What to Pack for Your Trip to Egypt
As someone who’s lived in Egypt, traveled all over the country, and hosts trips year-round, I’ve learned (the hard way) what I need to bring with me. I’m here to help you know exactly what to pack so you can be as prepared as possible for your upcoming trip to Egypt.
There are many factors to consider while packing. For one, it depends on what time of year you’re visiting, where you’re going, and what you plan to do while you’re there.
Hiking in Sinai? You’ll need sturdy boots. Scuba diving in the Red Sea? You’ll need sandals and swimwear. Planning to go to Siwa in the Western Desert in the wintertime? You’ll need warm socks and a heavy coat for the nights! Going to all these places? You’ll definitely need to be extra prepared and probably jam-pack your suitcase.
I’ve compiled a free travel checklist for your Egypt trip so you can make sure not to miss any of the essentials. It’s organized by category, and is a thorough list for traveling anywhere in Egypt at any time of the year. But read on to get more details on how to be as prepared as possible, and to understand some of the cultural nuances.
Here are factors to consider while packing…
Climate
Egypt’s climate varies depending on where you are. In the north in Alexandria and along the Mediterranean, it can get pretty humid especially in summer. However, the majority of Egypt is an arid, desert climate. The nights cool down, especially in the desert and on the coasts in winter. The summers typically get extremely hot by July and August reaching highs of 45C, 113F during a heatwave (it’s intense!).
During the high season, which is typically from September to May, the weather is much more temperate. The further south you are, the warmer it is year-round. So, for example, if you plan to go to Luxor and Aswan, the temperatures will be typically 10 degrees higher than in Cairo. That said, it helps to always have layers handy if you’re traveling outside the hot summer months.
You can get a long sleeve SPF shirt like this one that protects your skin, is culturally appropriate, yet is breathable so you don’t get too sweaty.
I recommend bringing the following:
A wide brimmed hat
SPF shirt
High SPF for your face (UV rays are high!)
A thick sweater to jacket to wear at night (Nov-March)
(More in my free travel checklist for your Egypt trip.)
Culturally Respect Clothing
Some of the most common questions I get are about what to wear in Egypt. People often ask me, “Do I have to cover my hair?” “Is it okay to wear shorts?” “What do I wear in Cairo?”
No, you don’t need to cover your hair. You can generally wear whatever you want, but walking in the streets of major cities, it is not advisable to show your legs, shoulders, or stomach. Dressing modestly, chic, and comfortably is what I recommend to everyone.
There are specific times and places where it’s more important to be respectful of the conservative culture. For example, it is fine to wear a dress that shows your shoulders or stomach when you’re at the Pyramids of Giza. But if you plan to visit Old Cairo, which is full of historic churches and mosques, it’s respectful to cover up and bring a shawl to cover if needed.
Walking in the streets of Cairo, I highly recommend wearing something that covers exposed shoulders, chest, and legs. I personally bring a shawl with me like this one that allows me to cover shoulders if needed but also take it off once I’m at an establishment or touristic site where it’s more acceptable to wear whatever you want.
If you don’t, you may attract stares and a lot of unwanted attention especially as a woman. It’s also rare that men wear shorts or cut off Tees except to the gym or in more secluded suburban areas.
That said, modest dress only really applies to the major cities such as Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan. As for the beach towns such as Sahel, Dahab, Hurghada, and Sharm El Shiekh, it’s acceptable to wear whatever you want, bikini included.
Adapters and Tech Preparedness
You’ll definitely need a universal or Type-C Adapter if you’re coming from the Western Hemisphere. Egypt uses the same two-pronged plug in as most European countries, and if your appliances aren’t you do not want to be stuck with a dead battery while traveling!
Also keep in mind that some appliances may have too high of a wattage to plug into these adapter ports. I’ve definitely blown a socket or two trying to plug in a blow-dryer or curling iron into one of these.
Cameras
Keep in mind that certain sites will charge extra for professional DSLR cameras with large lenses. Drones are forbidden in Egypt unless you have government permission, which is very hard to get. I suggest bringing an iphone camera, Go Pro, 360 degree cameras. There are opportunities for professional photoshoots at the sites with your guide for and extra fee. If you’re on one of our group trips, I always hire a photographer to come in with a media pass and professional camera.
Passports and Travel Insurance Documents
Make sure to not only your passport but a digital or printed copy of your passport in case it gets lost. Having other important documents such as insurance, prescriptions for medications, and other legal documentation is necessary to have on you or saved in your phone in case something goes awry.
When it comes to prescriptions, it’s important to remember that some medications are considered illegal to bring into the country. If your medical containers are unlabeled or aren’t clearly prescribed by a doctor, it’s smart to bring proof so as not to risk them getting confiscated at border control. Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Make sure to download this free travel checklist for your Egypt trip so you can mark everything off as you pack!
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