What to Pack for Cairo

The dry heat in Cairo causes constant perspiration. These shirts pull moisture away from your skin, helping you stay cooler as you navigate the large streets and open-air sites.

Good for days that start with a visit to a conservative mosque, requiring covered legs, and end with a felucca ride on the Nile where shorts are acceptable. The quick-dry fabric handles dust and light sweat.

A loose, long-sleeved linen shirt is good for Cairo. It provides a barrier against the sun's glare while allowing a breeze to pass through, and it meets modesty expectations for entering religious sites.

Essential for casual exploration outside of religious landmarks. They dry quickly after a splash from a street vendor's hose or a sudden spill, and are comfortable in the relentless heat.

Rain is rare in Cairo. But this jacket is an effective windbreaker for cooler winter evenings or for the gusty, sand-carrying winds that occasionally sweep through the city.

The Egyptian sun is unforgiving, at sites like the Pyramids of Giza with minimal shade. This hat protects your face and neck from direct exposure, preventing sunstroke.

You will walk on uneven, sandy stone at ancient sites and hot pavement in modern districts. A supportive sandal with a secure strap keeps your feet cool and protected from the scorching ground.

For full-day explorations in Cairo's busy Khan el-Khalili bazaar or long museum visits, enclosed shoes offer more support and protection from dust and crowded streets.

The combination of heat and limited laundry facilities makes quick-dry underwear a practical necessity. They wash easily in a sink and will be ready to wear by morning.

Cairo uses Type C and Type F outlets, with 220V voltage. A universal adapter ensures you can charge devices in your hotel, which may have older or mixed socket types.

Long days exploring the vast Egyptian Museum or the Saqqara necropolis drain phone batteries from navigation, translation apps, and photography. This bank provides a full recharge away from outlets.

Cairo's fine dust can degrade cable connectors. Having extras is wise, and the braided design is more durable for being stuffed in a daypack during sandy desert excursions.

Good for relaxing by the hotel pool or during long waits. The glare-free screen is easy to read under Cairo's bright sun, and it saves space compared to physical books.

Mineral-based sunscreen is critical for Cairo's intense ultraviolet exposure. It is less likely to melt in your bag in the heat and provides a physical barrier against the sun.

Useful for treating minor scrapes from ancient stone, blisters from walking, or stomach discomfort. It ensures you have basic supplies without searching a pharmacy in an unfamiliar area.

If you take a day trip to Alexandria or a felucca ride on the Nile, these can help manage any nausea from winding roads or bobbing on the water without medication.

Solid bars won't leak in your luggage under Cairo's heat, and they reduce plastic waste. They are also convenient for areas where liquid toiletries might be troublesome.

Even with diligent sunscreen, the strength of the sun in Cairo can lead to redness. This gel provides a cooling, soothing relief for skin that feels hot to the touch.

Keeps your passport, Egyptian visa, and important papers organized and shielded from digital theft in crowded places like Cairo International Airport or the metro.

A discreet way to carry the bulk of your cash and cards under your clothing while exploring busy tourist areas in Cairo, where pickpocketing can occur.

Use these to secure your checked luggage on flights to Cairo and to lock zippers on your daypack while in crowded markets or on public transportation.

Provides peace of mind for tracking checked bags on long-haul flights to Cairo and can help locate a bag if it is misplaced by a hotel or tour operator.

Essential for long flights to Cairo. It also provides extra comfort in hotels where pillows may be overly firm or thin.

Blocks out early morning sun streaming into your Cairo hotel room and creates darkness for naps after a red-eye flight, aiding with jet lag.

Muffles the nocturnal sounds of Cairo traffic, distant calls to prayer, and hotel hallway noise, ensuring restful sleep.

Staying hydrated in Cairo's arid climate is non-negotiable. This bottle is easy to refill and packs flat when empty, saving space in your daypack.

Good for carrying souvenirs from the Khan el-Khalili, a picnic by the Nile, or extra water bottles. It folds into a tiny pouch when not in use.

Useful if you take an early morning hot air balloon ride over Luxor or visit sites with dimly lit interior passages, like some tombs in Saqqara.