The Pharaoh's call: Australians return to Egypt as travel advice changes

Majestic pyramids, rich culture and intoxicating sounds and scents have long made Egypt a favourite with travellers but new travel advice makes it more accessible.

The Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) downgraded Egypt's travel advice overall from Level 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) to Level 2 (Exercise a high degree of caution) in September 2024, bringing those areas in line with the UK, France and Indonesia.

Even so, there are still areas of the country placed under Smartraveller's Level 4 (Do not travel) and Level 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) advice levels, due to higher threats of terrorist attack and/or violent crime, so Australian travellers should keep an eye on Smartraveller for the latest updates to travel advice.

Since the travel advice eased, Australians have been responding. Forward Keys data from July 2025 showed bookings for the second half of the year were up 25 per cent on last year, indicating strong momentum for the African nation.

Director of intelligence and marketing, Olivier Ponti, called the rise "particularly remarkable given the absence of direct flights between Australia and Egypt".

"Instead, travellers are connecting via major hubs, with Dubai accounting for 29 per cent of arrivals, followed by Doha (17 per cent) and Shanghai (11 per cent)."

Bunnik Tours joint-CEO Dennis Bunnik said Egypt is "the world's oldest tourism destination and has been enchanting travellers for over 2000 years".

"As a result it also has one of the world's most well-established tourism industries - warm hospitality is built into the Egyptian DNA," he said.

"From a security and safety perspective, Egypt has well-established processes in place, including a large and professional Tourism Police Force."

Mr Bunnik believes a trip to Egypt is like no other on earth.

"The sights, sounds, smells and history envelop you as you journey through this ancient land," he said.

"Standing in front of the pyramids is a deja vu moment as they are so familiar to us from countless TV shows and even our schoolbooks. However nothing prepares you for the actual size of them. They are huge."

The Nile is the lifeblood of the Egyptian people who tend crops and cattle on the banks while fishing boats and tourist cruisers glide by on the water.

"There's a richness to the culture here - you see it in the people, you taste it in the food and you feel it as you walk through the streets of old Cairo," Mr Bunnik said.

The small group tour company's Egypt itineraries for the second half of 2025 are up a huge 112 per cent on last year.

Bookings for Egypt and nearby Jordan are looking healthy for the next year, with 2026 bookings nearly 40 per cent of 2025 totals.

For Mr Bunnik, small group touring helps passengers "really connect with a place, its people and culture".

"With panoramic views of the pyramids and the eventual relocation of Tutankhamun's full treasure collection from Cairo's old Egyptian Museum, GEM is expected to fully open before the end of 2025 and it's generating huge buzz among travellers globally."

Bunnik Egyptologist Mahmoud Ramadan said his favourite modern site is Alexandria's New Bibliotheca which opened in 2002.

"It's a national treasure where arts, science and history come together working on Egypt's future. It is also a magnificent piece of modern architecture," he said.

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