Planning a trip to the land of pyramids and mummies but unsure what to pack? You’ve come to the right place! Our ultimate Egypt packing list contains everything you need to take on your trip plus things that will make your trip easier. This list can also be used for other desert-climate destinations as well!
Did you know we host group trips to Egypt? CLICK HERE for the latest trip information. We’d love for you to join us!
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When is the best time to visit Egypt?
Being a desert country, Egypt is hot and dry. It’s important to keep this in mind when trying to decide when to visit.
For the best temps and crowd sizes, we recommend going in March, April, October, or November. These months are considered the shoulder seasons so you’ll generally find warm weather that isn’t too hot, fewer people, and fair pricing.
The winter months of November through February have cooler temperatures, but this is considered peak season, so tourist sites can get crowded and trip costs can be high.
We advise against going during the summer months of June through August. It’s just way too hot, and most of the historical sites do not offer much shade.
Once you narrow down what month you want to visit, it’s worth checking to see if there are any holidays going on during that time frame that you should know about. For example, if you visit during Ramadan, you will likely find low crowds and good airfare deals. However if you find yourself in Egypt around on Eid al-Fitr (the last day of Ramadan) or the days that follow, you will likely see a spike in airfare prices and crowds as Muslims use this holiday period to travel and visit with one another.
We’ve got several other blog posts about Egypt! You can find them HERE.
Things to know before you go to Egypt
We’ve got a whole blog post dedicated to 20 Things to Know Before You Go To Egypt, but one of the top things is that it’s best to see Egypt on a guided tour. Egypt can be extremely difficult to navigate on your own. Whether or not you go with a local guide can really make or break your trip.
Going with a guide will help you to learn the history of the incredible sites you’ll be seeing. This really adds much needed context and gives you a deeper appreciation for the culture and history. Going with a guide also means that you won’t have to worry about navigating the chaotic streets on your own or how you will get from place to place. Your guide will take care of that for you. Another benefit of going with a guide is that if vendors get a little too pushy, your guide can step in to translate or tell the vendor to politely back off. Tourism is the main source of income for the country, so vendors can get a little too eager when trying to sell their products. It’s nice to have that added buffer of someone who can speak the language and advocate for you if needed.
If you read reviews online on whether or not people enjoyed their visit to Egypt, the ones with negative experiences are usually the ones who tried to navigate the country on their own without the help of a guide.
Egypt Packing List
The Setup
If you’re a carry-on only type of traveler, we HIGHLY recommend the Samsonite Mother Lode Travel Backpack. We’ve taken this backpack all over the world and love it. If you need a little more room, we like the Samsonite Ziplite comes in a fun variety of colors that makes it easier to spot at baggage claim than most other bags.
Packing cubes are 100% worth the hype and should be used regardless of your luggage type. We also like the convenience and organization that hanging toiletry bags offer.
Electronics
Travel Adapter – Egypt has 2 plug types: Type C and Type F. Most universal travel adapters don’t have Type F, but this one has Type C and will work in Egypt.
Iphone Charger – We like the 6ft corded chargers for optimal comfort while charging (hellooo laying in bed and doom scrolling after a long day of exploring the sites of Ancient Egypt).
Power Bank – This is SO HELPFUL to have when you are exploring for 10+ hours a day and taking pictures of all of the hieroglyphics, temples, pyramids, etc. This one charges your phone quickly and is very easy to carry around with you. Amanda has used this one on her trip to Northern Ireland, a Mediterranean Cruise, and festivals in the US.
If you have one of the newer magsafe phones, we highly recommend getting a magnetic portable charger so you don’t have to worry about fooling with cords while you’re on the go! Kayla has used this one in Scotland and trips around the USA.
Airfly – This is a must have if you’ll be flying into Egypt. Kayla got this for Amanda for her birthday and she has taken it on every flight since. It allows you to use your bluetooth headphones for in flight entertainment!
It really makes a difference when traveling with others and you are the unlucky soul in the middle or aisle seats having to get up when the window and middle seat people need to use the restroom or stretch their legs. No more pausing your show or getting headphones tangled!
Make sure you charge it before your first flight! Kayla learned the hard way that you have to charge it before the first use and didn’t get to use it at all the first flight she took with it.
Airpods – If you’re coming from the USA, it’ll be a long flight to Egypt. Bring your airpods so you can listen to audiobooks or stream Netflix from your phone.
Travel Fan – If you are someone who needs a fan to help you sleep, then this is a great one! We’ve had it for years and have taken it on multiple trips.
Personal Fan – Egypt is a desert country. It can get very hot and a lot of the ancient sites don’t offer much shade. We highly suggest taking a little something to cool off or add some airflow. This one is small yet mighty! It’s incredible what a little quick airflow can do to boost your mood when traveling.
Kindle – Most guided tours of Egypt include a Nile Cruise out of Luxor (and you usually have a short flight from Cairo to Luxor). That means you’ll have some down time to relax and read! Reading Death on the Nile while floating down the Nile is one of Kayla’s favorite travel memories.
Health & Wellness
Egypt has pharmacies you can visit if needed, but we like to be prepared for minor illnesses and injuries! Most of these items are very lightweight and can easily go into a small zippered bag – this keeps them all together and you can easily find them if you need them!
Mini First Aid Kit – For any small scrapes you may get. It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!
Dramamine – In case you get see sick on your Nile Cruise
Pepto Bismol – If you’ll be trying traditional Egyptian foods for the first time, you never know how they might affect your stomach!
Advil / your preferred pain reliever medication for any aches and pains that arise during your trip.
Basic cold & flu medication – This is good to bring no matter where you are traveling. Hopefully you don’t pick up any germs at the airport on the way over, but it’s a good idea to have this handy just in case.
Nasal Spray – This is one thing Kayla did not pack her first time to Egypt and really wish she would have. It was her first time visiting a desert climate, and her nasal passages felt so dry from all the dust!
Eye drops – If you wear contacts, this is a must due to the dry and dusty climate in Egypt.
Prescription Medications – It’s best to bring these in your carry-on just in case your checked bag decides to go on an adventure without you.
Liquid IV – While traveling you don’t typically drink the same amount of liquids as you do at home for various reasons. However, being dehydrated can truly impact your health and energy to keep exploring – using these will help keep you on the up and up!
Alani Drink Mix – Alani is a wellness brand that offers a few different products, one of them famously being energy drinks. Amanda is truly obsessed with this specific brand (namely the Cosmic Stardust, Breezeberry, and Hawaiian Shaved Ice flavors), so taking the energy mixes on trips where she won’t have access to the liquid drinks is a personal must.
While these aren’t an everyday drink at home (hellooo morning coffee), these are GREAT to have on hand when travel logistics may force you to skip coffee for whatever reason or you need a midday pick me up to keep going.
Zip Fizz – An energy alternative to Alani. It uses caffeine and B Vitamins to give you a boost, and there are a ton of flavor options to choose from. Drinking one of these is a great way to help push through jet lag!
Emergen-C – Honestly, not the best tasting. But it is a good source of immune support and the packets are super lightweight which is great for packing.
Hand Sanitizer – You might not find soap in all the bathrooms (outside your accommodations) when traveling in Egypt. Bring hand sanitizer just in case!
Lysol Wipes – We mainly use these to wipe down our area on airplanes, but they are always good to have on you!
Nat Patches – Mosquitos are unfortunately present year-round in Egypt, so it’s best to come prepared (especially if you’re a mosquito magnet like Kayla). These patches are mosquito repellant stickers that you stick on your clothes near your exposed extremities. They are all natural and you won’t end up with the sticky greasy residue on your skin that bug spray leaves!
Lotion – Keep your skin hydrated with a travel-sized bottle of lotion
Period Products – These can be hard to find in Egypt. Bring tampons and panty liners so you aren’t having to scramble to find them last minute.
Clothing
When making your Egypt packing list, it’s important to keep in mind the number of days you’ll be gone, the weather for the time of year you’ll be visiting, and the types of excursions you have planned. But the below will generally cover whatever is on your itinerary.
You are going to want to pack lightweight, loose fitting clothing that is modest. With it being a Muslim country, everyone in general dresses very conservatively. If you’re a woman, keep shoulders and knees covered and avoid tops that expose your midriff or cleavage.
Tops – We like these lightweight gauze tops from Gap and Old Navy that you can get with matching pants to make a cute set. Old Navy also offers a good variety of basic short sleeve tees that you can mix and match with various pants.
Pants – These linen blend pants are ankle length so they won’t drag on the ground and they come in a variety of colors. Kayla owns several pairs and they are SO comfy! If you want a modern twist on ankle pants, these barrel pants are super cute and can be dressed up or down.
If you’re more into rugged outdoorsy clothing, Kayla loves Kuhl Haven Joggers. They are lightweight, breathable, and durable, making them the perfect option for exploring ancient temples or quad biking in front of the pyramids. These are also super comfy, making them even be a good option for your travel day outfit – we love a stretchy waistband on travel days! If you prefer a different style, Kuhl offers several styles of travel pants that are both fashionable and practical.
Dresses & Skirts – Wear Midi or Maxi dresses so that knees stay covered. If you want something bright and colorful, Natural Life has a wide selection (and lots of modest options that still feel fun!). Kohl’s also has a lot of great options that could be paired with sandals or tennis shoes, like this t-shirt dress (with pockets!) and this boho skirt.
Pashmina – If you bring a top that is sleeveless, you can throw this over your shoulders when visiting mosques or churches. It can also serve as a head covering if you enter a mosque that requires it or you can just use it to protect your head and arms from the sun.
Hat – Kayla didn’t take a hat on her first trip to Egypt, but several other people in her group did. The Ancient Egyptian sites don’t offer shade, so if you’d normally wear a hat at home in the sun, bring one with you so you feel comfortable.
Swimsuit – Your hotel and Nile Cruise will probably have a pool. You might also have some snorkeling adventures planned where a swimsuit will come in handy. We recommend wearing a modest one piece to avoid unwanted attention.
Swimsuit Coverup – Bring a swimsuit coverup so you aren’t walking through public spaces in your swimsuit, as this could be offensive to locals
Wrinkle Release Spray – Amanda has used this on multiple trips and it mostly works great. It works better on certain fabrics, but usually gets the majority of wrinkles out. Amanda will unpack on day 1 and spray all of her clothes that need it when she hangs them up so they have plenty of time to de-wrinkle and possibly have time for extra spraying.
Sneakers – Allbirds are Amanda’s fav walking shoes that she has worn on her last few European trips. They also double as her everyday sneaker at home. While they aren’t as white as they once were, they are forever comfortable with all the needed support. A lot of the sites in Egypt have sandy uneven terrain. Sneakers really protect your feet and give you the needed stability to navigate the sites while protecting your feet.
Sandals – We have a few favorite go-tos. On Kayla’s last trip to Egypt, she took her Teva Tirra sandals which are comfy and have good support. Amanda swears by her Birkenstock sandals – she takes them on every trip!
Day Bag – Amanda prefers a small crossbody to keep essentials close. Kayla has this backpack she’s taken on her past few trips that also makes a great personal item for flights because it’s large enough to keep a change of clothes, but not so big that it’s cumbersome.
Tide To Go Pen – because spills happen, and we are trying to avoid paying for laundry service!
Body Glide Anti-Chafe Stick – IYKYK! We’ve found this will last 2-3 hours in hot temps before needing to reapply. When you aren’t wearing pants or shorts that are long enough to protect your inner thighs, this is a must have item.
Compression Socks – These are a personal must have for international / long flights. Wearing compression socks on long flights helps improve circulation, reduces swelling, and helps prevent blood clots from forming.
Sunglasses – You don’t want to be squinting in all your pictures in front of the pyramids!
Toiletry Bag Essentials
Sunscreen – Self explanatory, avoid getting sunburned! This sunscreen is great for your face, because it doesn’t leave a white cast. This one is great for arms and legs (and don’t forget your feet if you’re wearing sandals!).
Neutrogena Sun Rescue – To help with your sunburn if you are unlucky enough to get one.
SPF Chapstick – Your lips deserve protection too!
Reusable Containers – Honestly, this is our preference on trips! Sometimes your fav products don’t come in travel size, and limiting single use plastics where we can is a definite bonus. These are so easy to use, don’t take up much space, and are genuinely great!
Hair Care – Not Your Mothers Travel Set (This is one of Amanda’s fav hair product brands so traveling with these little items really makes or breaks a good hair day), scrunchies, elastic hair ties, claw clips, bobby pins, hairbrush – Amanda has curly hair, so she uses a denman hairbrush.
Makeup – Tower 28 Tinted Sunscreen, Fenty Contour Stick, NYX Blush Duo, Gxve Beauty Mascara, your fav eyeshadow palette, Benefit Setting Spray, ELF Cleansing Balm. This of course should be customized to what you prefer to use, but we like to keep it basic and minimal.
Lume Whole Body Deodorant – We pack this in addition to her usual deodorant. We use this on especially warm days outside on all the other parts of her body where normal deodorant doesn’t go. It really helps you feel fresh, clean, and minimally smelly all day PLUS it helps prevent chafing if you’ll be wearing skirts or dresses in Egypt!
Poo-Pourri – Be kind to your travel buddies by eliminating bathroom smells
Travel Size Perfume – If you want to travel with your favorite perfume, check to see if they make a travel size one like this one or you can buy a refillable perfume spritzer to take with you.
Face Wipes – You’ll be surprised (and probably slightly grossed out) when you wash your face at the end of a long day exploring and you discover your face has a light layer of dust/dirt on it! The joys of exploring a desert climate!
Don’t forget your toothbrush & toothpaste, deodorant, and razor!
Odds & Ends
Snacks – When you’re in Cairo or Luxor, you might be able to stop by a convenience store to grab some snacks. But at the historic sites, there generally aren’t places to get a snack. Bring your own so you can keep your energy up for exploring! Some good options are trail mix, protein bars, and Mexican shortbread cookies.
Travel Size Lint Roller – If you have pets that shed, it’s key to travel with a mini lint roller to get rid of the pet hair thats inevitably still on your clothes despite your pets being at home.
Toilet Paper – If you’ve read our post on 20 things to know before you go to Egypt, then you know that nearly every restroom in Egypt will have an attendant (who you should tip), and that they are usually in charge of rationing out toilet paper. We recommend bringing a couple of rolls with you because the attendant usually only gives out a few squares (which is sparse in our opinion).
Waterproof Phone Pouch – If you’ll be going snorkeling in Alexandria or doing any other water sports, consider getting a waterproof phone pouch to keep your phone protected.
Jewelry Organizer – This one doesn’t take up much space but holds a surprising amount of jewelry.
Eye Mask and Ear Plugs – If you’re taking an overnight flight, an eye mask can be a game changer in helping you sleep on the plane. Likewise, ear plugs can really come in handy to block out crying babies on the flight and city noises at your destination.
Wallet
Passport – PLEASE do not forget your passport! You don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a trip only to forget the one document that allows you to go on it.
Driver’s License – If you book excursions where you will be driving a vehicle (even one like an ATV), you may be asked to provide a valid driver’s license. Take it along just in case!
Credit Card You Booked Purchases With – Sometimes, businesses request to see the credit card you made the reservation with. Bring it along just in case!
Tour Confirmations / Receipts – We book the vast majority of our excursions through Viator and Get Your Guide. We highly recommend checking out their options when looking for things to do around the world.
Travel Insurance Information – No matter where you travel in the world, get travel insurance. It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and go bankrupt trying to get the help you need. For travel insurance that covers trip interruptions and your medical wellbeing, we recommend Faye.
If you need help on where to start to plan an international trip – check out our Guide to Planning an International Trip!
Do you have any other recommendations for our Egypt Packing List? Let us know in the comments below!
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