Going round and round and round There has always been a convoy 'to' Cairo but not the other way. It starts at the security point just outside El Gouna. In the past I have always been made to wait for the convoy having only an annual tourist visa. Luckily when I left for Cairo two weeks ago with my friend Diana in her car we left about one hour before the convoy and everyone was inside their huts so no-one stopped us. Actually no-one stopped us for 2,583 kilometers all the way from El Gouna to Siwa and back! She said she never gets stopped there. Maybe it has something to do with her Cairo number plates?
Hi Georgina,
I guess that her Cairo plates do make a difference, though it also has something to do with your attitude. I'm also a frequent traveler, I drove by car from Hurghada and Aswan, and on that route you have about !!!!25!!!! checkpoints, and in that time I wasn't Moslimah yet and a woman driving in Upper Egypt is already special, but it get's more crazy if it's a European woman from Holland with a Spanish guy next to her and they are not married. That raises questions and after checkpoint number 12 or 13 I was so fed up, that I gave them what I call "the look". straight in the eyes and don't look away. and don't stop. only if the agent gives a totally clear sign which you can really not misunderstand. That brought me through a lot of problems and don't speak english. Speak anything but english or Arabic, if they do stop you. that will confuse the guy and he will get ride of you as soon as possible.
But now comes the BUT, if you find a more dominant person that you are, or more secure with himself you have a problem. So do this trick mainly with the young, insecure looking skinny guys, you'll succeed.
About the convoy, it's totally new for me, I've never heard about a convoy from or to Cairo, I know that early in the morning, when all the tourist busses go, that there is some sort of convoy, but that is a 'natural' one, they all leave around the same time and just sort of group together because they can't overtake eachother so easy.
Of course there's a convoy from Hurghada to Luxor and further south. Specially from Safaga to Qena I advice the less secure drivers to join and take it easy, because this route is not easy. And phone's don't work in this area, my advice is, play it safe, even when it takes more time.
I myself drove this route quiet a lot and I like it, it's so beautiful. I go alone, but I know how to fix the common problems in a car and I feel secure enough to do it without taking huge risks.
Concerning the buses, I never had any problem with it. I also heard about this maximum 5 foreigners-rule though I didn't see any driver refuse a foreigner. I don't believe that they do that , it's just noise, but the practise is different. Though if you need to take a bus and you fear that they will refuse you, ask an egyptian to buy your tickets. Tickets are not on name and once you have your ticket you'll be safe. Give the guy in the (bus) door a little tip and you'll be fine.
My advise in traffic and traveling in Egypt, think Egyptian!!
And if you want to take a fast course driving in Egypt (this is only for the people driving on the rightside of the street) try driving in Cairo. After that you can handle anything!!
Guys, go out and discover Egypt, but do it safe
Love,
Huda at Pyramids
