Trying to decide what to wear in Egypt can be overwhelming, in fact, it was one of the most discussed topics in my group chat with the tour I was going on before our trip began. This Egypt packing list for women is perfect if you’re in need of some culturally appropriate clothing ideas!
You don’t want to stand out too much or have too little regard for the country’s conservative norms, but you want to stay as cool as you can.
Since Egypt is a conservative country, dress modestly and respectfully. Over 90% of Egypt’s population practices Islam, so this means you should cover your shoulders, have no cleavage showing, and don’t wear short shorts. Long, loose, flowy, this is what you want to wear. You want to wear comfortable clothes that you won’t overheat in, but also clothing that doesn’t attract unwanted attention.
This is what I think is the ultimate Egypt packing list for women.
Table of Contents
Ultimate Egypt Packing List
Egypt Climate
The climate in Egypt is the first thing to take into consideration. It is hot, sandy, dusty, and windy.
I travelled there early to mid September, when the days were still uncomfortably hot. Nights were only slightly less so. The only time I felt chilled was when I was in air-conditioning, or when I slept in The White Desert.
October to April are the coolest months to visit, whereas May to September are during summer, which can be unbearably hot, especially down south near Aswan. Abu Simbel was my favorite temple that we visited but I could only handle an hour there. Even that was a bit long, as it was 4 hours south of Aswan, the sun was HOT!
Do women need to cover their heads?
No. The people of Egypt know that it is a country that relies on tourism, and majority of those people aren’t Muslim. They do not expect you to cover your head. I usually had a scarf with me to cover my shoulders, and would often cover my head just for protection from the sun. If I noticed most people covering their head I would, just to be respectful.
However, if you are visiting a mosque then yes, you will be required to adhere to the religion and cover your head.
Egypt Packing List – For Women
Tip: In most places you should be covered up to be mindful of the culture, but in Hurghada, Sharm El Sheik, and Dahab, the dress code is much more relaxed!
- 2 pairs of long pants, the flowier the better!
- 4 long flowy dresses
- 2 kimonos
- 1 maxi skirt
- 2 loose, short sleeved shirts
- 2 lightweight long sleeved shirts
- Sunglasses
- Scarves over everything is always a great idea! I think bringing two or three scarves is perfect, because they’re easy to pack because they take up little space. It’s nice to be able to switch up scarves and outfits for photos.
- 1 hat. A sun hat was perfect as it gave my face full coverage.
- 2 tank tops. I lived in tank tops with long skirts or flowy pants, and kimonos overtop to keep my shoulders covered.
- 2 pairs of leggings, one long and one cropped. I like to wear leggings under my dresses when walking lots, especially in the heat. Or simple with a long loose shirt. Also in the White Desert at night time, leggings were the perfect choice.
- A bathing suit. You can swim in certain parts of the Nile, I did in Aswan! Not to mention hotel pools.
- 2 pairs of pajamas
- 3 pairs of socks. Just in case you wear your sneakers that you probably wore on the plane.
- A handful of bras, bralettes, whatever you prefer.
- Sandals with a strap on the back
- Sneakers
- The same number of underwear for days of your trip, plus 2, just in case.
- Depending on the time of year you go, you may need to bring a sweater for the evenings.
Toiletries to pack for Egypt
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Lip Balm
- Deodorant
- Tissues
- Toilet paper – you have to pay for toilet paper at most public toilets
- Moisturizer
- Hand sanitizer
- Razer
- Shaving cream
- Wipes/ make up wipes
- Hair brush
- Hair ties
- Tooth brush
- Tooth paste
- Pain killers
- Electrolyte packets
Extras you could pack for Egypt
- Dramamine if you’ll be on the water
- Microfiber towel
- Earplugs
- Sleep mask
Electronics to pack for Egypt
- Universal adapter
- Camera
- All of your electronics chargers!
- Headphones
- E-Reader if you have one
And lastly, you CANNOT forget travel insurance! I use and recommend World Nomads.
I packed everything in one carry on bag, so this Egypt packing list works. Laundry services are very easy to find, so you don’t need to worry about not having enough clean clothes.
And one last thing, something you absolutely should NOT pack for Egypt would be your drone. They are illegal in Egypt and will be confiscated and stored at the airport, for quite a large fee, or really, fine.
And there ends my ultimate Egypt packing list for women! Tailor it to your trip and your travel style, but I think I covered it!
Would you travel to Egypt?
What is your conservative country dress style?
Don’t forget to read
14 Important Things To Know Before Going To Egypt
The Best Places you Need To Visit In Egypt
Visiting Philae Temple – The Temple of Love
