All the Things I *Wish* I Knew to Pack Before My First Trip to Cairo

My husband and I have been living in Cairo, Egypt, for a year and a half, and we also had our first daughter since we moved here. Between the city’s summers with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees and cooler winter days in the 60s, I’ve experienced the country’s extreme desert climates and dress accordingly, all while navigating motherhood. 

Additionally, I’ve developed a list of my must-have items based on some of my favorite things to do here, like playing golf and going to the beach. (Despite being a desert, Egypt has some of the best resort towns I’ve ever seen.) All in all, don’t underestimate the variety of essentials you’ll need for your Egyptian adventure. Ahead, you’ll find everything I never leave home without—and tell visitors to pack—including sightseeing necessities.

Packing Checklist for Egypt

Clothing

Shoes and Accessories

Gear and Other Essentials

Clothing

As a cosmopolitan city, people wear a range of attire; Even though you can get away with shorter silhouettes common at home, I prefer longer lightweight clothing that protects me from the sun’s strong rays. When packing, I begin by laying out my suitcase, toiletry bag, and packing cubes. Then, from dresses to socks, I organize my packing cubes based on the items inside them.

Before moving here, I stocked up on affordable white and beige-colored linen pieces from cult-favorite brand Quince. Additionally, this Marcella midi-dress became my go-to as you can easily dress it up for brunch at the one-of-a-kind KHUFU’s restaurant in front of the pyramids or an afternoon at the underrated Gayer Anderson museum, located right next to the must-visit medieval Ibn Tulun mosque. 

When out and about, you won’t draw attention if your knees are covered. Many people wear sleeveless tops and dresses, especially if it’s really hot outside, except at religious sites where you’ll be denied entry at a mosque if your knees, shoulders, and head (for women) aren’t covered. The only other thing I highly recommend having is sun-protective clothing, or at least investing in a swimsuit with built-in UPF. 

Shoes and Accessories 

Between the dust and the lack of sidewalks, your shoes will get dirty. If you love the breezy, all-white monochromatic look like me, this is something I live with when I rock my white Veja sneakers and matching linen set. For the days when I want to switch things up, I break out my comfy Rothy’s flats, which I’m not afraid to mess up since the brand is beloved for machine-washable footwear. 

As noted, a woman will have to cover her head with a scarf, and everyone has to take off their shoes when visiting a mosque, so I suggest wearing shoes with socks. Sometimes the mosque will have plastic covers that look like shower caps you can place over your shoes, or there are cubbies where you can leave your pair behind. If you opt for either, just bring small bills as the attendant will ask you for a tip. To avoid this, you may be able to simply carry your shoes with you as you tour the mosque. 

Other accessories I finish my looks with are my tan baseball cap that doesn’t get dirty easily and my Ray-ban Meta glasses. Between climbing in and out of the pyramids and having to be extra alert when crossing the busy, pedestrian light-free streets, the protective eyewear is a great way to stay hands-free without missing memorable moments as I can take photos with a click of button. 

Gear and Other Essentials

Cairo is a spread-out city with heavy traffic, depending on the time of day, so it’s best to have everything you need with you. (The roads are pretty clear early in the morning on the weekends, which are Friday and Saturday, as Egypt follows the Islamic calendar. Keep in mind that this schedule will affect the time sites are open.)

All in all, you won’t last a full sightseeing day without a water bottle, sunscreen (which is important to consistently reapply), and a portable charger because extreme heat can affect your battery life. I also like to treat myself to a Dior balm that can revitalize and moisturize my hands, body, and lips—plus, it smells fantastic. And since there may not be soap or toilet paper in the public bathrooms, I always have the Aesop rinse-free hand wash and Goodwipes with me. 

In addition, while Cairo is lined with coffee and dessert shops, there’s often no place to grab a quick bite at the major sites outside of the capital city, so I rely on snacks in my bag for a pick-me-up. These must-haves and more all pile into my Dagne Dover backpack that doubles as a diaper bag and comes with a life-saving changing pad, which is something I’ve only seen once in the bathroom of a restaurant.

Finally, I’d recommend you add Egyptian Hieroglyphs for Complete Beginners and Islamic Monuments in Cairo to your cart. The highlight of any Egyptian vacation is the chance to see ancient temples and tombs on a scale like nowhere else in the world. Make the experience even more immersive by learning to read the language the ancient Egyptians left behind. While I’m not yet fluent, there’s nothing more thrilling than recognizing a word or phrase in a magnificent temple, thanks to Bill Manley’s book. At the same time, there’s more to Egypt than its ancient sites, Cairo has an entrancing old city full of medieval mosques and monuments that are nearly 1,000 years old. My husband and I have been following Caroline Williams’ book of architectural walking tours for truly off-the-beaten-path experiences. 

You Might Also Need

In addition to a sightseeing stay in Cairo and the surrounding areas, there are other popular activities around the country that are worth a visit. While some require very few packing list adjustments like a luxe Nile cruise, more active endeavors will require planning ahead to reserve precious suitcase space for hiking apparel, beach gear, and other sporty necessities.

• Golfing: Golfers rejoice! The expensive sport is very affordable in Cairo and is accessible at many major hotels, including the famed Gezira Sporting Club, Hilton Pyramids Golf Hotel, which is known for its breathtaking views of the pyramids, and more. My husband and I are even members of the Katameya Heights club, where I sport my fun, printed golf apparel. If you’re on the fence about bringing your golf clubs, just know that you can get plenty of use out of them.  
• Watersports: Egypt may be a desert, but don’t sleep on the watersports available to you, and consider packing necessary gear. Tourists flock to snorkel and scuba dive in the Red Sea for the diverse marine life and extraordinary coral reefs, like those within the Ras Mohammed National Park located in the resort city of Sharm El Sheik. Dahab is another nearby snorkeling destination with the most calm and tranquil atmosphere. Also, if you’re visiting the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, consider cooling off at Hurghada’s white sand beaches complete with kite surfing, on top of snorkeling and scuba diving.   
• Cruising: Yes, you should splurge on a luxury cruise along the Nile. It’s a surreal and magical experience that’s still on my must-do list of things before we leave early next year. According to our friends, cheaping out on a Nile cruise has led many to bad experiences. You should also consider going between October and April when the weather is ideal, so you won’t get hit with heat waves and sandstorms. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What items are not allowed in Egypt?

According to the Egypt E-Visa site, there’s a long list of prohibited items, including “explosives, drugs, firearms, narcotics, antiques, agriculture, food products, and more.” You should also obtain a permit beforehand to be able to bring a drone into the country. 

How can I get around Egypt?

Even as a full-time resident, I still use my international roaming that’s included at no extra cost with my T-Mobile monthly plan. It’s fast enough to be able to navigate using Google Maps and call an Uber. You can also get a local SIM via Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat, and more at the Cairo airport or once you get to your final destination. 

Overall, getting around Cairo is extremely affordable, but there are tiers. Walking and even just crossing the street can be stressful because there are no crosswalks, pedestrian lights, and traffic won’t slow down for you. Then, there are cheap cabs, but I don’t recommend hailing one unless you’re able to negotiate prices or are willing to give your driver directions in Arabic. The next option is Uber, which is hit or miss because the app is glitchy, and you may be told to cross a busy highway to be picked up. I always choose Uber Comfort for a higher chance of getting a better driver in a nicer car with air conditioning. 

Of course, a private driver is the way to go, and most guide services can set this up for you. For a smooth start to your trip, I suggest hiring private transportation and an expeditor who can meet you before customs and whisk you through immigration in no time. There’s typically a sea of people asking if you need baggage and transportation services at the airport, so this is a way to avoid being overcharged and bothered.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Isis Briones is a travel writer who has lived in Egypt with her six-month-old daughter and husband, who’s a diplomat, for a year and a half. Not only did she bring her baby back from the U.S. to Cairo when she was only two months old, but they’ve also traveled to and from the desert destination many times since moving. 

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