You’ve booked your trip to Egypt — now comes the part that trips up first-timers: packing for a country that goes from Mediterranean coast to Sahara desert, from air-conditioned museums to open-air temples baking at 40°C (104°F). This guide tells you exactly what to pack for Egypt, whether you’re visiting in summer or winter, heading to the beach resorts or deep into ancient Upper Egypt.
After running private Egypt tours for over 15 years, we’ve seen every packing mistake in the book. This list is the result of those lessons.
Here’s the complete list at a glance, organised by category. Detailed explanations for each section follow below.
| Category | Must-Have Items |
|---|---|
| Clothing | Loose cotton/linen tops, long trousers or skirts, light scarf, walking shoes, sandals, swimwear (resort areas) |
| Sun Protection | SPF 50+ sunscreen, wide-brim hat, UV sunglasses, UV-protection buff/scarf |
| Health & Hygiene | Anti-diarrhoeal, rehydration sachets, antihistamines, hand sanitiser, wet wipes, personal prescriptions |
| Electronics | Universal adaptor (Type C/F), power bank, phone, camera, offline maps downloaded |
| Documents | Passport, visa (e-visa printout or approval), travel insurance, flight/hotel bookings, emergency contacts |
| Money | USD/EUR for exchange, debit card for ATMs, small EGP bills for tips and minor purchases |
| Bag | Day backpack (20-25L), main luggage (check airline limits), money belt for crowded areas |
Summer in Egypt is extreme. In Luxor and Aswan, temperatures hit 40-45°C (104-113°F). Cairo sits around 35°C (95°F). Coastal resorts like Hurghada are more bearable thanks to sea breezes, but still hot.
Essential additions for summer:
Summer is actually a great time to visit — crowds are minimal, prices are lower, and your Luxor tours and Aswan day tours will have the temples virtually to yourself.
Egyptian winters are mild and sunny during the day (18-22°C / 64-72°F in Cairo and Luxor, slightly cooler in Alexandria). Evenings drop to 8-12°C (46-54°F), especially in Upper Egypt. Nile cruise nights can be genuinely cold.
Essential additions for winter:
The best packing scenario. Temperatures are comfortable (22-30°C / 72-86°F), crowds are moderate, and you don’t need extreme summer or winter gear. Pack a light layer for evenings and you’re set.
Watch out for: Khamsin sandstorms in March and April — a light buff or scarf to cover your face is worth adding if you’re visiting in spring.
Egypt isn’t as conservative as some travellers expect, but modest dress opens doors — literally. You’ll get into every mosque, Coptic church, and royal tomb without issue if your shoulders are covered and your knees are covered or nearly so.
For women:
For men:
Fabrics to bring: linen, cotton, bamboo. Fabrics to leave home: synthetics, polyester, wool (unless winter).
How much to pack: 5-7 days of clothes is enough for any length trip. Most hotels do laundry, and on a Nile cruise the crew handles it for a small tip.
The Egyptian sun is the most underestimated hazard for first-time visitors. At Karnak Temple, Abu Simbel, and the Valley of the Kings, there is almost zero shade. Combine 40°C heat with reflected limestone and you have a recipe for serious sunburn or heat exhaustion.
Egypt is a very healthy destination overall. That said, a few preparations make a big difference.
Pack in your day bag (not checked luggage):
Vaccinations: Consult your GP before travel. Hepatitis A and typhoid are commonly recommended for Egypt. Routine vaccinations (MMR, tetanus) should be up to date.
Water: Never drink tap water in Egypt. Bottled water is cheap and available everywhere (0.50-1 EGP per 1.5L bottle). Fill your reusable bottle from sealed bottles at the hotel each morning.
Egypt uses Type C and F plug sockets at 220V/50Hz. If you’re coming from the US or UK, you’ll need an adaptor.
Photography inside tombs: Many tombs in the Valley of the Kings now ban cameras (or charge a per-tomb fee). Your phone is always fine. An Egyptologist guide from Egypt Day Tours will tell you exactly what’s permitted at each site before you enter.
Documents checklist:
Money tips:
A Nile cruise or Dahabiya adds a few specific needs to your packing list:
Our 6 private Dahabiya boats operate between Luxor and Aswan with a maximum of 12 guests — a world away from the 300-passenger cruise ships. See Dahabiya options and pricing.
If you’re arriving by cruise ship in Alexandria, Port Said, Safaga, or Sokhna, you have a compressed day ashore. Pack your day bag the night before:
Browse our Egypt shore excursions — we meet you at the gangway and return you before all-aboard time, every time.
A few items that cause problems at customs or in daily life:
Lightest possible kit. Focus on comfortable walking shoes, modest clothing, sun protection, and your camera. Cairo has every pharmacy and shop you could need if you forget something.
Follow the master checklist above. Pack layers for Aswan evenings. Bring a spare memory card — you’ll fill your camera faster than expected.
Add: swimwear, snorkel set (or rent on arrival), reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes for rocky beaches, rashguard for long snorkelling sessions.
See the dedicated Nile Cruise section above. Key extra: smart-casual evening outfit for dinner.
In summer (June-August), pack lightweight, loose, light-coloured clothing — linen and cotton are ideal. Temperatures reach 40°C (104°F) in Upper Egypt, so sun protection is critical: SPF 50+ sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, UV-blocking sunglasses, and a reusable water bottle. A light scarf is essential for entering mosques and temples. Comfortable walking shoes with breathable soles are a must.
Egypt winters (December-February) are warmer than most visitors expect during the day (18-22°C), but evenings get cold, especially in Aswan and on Nile cruises. Pack layers: a light jacket or fleece for evenings, plus your normal summer clothes for daytime sightseeing. A warm layer is essential for early-morning hot air balloon rides over Luxor.
You do not need to cover up everywhere, but modest dress is respectful and required at religious sites. Loose trousers or a long skirt and a top that covers your shoulders will get you into any mosque or Coptic church without issue. On beach resorts like Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, Western swimwear is perfectly normal.
Bring anti-diarrhoeal tablets, rehydration sachets, antihistamines, and any personal prescriptions in original labelled packaging. A small first-aid kit with antiseptic wipes and blister plasters is useful. Hand sanitiser gel is essential as not all sites have soap. Consult your doctor about typhoid and Hepatitis A vaccinations before travel.
Yes — most hotels offer laundry service, and there are laundromats in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. On a Nile cruise or Dahabiya, the crew can usually arrange laundry for a small tip. So you do not need to pack for the full length of your trip; 5-7 days of clothes is plenty even for a 10-14 day journey.
Egypt uses Type C and F sockets (220V, 50Hz). Bring a universal travel adaptor if your devices use Type A/B plugs. A power bank is essential for long days of sightseeing. Download Google Maps offline maps for Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan before you travel.
Budget USD 20-30 per day in cash for tips, small purchases, and entry fees at minor sites. Egypt is largely cash-based outside hotels and tour operators. ATMs are widely available in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and resort towns.
Leave at home: drone cameras (require a special permit), anything that looks like an antique, large quantities of religious literature, and revealing clothing for non-beach areas. Prescription drugs in large amounts should have a doctor’s letter.
Our private Egypt tours include a dedicated Egyptologist guide, private air-conditioned transport, and hotel pick-up — so all you need to focus on is what to put in your bag.
