What to Pack for Egypt: a Checklist for the Beach and Excursions
What to pack for Egypt depends on the season and your plans: in winter you need a jumper for the evening, in summer sun protection, and for trips to Cairo and Luxor comfortable closed shoes. Below is a checklist by section: documents, money, clothes, items for the sea and excursions, a first-aid kit, packing with children and what not to bring.
Documents and money
- A passport valid for at least 6 months after the end of your trip.
- Hotel voucher, flight tickets and travel insurance — printed and saved on your phone.
- Cash for the visa — 30 dollars. On arrival in Sharm El Sheikh you can get a free Sinai stamp, but it does not allow travel to Cairo, Luxor or Hurghada.
- Cash in dollars, euros or pounds sterling — crisp notes without tears, plus a stack of small notes for tips.
- A bank card — accepted in hotels, malls and at ATMs.
Which currency to bring and where to change it is in “Currency in Egypt”.
What clothes to pack by season
| Season | Weather | What to bring |
|---|---|---|
| December – February | 22–25 °C by day, around 15 °C in the evening | Swimwear, T-shirts, a hoodie or windbreaker, jeans, closed shoes |
| March – May, October – November | 27–33 °C by day | Summer clothes, a light jumper for the evening and the coach |
| June – September | 35–40 °C by day | Only light, natural fabrics in pale colours; a hat is essential |
Month-by-month weather in detail is in “The best time to visit Egypt”.
What to bring for the sea and snorkelling
- SPF 50 sunscreen and after-sun — 2–3 times more expensive locally.
- Reef shoes — especially for Sharm and Marsa Alam, where the reef starts at the shore.
- Mask and snorkel — your own fit better, although they are provided on boat trips.
- A T-shirt or rash guard for snorkelling: your back can burn in 20 minutes.
- A waterproof phone pouch.
Sea trips · Hurghada
Speedboat in Hurghada — Dolphin House and White Island
- 4 hours
- Group
- Daily
What to bring on a trip to Cairo, Luxor and the desert
- Comfortable trainers — the Giza plateau and the Valley of the Kings are sand and stones.
- A warm jumper — the coach is cold from the air conditioning, and desert nights in winter are around 5–10 °C.
- A buff or scarf against dust — for quad bikes and safaris.
- A power bank — the day is long and you will take lots of photos.
- Your passport or a copy — there are checks on the roads.
- Water, snacks and cash in small Egyptian pound notes for toilets and tips.
How a day at the pyramids goes is in our Giza pyramids guide, and Luxor is covered in our Luxor guide.
Entertainment · Hurghada
Turkish Hammam in Hurghada — Standard or Cleopatra with Massage
- 2 hours
- Group
- Daily
Cairo & pyramids · Hurghada
Cairo by Bus from Hurghada (with a Church and a Mosque)
- 22 hours
- Group
- Wed, Thu, Sat
- Kids friendly
A first-aid kit for Egypt
Drink only bottled water and do not forget it on tours: in the heat you need 1.5–2 litres per person per day.
What to pack for Egypt with children
- Sun-protective swimwear and a sun hat.
- Armbands or a swim vest — many Hurghada beaches are shallow, but the deep water is far out.
- Familiar baby food: hotels have a choice, but not always what your child is used to.
- Children’s SPF 50+ sunscreen and an age-appropriate travel-sickness remedy.
- A birth certificate if the child and parents have different surnames.
What not to bring to Egypt
- A drone — importing one without a special permit is forbidden; it will be confiscated at customs.
- Binoculars and professional radio equipment — may prompt questions at security checks.
- Lots of clothes — hotels have laundry services, and T-shirts at the market are cheap.
- A hairdryer and towels — almost every hotel has them.
And remember the way home: coral, shells and antiquities cannot be taken out — more in “What you cannot take out of Egypt”.
