If you are looking for a complete list of what to pack for Egypt, you need look no further. In this blog post we will be looking at what essential items should be on your packing list and more. From personal items and clothing, to the type of plugs used in Egypt, you will find all the information you need in this essential packing guide.

A lot of people pack in far more than they actually need to and as a result they end up having to lug unnecessary baggage around with them wherever they go while they are in Egypt. This packing guide will help you to avoid making the same mistake. Let’s begin with the sort of clothing one should pack for a trip to the Land of the Pharaohs.

To begin with, Egypt is a rather conservative country, and this is something which you should keep in mind when packing for your trip. The type of clothing you should pack is also largely determined by when in the year you intend visiting:

November to February

This is the most popular time to visit Egypt largely because December, January and February are Egypt’s winter months and the coolest months of the year. A lot of travel bloggers always recommend packing in loose lightweight clothing items. This is typically excellent advice but it is not necessarily the best advice for people who are going to be visiting Egypt in December, January or February. These three months can be far cooler than what many people anticipate. This is especially true as far as the evenings are concerned.

So, if you are going to be visiting in December, January or February, then it is crucial that you pack in some warm clothing. On most days you can generally get away with wearing a dress, a pair of lightweight linen pants, or even a pair of shorts, and occasionally a light fleece. However in the evenings, when temperatures drop, you will need some warmer clothing, including a relatively thick jacket.

March and April

By the time March arrives the weather is becoming increasingly warm so packing in warm clothing is no longer really essential. However, your list of what to pack for Egypt should still include one or two pairs of long lightweight pants. You almost certainly won’t have any need for a thick jacket but we would recommend packing in a light jacket or a light fleece to wear in the evenings.

May to September

In May most people would describe the weather as being hot but not unbearable. If you are going to be visiting Egypt at any point between May and September our advice would be to add breathable clothing to your packing list. If you are going to be visiting during June July or August you need to bear in mind that these are Egypt’s summer months and the weather can be absolutely scorching, so when it comes to packing in clothing, your focus should be on loose, lightweight clothing made from breathable fabrics.

October and November

By October and November temperatures have started dropping quite rapidly, so your list of what to pack for Egypt should once again include a warm jacket to wear in the evenings. In October a lightweight jacket should be adequate, but if you are going to be visiting in November then we would recommend that you’re pack in somewhat thicker jacket.

No matter when in the year you choose to visit Egypt, your list of what to pack for Egypt should include some good quality footwear. Many visitors spend most of their holiday wearing open sandals. While there is essentially nothing wrong with this, our advice would be to also pack in 1 or 2 pairs of closed toe shoes. Again, our advice would be to pack in a pair of smart casual shoes to wear in the evenings and/or when you are going out to restaurants and so forth, and a pair of sturdy trainers to wear when you are visiting Egypt’s magnificent archaeological sites.

If you are a female traveler and you intend visiting any mosques while you are in Egypt, then your list of what to pack for Egypt should also include a lightweight scarf or a pashmina scarf. We would recommend a pashmina scarf rather than a regular head scarf. The reason for this is because females are required to cover their hair, neck and shoulders when entering a mosque.

Suitable head scarves are sometimes available at some, but not all mosques that are popular tourist attractions.  You can order a pashmina scarf online before you travel to Egypt or you can simply purchase one when you arrive in the country. 

If you are a female traveler don’t forget to also pack in a long dress that at the very least reaches to just below your knees. If you arrive at a mosque and you’re wearing a short dress, you will most likely be denied entry or you will be expected to rent a long robe from someone who is in attendance at the mosque.

If you need to take prescription medication, you can safely back your medication in your luggage or carry it on your person. However, to be on the safe side it’s advisable to have a copy of your prescription and a cover note from your healthcare provider. The cover note from your doctor should clearly state why you need to take the drugs and it should also mention the dosage of each drug you have with you. If you do need to take prescription drugs every day, then it is wise to make sure that you pack in enough to last you for the full duration of your stay in Egypt. If there is any chance whatsoever of you extending your vacation then you need to take this into consideration as well, as far as your prescription drugs are concerned.

Nearly all over the counter medication that is available in your country can safely be packed in your luggage. Most over the counter medication which is available in your country is also available in Egypt but you may not always be able to find your favorite brand/s.

Your list of what to pack for Egypt should also include some personal care items, including a hair dryer and an electric shaver. Our advice would be to opt for a small and compact rechargeable hair dryer and a rechargeable electric shaver. Most four and five star hotels provide hair dryers in their rooms. Most five-star Nile cruise ships also have hair dryers in their cabins which passengers are free to use. Still, many people feel that it’s best to take their own hair dryer and shaver.

These devices typically don’t weigh very much, and they also don’t take up a lot of packing space, so taking your own with you is something you might want to consider. Of course, you also mustn’t forget to pack in some other personal items, such as a good pair of nail clippers, for example. If you are going to be visiting the country during the warmer months then you might also want to consider packing in a compact rechargeable handheld fan.

For many tourists, there are only three electronic devices (besides those listed above) that are considered essential: their mobile phone, a camera, and a laptop or tablet. In fact many tourists don’t even bother taking a standalone camera with them when they visit Egypt. Instead, they rely entirely on phone cameras. Just be sure to pack in the correct chargers, and if necessary, some spare rechargeable batteries as well. 

If your phone does not have a removable battery then you should consider packing in at least one good power bank. If you are going to be relying entirely on your phone for taking photos, then the last thing you want is for your phone battery to die on you when you are out sightseeing.

Last but not least, don’t forget to ensure that you have plenty of digital space available for storing your photos. If you are going to be relying entirely on your mobile phone for taking pictures then we would recommend that you purchase and pack in at least two or three extra memory cards.

There are two plug types in Egypt. These are Plug Type C and Plug Type F. Both plug types have two round pins, with the only difference between the two being that Plug Type F also has an earth clip on either side. Be sure to pack in a suitable adapter so that you can recharge all your electronic devices.

Compact and Efficient Step-Down Transformer

The electrical system in Egypt is a 220V / 50Hz system. If your appliances have been designed for a 110V system you will not be able to plug them directly into electrical outlets in Egypt without a step-down transformer. If your devices have been designed for a 110V system then be sure to pack in a reliable and compact step-down transformer.

For most of the year Egypt is a hot country and tourists are advised to drink plenty of water in order to stay adequately hydrated. Unfortunately the warm weather means that your water is not going to stay cold for very long in a typical plastic water bottle if you’re out sightseeing in the sun. If you like your water to be cold, or at least cool, then you should definitely also consider adding a good quality insulated water bottle to your list of what to pack for Egypt.

Earlier in this post we mentioned that lightweight linen pants and loose-fitting dresses are best for helping you to feel comfortable in Egypt’s notoriously hot weather. However, these types of clothes are also excellent in terms of sun protection. You may also want to consider wearing loose fitting long sleeved tops since these will help to keep the sun of your arms. So now you have another reason to add them to your list of what to pack for Egypt.

We also highly recommend wearing a wide brimmed hat whenever you are outdoors during the day, and especially during the warmer months. Last but not least, don’t forget to pack in some good quality sunscreen lotion with a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15 or higher. The higher the SPF, the better. This should be applied to all exposed areas of skin whenever you are heading outdoors.

We believe that in this post we have covered all the essentials you need to pack for a hassle free and totally unforgettable holiday. When it comes to packing for Egypt you don’t need to worry too much. If you happen to forget something you should almost certainly be able to find it in Egypt and because Egypt is a relatively cheap country some people feel that it’s better to simply purchase certain things such as clothing once they arrive in the country.