As you may already know, Kyle and I just returned from our Best of Egypt tour with G Adventures! This trip was absolutely amazing... we did and saw so many things! I'm going to do a different article about the trip itself later this month but for now I wanted to share a few packing tips that I think you will find useful for a trip to Egypt.
We did our trip in November, which is the start of winter in Egypt but it is still hot by my midwestern U.S. standards. The temperature ranged from upper 70s to mid 80s (Fahrenheit) each day. If you go during their summer months, be prepared for even hotter temperatures and take that into account when selecting clothing and footwear.
When I was searching for "what to wear in Egypt in November" I got a lot of results but not a lot that were actually helpful, and the majority came with super long stories to go along with them. I just wanted a simple list... so I am making one now! Well, I'm incapable of not being long-winded even with my typing... but it's still short and sweet, I promise!
10 Items You Can't Go To Egypt in November Without!
1. Loose fitting, modest clothing and accessories.
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- For women/ girls:
- Lightweight pants, skirts, or dresses. I find dresses to be easiest and you don't need to pack as many pieces that way... But I did bring a few pairs of pants as well and was happy with that choice.
- Bathing suit in case your hotel has a pool or you are able to take a dip in the Nile like we were!
- Flowy or loose fitting tops. Keep in mind that low cut tops are not always appropriate in some settings. At very touristy places the unspoken dress code is more relaxed but in normal settings, dress in a more modest outfit.
- Scarves, light shawls or cover ups. I actually used a few really cute cover ups that I'm fairly certain were supposed to be for bathing suits. Oh well, they looked awesome and helped keep the sun off of me.
- For men/ boys:
- Lightweight pants or shorts
- Sleeved and breathable shirts (t-shirt or long sleeve are fine). Kyle wore jean shorts most days and that was completely fine everywhere we went.
- Bathing suit.
- All:
- Hats
- Sunglasses
- Walking shoes or sandals. Keep in mind that areas such as the Giza Plateau or Valley of the Kings can be more rocky so sandals aren't always comfortable there.
- For women/ girls:
Here are a few examples of outfits we wore just so you can get some ideas!
2. Collapsible Water Bottles https://amzn.to/48EyQqy
- I have a big, heavy insulated water bottle that I take with me everywhere, but recently I had a client suggest a collapsible kind for travel and it really was a game changer. It saved space in my bag, was easy to get through airport security, and I could clip it onto my purse for easy access and it was not uncomfortably heavy. You can see mine clipped to my purse in a few of the photos above!
3. Carabiners https://amzn.to/3CQlcEA
- These are literally just to attach the water bottle to your purse or bag... but I am sure you could find other uses I haven't thought of.
4. Portable Fast Charger / Power Bank https://amzn.to/3NTnXaF
- Although I kept my phone in airplane mode and turned off wi-fi every day to conserve my phone battery, there were still days when I ate through my battery long before we were going to be in a place where I could charge it. So these babies come in very handy--- especially if you take a lot of pictures and videos or don't plan on turning off data.
5. Travel Guide (I prefer paperback, but e-book is good, too) https://amzn.to/4fuLtGK
- There were a few times where we would have liked to see more information about a city or particular sight and so these come in handy for that.
6. Waterproof Document Carrier https://amzn.to/3AvRHav
- I use these to put my itinerary, tickets and other important documents in during travel just in case something gets spilled, it rains (maybe not in Egypt, but at home it might be raining on the day you fly out, haha!), or to keep them all together so you you don't have to try very hard to find them when you need them.
7. Travel Plug Adapter https://amzn.to/4fyKUfn
- I feel ashamed to admit that, no matter how many times I reminded myself to pack ours, I still forgot it. Being from the U.S., my electronics can't be plugged directly into the outlets in Egypt. Luckily we were able to obtain one relatively easily thanks to our helpful tour guide, but still... Don't get caught without!
8. Crossbody Purse / Bag https://amzn.to/4fGD03J
- I loved our time in Egypt but pickpocketing or the threat of it can put a real damper on some of the experience... especially in the markets or outside of hotels in central locations. Having a cross body bag with multiple zippered pockets can help keep your belongings a little more secure. Obviously it doesn't take the chances down to zero but I think it can help. And keep the pockets zipped at all times, even if they are empty. If you look closely at the photos above, you'll see I almost never took mine off so you want one that will be lightweight and comfortable.
9. Anti-Chafing Stick https://amzn.to/3OhDFwq
- My thighs rub when I walk. I know I'm not the only one... hence why I 100% suggest having some kind of anti-chafing balm... especially if you are going to be wearing dresses or loose clothing. It was a lifesaver. Even Kyle used it on a few occasions!
10. Travel Neck Pillow https://amzn.to/40YY1lJ
- First, if you are flying to Egypt from the U.S., the flights are LONG. Most airlines offer little pillows and blankets which are great but sometimes not enough. I have some disk deterioration in my neck and I was not about to go on the plane without something more supportive. I got mine from our local Ross Dress For Less store but this one on Amazon looks and sounds like it's pretty similar.
- Second, if you are doing the Best of Egypt tour with G Adventures, planning on making the trek to Abu Simbel, or going from Cairo to Aswan, Aswan to Luxor, etc... you will spend quite a bit of time in a bus or car or on a train. Use this time to sleep... and be as comfortable as possible!
Of course, this list is not all-inclusive. You'll probably want to bring things like sunscreen and underwear...
If you're curious about taking a trip to Egypt but aren't sure where to start or how to make it as easy as possible, I am here to help! Whether you want to take the same type of trip that Kyle and I did, or you want something else I am available to plan you the perfect vacation! Use the Contact page or reach out to me on any of my social media platforms!
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