I don’t think I need to tell you the appeal of going to Egypt. It’s a country that has drawn attention for its ancient wonders, from the Pyramids or the Tombs of some of the most iconic people in history like Cleopatra or King Tut. Besides exploring ancient civilizations, there are beautiful coastlines and some of the best scuba diving in the world. There’s so much to look forward to when you head to Egypt, but one thing you shouldn’t forget about is considering if you need a power adapter or not for your trip to Egypt.
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US to Egypt Power Adapter: What Plug Do I Need? (2024)
Which power outlets do they use in Egypt?
At first glance, you might think Egypt only has one type of electrical socket but in actuality, they have two– they’re just very similar. They use both the C and F plug types. They are both plugs that have two round pins, the only difference being that the F has “earth clips” on the side. Luckily for us, you can use a C plug in an F outlet, so you don’t need two different adapters. d
The voltage supply in Egypt runs at 220V and 50Hz– which is the same as in most European and northern African countries. However, if you’re visiting Egypt from the United States, you’ll need to bring an adapter since the US runs at 120V and 60Hz.
What kind of power adapter do I need for Egypt?
If you’re coming from an area of the world, like North America, that doesn’t use a C or F plug– you will need to use an adapter to be able to use your devices while in Egypt. While you can certainly get an adapter that works from your home country’s plug to C or F, I’d recommend getting a universal adapter for your trip to Egypt.
A universal adapter will work in over 100 countries in the world. This way, when you plan your next trip, even if it has different plug types than Egypt, you don’t need to buy another adapter. An added bonus of this adapter is that you can charge three devices at once—no more fighting over who gets to charge their phone or deciding which device gets charging priority.
What’s the electricity and power supply like in Egypt?
Egypt is strongly focused on fossil fuel-derived energy sources, but they are trying to scale their electricity powered by renewable energy– currently, it makes up around 20% of the country’s electricity sector, and they plan on scaling it to over 40% by 2035.
While in the early 2000s, it was extremely common for power outages to occur in Egypt– since then, it’s been continuously getting better and better. Today you most likely won’t have an issue with the electricity while you’re in Egypt, especially if you’re in Cairo or Luxor.
Do I need a voltage converter for Egypt?
To answer this question, you first need to understand what voltages your devices are compatible with. If you’re from Europe, chances are that you won’t need a converter because the electricity grid runs at the same voltage as Egypt (220V). However, if you’re from North America, you will need a converter to safely use the plugs in Egypt. If you don’t use a converter, you can easily fry your devices.
There’s also the possibility that your device is dual voltage, meaning that it can safely be used with two different voltage levels- in this case, as long as one of the voltages is 220V compatible, you won’t need a converter. You can find this information on the bottom of your device or on a tag attached to the cord of your device.
Other Egypt Packing List Items
In addition to your US to Egypt power adapter, these items will help you pack with intention and expand the possibilities of your getaway. Also, check out our Egypt packing list for more inspiration and ideas.
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1. Neck Wallet to Prevent Pickpocketing
The last thing you want is to find yourself in Egypt without a phone or your credit cards. Like anywhere in the world, pickpockets can happen. Take it from me. It’s not a great feeling to reach into your pocket only to realize that your wallet is gone. You’ll want to protect yourself by using a neck wallet that keeps all your personal items safe.
![Neck Wallet to Prevent Pickpocketing]()
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2. Lipstick-Sized Portable Charger
You never know where the day will take you in Egypt– so being prepared is key. That means you might not have the chance for a mid-day recharge for your phone (or you). You’ll want to keep a lipstick-sized charger with you, so you don’t ever find yourself lost with a dead phone.
![Lipstick-Sized Portable Charger]()
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3. Virtual Private Network (VPN)
When traveling, you’ll want to keep your data safe from “digital pickpockets” The easiest way to do this is to use a VPN when you’re connected to any public wifi network. This ensures that your data is safe and no one is snooping around on your data without you being aware.
![vpn]()
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4. Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are a must-have for any travel destination. I used to just throw all my things in the suitcase and head out on my adventure. Only to get to my hotel and have to tear through my suitcase to find the top that I want to wear. When you use packing cubes, everything stays organized and easily accessible.
![HERO Packing Cubes Set Organizers]()
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5. Jet Lag Relief Pills
Egypt is a long way away if you’re coming from North America. You won’t want to spend your precious time in Egypt sleeping because you’re jetlagged. Curb the effect of jet lag by taking jet lag relief pills when you’re traveling. This way, you’ll be awake and alert to discover the wonders of the ancient world.
![Jet Lag]()
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6. TSA-Approved Luggage Locks
If your flight gets in early or leaves late, you’ll probably have to leave your luggage in a storage room at your hotel for some time. You don’t want to be worried about some wandering hands finding their way into your luggage while you’re snapping pictures of the Pyramids, so make sure you lock your suitcases with luggage locks before leaving them behind.
![luggage locks]()
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7. Water Bottle with Built-In Filter
You won’t want to drink the tap water in Egypt, so you’ll either constantly have to purchase bottles of water or you can pack smart and bring a reusable water bottle with a built-in filter. The latter is obviously our recommendation. It’ll put less strain on your wallet and the environment in the long run, and nothing beats the convenience of being able to fill your bottle up anywhere and know that you instantly have safe and clean drinking water.
![Water Bottle with Built-In Filter]()
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8. Cooling Towels
Whether you’re exploring ancient pyramids, camelback-riding through the desert, or wandering outdoor markets, you’ll be spending plenty of time under the hot Egyptian sun. Cooling towels are my secret weapons for beating the heat. They’re compact and easy to throw into any day bag. When you feel like you need to cool off, simply get the towel wet, wring it out, and it instantly becomes 10-20 degrees cooler than the air temperature for up to 1 hour! They’re chemical-free, odor-resistant, and so refreshing!
![Cooling Towels]()
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9. Quick-Dry Travel Towel
Useful for wiping away sweat, shading yourself from the sun, or drying off after going for a swim, quick-dry travel towels never run out of uses. They’re compact, odor-resistant, and quick-drying, making them the perfect travel item. It’s a travel essential you’ll want handy in your day bag for your Egyptian adventures.
![travel towel]()
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10. Travel Insurance for Egypt
Traveling brings a lot of unexpected situations– sometimes good, sometimes bad. To make sure the bad doesn’t go to worse, get travel insurance before heading out of the country. This way, you’re always covered no matter what surprise Egypt throws your way– be it lost luggage or a “tour” of the Egyptian hospitals. Faye is the most hassle-free insurance we’ve yet to try. Their app makes it incredibly easy to make claims and get reimbursed right from your phone without having to deal with endless amounts of paperwork. For us, it’s been a total game-changer!
![Faye Travel Insurance]()
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11. Extra Phone Charging Cables
When you’re traveling and hopping from hotel to hotel, the thing that often gets left behind is a charging cable. After a few experiences of having to spend half the day trying to buy a new charging cable, I’ve learned to pack a few extras. While if you’re in the cities in Egypt, it won’t be a problem to find a cable in the more remote places, you’ll be out of luck.
![Extra Phone Charging Cables]()
Other FAQs about Traveling in Egypt
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1. What is the weather like in Egypt?
![What is the weather like in Egypt?]()
As you might be able to guess from its geographical location, the weather in Egypt can get pretty hot. The country is dominated by a desert climate, so it’s dry, arid, and hot throughout the year. The winters are mild, and the rainy season is from July to October, but most of the rainfall stays in the coastal regions. If you’re looking for slightly cooler weather, plan on visiting between October and April. It’s still warm and sunny, but the heat hasn’t reached brutal temperatures yet this time of year.
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2. When to travel to Egypt?
Traveling to Egypt can be enjoyed at any time of the year. However, if you don’t want to deal with the rainy season, you should avoid it anytime between July through October.
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3. What cities are worth visiting?
![What cities are worth visiting?]()
Cairo: Cairo is the largest city in Egypt and the capital city. It’s rich in the history of the ancient Egyptian civilization but also has a vibrant contemporary culture that is worth exploring.
Alexandria: Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt. It’s a coastal port city along the Mediterranean coastline. Its claim to fame was it’s an ancient lighthouse that was considered one of the seven wonders of the world before it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1303. Today one of the biggest draws is its library. It’s the biggest in the Middle East and one of the biggest in the world.
Dahab: Once a small fishing village on the Sinai Peninsula, today, Dahab is considered one of the world’s best diving destinations. It’s a much more relaxed vibe than that of Alexandria and Cairo, so it’s a great place to lay back and relax.
Luxor: Luxor is a city for history lovers because it’s built on the ancient city of Thebes, which was the pharaoh’s capital at the height of the power of Egyptian civilization. It has ruins that are extremely well preserved and 100% worth visiting.
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4. What to do in Egypt?
There are endless activities in Egypt. From exploring the ancient Egyptian civilization, or discovering the natural beauty of Egypt today. Here are some of the top activities that you shouldn’t miss:
- Cruise the Nile
- Visit the Pyramids of Giza
- Visit the Egyptian Museum
- Relax on The Beach in Sharm El-Sheik
- Hike Mount Sinai
- Go to the Red Sea
- Valley of the Kings
- Visit the Tomb of Nefertari
- Visit the White Desert
- Go Scuba diving
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