toilet attendant may give it to you for a small cost. Soap isn't very common either, and so carrying both toilet paper and a small bottle of hand sanitiser is a good practice to get into.

Unsafe tap water is not only a health hazard as a drink, but should be used cautiously when it might inadvertently be swallowed, such as when brushing teeth or showering.

It has been observed that the Egyptians used burnt eggshells, powder of ox's hooves, and ashes, combined using a pumice stone to make a powder they'd rub their teeth and gums with.

The first recorded use of a brush for oral hygiene purposes was between 3500 to 3000 BC when cultures in ancient Egypt and Babylon used twigs with frayed ends to remove plaque from their teeth. Cultures, then as now, found white teeth to be a sign of youth and beauty.

Water Hygiene

You should only use water for drinking, making ice cubes or cleaning teeth if it has been: bottled or canned by a known manufacturer and the seal is intact.