Most people pack for Cairo's heat and forget its winter. From December to February nights drop to 10–12°C (50–54°F), and the desert at Giza feels colder once the sun goes down. The other mistake is dress, because mosques and old Cairo expect covered shoulders and knees, so light, loose and covered beats shorts.
Cairo weather by month
Daily high and low (°C), and days with rainSee the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 21°C70°F | 20°C68°F | 26°C79°F | 30°C86°F | 34°C93°F | 38°C100°F | 40°C104°F | 39°C102°F | 36°C97°F | 31°C88°F | 27°C81°F | 22°C72°F |
| Low | 11°C52°F | 10°C50°F | 13°C55°F | 16°C61°F | 19°C66°F | 22°C72°F | 24°C75°F | 24°C75°F | 23°C73°F | 20°C68°F | 16°C61°F | 12°C54°F |
| Rain days | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Season by season
Winter
December–FebruaryHighs of 20–22°C (68–72°F) feel great in the sun, but lows of 10–12°C (50–54°F) mean a sweater or jacket at night. It barely rains, about 1 day a month. This is the best time for Giza, Saqqara and long days walking Islamic Cairo.
Spring
March–MayHeat builds fast, from 26°C (79°F) in March to 34°C (93°F) in May. Spring is also when the khamsin, a hot, dusty desert wind, can blow through, so a scarf for your face helps. Nights stay mild at 13–19°C (55–66°F).
Summer
June–AugustJuly hits 40°C (104°F), and there's no rain at all from April to October. Do Giza at opening time and spend the afternoon inside the Egyptian Museum or the Grand Egyptian Museum. Light long sleeves and a hat protect you better than bare skin.
Autumn
September–NovemberSeptember is still 36°C (97°F), then October drops to 31°C (88°F) and November to 27°C (81°F). November is one of the best months, with warm days and evenings around 16°C (61°F). Pack a light layer for late autumn nights.
What to bring to Cairo
0 of 24 packed- Hydro Flask 24 oz Wide Mouth Bottle with Flex Straw CapWater Bottles & Hydration
At Giza in summer you're standing in 38–40°C (100–104°F) sun with almost no shade, and water that stays cold for 24 hours beats a warm plastic bottle by mid-morning.
- A warm wrapClothing
One wool shawl covers your shoulders or hair at the mosques and keeps you warm on winter nights that drop to 10°C (50°F).
- Pacsafe GO Anti-Theft Tech CrossbodyDocuments & Security
Khan el-Khalili and the Metro are packed, and a steel-wire strap with lockable zips keeps your phone, cards and passport on you.
- Boot Bananas Original Shoe DeodorizersFootwear & Shoe Care
Dusty, sweaty days and shoes off and on at every mosque make your sneakers ripe, and these inserts keep that smell out of the rest of your bag.
- Bearwind S40 Portable Handheld Turbo FanTech & Power
When July hits 40°C (104°F), a handheld fan is real relief in a taxi stuck in Cairo traffic or a queue at the pyramids.
- Epicka 70W Universal Travel AdapterTech & Power
Its EU plug fits Egypt's two-pin sockets, and five ports charge your phone, camera and power bank off one outlet.
- Anker Nano Power Bank 5,000mAh (Built-In USB-C)Tech & Power
A long day at Giza and the museums burns through a phone battery, and this one plugs straight into a USB-C phone with no cable.
Clothing
- Loose linen pants or long skirts · 2Mosques expect covered knees
- Lightweight long-sleeve shirts · 3Covers shoulders and blocks sun
- Headscarf · 1Women cover hair at mosques
- Light sweater or fleece · 1Dec–Feb nights drop to 10–12°C
- Wide-brim sun hat · 1
Footwear
- Closed-toe walking shoes · 1Sand and uneven ground at Giza
- Slip-on sandals · 1Shoes off at mosques
Gear
- Sunglasses · 1
- Small daypack · 1
Health and toiletries
- SPF 50 sunscreen · 1July averages a 40°C high
- Hand sanitizer · 1
- Lip balm with SPF · 1
- Electrolyte packetsSummer highs of 38–40°C
Documents and money
- Passport
- VisaCheck entry rules before you fly
- Small cash notesFor tips and small purchases
Tech
- Phone charger and cable
What shoes should you pack for Cairo?
Cairo is sand, dust and broken pavements. At Giza you'll walk on sand and rock around the pyramids, and the lanes of Khan el-Khalili are uneven and crowded. Wear closed walking shoes you don't mind getting dusty, and make them easy to slip off, because shoes come off at every mosque.
What do people wear in Cairo?
Most Egyptians dress conservatively, and you'll get less attention if you do the same. Cover shoulders and knees, especially in Islamic and Coptic Cairo, and women are expected to cover their hair at mosques like Al-Azhar and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, so carry a scarf. Loose linen trousers and long-sleeve shirts are cooler in the sun than shorts anyway.
What plugs does Cairo use?
Egypt uses type C and F sockets at 220V, the European two-pin kind. The universal adapter's EU plug fits. Check that your chargers say 100-240V, and leave single-voltage US appliances at home.
Tours and things to do in Cairo
Packed and ready? Browse guided tours, day trips and tickets for Cairo.
What should you leave at home for Cairo?
Leave shorts and tank tops as your main outfits, they limit where you can go. Skip the rain gear, Cairo sees about 1 rain day a month at most. And leave the drone at home, because Egypt requires a permit to bring one in and customs can take it off you.
Packing for Cairo: questions people ask
What should women wear in Cairo?
Loose clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, plus a scarf for mosques. Light linen or cotton keeps you cooler in the sun and draws less attention.
What should I wear to the pyramids?
Closed shoes for sand and rock, light long sleeves and a hat. There's very little shade at Giza, so go early and carry plenty of water.
Is it cold in Cairo in winter?
Days are mild at 20–22°C (68–72°F), but nights drop to 10–12°C (50–54°F). Bring a sweater or light jacket for evenings, especially out at Giza.
What is the hottest month in Cairo?
July, with highs around 40°C (104°F). June and August are close behind at 38–39°C (100–102°F), so plan sightseeing for early morning.
Does it rain in Cairo?
Almost never. Cairo averages about 1 rain day a month in the cooler months and none from April to October.
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