Egypt travel guide: what to pack, what to eat & entry rules

What to pack for Egypt

Egypt has a hot desert climate with very little rain. Summers are very hot, especially in Luxor and Aswan; winters are mild and sunny by day with cool nights. The Red Sea coast is warm most of the year.

That is the long-term pattern, not a forecast. Weather in any given week can be warmer, colder or wetter than usual, so check the forecast a few days before you leave — Wayfold does this automatically and adjusts the packing list for your actual dates.

Pack with Egypt in mind

• Light, loose clothing that covers shoulders and knees
• Sun hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen for temple sites
• A warm layer for winter nights and early-morning tours
• Swimwear and reef-safe sunscreen for the Red Sea

Start from a full checklist

Combine the points above with a complete list for the kind of trip you are taking:

• Beach vacation packing list · 51 items
• Cruise packing list · 54 items
• Carry-on only packing list · 45 items

What to eat in Egypt

These are dishes most visitors to Egypt will meet, with the usual recipe’s diet flags. Use them as a starting point for menus and for asking questions — not as a guarantee of what is in a particular plate.

• Koshari

  Rice, lentils, pasta and chickpeas with tomato sauce and crispy onions.

  Vegetarian-friendlyGluten

• Ful medames

  Slow-cooked fava beans with oil, cumin and lemon.

  Vegetarian-friendly

• Ta'ameya

  Egyptian falafel made from fava beans.

  Vegetarian-friendlySesame

• Molokhia

  Jute-leaf stew, usually served with chicken or rabbit.

• Hawawshi

  Flatbread stuffed with spiced minced meat and baked.

  Gluten

• Feteer meshaltet

  Flaky, layered pastry made with ghee.

  Vegetarian-friendlyGlutenDairy

• Om Ali

  Warm pastry pudding with milk and nuts.

  Vegetarian-friendlyGlutenDairyNuts & peanuts

Meal times, tipping and water

During Ramadan many restaurants open only after sunset.

Local chains you will see

Well-known local names — handy for a quick, predictable meal or coffee:

• Gad — Egyptian street food: ful, ta’ameya and sandwiches.
• Zooba — Modern Egyptian street food.
• Koshary El Tahrir — Koshari restaurants.
• Mo'men — Egyptian sandwich and burger chain.
• Cook Door — Egyptian sandwich chain.

General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens. Checked 30 September 2026. In the app, the food guide marks which dishes fit each traveller’s diet and can show a diet and allergy card in the local language.

Entry rules for US and UK passport holders

A summary of the passport and travel-authorisation rules Wayfold reminds travellers about for Egypt. Rules change, and your exact situation (other nationalities, long stays, work or study) may differ.

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules change — always check the official source before you travel. Rules last reviewed 29 September 2026. For the bigger picture, read what ESTA, the UK ETA and ETIAS are.

Quick answers

Is tap water safe to drink in Egypt?

Drink bottled or filtered water. Most visitors drink bottled or filtered water and avoid ice of unknown origin. General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens.

Do you tip in Egypt?

Tipping (baksheesh) is customary; leave around 10% even when a service charge is on the bill.

Is it easy to eat halal or vegetarian in Egypt?

Halal food: easy to find. Vegetarian food: easy to find. Vegetarian-friendly classics include Koshari, Ful medames, Ta'ameya, Feteer meshaltet and Om Ali. Recipes vary between kitchens, so always ask.