What to Wear in Egypt? The Ultimate Egypt Travel Packing Guide
The flights are booked, hotels are secured, dinner reservations made, tour guide locked in…but now you are wondering What to Wear in Egypt? This complete egypt travel packing guide for women is going to cover just that!
Exploring Egypt and discovering all of its archeological masterpieces and wandering the same steps as the ancients has sat on my bucketlist since I was a little girl. Thankfully, this year, my partners in Egypt invited me on a luxury expedition, starting in Cairo and winding our way down south all the way to Luxor to see what the destination has in store for my many clients.
And while of course I hope you booked your upcoming adventure through us here at The Boho Traveller, if not, I do hope that I am still about to help you out through our comprehensive guide of what to wear in Egypt! This Egypt travel packing guide is going to include all the little things you did and didn’t think of – like silk scarves and sunblock, as well as lip balm, a change purse, and tissue paper for your purse in case the local toilet is…lacking.
If you are just dreaming of a trip to Egypt and haven’t started planning yet, we would love to have you as part of The Boho Traveller family! To get started on one of our epic luxury Egyptian escapes, fill out our inquiry form below.
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The Overall Vibe – Egypt Travel Packing Guide
Egypt is rather toastie outside in the summer and even early fall, with the temperatures soaring and the air dry down south, but pretty humid in Cairo. Read that as its so unbearably hot in the summer. Prepare for sweat and hot temparatures (thankfully we always book private transport to/from the sites with Air Con that is CRANKIN’). Although evenings may bring some relief, especially when cruising and the wind picks up, it’s essential to dress for the heat during your time in Egypt.
Through the winter months, the evenings can turn quite chilly, but for the most part, the days maintain a mild climate. Given Egypt’s predominantly desert and arid landscape, rainfall is minimal, even in the northern regions closer to Europe, though do expect for some wind!
Here are the essentials to keep in mind when packing for Egypt:
- Light-colored clothing
- Loose-fitting clothing
- Covered Shoulders
- Covered Knees
- Light Scarves
- Good Walking Shoes
- Linen is going to be your best friend!
- Water wicking material/non wrinking fabric is also great, if it doesn’t feel heavy
- Maxi Skirts & Dresses
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Take the hassle out of planning and let yourself unwind. Need assistance with your itinerary? Feel free to reach out via email at sydney@bohotravel.org or simply fill out our inquiry form.
How to Pack for Egypt as a Woman Traveller?
The large majority of Egypt’s population adheres to the religion of Islam. When visiting any country, it’s advisable to show due respect to the local culture by dressing appropriately. This doesn’t necessarily entail donning a hijab, but opting for more modest attire than one might be accustomed to in most Western countries is a prudent plan. Ensuring coverage of shoulders and knees is customary, and considering the desert climate, loose and flowing clothing is recommended.
It is also respectful when visiting ancient temples to be covered, though I would say that Egypt is a bit more lax with these rules than other Arabic or Muslim counties I have travelled to, such as Morocco.
Egypt Travel Packing Guide – The Essentials
Sunhat // Your packing list for the Galapagos (perfect for female travelers!) would not be complete without a sunhat! The sun blazes down in Egypt, and the sun shines bright in the Sahara, so for my fashion-forward Boho Travellers, an adorable Boater Hat like this one from Etsy will do the trick! Otherwise, don’t forget your ball cap or bucket hat!
Sunglasses // Don’t leave your best sunnies behind! Polarized lenses will save your eyesight from the desert sun while in the Egypt. The Erika Ray-Bans Frame have been my go-to for easy travel & active sunnies that still look cute for about 5 years now!
Sunscreen // Reef-safe and smells delicious, Sun Bum is my go-to sunscreen for the last 9 years! This travel-size kit is perfect for packing for Egypt.
Water Bottle // The tap water in Egypt is NOT safe to drink and you will want to make sure you are drinking bottled water. Your private transfer and tour guide will have bottles of water on your bus or inside your car for you, and you’re going to go through more than one a day. Dehydration will hit you fast! But if you do prefer to have a filtered bottle you’ll rarely ever catch me without my Brita Water Bottle!
Fan // I’m not typically one to pack a fan when I travel, but this electronic hand fan has a cult following on TikTok and is super cute and convenient to pack. On those super hot days, I think this is worth having with you just in case. I packed a more traditional hand fan (ravers, you know) and it also worked a charm when walking through long sites in the beaming sun.
Pocket Tissues / Wet Wipes // Toilet Paper is not common in public toilets in Egypt (of course your hotel and cruise will have it) but we definitely recommend packing some extra wet wipes or tissues with you as well as some hand sanitiser!
Egypt Travel Packing Guide – What tops should I pack for a trip to Egypt?
2-3 Tanks // One of my favourite styles in Egypt is a tank top paired with a lighter weight linen overshirt to cover the shoulders. I basically live in these ribbed tank tops and linen blend tank tops from H&M. They come in a variety of colors and are great for layering & pairing with multiple outfits to help ease your struggle of trying to pack for the Egypt! This is another one of my favourite tanks that gives Laura Croft tombraider vibes.
3-4 Tees & Longsleeves // Keeping things simple, be sure to pack a few of your favorite simple tee shirts and long sleeves to pair with your linen pants, shorts, and skirts! These are also great when you are just lounging around in your cabin while cruising the Nile River
2-3 Flowy Tops/ Tunics // I love this Utility Top from Banana Republic as it just screams “Egyptologist”. Having a few loose and flowy tops in your packing for Egypt gives you additional flexibility in your wardrobe pairings, and can take a workout sports bra and leggings to a cute leggings & tunic pairing!
3-4 – Linen Tops // Personally, my go to personal aesthetic is Lady Indiana Jones, so a linen button down is basically my life’s uniform. Not all linen tops are the same though, and if you want one to last you a long time, it’s important to buy from a reputable brand. J Crew is the LOML – no joke. Everything that they have in Linen is a hit every time. It’s out of stock now but I wore a similar linen vest with sleeves to recreate the iconic photo of Princess Diana in front of the Pyramids. This is also a super cute tank that is precious. Here is a classic short sleeve button down and here it is with a little frill, and here is a classic long sleeve button down. Invest in J. Crew linen now, you can thank me later.
1 Water Wicking/ Excercise Top // I adore this simple water-wicking long-sleeve shirt from Helly Hansen – it’s not common that you’ll do much by way of hiking while in Egypt, but if you are pairing with another destination (like Jordan) it’s a good idea to have this in your arsenal regardless. You can also wear it in or out of the water and stay comfortable, just in case you head to the coast and do any day trips and it dries incredibly fast! A short sleeve is also great for heavy hiking days!
Light fleece/Cardigan/ Midlayer // You might have guessed by now that Helly Hansen is my go-to for active and outdoor gear, that is why there is so much of it listed in this Egypt Travel Packing Guide! Their mid-layer stuff is just as good as their base and outerwear, and I am in LOVE with all of my Helly Hansen Fleece Midlayers! If you are traveling in winter, a cute fleece is never a bad idea!
Egypt Packing Travel Guide – What Trousers & Bottoms to Pack for Egypt
3-4 pairs of Linen Pants // I pretty much exist solely in these linen pants, they come in a multitude of colors and are so comfy, and pair well with pretty much any top. I also like this pair of wide-leg linen pants, and this pair of “safari-esque” linen joggers. A pair of linen shorts doesn’t hurt for when you are lounging by the pool either.
1 Pair of Leggings // I love my Lululemon leggings (honestly who doesn’t) but you may not want to get them mucky and muddy on your adventures in Egypt! For my trip to Egypt I also packed this pair from Target that I didn’t mind getting messed up while hiking or during travel days! Also convenient if you are just laying down for a quick nap after early morning exploration, or if you are one of those people who go to the gym when you are on vacation – most of the ships we book do have a small gym on board!
3-4 Flowy Midi & Maxi Skirts // I can’t travel without packing at least one flowy skirt in my bag, and when it comes to Egypt, I am going to pack more than one! I am currently obsessing over this skirt from Free People. I also love this wrap skirt from J. Crew (who doesn’t love a good wrap skirt?) and this simple linen skirt. I also really like this Remie Fabric skirt from Banana Republic! Oh, and both the Free People and J. Crew skirts can double as dresses. When packing for Egypt, as a female, any midi or maxi length skirts or dresses are always going to be a win! I also love a nice satin Midi Length skirt for an elegant evening on the water or in your hotel.
3-4 Tea Length / Maxi Dresses // You know I love a good cottagecore or boho style maxi or midi dress, so my female traveler’s packing guide for the Egypt would be incomplete without listing a few! Packing 3-4 dresses when you go to Egypt will make travel photos pop! THIS linen dress will make you feel like a Boho Queen. I also love this linen safari-style midi dress. I am olso obsessed with THIS and THIS from Free People (At a great price)!
1-2 Jumpsuits // I personally love my “dino digging ‘fit” and it’s great for places Egypt, Morocco, on Safari, and the Galapagos! Unfortunately, the one I wear is no longer available, but there is this great option from the Banana Republic and a super cute version very similar to mine in dark olive from L.L. Bean.
Shoes to Pack and Wear in Egypt
BIRDIES
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, but Birdies are legitimately the ULTIMATE travel shoe. Seriously, seven laters of comfort with memory foam don’t even BEGIN to explain how much I love these shoes. Invest in a pair of Birdies and your feet will be thanking you in Egypt. Their sandals are literally so cute and the perfect Egypt shoe and their Starling loafer has been a staple in my wardrobe since 2018.
ADIDAS
Long walking days mean that a good pair of sneakers (and stylish ones at that) are essentials. I always wear my classic Superstar Adidas Originals when travelling and in need of a good trainer, but the Sambas are so in right now and they are a more sleek option if you don’t want something quite so bulky when you are packing for Egypt.
Kimonos & Cover Ups to Wear in Egypt
1 -2 Lightweight or Silk Scarves // A few lightweight scarves will really help if you feel like you need to cover your head – I have several of THESE from Amazon. A stylish silk scarf like this one from Revolve also looks cute in your hair or tied around your neck for a vintage vibe.
1 Pool Coverup // Definitely pack a pool coverup so that you aren’t running around the ship in your bikini! This one from Revolve we love because it’s super cute and totally fits the vibe!
Swimwear to Wear in Egypt
1-2 Bathing Costumes // You will definitely be in the water during your trip to Egypt, whether at the beach or your hotel pool or private riad swimming hole, so be sure to pack 2-3 pairs of swimsuits! I love to purchase reversible swimsuits so it’s like a 2-in-1!
Camera Gear to pack for Egypt
See a full list of my camera equipment on my blog post about it here.
Pro Tip: Drones are not allowed in the Egypt! Leave it at home or they will confiscate it! It is also advisable not to bring extra large lenses (think the kind you would take on Safari) as they also may be confiscated upon arrival.
Camera Bag // While I love the Lo & Sons Claremont Bag for everyday use, I usually bring quite a bit more gear with me on the trip than I bring out during the day. I use a WANDRD backpack as my personal item to store all my travel gear, and I don’t think I could live without it. It is compact, easy to use, and has great customizable storage compartments that seem to never end but are always easy to access. It’s also comfortable to wear and expandable. With Egypt I really felt that I would have been just OK with my Sigma Art Lens 18 – 34, but at certain points my wide angle Tokina 11-18 fs 2.8 (Canon) did come in handy **see here for Sony mirrorless mount***! Overall I found Egypt to be a very light Camera Destination, so you could easily get away with only bringing your DSLR or Mirrorless with one lens.
Fujifilm XS10 // This is a great addition to my camera family, I know it would perform well in Egypt. I traveled with. DSLR, the Canon Rebel T6, and she performed well, though was a bit heavy to lug around.
Canon R7 // This is my current camera and my baby girl. Mirrorless, she doesn’t weigh as much as your traditional DSLR, and takes fantastic photos and video. An absolute win for any photographer. I’m obsessed with this bad boy.
GoPro // There is nothing that will beat. a GoPro for all of the underwater adventure filming and photography you need.
Memory Cards // There is nothing worse than getting somewhere and realizing that you forgot to put your memory card in your camera! I recommend traveling with 3-4 128 GB memory cards. This way you can hold enough photos for 1-2 days but not too many that if something happens to it, you’ll lose your footage from the entire trip! 1TB memory cards scare me!
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Is Your Trip Protected?
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*This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you. Why affiliate links? They help keep this blog running and a free resource for you to use! Thank you for your continued support.*
