What to pack for Cairo in May

A UV index of 11.9 burns exposed skin in under 15 minutes.

Glare off sand and pale stone reflects intense light into your eyes.

Mosquitoes breed in the Nile and its irrigation channels year-round.

Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.

Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and minor cuts from sharp stone are common in May.

Tap water isn't safe here. A filter bottle beats buying plastic twice a day.

This country runs on Type C or F. Get one with USB-C so you're not fighting over the single outlet.

Thirteen hours of daylight means your phone dies before sunset if you photograph constantly.

Set it up before you land. Signal drops for long stretches outside cities.

Overhead bins fill fast on flights to Cairo, and checked bags cost extra.

A day trip to the pyramids or Saqqara means carrying water, sun protection, and a camera.

Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.

Sand and wind at 19 km/h scour exposed skin on the neck and face.

Anything heavier than linen is a mistake at 95°F.

Sweat dries fast in 39% humidity, but the salt stays behind and irritates.

UV hits 11.9 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.

For temples, mosques, and churches that check at the door.

Desert terrain is loose and uneven underfoot, especially around archaeological sites.

Direct sun for 13.7 hours daily makes shade a survival need, not a comfort.

The heat and low humidity combine to drain electrolytes faster than water replaces them.

Cold water at 3pm is worth the weight.

Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.

Tap water isn't safe, and traveller's diarrhea dehydrates you faster in the heat.

Unfamiliar food and water cause intestinal illness within days for most visitors.

One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.

Hotel and cafe wifi is shared with everyone else in the building. A VPN keeps your banking and email to yourself.

Petty theft targets tourists in crowded markets and public transport throughout Cairo.

Shared hostel lockers mean bags sit unattended in common areas during the day.

Five days between laundry loads means clothes compress into tight spaces.

Tap water ruins clothes if you hand-wash them, so detergent for bottled water matters.

Call to prayer broadcasts from mosques five times daily, starting before dawn.

Highs of 95°F mean long pants trap heat and restrict airflow.

Lips crack and peel in dry desert air without constant protection.

Bathrooms are infrequent in archaeological zones and often lack soap or running water.

Insect bites itch, but scratching them in the sun worsens the burn.

One outlet per hotel room forces you to choose what charges overnight.

A few phrases go a long way. Ten minutes a day before you leave is plenty.

Police and checkpoints require your passport or a photocopy on demand.

Hostels and budget hotels have shared lockers, not individual room safes.

Humidity stays low, but dust settles on toiletries constantly in a desert city.

Hotel pillows are often thin or lumpy, and overnight flights arrive early morning.