What to Pack for Your Trip to Egypt

Tips on what to pack for your first trip to Egypt from essential travel documents to clothing and toiletries. How to make packing much easier.

Preparing for a trip is exciting but the most stressful part is packing for the trip as you have to consider different possibilities and prepare in advance and are limited by the size of your bag and suitcase.

We have considered everything for your very first visit to Egypt, from your passport and local currency to your itinerary and toiletries. Simply follow this guide for a more enjoyable packing and planning experience.

Essentials: Travel Documents, Cards and Cash, and Phone

No matter what kind of trip you are taking to Egypt, you still need to carry your phone, credit card, and passport.

To be more specific, please make sure you have all your travel documents with you (including your passport and visa as well as the reservation confirmation for your hotels and international flights) and can reach them easily during your trip. Make copies of them in advance in case the originals go missing — this will save time if any issues occur.

Keep your purse and cards secure when packing and try not to put all your cash in one place. Put it in different pockets and spread it around your luggage to minimize any loss. It's helpful to check the customs regulations in both Egypt and your country. For example, you can only have up to 5,000 EGP (about 320 USD) when entering Egypt, according to Egypt's customs regulations.

Itinerary and Local Contact Information

Print out or write down the contact information, addresses, names, and confirmation numbers of the places you'll be staying in during your visit. It is more convenient to list them on a single sheet of paper and have an online copy as backup.

It's important to remember the key information, such as names and addresses, and have them in the local language, especially if you have to take a taxi or shuttle bus as the drivers may not be able to communicate in English.

Keep your airline, train, and cruise information in a safe location as well (written in Arabic as well, if possible). Print copies of your e-tickets because your phone might run out of power and it is also not very convenient to pass your phone around to people when traveling (also consider what will happen if someone grabs it and rushes away). If you don't mind, though, you can show your phone to people for confirmation.

Clothing

Knowing what the weather will be like during your visit is always a good idea when preparing your clothing.

Generally speaking, it will be hot and dry in Egypt all year round with an average temperature ranging from 17°C (63°F) to 29°C (84°F). The temperature during the day is always above 20°C (68°F) in most parts of the country. There might be a lot of sand in the air during some seasons, normally in spring during the Khamsin from March to June.

You should also consider the local religion, which is Islam, and be conservative in public. You can wear a swimsuit at a resort when using a swimming pool or on the beach but definitely not in a church or mosque.

Pack lightweight clothing as it is always warm in the daytime and it is better to prepare at least one warm item of clothing for the chilly nights if your trip is in winter or you are going to stay overnight in the desert.

Take a comfortable, tough pair of walking shoes no matter what time of year you go there. A trip to Egypt often requires a lot of walking, especially when visiting the pyramids, temples, and oases in the Sahara Desert.

The sunlight is strong so please make sure to pack sun protection, such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats, even if you visit Egypt in winter.

Electronics

Egypt's electrical system operates at 220 volts and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. The sockets are Type C (the standard "Euro" plug) and Type F (Schuko). Converters may be necessary for travelers from America, Asia, and Oceania.

Aside from adapter plugs, a smartphone and digital camera are the other two musts for your trip. Waterproof ones will be great if you are planning to surf in the Red Sea.

A VPN will make your journey more secure if you want to access your bank account or any secure online account while traveling. Another reason to get a VPN is that numerous sites are blocked in Egypt. They're mostly news and pop culture sites but it's still inconvenient.

Earphones are a good way to kill time and block the ambient sound on transportation when taking long journeys during your trip.

Be sure not to leave any of the chargers for your electronic devices at home!

Medications and Toiletries

It may not be that easy for you to purchase medicines and other items in Egypt due to the language barrier; therefore, it is recommended to pack the daily medications that you need and to make sure you have enough of them to last until the last day of your visit.

Medications for common ailments, such as painkillers and remedies for indigestion, allergies, and diarrhea, will help to reduce any risk and embarrassment. Medications can be difficult to get in Egypt, especially when traveling outside the large cities, such as Cairo and Alexandria. Don't forget to take copies of all prescriptions to prevent any issues at the airport.

Toiletries are also not easy to find in small places. For example, deodorant and items like tampons and sanitary towels. If you are lucky, sanitary towels can be relatively easy to find but the brands will be different and they're not always as comfortable. Tampons are only available in large malls or supermarkets that sell imported commodities.

Insect repellent is important to take with you due to the hot weather and the Nile, particularly during the summer months and for travelers who are visiting cities along the Nile, such as Aswan, Luxor, and Cairo.

It's also recommended to carry some tissues and wet wipes with you because they aren't usually available in most public bathrooms.

Suggested Packing List

• Appropriate clothing for the weather
• Comfortable footwear
• Sun protection (the sun can still be powerful in winter)
• Toiletries, such as shampoo, conditioner, a hairbrush, a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, lotions, sunscreen, a razor, shaving cream, tampons/sanitary products, and other personal hygiene items)
• Medicine, such as a small first aid kit, pain relievers, diarrhea medicine, contact lens products, motion sickness medicine, allergy medicine, sleep medication, and personal prescriptions, as well as vitamins
• A phone with a charger
• A camera with a storage card and charger
• Power adapters
• Guidebooks, maps, and a dictionary
• A book or e-book, games, and music (to kill time)
• Insect repellent (there will be insects along the Nile, especially at night)
• A water bottle — don't drink tap water in Egypt unless you have boiled it first
• Hand sanitizer, tissues, and wet wipes
• A backpack for traveling during the day 
• A power bank for long journeys
• An Egyptian Arabic phrase book or access to Google Translate