- 2026 Checklist -
Summer and winter outfits, Nile cruise, beach stay, mosque visits, health kit - everything you need to pack for Egypt.
- The underrated topic -
Pack your bag right = a successful trip
Packing the wrong bag for Egypt sets you up for uncomfortable situations: freezing nights on the boat deck in January, severe sunburn in June, being turned away from a mosque for an unsuitable outfit, medications you simply cannot find on site. This guide gives you the exhaustive checklist by season and by trip type, built on feedback from our travelers since 2020.
Egypt has a wide temperature swing: 100°F in full sun at Karnak, then 72°F in an air-conditioned cabin; 82°F during the day in Hurghada, then 64°F on the boat deck at night. The traveler's enemy number one in Egypt = the dry heat (you don't sweat as much as in a tropical country, but you dehydrate very fast). Enemy number two = sand and dust everywhere (eyes, electronics, clothes).
- Summer clothing -
April to October - outfit checklist
Women
- 5-7 long dresses or loose tunics in linen or cotton (covering shoulders and knees for the sites)
- 2-3 light pants (linen, cotton) or light-wash jeans
- 3-4 short- or long-sleeve t-shirts (sun protection)
- 1 light shawl or scarf (mosques, over-the-top air conditioning)
- 2-3 swimsuits (cruise pool + Red Sea)
- 1 wide-brim hat or sun hat + category 3 UV sunglasses
- Closed sandals (sandy archaeological sites) + 1 pair of walking shoes + beach flip-flops
- 1 light sweater or light jacket for the evening
Men
- 5-6 cotton t-shirts or polos (short or long sleeve)
- 2-3 light pants (linen, cotton, chinos) - skip jeans in summer
- 2-3 long shorts for the beach and casual lunches
- 2-3 swimsuits
- 1 cap or hat + UV sunglasses
- 1 pair of closed shoes (sites) + flip-flops + sandals
- 1 smart-casual shirt for the 5-star cruise dinners
- Winter clothing -
November to March - outfit checklist
The classic low-season mistake: forgetting how cold the nights get. In Luxor in January and February, it can drop to 45-50°F at 10 p.m. on the boat deck. In Sharm el-Sheikh in December, 57-61°F in the evening. Plan accordingly:
- 3-4 thin cotton or cashmere sweaters (for the evening)
- 1 warmer sweater or fleece (for evenings on the boat deck)
- 1 mid-season jacket (leather, heavy denim, windbreaker)
- All the summer clothes above, in warmer versions (thicker pants)
- 1 thick wrap (women) for the cruise evenings
- Sunscreen is still essential (strong UV even in winter in Aswan)
- Health kit -
Medications and remedies to bring
Egypt has pharmacies, but many US-brand medications require a prescription or simply aren't available. Put together a complete kit ahead of time:
- Anti-diarrheal: Imodium or loperamide (traveler's diarrhea hits 30-40% of visitors)
- Anti-nausea: Dramamine or equivalent (for cruise seasickness or flights)
- Anti-diarrheal absorbent such as Pepto-Bismol or equivalent (gastro upset)
- Pain reliever: acetaminophen, ibuprofen
- Skin antiseptic: Bactine or povidone-iodine (Betadine)
- Bandages + a small first-aid kit
- DEET 30% insect repellent (mosquitoes on the cruise in summer)
- SPF 50+ sunscreen (the Egyptian sun is brutal)
- SPF lip balm (extreme dryness)
- Eye drops (dust in Luxor and Karnak)
- Moisturizing nasal spray (very dry cabin air conditioning)
- Condoms if needed (pharmacies are discreet but limited)
- Other essentials -
Don't forget these
- Phone chargers + a 10000 mAh power bank (long days of sightseeing)
- Universal cable (Lightning + USB-C)
- International SIM card or a local SIM bought at the airport ($9-16 for 20-30 GB of 4G data)
- Reusable water bottle with a filter (Lifestraw recommended)
- 20-30 L daypack for excursions
- Headlamp or flashlight (tombs in the Valley of the Kings, some corners of Karnak)
- Small compact mirror and wet wipes (dust)
- Waterproof plastic bag for your phone at the beach and on a felucca
- Small bills in USD ($5-10) for tipping
- Extra passport photos (security, paperwork)
- FAQ - Egypt luggage -
Frequently asked questions
Which suitcase should I choose for Egypt - hard or soft?
A soft suitcase is recommended for the Nile cruise (easier to store in the cabin, no corners that scratch the furniture). A hard suitcase is fine for Cairo + Hurghada only (taxi/bus transfers). A medium 60-70 L size is ideal for 10 days, with a 40 L carry-on on top for essentials and electronics.
What luggage weight is allowed for Egypt?
EgyptAir and most US carriers: 50 lb (23 kg) checked, 18-22 lb (8-10 kg) carry-on. Air Cairo (domestic flights): 44 lb (20 kg) checked, 11-15 lb (5-7 kg) carry-on. For the domestic Cairo-Luxor and Cairo-Hurghada flights on EgyptAir: 44 lb (20 kg) only (though in practice up to 50 lb / 23 kg is usually tolerated with no surcharge except in extreme cases). Try not to go over so you don't have to negotiate at the counter.
Is there a dress code to follow in Egypt?
No strict code, but modest dress is expected. Women: shoulders and knees covered in public places (mosques, local markets). On resort beaches, Western beachwear is fine (bikini OK). Men: long shorts or pants, t-shirt, avoid going shirtless off the beach. Mosque visits: shoulders + knees must be covered (and shoes off at the entrance). For the 5-star cruise dinners, smart-casual dress (no flip-flops or shorts).
Do I need a plug adapter for Egypt?
Yes - the outlets differ from the US (220V, European C/F plugs). US travelers need a European plug adapter, and check that your devices handle 220V (most phone and laptop chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and curling irons often are not). All 4-5 star hotels have USB ports at the bedside. For UK travelers: a European adapter is also required.
Which medications should I bring for Egypt?
Basic kit: Imodium or loperamide (traveler's diarrhea), Pepto-Bismol (upset stomach), Dramamine (nausea), acetaminophen, pain relievers, skin antiseptic, bandages, hand sanitizer, insect repellent (DEET 30% for the cruise), SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm, eye drops (dust in Luxor). Keep your medications in your carry-on. No problem clearing Egyptian customs.
Should I bring cash, or is a card enough?
A mix is recommended: $300-500 in cash (tips, the market, small restaurants) + a Visa/Mastercard (hotel, 4-5 star restaurants, ATMs). Favor small USD bills for tipping ($5-10 is more appreciated than a single $50 note). ATMs are available at the airport, hotels, and in the city centers of Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. Confirm that your bank allows payments abroad before you leave.
What luggage size for a Nile cruise?
One medium 60-70 L suitcase per person is plenty. The 5-star cruise cabins have a built-in closet and drawers. Avoid very large 80-90 L suitcases that won't fit under the bed. A beach bag or tote works well on top for day excursions. Anti-theft: the 4-5 star boats have an in-cabin safe for passport, cash, and jewelry.
What documents should I bring for Egypt besides my passport?
Essentials: a passport valid for 6 months past your return date, a copy of your passport (kept separately), your printed e-visa - US passport holders can apply online at visa2egypt.gov.eg for $25 (or carry $25 in cash for a visa on arrival), flight tickets (printed or electronic), travel insurance (on paper), hotel/cruise confirmations, transfer vouchers. Recommended: an extra passport photo (paperwork), and an International Driving Permit if you plan to rent a car (Hurghada only, not advised in Cairo).
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