I’m always asked what to pack for Egypt, so I decided to create a comprehensive Egypt packing guide, including:
- What clothes to pack for a trip to Egypt
- What toiletries to take to Egypt
- What electronics to bring to Egypt
- Egypt travel essentials you didn't know about
- What NOT to bring to Egypt
- A complete packing list for Egypt
- Frequently asked questions about what to pack for an Egypt trip
Traveling to Egypt is a dream for many, and proper packing is essential to fully enjoy the country’s unique climate, culture, and history. This guide outlines everything you need to pack for your Egyptian adventure.
Beyond clothing, the guide highlights essential travel documents, medical supplies, electronics, and practical travel gear like power adapters and sun protection.
The best times to visit Egypt are outlined with seasonal packing tips, ensuring travelers are ready for the climate. You should pack less than you normally would, as you’ll likely be dragging your baggage around frequently during your trip.
Due to the change in the culture of this new environment, it is wise to make sure to fully understand the cultural differences and the conservative nature of some of the cities and locations of Egypt.
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Clothes to Pack for Different Times of Year
In general, the biggest factors for what clothes to pack for Egypt are:
- What time of year you are visiting Egypt
- Conservative dress in Egypt
- What type of activities you’ll be doing in Egypt
The weather of Egypt is known to be perfect and fitting for having the most unique travel experience in a relaxing environment, but sometimes varies significantly.
In general, travelers in Egypt during the high season of November - April should pack clothes that can be layered, with a combination of warmer-weather and cooler-weather clothes. For example, in January, Egypt can get cold, with temperatures getting down to the high 40s and low 50s at night, and maybe only reaching 60-70 degrees during the height of the day.
Packing a mixture of shorts and long pants, along with tops that can be layered (short-sleeves, long sleeve shirts, a sweatshirt, and a light jacket), is a good idea. Travelers visiting Egypt in May - September won’t need any layers at all and would be comfortable in shorts and a short-sleeved shirt every day, although having clothes that offer sun protection, like a sun shirt, is also a good idea.
Here's a quick breakdown of what to expect during different seasons:
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- Spring: Mild and pleasant, but temperatures can vary from cool mornings to warm afternoons.
- Summer: Extremely hot, especially in Upper Egypt (Luxor, Aswan).
- Autumn: More moderate temperatures but can still be hot early in the season.
- Winter: Cooler, especially in the evenings, and can be surprisingly cold in the desert.
Average temperatures in Egypt are hot, hot, hot. The time of year that you visit Egypt will not drastically change your packing list. If you are visiting the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts during winter (November to February) you can pack an additional jacket or cover-up for the evenings.
Dressing Conservatively in Egypt
There is no Egypt dress code, and travelers technically can wear whatever they’d like, however, in Egyptian culture, it’s important to dress modestly. Egyptian men almost always wear long pants, and Egyptian women often cover everything from their wrists to their ankles.
That being said, I, as a male foreigner in Egypt, often wear shorts and have never had any issues. I have even seen women on my tours dress in above-the-knee shorts and tank tops, although Egyptian women will never wear these types of clothes, except for at the beach, and solo female travelers will likely feel uncomfortable in anything except conservative dress.
Women will need to pack a scarf in order to cover up hair when going inside of a mosque. There is no other place where women’s hair needs to be covered.
Egypt is a religious country where modesty is valued. As a tourist, especially in the modern and urban areas of Egypt, no one expects you to dress like the locals. You can wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. If you want to fit in and feel comfortable, a general rule is to make sure your arms are covered at least over the elbows, and your legs are covered past the knees.
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For men, dress codes are more relaxed… but you’d be a fool to not take sun protection seriously. Although men do not need to cover their heads when entering religious sites, packing a scarf may still be a good idea.
For visiting beautiful religious sites and in some rural areas, you will be required to cover your hair and wear a long-sleeved top. So, pack a light cotton scarf and blouse that you can fold up small in the bottom of your daily bag.
I go over this topic in detail on my blog post about what to wear in Egypt, so if you are still wondering, what can I wear in Egypt, head over to that blog post to read more.
What to Wear for Specific Activities in Egypt
Travelers will want to consider where they are going and what they’ll be doing in Egypt. Here are some examples of essentials for Egypt, depending on what you have planned:
- If hiking up Mt. Moses (Mt. Sinai) at St. Catherine’s Monastery, it’s a good idea to pack hiking boots, and warm clothes (it's cold at the top!)
- Planning on going to the beach, or using the pool at your hotel and Nile Cruise? Pack your swimsuit (any swimsuit is fine; women can wear two-piece bathing suits at the beach and at hotel/Nile Cruise pools, and men can wear speedo-style swimsuits)
- Love nightlife? Pack some fashionable (but conservative) outfits for going out at night to local bars and clubs, especially in Cairo and Alexandria, where local Egyptians love being stylish and trendy on a night out. Don't forget to bring your favorite shoes (although it might be good to avoid high heels, since walkways and sidewalks in Egypt aren't great)!
What Toiletries to Take to Egypt
If you are packing a checked bag, feel free to take all of the toilitries you would use at home, since specifc brands and items are not available in Egypt, plus the quality of these items isn't stellar. If you are only packing a carry-on with limited space, though, and a size-restriction on liquids (you cannot take liquids greater than 3 oz.
Here is a list of toiletries to pack for Egypt:
- Deodorant
- Shaving stuff (if needed)
- Shampoo and conditioner (or you can use what your hotel provides)
- Soap or body wash (or you can use what your hotel provides)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Moisturizer and lotion
- Bug spray
- Chapstick or lip balm
- Sunscreen
- Hand sanitizer
Electronics to Bring to Egypt
When traveling to Egypt, it's essential to bring the right electronics and accessories to stay connected, capture memories, and ensure your devices are powered up.
- Egypt Power Adapter: In Egypt, they use a 2-prong plug (like what they use in most European countries), so for travelers coming from the UK, USA, Canada, and other countries that use a different plug style, a power adapter is a must.
- Camera: You'll want to take tons of photos and videos during your Egypt trip, but I personally only use my iPhone for all the photos and videos I take. You can bring a DSLR camera to Egypt, but I would recommend against bringing any large, telephoto lenses. 360 degree cameras and Go Pro Cameras are allowed in Egypt.
- Chargers: You want to make sure you have chargers for all of the devices you bring.
- Power Bank: Especially for those long bus/train rides, extensive sightseeing days, or for visiting far-flung places like Siwa Oasis or St. Catherine, a power bank is a great way to make sure your devices stay charged so you can continue taking photos and staying in touch with friends and family.
- Headphones: If you have a lot of time on buses, trains, planes, or in the car, having a pair of headphones is a great way to decompress and relax.
Egypt Travel Essentials You Didn't Know About
Travelers are usually surprised when I share these Egypt travel essentials, but I've found all of these things to bring to Egypt super important when packing my suitcase:
- Bug spray: Anytime you are on the Nile, the chance of there being mosquitos is pretty high year round, and about half of the travelers who go on my group tours every year say that they are bothered by mosquitos and need bug spray.
- Travel guides: I love the Lonely Planet Egypt Travel Guide - having a guidebook (even a digital one on your phone works) is a great way to read up on Egypt while you have some downtime, or is an essential tool for a DIY traveler who is navigating the country without a local Egypt guide.
- Cash (in foreign currency): Egypt is a cash-based society, and having cash in foriegn currency is essential for your trip. Foreign currency is often what is preferred for gratuities, for paying for certain excursions like a sunrise hot air balloon ride, and is also handy in case you run into issues using your debit card at ATMs or paying for things with a credit card.
- Empty daybag or weekender bag: You'll be out sightseeing for a lot of the time you are in Egypt, most likely, and having a day bag (like a backpack), or a weekender bag (if you are heading somewhere for just a couple days, but keeping a hotel somewhere as a homebase) allows you to take just what you need for the day, leaving everything else behind.
- Wipes, toilet paper, or tissues: In Egypt, local folks use a bidet to clean themselves, and do not often use anything, like toilet paper, to wipe after. You will find bidets in every single toilet you will ever use in Egypt, but for folks who want something to wipe with, bringing some wipes, toilet paper, or tissue packages from home is a great way to make sure you have what you need, on the go.
- Hand sanitizer: In Egypt there are not many opportunities to wash hands, and even in bathrooms that have areas for this, there sometimes isn't any soap available. Having hand sanitizer is a great way to ensure your hands are clean when it's time to eat, or if you have used the bathroom and there is not soap available.
- Digital copies (on your phone) of your passport, credit cards, or other ID: Take photos and keep them handy on your phone of your passport, the front and back of any credit cards, and any other forms of ID (like a driver's license) before your trip to Egypt.
- Scarf: Scarves are a versitile way to cover up, and are especially good for women to pack for Egypt, since they can quickly cover up hair when entering a mosque, or cover another area (like their shoulders) if they are in a more conservative place and want to appear more modest. Scarves are great for men, too, for sun protection, or for keeping sand/dust out of your mouth and eyes (especially on windy days at the Pyramids, or if doing things like riding quad bikes in the desert).
What NOT to Bring to Egypt
There are a few things I recommend travelers do NOT bring to Egypt; some of them are very important not to pack for an Egypt trip, so read carefully!
- Anything with CBD: Any type of CBD products, like gummies, oils, or supplements, are not allowed in Egypt. Do not attempt to bring any type of CBD products into Egypt.
- Drones: Drones are not allowed in Egypt, will be confiscated at the airport or port of entry, and often will not be given back upon departure.
- LGBT-related items: It is safe for gay travelers to visit Egypt and many other places in the Middle East, but it's important to not discuss sexuality, and it's important to leave anything that is a signifier or symbol of the LGBT community at home. This means you shouldn't pack anything with a rainbow on it and should not have any clothing that talks about anythign relating to the queer community.
- Water purification systems or water bottle: In Egypt, travelers should only drink bottled water, which is available everywhere. There is no need to bring any type of water purification bottles, tablets, or filters with you, since you should only drink bottled water, and it's extremely easy to find and purchase.
- Egyptian Pounds: Do not attempt to purchase Egyptian pounds before going to Egypt. They are often not available at all, and it's a huge hassle to try to find them, and if you do, the rates you will purchase them for are abysmal outside of Egypt. Only buy Egyptian Pounds in Egypt.
- $1 bills or coins: $1 bills and coins are often brought to be used as gratuity and given out as small tips, but these cannot be exchanged by local Egyptians, since no exchange offices accept them. Please try tipping local people using Egyptian currency, and avoid using $1 bills or coins.
Complete Egypt Packing List
Here it is - what to pack Egypt edition:
Clothes to Pack for Egypt
- Shorts (women may not want to pack shorts, but there is no rule against this, and female tourists in Egypt often wear shorts)
- Long pants
- Short sleeved and long sleeved shirts
- One or two set of fashionable, dressy clothes for going out (optional)
- Socks
- Underwear
- Sunshirt (optional, but I love these so I don't have to wear as much sunscreen!)
- Hat (great for keeping the sun off of your face and eyes)
- Sturdy, walking shoes
- One pair of stylish shoes for going out (optional)
- Flip flops/sandals
- Sunglasses
- Scarf
- Cooling scarf (optional, but a great way to stay cooler when outdoors. You get the scarf wet, and wear it around your neck to keep cool)
- Light jacket (if visiting Egypt in November - April, or going somewhere like St. Catherine)
- Sweater or sweatshirt (when visiting November - April, especially in the evenings!)
- Rain jacket (if visiting Alexandria in the winter)
- Maxi dress and maxi skirt (for women)
- Swimsuit
Toilitries to Pack for Egypt
- Deodorant
- Shaving stuff (if needed)
- Shampoo and conditioner (or you can use what your hotel provides)
- Soap or body wash (or you can use what your hotel provides)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Moisturizer and lotion
- Bug spray
- Chapstick or lip balm
- Sunscreen
- Hand sanitizer
Electronics to Bring to Egypt
- Cell phone and charger
- Power bank
- Camera (optional)
- Egypt power convertor (if needed)
- Headphones
Miscellaneous Things to Pack for Egypt
- Travel guidebook
- Cash in foreign currency
- Wipes, toilet paper, or tissues
- Empty backpack, daybag, or weekender bag
- Medical devices (CPAP machine, insulin pump, etc.)
- Medications and prescriptions
Frequently Asked Questions about What to Pack for an Egypt Trip
What is not allowed to bring to Egypt?
Drones, CBD products, certain controlled substances, and anything relating to the LGBT community should not be brought into Egypt.
What should a female tourist wear in Egypt?
Female tourists can wear whatever they feel comfortable in during an Egypt trip, since there is no official Egypt dress code. However, most women feel comfortable dressing more conservatively in Egypt, covering up shoulders, cleavage, midriff, and knees.
Is ibuprofen illegal in Egypt?
No, ibuprofen is not illegal in Egypt. You can bring ibuprofen into Egypt, and you can also purchase it over the counter at any Egyptian pharmacy.
Can I bring tramadol or other prescriptions to Egypt?
You should have a doctor's note for any prescriptions you bring into Egypt, along with keeping the prescription in its original packaging. You should only bring enough of the prescription for your trip (for a two-week trip, only bring a two-week supply of any prescription). For certain controlled substances like tramadol, following these guidelines are essential. For other prescriptions, like an allergy medication, these guidelines are more flexible.
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