What to Pack for Egypt: A Checklist for Every Season

Packing well makes a real difference in Egypt, where you might walk through desert sun at the Pyramids in the morning and visit a mosque or an air-conditioned museum in the afternoon. Use this checklist to get it right.

Clothing

• Light, breathable layers: cotton and linen tops, light trousers, long skirts and dresses.
• Modest options: clothes that cover shoulders and knees for mosques, churches and conservative areas. Women should carry a light scarf to cover their hair inside mosques.
• A warm layer: desert mornings, evenings on the Nile and winter nights from December to February can be cool.
• Something smart: for dinner on your Nile cruise or a nice restaurant in Cairo.
• Swimwear: for the cruise pool, your hotel or the Red Sea.

Shoes

Bring comfortable walking shoes with good grip for sand, uneven stone and long temple days, plus sandals for the boat and hotel.

Sun and health

• Sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat and high-SPF sunscreen, even in winter.
• A refillable water bottle. Drink bottled or filtered water.
• Any prescription medication in its original packaging, plus basics for an upset stomach.
• Hand sanitizer and tissues.

Hair and skin care

Egypt is dry and dusty, and specialist products for natural hair and melanin-rich skin can be hard to find outside Cairo. Pack your usual leave-in conditioner, oils, edges products, a satin bonnet or scarf for sleeping, and a rich moisturizer and lip balm. A scarf also protects your hair from sun and wind in the desert.

Documents and money

• Your passport and your Egypt visa, or cash for a visa on arrival.
• Copies of your passport and travel insurance details.
• Small Egyptian pound notes for tips. See our tipping guide.
• A travel adapter for type C and F outlets (Egypt uses 220 volts).

When are you going?

Winter (November to February) is mild with cool nights, spring and autumn are warm, and summer is very hot in Luxor and Aswan. Read the best time to visit Egypt from the U.S. to plan your dates.

Plan your trip with Black Egypt Tours

We plan private and group trips for African American and Black travelers, with Egyptologist guides and 24/7 support on WhatsApp. Browse our classic Egypt tours, Nile cruises and group trips, or send us your dates and we will design your itinerary.