Quick answer
Egypt has good private hospitals in Cairo and Alexandria, adequate private clinics in Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea resorts, and excellent, well-stocked pharmacies almost everywhere. Hotels and most cruise ships can call a doctor within an hour. Private care expects payment or an insurer's guarantee up front, so comprehensive travel insurance is essential. Bring prescription medicines in original packaging with a doctor's letter, and check that none are controlled in Egypt.
What is healthcare like in Egypt for tourists?
Private healthcare in Egypt's big cities is of a good standard, with many doctors trained in Europe or North America; outside the cities, care is more basic and serious cases are transferred to Cairo. Travellers almost always use the private system. Public hospitals treat emergencies but are crowded, short of resources and rarely have English-speaking administration.
Australia and New Zealand have no reciprocal healthcare agreement with Egypt, so every consultation, test and hospital night is paid for privately. Costs are lower than in Australia for routine care, but a hospital admission, surgery or medical evacuation can run into tens of thousands of dollars. Hospitals typically ask for a deposit, a credit card or a guarantee of payment from your insurer before treatment beyond the emergency department. That is why travel insurance for Egypt with generous medical and evacuation cover is non-negotiable.
The most common health problems for travellers are not dramatic: stomach upsets, heat exhaustion, sunburn, sore throats from dust and air-conditioning, and twisted ankles on uneven temple floors. These are almost always handled by a pharmacist or a hotel doctor.
Where are the best hospitals in Egypt?
The best-equipped hospitals are private ones in Cairo and Giza, such as As-Salam International Hospital in Maadi, Cleopatra Hospital in Heliopolis and Dar Al Fouad Hospital in 6th of October City. Alexandria also has well-regarded private hospitals. These have emergency departments, intensive care and specialists, and they deal regularly with international insurers.
- Luxor and Aswan: private hospitals and clinics handle most problems, and your hotel, ship or guide will know which are best. Serious cases are flown or driven to Cairo.
- Red Sea: Hurghada, El Gouna and Sharm el-Sheikh have private hospitals and clinics used to treating tourists, and hyperbaric (decompression) chambers for divers operate in the main dive centres, including Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.
- Remote areas: in Siwa, the Western Desert oases and the White Desert, facilities are basic and evacuation to Cairo can take many hours. Tell your consultant about any medical condition before booking desert trips.
For an emergency, call 123 for an ambulance, though in cities a taxi or your driver may reach a private hospital faster. The tourist police are on 126. Ring your insurer's 24-hour assistance line as early as possible: they can direct you to an approved hospital and guarantee payment, and for anything serious, they will coordinate an evacuation.
How do you see a doctor in Egypt?
Ask your hotel reception, cruise manager or guide: most hotels have a doctor on call who will visit your room within an hour or so, and larger Nile cruise ships carry a doctor or can bring one aboard at the next town.
A hotel doctor visit is the usual route for gastro, fever, ear infections, sunstroke or minor injuries. Doctors generally speak good English, can prescribe and supply medicines, and give you a receipt and report for your insurer. Fees are set by the doctor or hotel, so ask the cost up front; the visit is usually paid on the spot and claimed back later. In Cairo, private polyclinics and hospital outpatient departments also take walk-ins.
Keep every receipt, medical report and pharmacy docket. Most Australian and New Zealand policies need originals or clear photos to process a claim, and a short written report from the doctor with the diagnosis helps enormously.
What are pharmacies like in Egypt?
Egyptian pharmacies are excellent: they are everywhere, many are open 24 hours, the pharmacists are university-trained and often speak English, and many deliver to your hotel. Look for the green cross and the word saydaleyya (pharmacy). Large chains such as El Ezaby and Seif have branches across Cairo and other cities, and their staff are used to foreign customers.
For minor problems, Egyptians go to the pharmacist first, and you can too. Describe your symptoms, show the packet of something you use at home, or show the generic name of a medicine, which is more useful than an Australian brand name. Rehydration salts, antidiarrhoeals, antihistamines, sunburn creams, eye drops and paracetamol are easy to find and inexpensive.
Some medicines that need a prescription in Australia, including some antibiotics, are sold over the counter in Egypt. Treat that with caution: using antibiotics for an uncomplicated stomach bug is often unnecessary, and a short consultation with a doctor is wiser than self-medicating. Our guide to avoiding stomach upsets explains when a tummy bug needs treatment.
Can you bring prescription medicines into Egypt?
Yes, for personal use, if you bring them in their original labelled packaging with a copy of the prescription and a letter from your doctor listing the medicines and why you need them; some medicines are controlled or banned in Egypt and need special approval.
Egypt strictly controls narcotic and psychotropic medicines. Tramadol, a common painkiller in Australia, is the best-known example: it is treated as a controlled drug in Egypt and travellers have been arrested and jailed for carrying it without authorisation. Other medicines that may be restricted include strong opioid painkillers, some codeine-containing products, benzodiazepines and other sedatives, and stimulant medicines for ADHD. Whether a particular medicine is permitted, and in what quantity, can change.
- Check each of your medicines with the Egyptian embassy or consulate in Australia or New Zealand well before travel, and follow the medicines guidance on Smartraveller.
- Bring only enough for your trip plus a few days' spare, in hand luggage, split between bags if possible.
- Keep medicines in their original pharmacy boxes with your name on the label; don't decant them into unlabelled pill organisers until you arrive.
- For insulin, injectables or other medical devices, carry the doctor's letter in your hand luggage for airport security.
Customs rules on medicines are summarised alongside other allowances in our Egypt customs guide.
Which health risks should travellers know about?
The real risks are heat, stomach bugs, road accidents and, less commonly, animal bites and freshwater parasites; malaria is not a concern, as the World Health Organization certified Egypt malaria-free in 2024.
- Heat: Upper Egypt regularly exceeds 40°C from May to September; see heat and sun safety in Egypt.
- Freshwater: don't swim or wade in the Nile, canals or irrigation channels, which can carry schistosomiasis (bilharzia). Swimming pools, the sea and supervised swimming spots chosen by experienced boat crews are another matter; ask your guide.
- Animals: rabies is present in Egypt. Don't pet stray dogs or cats, however friendly, and if bitten or scratched, wash the wound for 15 minutes and seek medical care the same day.
- Mosquitoes: dengue has occurred in parts of Upper Egypt and on the Red Sea coast in recent years, so use repellent at dusk.
- Air quality: Cairo's air pollution and dust can aggravate asthma; bring your inhalers.
Vaccinations and pre-trip GP visits are covered in our vaccinations guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the emergency number in Egypt?
Dial 123 for an ambulance, 122 for police, 180 for the fire service and 126 for the tourist police. Also call your travel insurer's 24-hour assistance line as soon as possible.
Is healthcare free for tourists in Egypt?
No. There is no reciprocal agreement between Egypt and Australia or New Zealand, and private hospitals expect payment or an insurer's guarantee before treatment. Comprehensive travel insurance is essential.
Can I take tramadol to Egypt?
Not without specific authorisation. Tramadol is a controlled substance in Egypt and travellers have been arrested for carrying it. Speak to your doctor about alternatives and check with the Egyptian embassy before you travel.
Are pharmacies in Egypt good?
Yes. Pharmacies are plentiful, many open 24 hours, pharmacists are well trained and often speak English, and many deliver to hotels. Bring the generic name of any medicine you need.
Is there a doctor on a Nile cruise?
Most larger Nile cruise ships have a doctor on board or on call who can be brought aboard at the next stop. Ask about medical arrangements when you book, especially if you have a health condition.
