Egypt is a unique country that should be on every traveler’s bucket list – but unique destinations like Egypt can sometimes be the most challenging to pack for. If you’re prepping for an Egyptian adventure, here’s your go-to packing list for a two-week trip, including clothing, shoes, and accessories, as well as additional must-haves and need to know tips.
Looking for outfit ideas? Check out What To Wear In Egypt: Realistic Outfit Inspiration!
What To Pack For A Trip To Egypt
Pants + Long Skirts
Loose-fitting pants and skirts are must-haves when packing for Egypt. They’re versatile and can be worn for long days of sightseeing, or dressed up for a dinner out. Looser fits will keep you comfortable on warmer days.
In addition to pants, it’s nice to have a pair of shorts to wear on a Nile River cruise and around the hotel. If you’re spending time on the Red Sea resort towns of Sharm El Sheik or Huergada, it might be worth packing more than one pair.
Flowy Dresses + Jumpsuits
Dresses or jumpsuits are just about the easiest outfits you can put together. For Egypt, think knee length or longer, and breezy to stay cool while exploring.
Pack a mix of casual and dressy depending on your itinerary. Make sure to bring a couple options that can be dressed up for a night out or nicer dinners.
Versatile Tops
Pack a variety of versatile tops to pair with your skirts and pants. Unless you’re visiting beach resorts, avoid anything with very thin straps or that exposes your stomach.
An oversized button-up shirt is an essential for protecting your skin from the sun, covering up when additional modesty is required, or simply switching up your outfits.
Lightweight Outerwear
The type of jackets you bring will depending on the time of year and your itinerary – winter months will obviously be cooler than the summer months, and it will be chillier in the northern and coastal parts of the country, such as Alexandria and Cairo, than in the south.
Even if your trip is during the hotter months, evenings can get chilly. A light sweater or jacket is usually perfect. During the winter, Egypt still isn’t excessively cold. Definitely bring a jacket or two, but you won’t need your heaviest coat.
Comfortable Shoes
Visiting Egypt involves a ton of walking, so focus on comfortable shoes when putting together your packing list. Everyone seems to have their own preference between open- and closed-toed shoes – some lists say to absolutely never wear open-toed shoes, while others recommend sandals to keep your feet from getting too hot. Pack both and see what you prefer! I found that I liked sneakers or boots for travel days or walking around Cairo, but preferred open shoes for touring sandy areas and most monuments.
Gauzy Scarves
A couple light scarves are must-haves for women traveling to Egypt. They’re ideal for an added layer of sun protection, covering up at sites that require additional modesty, and keeping warm once the sun goes down.
Bag For Sightseeing
Whether you prefer a backpack, crossbody purse, or belt bag, you’ll want a way to carry your belongings around. Most importantly, your bag should zip closed to prevent pickpockets or anything falling out. It should also be comfortable enough to carry around all day.
Make sure your bag is large enough to hold the essentials. For me, that included my phone, a small card holder, cash, sunscreen, a portable charger, a copy of my passport, and a scarf.
Packing List For 14 Days In Egypt
- Clothing
- 7 short-sleeved shirts or bodysuits
- 1-2 long-sleeved shirts, including 1 button down for layering
- 1 pair of shorts (optional)
- 5 pants or skirts
- 3 dresses or jumpsuits
- 1-2 sweaters (depending on the season)
- 1 lightweight jacket (depending on the season)
- Pajamas
- Socks, underwear, bras/bralettes
- 1-2 swimsuits
- Shoes
- Sneakers
- Closed-toed boots
- Comfortable sandals
- Dressier/nicer shoes – sandals or flats
- Accessories and other items
- Sunglasses
- 1-2 scarves
- 1-2 hats
- Non-valuable jewelry
- Bag (crossbody, belt bag, or backpack)
- Smaller bag for evenings (optional)
- Power adaptor
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Portable charger
When packing for Egypt, bring pieces that are in the same color family and go together. This will allow you to make as many outfits as possible, while keeping your luggage weight down (and ensuring you have plenty of room for souvenirs).
What Else To Know When Packing For Egypt
Airline Baggage Weight Limits
Airline baggage weight limits are typically 70 pounds for overseas flights. However, if you’re flying within Egypt, weight limits are often only 50 pounds and airlines don’t always let you pay overweight bag fees. Keep your suitcase under 50 pounds until you’re done flying domestically within Egypt.
Appropriate Attire For Women
Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country and is more conservative than you may have experienced in other parts of the world. Because of this, women are held to a different standard for appropriate clothing than men and are expected to be more covered up. Add in the fact that Egypt is a desert and weather can get hot, and it’s a challenge to figure out what to pack.
- As a general rule, wear outfits that cover your knees, and avoid showing cleavage or your stomach. I also carried a scarf or long-sleeved button up top to cover my shoulders, when needed.
- Just about anything goes at the beach resorts and on cruise ships. They’re less conservative, so you’re fine to wear shorts or a swimsuit.
- Mosques have the strictest standards of dress. In most cases, women are required to wear long skirts or pants, and cover their shoulders and head. If you’re planning to go inside a mosque, don’t forget your scarf!
- Loose, flowy outfits will be a lot more comfortable in the heat than tight, restricting clothes. I didn’t pack a single pair of jeans or leggings and was totally happy with that decision.
Sun Protection
Nothing ruins a vacation like getting a horrible sunburn. The sun in Egypt hits differently and can be absolutely brutal depending on the time of day. When wondering what to pack for Egypt, don’t forget your sun essentials – sunscreen, sunglasses, and a good hat are necessary to protect yourself from the sun.
What Not To Pack
Drones are not allowed in the country. If you usually bring one when traveling, leave it at home for your trip to Egypt.
Leave the expensive jewelry or anything sentimental at home. For example, I didn’t pack my wedding ring or any other jewelry I cared about because it wasn’t worth the risk of loss or damage.
Now that you’ve figured out packing, find out what else you should do before leaving for Egypt.
With a little planning, packing for your Egyptian adventure will be a breeze! If you’ve already been, what were your must-pack items for a trip to Egypt?
