What to Pack for Egypt

Packing for an international trip mostly becomes a task, as you are going to travel to a country you have been to before, and deciding on what to pack or what to avoid can be a little challenging for a first-time explorer. As an experienced Egypt-based travel company, we get encounters with queries like, “How many pairs of clothes do we need to pack?” and “Are Egyptian nights cold?” and many others. 

So, here we present you an overall guide for what to pack for Egypt and how you can select the types of clothes to wear for different exploring purposes. Hope our guide for travel packing in less time with no confusion. 

Let’s start first by understanding the climate in Egypt. 

Egypt has a hot desert climate, with long sunny days and very little rainfall, as 90% of Egypt’s total land is covered with desert, so overall it has dry weather with scorching hot days in summers and slightly cooler days in winters. 

Summers (May–September): These months are extremely hot, especially in Luxor, Aswan, and desert areas. You may encounter heat waves as the sun peaks at the horizon, and sometimes heat becomes unbearable. Lightweight and fully covered, sweat-absorbing clothes are preferred.\

Winters (November–April): These are the months with mild weather during the day but can be cool at night, particularly on Nile cruises. Coastal areas like Alexandria and the Red Sea can be slightly breezier. Lightweight, breathable clothing is essential, but layering is also important for evenings.

Essential Clothing for Egypt

Best for Everyday Sightseeing Clothes

Light cotton or linen tops to stay cool in high temperatures. Loose-fitting trousers, palazzos, or long skirts for comfort and modesty, and also long-sleeved shirts to protect from sun exposure and dust. Neutral or light colors (like beige, white, lemon, light pink, olive, or blue for buttons) are perfect, as they reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption. Quick-dry fabrics are ideal if you plan multiple outings in a day.

Modest Clothing Considerations for exploring the historical sites 

• Clothing that covers shoulders and knees is recommended in public spaces, especially if you are exploring mosques and churches. 
• Scarves or shawls are useful for women when visiting mosques or traditional areas, due to the Islamic majority of the population in Egypt. 
• Avoid overly tight or revealing outfits to respect local culture, but swimsuits and other coastal-style clothes are allowed on the cruises.  

Footwear to Pack 

Walking shoes are essential if you are on an Egypt tour, as the temples demand long walks. Well-cushioned and lightweight shoes are preferred. Keep a pair or two if you have space in your luggage for styling purposes. Avoid brand-new shoes to prevent blisters during long walks. 

• Sandals with straps for casual outings and warm evenings on cruises, or for exploring markets at local places. 
• Flip-flops for hotel rooms, beaches, or pool areas to enjoy comfort and relaxation on board; pack thoughtfully to relax with utmost comfort and style. 

Things you should not forget to pack for the Egypt tour

• Wide-brim hat or cap for sun protection. If you do not like wide-brimmed hats, at least pack a hat that protects your head from direct sunlight. 
• UV-protected sunglasses to protect your eyes from the UV rays and to also ensure that you get clear views.  
• A lightweight scarf is very useful for sun, dust, or cultural needs. 
• Small crossbody bag or backpack with zippers for safety. It will be helpful for carrying essentials with you, like cash or other belongings. 

Then, it’s not just about clothes and accessories, so you also need proper travel documents with you for a relaxing and comforting vacation in another country. So, below is the list of travel documents that every tourist should have with them. 

Travel Documents & Important Papers

• Passport with at least six months validity.
• Printed and digital copies of visa and travel insurance.
• Hotel booking confirmations and tour vouchers.
• Passport-size photographs for emergencies.
• Emergency contact list (offline).
• Copies of documents stored separately from originals.

Health & Personal Care Essentials

In your travel bag it is essential that you have the items listed below, as you may need them during the trip or after the air travel. A sudden change in weather leads to minor sickness if you are sensitive and have a weak immune system. 

Carry some basic medicines with prescriptions and with the doctor’s note on how to take them. Pain relievers and fever medication and motion sickness tablets for Nile cruises. Anti-diarrheal medicine and oral rehydration salts, but only the personal prescription medicines with a doctor’s note.

Toiletries & hygiene to carry on an Egypt tour include sunscreen with high SPF (Egyptian sun is strong). Lip balm with SPF, hand sanitizer, and wet wipes. Travel-size shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, and also deodorant suitable for hot climates; prefer those that do not harm in the hot weather. 

Skincare & Sun Protection: It includes a high-SPF sunscreen (50+ recommended). After-sun lotion or aloe vera gel and moisturizer to prevent dryness caused by heat and air conditioning. Face mist or hydrating spray with a protective lip balm to avoid sunburned lips, as protecting skin is essential while exploring in the daylight. 

Tech & Gadgets to Pack on the Egypt Tour

• Smartphone with offline maps downloaded and power bank for long sightseeing days. Universal travel adapter (Egypt uses Type C and F plugs). 
• Bring a camera or action camera for monuments and landscapes. Do not bring any kind of drone to Egypt; they are completely prohibited. 
• Extra memory cards or cloud storage access and noise-canceling headphones for flights and cruises. 

Make your travel easier by keeping everything you may need during the trip to avoid hassle at the last moment. 

Money & Financial Essentials

While traveling, you also need money to make transactions. In Egypt, the temples only accept the payments through cards, so you may need some different cards that allow you to make payments internationally. A list of financial essentials is mentioned below: 

• Combination of cash (USD or local Egyptian pounds) and cards.
• Small denomination notes for tipping.
• A wallet with RFID protection, if you can have it, is a kind of digital protection. 
• Travel card or international debit card with a notable amount of funds, according to your travel budget. 
• Money pouch or hidden belt for crowded areas, and prefer carrying cash with you on the sightseeing or prefer keeping it in protective cases. 

Packing for a Nile Cruise in Egypt 

• Get some smart-casual outfits for evenings onboard; you can be playful with this one. Prefer colorful yet elegant clothing options. 
• Light jacket or cardigan for cool nights, as on cruises you may feel the cool breeze as you will be sailing on the river Nile. 
• Swimwear for the pool, on the sun deck, and for enjoying jacuzzi experiences. 
• Comfortable loungewear that you can wear all day; prefer lightweight cotton clothes for it. 
• Compact day bag for shore excursions and slip-resistant sandals for deck walking: choose footwear thoughtfully. 

Beach & Red Sea Packing List

• Pack swimwear (bring more than one set). Lightweight cover-ups or kaftans for enjoyable activities on the beaches. 
• Snorkeling gear if you prefer your own or in case you do not want to use the same gear. 
• Waterproof phone pouch to protect mobile during water and beach activities. 
• Beach sandals and sun-safe sunscreen to protect the skin from damage, and I prefer carrying more than one pair of casual footwear on the whole trip. 

Desert & Adventure Travel Essentials

• Pack some breathable long pants for desert safaris; do not choose the black color, as it absorbs heat. 
• Closed shoes to protect from sand and rocks, preferably with a good grip. 
• Sunglasses with strong UV protection and a headscarf against dust.
• Small backpack for water and essentials; you can also keep the reusable water bottle to carry filtered water everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I wear jeans in Egypt, or will they be too hot?

Yes, you can wear jeans, but lightweight or stretch denim is more comfortable. For long sightseeing days in summer, breathable cotton trousers are a better option than thick denim. 

Is it okay to wear shorts in Egypt?

Shorts are acceptable in beach resorts and hotels. However, in cities, markets, and historical sites, knee-length clothing is more respectful and comfortable. Especially near or at religious places, prefer only modest clothing; it shows respect towards the culture. 

How many shoes should I pack for an Egypt trip?

Two to three pairs are ideal: one comfortable walking shoe, one sandal for casual outings, and optional flip-flops for hotels or cruises. Can bring two pairs of shoes as well; in case one gets damaged or wet at the beaches, keeping an alternative can be helpful. 

Do I need a power adapter for Egypt?

Yes, Egypt uses European-style plugs (Type C and F). A universal travel adapter is recommended, especially if you carry multiple devices.

Is carrying cash necessary in Egypt?

Yes, carrying some cash is important. Small shops, local taxis, and tipping often require cash, even if cards are accepted in hotels and large stores. Prefer getting currency exchange at the airport. Well, in Egypt at some places the US dollar is also acceptable, but it is advised to make payment in Egyptian pounds as it is more accessible.