How Does Emergency Numbers Work in Egypt?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Middle East
1The Quick Answer
Police: 122, Ambulance: 123, Fire: 180, Tourist Police: 126.
2What You Need to Know
Egypt has a dedicated Tourist Police line (126) specifically for assistance to foreign visitors — they typically have more English-speaking operators than the regular police line (122). Response times outside major tourist areas can be slow, so private hospital ambulances are often faster than the national service. For diving emergencies on the Red Sea, most dive centres have direct lines to hyperbaric chambers. Save all emergency numbers and your hotel's address in your phone before heading out.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Call 126 (Tourist Police) first as a tourist — they are trained to handle visitor incidents and speak more English
- 2Save your embassy's emergency number separately — the UK, US, and EU embassies all have 24/7 consular emergency lines
- 3Know your hotel name and address in Arabic if possible — read it from the business card at check-in
How does this compare?
Emergency Numbers rules in nearby and similar countries:
Police: 999. Ambulance: 998. Fire: 997. Tourist Police (Dubai): 800-4438.
Dial 19 for police, 15 for the SAMU ambulance, 150 for fire, and 0800 00 2424 for the dedicated tourist hotline.
Police: 999. Ambulance and fire: 911. Tourist police hotline: 920004444.
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