What to pack for Egypt in December

UV index of 4.4 and bright sand reflection cause eye strain without polarized lenses.

Mosquitoes breed in irrigation channels throughout the Nile valley, even in December.

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

Remote desert areas and limited medical access make a kit essential before you need one.

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.

Daylight lasts 10.2 hours, so your devices drain before sunset without extra capacity.

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

Dark by 5:55pm. Every campsite chore after that is a two-hands job.

Overhead bins fill fast on regional flights, so your bag must fit every airline.

Day trips into the desert mean carrying water, sun protection, and a map separately.

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

Wind at 17 km/h and sand everywhere means your neck needs protection during the day.

Dry desert air pulls moisture from skin, so fabrics that wick sweat keep you comfortable.

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

Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.

Tap water isn't safe here, so dehydration and electrolyte loss happen faster than expected.

Unfamiliar bacteria in food and water cause digestive trouble 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.

Crowded markets and tourist sites mean pickpockets work year-round in Egypt.

Luggage moves through multiple hands at airports and hotels across an international border.

Sand gets into everything, so organized packing keeps it out of your toiletries and electronics.

Laundry water quality is poor, so treating clothes chemically extends time between washes.

Airports, buses, and call to prayer at dawn create constant noise throughout the day.

Ten hours of daylight means ten hours of direct sun on your head and face.

One outlet per room means you can't wash hands before touching your face.

One power outlet forces you to charge everything at once, so short cables matter.

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

Border crossings and police checkpoints require your passport within arm's reach constantly.

Hostels and budget hotels have shared rooms where theft happens in broad daylight.

Long flights and early desert starts mean sleep happens whenever and wherever possible.