What to pack for Cairo in October

A UV index of 7.5 burns exposed skin in under 25 minutes without protection.

Glare off sand and stone reflects light straight into your eyes at ground level.

Mosquitoes breed in Cairo's irrigation channels and bite year-round.

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

Cuts from sharp stones and insect bites need immediate cleaning in a place where tap water isn't safe.

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.

Eleven hours of daylight drains your phone battery by afternoon if you're taking photos.

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

A national park visit plus a week in the city fits in a carry-on if you pack tight.

Day trips into the desert need water, sun protection, and a camera without checking a bag.

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

Desert wind at 17 km/h blows sand into every gap, so a neck gaiter shields skin and lungs.

Anything heavier than linen is a mistake at 90°F.

Sweat dries fast in 55% humidity, but moisture-wicking fabric keeps salt from building up on skin.

UV hits 7.5 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.

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

Sand gets everywhere; sport sandals let you rinse your feet without removing shoes.

Eleven and a half hours of daylight means your head stays in the sun most of the day.

Dry desert air and heat pull water from your body faster than thirst signals catch up.

Cold water at 3pm is worth the weight.

Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.

Diarrhea from unsafe water happens fast in heat and dehydration follows faster.

Cairo's food and water cause traveler's diarrhea in 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.

Pickpockets work the airport and souks where bags sit open on your lap.

Airport crowds and crowded souks make it easy to lose luggage in the chaos.

Carry-on space fills quickly when a national park plus a city week go in one bag.

Laundry water isn't safe to drink, so detergent powder lets you wash clothes without using tap water.

Airport announcements and street noise make sleep impossible on the layover without blocking sound.

Highs of 90°F rule out long pants except at dawn and dusk.

Lips crack and peel in low humidity; SPF lip balm prevents both.

Tap water isn't safe, so sanitizer bridges the gap between washing and eating.

Mosquitoes bite at dusk near the Nile, and sunburned skin swells worse than pale skin.

One outlet per guesthouse means charging everything in sequence, not at once.

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

Border officials and hotel staff ask for your passport constantly across the week.

Shared guesthouses and hostels mean locking your bag protects it from other guests.

One outlet means wet toiletries drip on clean clothes unless they hang separate and dry.

Overnight buses between Cairo and park towns run rough, and neck support matters for the next day.