Visiting Egypt in December is perfect for comfortable sightseeing—cooler weather makes exploring pyramids, ancient temples, and desert landscapes much easier than the summer heat. But don’t let the sun fool you—mornings and evenings can get chilly, especially in the desert.
Packing for Egypt means thinking practically and respectfully. You’ll want light but layered clothing, modest outfits for cultural sites, and essentials for sun and sand. Expect both sun-soaked days and cold desert nights.
📝Note: This article is all about what to pack for Egypt in December. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
- Cairo: 11°C to 21°C (52°F to 70°F)
- Luxor/Aswan: 9°C to 25°C (48°F to 77°F)
- Alexandria: 13°C to 19°C (55°F to 66°F)
- Sinai/desert: Cooler at night, can drop below 5°C (41°F) ❄️
- Dry air, intense midday sun, cool evenings 🌞
What to Pack for Egypt in December
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Medium suitcase – easy to manage on uneven terrain 🧳
- Carry-on – for important items 🛄
- Daypack – camel rides to Cairo bazaars 🎒
- Packing cubes – separate layers 📦
- Shoe bags – dusty shoes need isolating 👟
- Toiletry bag – with leakproof lining 🧴
- Document pouch – keep things secure 💼
- Foldable tote – for local markets 🛍️
- Laundry bag – sand-stained clothes 🧺
- Luggage lock – essential for hotel storage 🔐
- Travel towel – great for desert camps 🧻
- Neck pillow – Nile cruises or long drives 🛌
- Sleep mask – bright desert sun even at sunrise 😴
👗 Clothes
- Loose long-sleeve tops (4–5) – sun protection & modest 👕
- Light sweaters/jumpers (2–3) – cooler nights 🧥
- Cardigan or fleece – layering is key 🧣
- Maxi skirts & dresses – comfortable and respectful 👗
- Lightweight pants (2–3) – breathable and modest 👖
- Jeans – for city walks, less ideal for desert 👖
- Thermal base layers (1–2 sets) – especially for desert ❄️
- Scarf or shawl – cover up at temples 🧕
- Swimsuit – hotel pools & Red Sea resorts 👙
- Cover-up – hotel/resort modesty 🧣
- Pajamas – warm enough for desert 🛌
- Undergarments – quick-drying preferred 👙
- Wool socks – cold sand underfoot in morning 🧦
💆 Skincare
- High SPF sunscreen – year-round UV ☀️
- Moisturizer – dry desert climate 🧴
- Lip balm with SPF – wind + sun combo 💋
- Face wash – rinse off the dust 🧼
- Micellar water – gentle cleanse 🧽
- After-sun lotion – just in case 🌿
- Bug bite cream – Nile evenings = insects 🦟
💄 Makeup
- Tinted moisturizer with SPF – light coverage 🌞
- Waterproof mascara – tear-free under heat 👁️
- Bronzer – add warmth if needed 🌅
- Lip stain – long-lasting 💄
- Brow pencil – no-fuss finish ✏️
- Setting spray – desert-proof 🔒
💇 Hair Care
- Comb – sand tangles hair easily 💇
- Hair ties & scarf – desert wind control 🌀
- Shampoo/conditioner – travel bottles 🚿
- Leave-in conditioner – add moisture 💁
- Dry shampoo – useful between tours 🌬️
- Hair serum – tame frizz & dryness ✨
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Closed walking shoes – temples & desert walks 👟
- Sandals – resort & city exploring 🩴
- Water shoes – if Red Sea snorkeling 🩱
- Sunhat – protect from midday heat 👒
- Sunglasses – desert glare 🕶️
- Scarf – doubles as sun or modesty cover 🧣
- Light jewelry – keep it simple 💍
- Crossbody bag – secure in crowded areas 👜
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport – valid for 6+ months 🛂
- Visa (e-visa for most) – apply online 📄
- Travel insurance – required 🧾
- Flight & hotel confirmations – print & digital 📋
- Cash (EGP) – many places are cash-only 💵
- Credit card – hotels and big stores 💳
- SIM or portable Wi-Fi – city vs rural coverage 📶
🚑 First Aid
- Motion sickness pills – Nile cruises 🛳️
- Bug spray – Nile areas 🦟
- Electrolyte packets – desert heat 💧
- Band-aids – dusty sandals = blisters 🩹
- Antiseptic wipes – temple steps get rough 🧻
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Toothbrush/paste – essential 🪥
- Deodorant – long wear for long tours 🧼
- Feminine care – bring what you prefer 🩸
- Razor – hot showers = fast growth 🪒
- Wet wipes – hand-washing isn’t always possible 🧻
- Hand sanitizer – pre-meal must 🧴
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Phone + charger 📱
- Portable charger – long sightseeing days 🔋
- Camera – the monuments demand it 📸
- Universal adapter – Egypt uses type C/F 🌍
- Offline maps + Arabic phrase app 📲
🎧 Entertainment
- Books – Nile cruise companions 📚
- Podcasts – for bus rides 🎧
- Travel journal – document ancient wonders 📝
🎁 Extras
- Reusable bottle – filtered if possible 💧
- Snacks – long site days 🍫
- Shopping bag – for bazaars 🛍️
- Whistle – solo travel safety 📣
🌍 Travel Tips
- Layer your outfits 🧥
- Cover shoulders and knees at temples 🕌
- Drink bottled water only 💧
- Download offline translation apps 🗣️
🛂 Visa Tips
- Get an Egypt e-visa online 🛂
- Bring printed visa copy 📄
- Passport must have 6 months validity 📆
⭐ Must-Haves
- Passport 🛂
- Sunscreen ☀️
- Headscarf/shawl 🧣
- Modest clothes 👗
- Cash + card 💳
- Offline maps & Arabic phrases 📲
👍 Good-to-Have
- Electrolytes 💧
- Anti-itch cream 🦟
- Binoculars – for desert wildlife 🔭
- Sunhat 👒
- Mini sewing kit 🧵
