# Egypt Packing List: Clothes, Documents & Travel Essentials

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[Egypt Travel Guide](https://egyptmore.com/travel-guide)

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.

0 of 20 items packed

Keep within reach

Passport and the entry documents required for your trip Travel insurance details and emergency contacts Booking confirmations and your arrival transfer details Copies of important documents, kept separately Regular medicines and any required supporting documents 

Clothes you will use

Light, loose tops and trousers or longer skirts Comfortable walking shoes, already worn in Underwear and socks for the days between laundry stops A layer for cool evenings and air conditioning A light scarf or shawl for extra coverage 

For a day out

A small bag that leaves your hands free A sun hat and UV-protective sunglasses Sunscreen and lip balm A water bottle Tissues and hand sanitiser 

Charged and ready

Phone, charging cable and plug adaptor A power bank that meets your airline’s rules Offline maps and saved booking details Camera accessories, if you use a separate camera A pouch to keep electronics away from sand and splashes 

## 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](https://egyptmore.com/travel-guide/weather-best-time)

**Extras to choose for your plans**

| 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](https://egyptmore.com/travel-guide/visa-entry) 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.

Sources: [UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/safety-and-security)

## 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

Sources: [US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention](https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/africa-middle-east/egypt.html)

## 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)](https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/advice-for-you/when-travelling/travel-adaptor-for-egypt/)

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.

Sources: [UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/health)

## 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](https://egyptmore.com/travel-guide/culture-etiquette) explains what that means day to day, and the [weather guide](https://egyptmore.com/travel-guide/weather-best-time) will tell you how warm your month is likely to be in each region.

Sources: [UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/safety-and-security)

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.

## Related guides

-   [Egypt weather and best time to visit](https://egyptmore.com/travel-guide/weather-best-time)
-   [Culture and etiquette](https://egyptmore.com/travel-guide/culture-etiquette)
-   [SIM cards, Wi-Fi and plugs](https://egyptmore.com/travel-guide/connectivity-essentials)

## 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: 21 September 2026

-   [Electrical Safety First (UK charity): Travel adaptor for Egypt ](https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/advice-for-you/when-travelling/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 ](https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/africa-middle-east/egypt.html)
    
    Clinical travel-health reference covering desert heat, dehydration, sandstorms, food, water and road safety.
    
-   [UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: Egypt: safety and security ](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/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 ](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/health)
    
    Medicines that may be controlled in Egypt, healthcare and the ambulance number.
    

[How we check time-sensitive travel information](https://egyptmore.com/editorial-standards)
