Packing
Your Egypt packing list
The short answer
Pack for walking on uneven ground in strong sun, for evenings that are cooler than you expect, and for places where covered shoulders and knees are the norm. Shoes you have already worn in, light layers and a day bag matter more than anything specialised. Adjust the list below for your season and route.
Your packing checklist
Tick things off as you pack. Your ticks stay here while this page is open; they reset when you reload it.
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Add what your route needs
Start with the checklist, then add the things you will actually use. Check the forecast for each stop before you close your bag; Cairo, the Nile Valley and the coast can call for different layers.
Check the weather for your route
| Your plans | What to add |
|---|---|
| Cooler months or early starts | A jumper, a warmer outer layer and long trousers. For a mountain walk or desert night, ask your operator for a route-specific kit list. |
| Beach or pool time | Swimwear, a cover-up and sandals. Check whether your accommodation provides towels before packing one. |
| A Nile cruise | A layer for time on deck and any clothes required by your boat’s dining dress code. Check luggage space and laundry arrangements with the operator. |
| Several hotel changes | A manageable case and a separate bag for the day. Plan laundry stops rather than bringing a fresh outfit for every day. |
Before you zip the bag
Keep your passport, entry documents, arrival details and essential personal items easy to reach. Save copies offline and keep a separate copy of important documents. Use the entry guide to check what applies to your passport.
Check the baggage allowance on every flight in your itinerary, including domestic connections. Your airline’s current rules decide what can travel in the cabin, including power banks and liquids; an international allowance may not apply to a separate domestic ticket.
Clothing and footwear
- Light, loose cotton or linen that covers shoulders and knees
- Walking shoes or sturdy sandals you have worn before; sites are sandy and uneven
- A light jacket or shawl for winter mornings, desert nights and strong air conditioning
- A wide-brimmed hat
- A light scarf, useful for sun, dust and visiting mosques
- Swimwear for the pool or beach, and something to cover up with on the way there
For sun and dry air
The CDC’s Yellow Book advises a hat, sunglasses, loose light clothing and sunscreen, and drinking regularly, because in dry heat you can dehydrate without feeling thirsty.
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- A refillable bottle, filled with bottled or treated water
- Eye drops or a mask if dust or sand bothers you
Electronics
- A plug adaptor for Type C and Type F sockets (two round pins, 220 V)
- A power bank for long days out
- Spare memory cards, and a sealable bag to keep sand out of cameras and phones
- Offline maps and copies of your bookings on your phone
Sources: Electrical Safety First (UK charity)
Official government advice
Medicines: check before you pack them
The UK Foreign Office says some prescribed and over-the-counter medicines may be controlled substances in Egypt, and that you may need permission from Egypt’s Ministry of Health before you arrive. It suggests carrying a letter from your doctor stating your condition, how much medication you are carrying and that it is for personal use. Keep medicines in their original packaging, in your hand luggage, and ask the nearest Egyptian consulate about anything you are unsure of.
Dress for the places you visit
The Foreign Office advises dressing modestly, especially in rural areas, mosques and souqs. Resorts are more relaxed. The culture and etiquette guide explains what that means day to day, and the weather guide will tell you how warm your month is likely to be in each region.
EgyptMore editorial guidance
What to leave at home
- A drone, unless you already hold written permission from the Egyptian authorities.
- New shoes. Break them in first.
- Any medicine you have not checked.
- More than you can carry up a gangway or a flight of hotel steps yourself.
Sources
Open the source behind a claim and check it against your own dates, passport, health and route. Rules, prices and schedules can change after our check.
Time-sensitive facts last checked against these sources:
- Electrical Safety First (UK charity): Travel adaptor for Egypt
Plug types, voltage and frequency, and whether you need an adaptor or a converter.
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC Yellow Book: Egypt
Clinical travel-health reference covering desert heat, dehydration, sandstorms, food, water and road safety.
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: Egypt: safety and security
Crime, harassment, local laws, photography and drones, and road, rail and water transport risks.
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: Egypt: health
Medicines that may be controlled in Egypt, healthcare and the ambulance number.