MARSA MATRUH /
Practicalities
Eat and Sleep
There are many hotels, but the standard is with many not very impressive. Many hotels are considered unsuitable for women, even when travelling in the company of men. This calls for attention only, there is no reason to shun Marsah Matruh, good hotels are available. During summer, finding room can be difficult, in winter hotels close, or reduce prices to a ridiculously low level. Restaurants are far more reliable, and getting good food at a friendly price is no problem at all.
Warning
Adventures of Egypt has received a number of complaints from female travellers to Marsa Matruh, all telling stories about pestering from young local men. The pestering appears not to be of the kind that can easily be disregarded. The stories tell about young boys stripping and masturbating in front of Western women sunbathing on the beach to quite physical invitations to have sex, even for women in restaurants, hotel receptions or in shops. Adventures of Egypt cannot verify these stories, but they are all independent from each other. Now you are warned, and you may take your precautions.
Transportation
There are absolutely no problems with communications out here. Buses will bring you to Alexandria, Siwa, or even the Libyan border. Alexandria-Marsah Matruh should not cost much more than EŁ15 for one way, Marsah Matruh-Siwa costs around EŁ12 one way. Marsah Matruh-Sallum costs EŁ10. There are other means of communications here, but there are few departures of taxis, and the speed of the trains is only fractionally better than walking.
Going Next
250 km east: Alexandria
200 km west: Libya
300 km southwest: Siwa
