What to pack for Cairo in December
Heading to Cairo in December? Here's a packing list built directly from local climate averages — not generic blog advice.
December is one of the coldest months of the year in Cairo (ranked 11 of 12) and moderate for rainfall (ranked 5 of 12). Day temperatures are 4°C cooler than November and cooling toward January — so this month's packing list won't be identical to November's or January's.
Essentials
- ★ Passport + a photocopy stored separately Travel documents
- ★ Phone + charging cables (USB-C, Lightning as needed) Daily essentials
- • Refillable water bottle (1L) Reduces single-use plastic + saves money
- • Compact daypack (15–20L) For day trips, hands-free walking
- • Travel-size first-aid kit (band-aids, ibuprofen, antihistamines) Pharmacy access varies
Tops
- ★ T-shirts (5–6) — cotton or merino Avg high 21°C — warm
- • 1–2 long-sleeve linen or chambray shirts Cooler evenings + sun protection
Bottoms
- ★ Light chinos or trousers (1–2) Cooler evenings + cultural sites
- • Shorts (2) — knee-length Daytime warmth
Outerwear & layers
- ★ Mid-weight jacket — packable down (e.g. Uniqlo Ultra-Light Down) or trench Overnight lows 11°C — cool
- · Light scarf Versatile + comfort
Footwear
- ★ Comfortable walking shoes (broken in) Mild weather, lots of walking
- • Lightweight sneakers (1 backup pair) Rotation prevents blisters
Accessories
- • Sunglasses Bright days expected
- • Sunscreen (SPF 30) Year-round basics
Local style + dress code
- ★ Light scarf or pashmina (large enough to cover head + shoulders) Modest dress respected; required at religious sites
- ★ 1 long-sleeve modest top + long pants/skirt for cultural sites Cairo: modest dress strongly recommended for women. Cover shoulders + knees, especially at mosques/churches. Carry a light scarf.
Power, voltage & adapters
- ★ 220V at 50Hz Mains electricity standard for Egypt
- ★ Plug types: F, C (Type F — round 2-pin + side clips (Schuko — Germany, most of EU)) Most common: F. Older buildings may also use C.
- ★ From the US/Canada: bring an A→F travel adapter US Type A/B plugs don't fit Egypt's outlets
- ★ Check device voltage labels: 'INPUT: 100–240V' is dual-voltage (most modern phones, laptops, chargers — safe). Single-voltage 110V devices (older hairdryers, curling irons) need a step-down converter, not just an adapter. Egypt runs 220V — too high for US-only 110V devices
- • From the UK/Ireland: bring a G→F travel adapter UK Type G plugs don't fit Egypt's outlets
- · Easiest option: a universal travel adapter (e.g. Anker, Epicka) that handles A/B/C/E/F/G/I in one — covers ~95% of countries. If you travel to multiple regions
✅ Can you carry-on?
Yes — December in Cairo packs comfortably into a carry-on. Conditions stay mild enough that you can rely on light layers, one pair of shoes, and a packable rain shell.
23 suggested items total — 5 essentials, 6 clothing items, 2 pairs of shoes.
What you can leave at home
Based on Cairo's December climate, here's what won't earn its bag space:
- beach towel (unless you're brave)
- heavy winter coat & thermal underwear
- rain shell and waterproof bag covers (sky stays mostly dry)
- snow boots and ice grips
How this list was built
Every recommendation above maps to specific climate data for Cairo in December: average high (21°C), average low (11°C), expected rain days (1), and any peak hazard seasons. Heavier items appear at colder temperatures; rain gear scales with how often it rains; sun protection appears when it's warm and dry.
The ★ items are essential — pack these first. The • items are recommended for comfort. The · items are nice-to-have if you have space.
Other months in Cairo
Daily forecasts, climate averages, and the best activities for the season.