If you're going through your closet in preparation for your big Egypt adventure and wondering what you can pack and what you can leave at home, keep the two Cs in mind – cool and conservative.
Summer temperatures in southern cities like Aswan can reach heights of 50°C (122°F) and don’t always drop at night. Light fabrics like linen, cotton and athletic gear made to take the heat are best. Just remember to cover up from your shoulders to below the knee. While women are expected to dress more conservatively than men, even the fellas should leave the short shorts and tight singlets at home.
Also, avoid packing anything in white. While standing in front of the pyramids in an all-white linen suit makes for a great photo, the desert dust will quickly turn those light-coloured clothes a not-so-delightful shade of brown.
If you’re travelling outside of winter, don’t underestimate the cool change that can come in the evenings, especially if you spend the night in the desert or on a Nile cruise. A light fleece or jacket should be sufficient to keep you warm on Egypt’s chillier nights.
In terms of footwear, sneakers and/or sandals made for walking are essential. Pathways on historical sites are often rocky and uneven, and the footpaths in the main cities aren’t much better.
Learn about the weather in Egypt
What should female travellers wear in Egypt?
Women are held to a more conservative dress standard than men in Egypt. While the expectations for travellers are less strict than for local women, you will draw less attention (and have a more immersive journey) if you pack clothes that cover from at least shoulder to below the knee.
The looser your clothes are, the better. Form-fitting clothing can be just as poorly received as exposed skin. Packing a couple of tunics and long-sleeved shirts that you can slip over the top of your outfits is also a good idea for easy layering in more conservative areas.
For mosque visits, female travellers should wear clothing that covers from ankle to elbow as well as decolletage and hair. Don’t worry if you have a few stray strands hanging out beneath the head scarf, it’s more about being seen to make the effort. Aside from mosque visits, female travellers are not expected to wear a headscarf.
So, what if you want to swim? The good news is you can pack your regular swimsuit when travelling to Egypt. Hotels with pools that cater to foreigners do not have dress codes.
Must-pack items for Egypt
- Long, baggy skirts and/or pants
- Long-sleeved t-shirts
- Bathing suit
- Wide-brimmed hat
- Sunglasses
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A scarf or shawl for women to cover their hair when visiting mosques
- A light fleece or jacket if travelling outside of summer
Read our ultimate Egypt packing guide
Our tours in Egypt
8 Days
From
805
Visit Egypt and adventure along the River Nile through the land of the pharaohs, from...
15 Days
From
2145
Take an adventure holiday through Egypt and Jordan. Visit Cairo, the Pyramids of Giza,...
15 Days
From
4054
Travel down the Nile from Cairo to Aswan, exploring Luxor, Alexandria and more along...
12 Days
From
1740
From Cairo, Alexandria and Aswan to the Valley of the Kings at Luxor, see the pharaohs,...
15 Days
From
1212
Explore Egypt with a trip to Cairo, the Nile, Aswan, Luxor and Alexandria. Pyramids,...
Tailor-Made trips
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
9 Days
From
2517
From the Pyramids of Giza to the temples of Karnak and the bustling Khan al-Khalili...
9 Days
From
938
Follow in the footsteps of prophets on an adventure tour through Jordan and Egypt....
19 Days
From
3375
This 19-day tour explores the best of Egypt and Jordan in Comfort, from Cairo to...
16 Days
From
4598
Discover Egypt and Jordan on a 16-day Premium adventure from Cairo to Amman, including...
8 Days
From
1709
Travel Egypt on this adventure that visits Cairo, Aswan and Luxor. See pyramids, visit...
8 Days
From
1287
Decode the secrets of the Great Sphinx and more during this family adventure through...
22 Days
From
2287
Explore Jordan and Egypt with a trip to Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Cairo, the Nile, Aswan,...
22 Days
From
6087
Discover the contrasts of modern and ancient Egypt and Jordan on this in-depth Premium...
9 Days
From
459
Take a trip through Egypt, kicking off in Cairo with the Great Pyramids of Giza and the...
15 Days
From
3439
Tick the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Nile, the Dead Sea and The Treasury in Petra...
15 Days
From
1344
Take an epic adventure through Egypt and Jordan, seeing two Wonders of the World, the...
8 Days
From
1535
Step back in time on an 8-day family Egyptian adventure through Cairo, Aswan and Luxor....
15 Days
From
3128
Decode the secrets of the Great Sphinx and more during this family adventure through...
22 Days
From
4454
Experience the best of the Middle East across Jordan, Egypt, Israel & Palestine....
28 Days
From
8934
Deep dive into the Middle East on a 28-day Premium journey through Egypt, Jordan,...
19 Days
From
2308
Travel to Egypt’s Cairo, Luxor and the Nile to Jordan’s Petra, Amman, the Dead Sea and...
22 Days
From
7170
Uncover the culture and history of the Middle East on a 22-day Premium journey through...
22 Days
From
5925
Take a Middle Eastern adventure that explores the wonders of Egypt, Jordan, Israel and...
26 Days
From
6307
Embark on an immersive, 26-day journey through the diverse Middle East, from the icons...
Read more about Egypt
Aug 14, 2023
Egypt or Jordan? Which country should...
The pyramids or Petra? Petra or the pyramids? It's a tough choice but one that...
Sep 07, 2017
Why a group tour in the Middle East...
By going with a group, I knew my transportation would be insured, my activities...
Mar 29, 2023
What to expect on an Intrepid Premium...
From sipping drinks on the rooftop of a royal haveli in India to taking part in a...
Jul 26, 2023
What it’s like to visit Egypt as a...
Visiting conservative countries can be daunting as a transgender traveller – even...
Jun 13, 2023
For this solo female traveller, her...
It's never too late to go on your first solo trip. Take it from Caroline, who's...
Jun 16, 2017
What it’s really like to visit Egypt...
Some people feel nervous about travelling to Egypt. One traveller gives her best...
Apr 22, 2023
Egypt vs Morocco: where to next?
How do you choose between the Giza pyramids and the Marrakesh Medina? Or the...
Sep 06, 2022
The top 7 destinations for travel in...
From rum tasting in Cuba to spotting orangutans in Borneo, here's your guide to...
Jul 25, 2022
More pyramids, less planning:...
Long fascinated by ancient civilisations, meet the Australian couple who took a...
Jan 07, 2019
I thought I was a solo adventurer for...
Now, having tasted the reality of traveling on a guided group tour, I can say that...
Jun 12, 2018
9 local markets every traveller...
If you’re looking for the perfect souvenir or a taste of local culture (not to...
Jan 23, 2020
What my 5-year-old daughter learned...
"I love seeing the world through my daughter's eyes, and I appreciate her...
Jul 19, 2019
What to expect on an 18 to 29s...
Looking to discover the incredible history behind one of the world’s most...
Feb 08, 2018
Valentine’s special: Meet your ...
No sweetheart this year? No worries. Choose travel instead this Valentine’s Day!...
Dec 11, 2018
25+ trips that visit projects...
The Intrepid Foundation supports more than 50 local, grassroots projects from...
Nov 29, 2018
Improving animal welfare in Egypt,...
Not far from the bustling center of Luxor, locals from nearby villages line up...
Apr 02, 2018
Why you should ignore the headlines...
‘Welcome' wasn't just a word; it was a feeling. A feeling that accompanied me from...
Feb 01, 2018
A quick guide to Egypt’s underrated...
While the average traveler could easily tell you some of the top tourist...
Oct 11, 2017
Cairo vs Alexandria: A guide to Egypt...
One city is home to the Great Pyramids and the other city is home to the Great...
May 02, 2018
Beyond the all-inclusive: 6 great...
Reading Time: 5 minutes Family vacations don’t have to mean beaches and buffets....
Apr 21, 2016
The changing face of Egypt, Israel &...
Reading Time: 4 minutes In 1992, I travelled to Egypt, Israel and Jordan with...
Nov 28, 2018
Meet Hany, the Intrepid tour leader...
‘This is not my work. Travel is my love; it’s my life.’
Nov 14, 2018
Felucca vs. riverboat: How will you...
Deciding how to tackle the mighty Nile can throw up all manner of questions. Not...