Traveling to Egypt is a dream trip for many, offering a chance to explore a completely different world of golden sands and witness ancient civilizations and architecture that you’ve only read about in history textbooks—how exciting is that? But when visiting an entirely unfamiliar environment, preparation is key. Today, travel expert Xiaosu is here to help you figure out what exactly you should pack in your suitcase for your upcoming trip to Egypt.
Clothing: What Should I Wear in Egypt?
As you probably know, Egypt has vast desert areas, and with its climate and strong sunlight, it’s a region where temperatures can easily soar to 50°C, making it quite hot and stuffy. The clothing you pack must be breathable and sun-protective. Beyond the weather, cultural differences—especially for female travelers—are also important to consider. Due to Islamic beliefs, dress codes for women are quite strict, so how can you dress coolly while still being culturally appropriate?
1. Long Skirts / Dresses
If you’re a woman, long skirts or dresses might be one of your best options. Egyptian women typically cover their legs, arms, and hair, although tourists are not required to do the same, covering up a bit more can save you a lot of trouble~
Aside from possibly being a bit inconvenient for desert camping, wearing a skirt has many advantages: it’s breathable, great for photos, and when visiting temples or historical sites, you won’t have to worry about being turned away for wearing something too revealing!
Recommended attractions: Egyptian Museum, Sphinx, Luxor Temple
2. Loose-Fitting Long Pants
Many might think, “Egypt is so hot, I’ll just bring shorts and take some great photos showing off my legs!” But dear travelers, don’t forget that big burning sun in the sky—wearing shorts for long periods in Egypt can easily lead to sunburn. Also, in a more conservative area, shorts might attract unwanted attention~
3. Large Scarf
A large scarf is arguably the most useful item: it’s easy to carry, lightweight, breathable, and super versatile—Xiaosu highly recommends it. You can wear it to block the sun, wrap it around your head when entering a mosque, tie it around your waist if you’re wearing shorts at a historical site to make it look like a skirt, or use it to cover your mouth and nose when the wind blows sand your way. It’s truly a multi-purpose essential!
4. Stick to Light Colors
I know dark-colored clothing is often a go-to because it’s slimming, but for those heading to Egypt, remember to choose light-colored clothes. In the scorching Egyptian sun, dark colors absorb heat quickly, and you’ll feel like you’re about to overheat after just a short time in the sun—heatstroke is definitely not fun.
5. Lightweight Jacket / Shirt
For the same reason as the other clothing items mentioned earlier—because Egypt is extremely sunny—bringing a thin jacket or shirt can serve as physical sun protection to prevent sunburn. It can also be used if the car air conditioning is too cold, and when not needed, it can be easily stuffed into your bag, making it highly convenient and flexible.
VI. Other Accessories
In addition to clothing, sunglasses and sun hats are also great sun-protective accessories you can bring. Sunglasses help block harmful sun rays to your eyes, but don’t forget to reapply sunscreen on your face regularly, or you might end up with uneven tan lines. For sun hats, consider ones with wider brims—they offer more coverage.
Gear Section: What Should You Pack in Your Suitcase?
Arriving in a completely unfamiliar place, you might worry about overpacking and exceeding baggage weight limits, but also fear forgetting essential items and running into trouble. So, what exactly should you put in your open suitcase?
I. Sun Protection / After-Sun Care
As repeatedly emphasized in the clothing section, sun exposure is a major concern. That’s why sunscreen is absolutely the most essential item to pack in your suitcase. Apply it before heading out and reapply throughout the day to avoid getting sunburned. It’s also a good idea to pack after-sun care items like aloe vera gel to soothe your skin after a long day in the sun.
Recommended Attractions: Giza Pyramid Complex, Karnak Temple
II. Skincare Products: Focus on Moisturizing
The weather in Egypt is much drier than in Taiwan (just look at all that desert XD), so skincare after each day of exploring is really important. Whether for your face, body, or hands, try to keep your skincare routine simple and prioritize items with moisturizing properties for your suitcase.
III. Wet Wipes
When wandering through the desert, wind constantly blows sand around you. Wet wipes are incredibly useful for quickly cleaning your skin before reapplying sunscreen or washing your hands before eating when no water source is available. Highly recommended—pack a sufficient quantity based on the length of your trip.
IV. Notebook
Whether you need to draw something to communicate with others or simply want to jot down your thoughts, having a notebook with you can be very handy.
V. Other Items
Other items depend on your personal habits—for example, personal medications, common over-the-counter drugs (like cold medicine, stomach medication, motion sickness pills, etc.). Also, if you often get so absorbed in taking photos that you forget your phone is running out of battery, a power bank is definitely a must-have.
Bonus Tip: Egypt Travel Notes and Taboos
I. Halal Diet
Due to religious reasons, most Egyptians, who follow Islam, do not eat pork. Therefore, don’t bother looking for pork dishes in Egypt — it’s simply not possible and can also be quite rude. Since you’re there, keep an open mind and try the local specialties instead~
II. Don’t Initiate Conversations with Local Women
Egyptian society is relatively conservative, with many more restrictions and protections for women. So, when you’re in Egypt, remember not to casually strike up conversations with local women to avoid any unnecessary trouble~
III. Avoid Using Only the Left Hand
The left hand is considered unclean by Egyptians. Therefore, whether you're eating, shaking hands, paying money, giving or receiving gifts, always use both hands or just your right hand. Never use only the left hand.
IV. Don’t Dress Too Revealingly
Although Egypt is a major tourist destination and won’t find foreign clothing styles too shocking, whether due to the scorching sun or out of respect for local customs, we really advise against wearing overly short pants. It’s better to stick to loose long pants or long skirts.
V. Stay Alert
In Egypt, incidents like being overcharged by street vendors, having your money stolen by pickpockets, or falling victim to scams are all too common. To keep such things from spoiling your trip, do your homework before leaving and stay vigilant while abroad so you can enjoy your travels and return home safely.
Egypt’s reputation and mystery have always attracted people from around the world to visit. But its vastly different climate and local customs mean there are certain things we must pay special attention to and prepare for. So, if you’re planning to visit Egypt, remember to bookmark this article.
By Aimee.H | Tripresso Travel Café Editorial Team