What to Pack for a Trip to Egypt: Essentials You’ll Need for an Unforgettable Journey

Knowing what to pack for a trip to Egypt can make all the difference in ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free adventure. 

From exploring the ancient pyramids to navigating bustling souks, the right packing list will help you stay prepared for Egypt's unique climate and cultural norms.

In this guide, we’ll cover essential clothing, travel gear, and other must-have items to bring along. Whether you’re wandering through historic sites or cruising the Nile, our tips will help you pack smart and make the most of your trip. Let’s get started!

What to Pack for a Trip to Egypt

So are you ready to get packing for your trip to Egypt? Well, we're going to break down the list by category, so that you can stay organized.

What to Pack for a Trip to Egypt: Clothing & Footwear

Wondering what to wear in Egypt? Well, this is one of the most important things to keep in mind for what to pack for a trip to Egypt.

The two main factors you'll need to keep in mind are the weather and cultural/religious norms. As a male, it's pretty easy to pack for a trip to Egypt, but for women, you'll definitely want to make sure you bring appropriate clothing.

We've written a guide for what to wear in Egypt so that you can have all of the details (don't forget to check that one out too), but here is also a bit of a breakdown of some things you'll need.

👗 Long Dresses or Skirts

While women don't have to cover up completely 24/7, there are certain circumstances when you'll have to dress more conservatively.

My go to for visiting smaller villages and more conservative areas of Egypt are long skirts and dresses with light fabrics.

🥻 Light Shawls

If you plan on visiting any religious sites, this is when the shawls will really come into play.

Women have to cover themselves from head to toe, and even make sure their hair is covered in certain places.

Light shawls will help cover you up quickly, without being a burden to carry around, and will be more ideal with hotter temperatures.

👙 Bathing Suits

Egypt has so many great swimming opportunities, so don't forget to pack at least 1-2 bathing suits for your trip!

Whether you're going diving with dolphins in Hurghada, soaking in the hot springs of Siwa, or simply laying on the beaches along the Red Sea, a bathing suit is truly a must, not matter what time of year you visit Egypt (especially if you visit Siwa Oasis!).

🧥 A Light Jacket/Sweater

Despite popular belief, Egypt actually does get cold! If you happen to be visiting Egypt in the cooler months, or plan on visiting the deserts, then you'll want to bring a light jacket or sweater to bring for the evenings and early mornings.

🩴 Sandals

There is a lot of sand in Egypt (I mean hey- it's a massive desert!), so you'll want to make sure you have some comfy sandals for exploring. 

We'd recommend anything that makes you feel comfortable. We use Havaianas, but you could also opt for a sturdier sandal for adventuring and climbing dunes.

What to Pack for a Trip to Egypt: Skin Care & Hygiene

Now that you have an ideal of what to pack for a trip to Egypt in terms of must-bring clothing, let's go over some of the things to bring in your toiletry bag!

Some of the obvious things you'll want to bring are your toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and any other dental hygiene product you typically bring. You'll also want to bring shampoo, conditioner, soap, or any other typical product you shower with (unless your hotel includes them).

But here are some of the other must-bring toiletries to pack for your trip to Egypt.

☀️ Sunscreen

Number one is SUNSCREEN! Whether you're visiting in the blistering heat of the summer, or even the cooler months of March or October, one thing is pretty consistent in Egypt, and that's the sun exposure.

We'd recommend a daily moisturizer with SPF for your face, and then a bottle of sunscreen for visiting the Pyramids, going to the beach, or exploring the desert.

🍃 Aloe

Sometimes no matter how much sunscreen you put, you still end up getting burnt. Get a small bottle of aloe to give your skin some love after a long day in the sun.

🧴 Lotion

Egypt is hot, but it can also be pretty dry! After all, you're surrounded by desert.

Moisturize as much as you can, because my skin got super dry while in Egypt (especially my heels from using sandals everywhere).

👄 Chapstick

While you'll definitely need to moisturize your body, don't forget about your lips! Mine got pretty chapped, as your body can easily dehydrate in the extreme heat.

🧻 Wipes

Days in Egypt can be LONG, and there is nothing worse than exploring all day while feeling gross.

Whether you're doing a White Desert tour, taking a boat excursion to one of the islands, or visiting the Pyramids of Giza, chances are you'll be out for several hours at a time.

Having wipes is a great way to freshen up, and we always carried a small pack with us on our long days out in Egypt.

🤧 Tissues

One thing we noticed a lot in Egypt was that many of the bathrooms did not have toilet paper. For that reason we recommend always having a small pack of tissues on you so you're ready to go and not stuck in a shitty situation.

💆🏻‍♀ Hair Product

With really hot temperatures you can expect that your hair might not cooperate like it normally does. If you visit in the fall, winter, or early spring you should be fine. However, if you visit late spring or summer you may as well ditch that straightener and just get some product to control your frizz.

👱🏼‍♀️ Hair Ties

It can get pretty damn hot in Egypt, and also it can get windy by the beaches and in the deserts. Bring some hair ties so you can comfortably tie your hair back rather than having it all over the place.

👩🏼‍🦰 Mini Brush

One thing that truly suffered in Egypt was my hair. Whether it was getting tangled in snorkel equipment or getting tangled from the wind in the desert, it was always a mess! 

One thing I had wished I had done was bring a small brush in my bag, so now I'm passing on my little tip to you so that your hair can be in a better place than mine was.

Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!

What to Pack for a Trip to Egypt: Photography & Electronics

Now is the best part! As photographers, one of our main goals is capture each country in all its beauty, and with the right preparation, you can get pretty epic content here. Here is what to pack for a trip to Egypt in terms of photography and other electronics

📸 Camera

There are so many epic bucket list experiences in Egypt, and it's truly a country you won't want to visit without a camera.

We actually lost our dear camera to a salt pool in Siwa and were just devastated. With the White Desert being our last stop, we knew we had to do something.

Luckily, we were able to find a rental company for cameras in Cairo! We'd of course recommend bringing your own, but God forbid something happens bad like it did to us (or maybe you're on a tight budget), it's good to know that there are options.

📷 Wide Lens

Having a wide lens is great while in Egypt for a variety of reasons. We particularly love using it at the temples as you can get unique perspectives, and fit more in one shot, as well as for landscapes.

We also loved using our Sony GM 14 mm F1.8 because it was great for doing astrophotography in the desert!

🔭 Telephoto Lens

We particularly loved using our telephoto lens for iconic locations like the Pyramids of Giza. One of our favorite spots for pictures at the pyramids is in front of the Sphinx, and using a telephoto lens really makes a difference in the shots!

🌊 GoPro

Egypt is home to some incredibly turquoise waters and some really cool underwater activities. There is no better way to capture the incredible marine life and action-packed water activities than with a GoPro.

🤳🏻 Insta 360

Drones are strictly prohibited in Egypt, but getting a bird's eye view is truly a must in some places! Whether you're running through the Pyramid grounds, or capturing yourself in the salt ponds of Siwa, the Insta 360 is an incredible way to capture drone-like shots with its extra long selfie stick.

🗼 Tripod

If you plan on visiting the desert, want to do astrophotography, or simply want to set up your own shots, then don't miss out on bringing a tripod on your trip.

While most tourist spots in India banned tripods, luckily we didn't have that issue in Egypt, and were even allowed to bring out tripod to the Pyramids!

🔌 Travel Adapter

Egypt uses the same plug types as Europe, which are types C & F. The voltage is 220V, so you'll want to make sure you get a travel adapter if you have electronics from the US or UK.

🔋 Power Bank

With long days out you'll definitely need to recharge your electronics, and when you're exploring the pyramids, galavanting through the desert, or relaxing at the beach, you probably won't find outlets around. 

We always carry an Anker Power Bank with us because it can charge multiple items, and can get us through two days of charge.

What to Pack for a Trip to Egypt: Documents & Misc.

Now you know almost everything for what to pack for a trip to Egypt! But here are a few other things that you won't want to forget to take with you.

🛂 Passport

We know it should be obvious, but all travelers need a passport to enter Egypt, and most people need a visa!

You can either get your visa online in advance, or you can simply purchase it on arrival. Just make sure you have a couple of free pages in your passport, and that it doesn't expire within 6 months.

💵 Cash

Cash is key in Egypt, and you'll need to bring physical money for a number of reasons. 

When you arrive and have to pay for your visa, you'll have to have $25 USD (or it can be euros or British pounds).

You'll also notice that there is a Black Market rate in Egypt, and by bringing cash you can exchange in the streets for more money than you would by doing so in an exchange office, or by paying with your credit card.

💧 Reusable Water Bottle

Days are long and hot in Egypt, so you'll want to make sure you hydrate as much as possible!

Ditch the plastic and refill your reusable water bottle to be a sustainable traveler.

💦 Waterproof Phone Pouch

Other than having a GoPro, we also recommend having a waterproof phone pouch for your phone. It's a really cheap alternative, and also protects your phone while on boats, at the beach, or while doing any water-related activities.

🕶 Sunglasses

We've mentioned it before and we'll mention it again- Egypt is a very sunny country! Skies are bright and the sun is blinding, so make sure to protect your beautiful eyes from the harsh rays.

😴 Small Pillow

Distances are far in Egypt, and chances are you're going to have a long bus ride or car ride at some point. We found have a small portable pillow and blanket were super helpful during our travels around Egypt!

What NOT to Pack for a Trip to Egypt

Now you know what to pack for a trip to Egypt. But there are also some things you should know that are NOT allowed in this country! Here are a few of them to keep in mind.

🚁 Drone

Drones are strictly prohibited in Egypt, and we actually brought ours because we were continuing our travels elsewhere.

Luckily, they didn't see ours or confiscate it, but we did get ours confiscated in both Jordan and Cuba, and let me tell you - it was not a fun experience.

The only place you can really get away with using a drone is in the middle of the desert if absolutely no one is around. We used it in the White Desert, but wouldn't necessarily recommend doing so.

🩲 Provocative/ Very Revealing Clothing

While there isn't any clothing that's actually "illegal" in Egypt, you'll certainly want to remember to leave any super revealing clothing at home.

It's always important to be respectful, so we'd recommend not brnig very low cut tops or any really skimpy bikinis.

What to Pack for a Trip to Egypt: Packing List

Here is a breakdown of what our packing list looks like:

• Sunscreen 
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Aloe 
• Lotion
• Chapstick
• Insulated Water Bottle (to hold the temperature)
• Comfortable Sandals or Flip Flops (we personally always get Havaiana flip flops, as they are comfy and long lasting) 
  
• Small Bag or Backpack - take a look at these backpacks for travelers!
• Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are the best in the market and last super long)
• Toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, and soap (We use Sheer Alternatives because they are travel sized and all natural)
• Wipes to freshen up
• Brush (you'll need it from the wind)
• Light sweater or jacket for the night time
• Pajamas or comfy clothes to sleep in 
• USB phone charger or car charger (to use in the car)
• Car Outlet to charge your electronics
• Bathing Suit (for the hot springs, pools, and beaches)
• Camera - (we use the Sony A7Riii)
• Wide Lens for astrophotography (we use the Sony GM 14mm F1.8)
• Tripod for astrophotography or getting shots when no one is around (we use the JOBY Rangepod)
• Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 with the extra long selfie stick for drone-like shots)
• Small pillow for the long car or bus rides

👀 What's Next?

Now that you know what to pack for a trip to Egypt, you'll probably want to know more about visiting the country!

Here are some other Egypt travel guides we have:
🛂 How to get a visa for Egypt

⭐️ Top places to visit in Egypt

🪂 15 bucket list experiences in Egypt

📸 The best photo spots of the Egyptian Pyramids

🤩 Complete guide for visiting the Pyramids

🏜 Visiting the White Desert in Egypt

🧂 Siwa Oasis travel guide

🏖 How to visit Paradise Island in Egypt

📆 The best time to visit Egypt

🚗 Egypt transportation guide

🍴 Egypt food guide

👗 What to wear in Egypt as a tourist

👮🏻‍♀️ Is Egypt Safe?

✅ 21 tips for visiting Egypt

📖 First-timer's travel guide for Egypt

Now you know what to pack for a trip to Egypt can properly prepare for an incredible trips!

Want more information for your trip to Egypt? We have plenty of other Egypt travel guides to assist you, as well as more coming the next few weeks! So don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with the latest articles.

Ready to book the most epic trip to Egypt? Let us help! Scratch Your Mapa offers travel planning services desidned to find you the most affordable flights, as well as the most unique accommodation options and excursions. In additon, we're creating really fun group trips to Egypt soon!

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