Egypt is one of the simpler Middle Eastern destinations for travel adapters. The country uses Schuko Type F and Europlug Type C sockets identical to most of continental Europe, at 220 V mains. If you have European plugs at home, you don't need anything. For everyone else, one Europe-style adapter handles the entire country including Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Red Sea resorts.
Quick answer by origin:
- From the US or Canada: Adapter required. Voltage check required.
- From the UK: Adapter required. Voltage match is close enough.
- From the EU (Schengen): Often nothing needed.
- From Australia or NZ: Adapter required. Voltage match is fine.
What plug does Egypt use?
Egypt uses Type C and Type F sockets throughout the country. The two plug types share the same pin spacing, so Schuko sockets accept both Type F and Type C Europlugs. Modern Egyptian construction primarily uses Schuko-style grounded outlets; older buildings may have ungrounded Type C only.
There is no Egypt-specific plug standard. Egypt harmonized on European designs in the mid-20th century and never had a national variant.
Egypt's voltage and frequency
Egypt runs at 220 V, 50 Hz. The grid is operated by the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company. Voltage stability varies by region:
- Cairo, Alexandria, Giza: usually within 5% of spec
- Luxor, Aswan, major tourist destinations: generally stable, occasional dips during peak load
- Smaller cities and rural areas: more voltage variation, occasional outages
- Sinai Peninsula and Red Sea coast: variable in smaller resorts, stable in larger properties
For US and Canadian travelers, this is roughly double your 120 V home mains. The dual-voltage check matters.
For UK, EU, and Australian travelers, voltage matches close enough (220 V vs 230 V).
Do I need a travel adapter for Egypt? By origin country
From the United States or Canada
Adapter required. US plugs don't fit Egyptian sockets. Buy any US-to-Europe adapter ($5-15).
Voltage check: every device needs 100-240 V on the brick. Single-voltage US appliances will burn out.
From the United Kingdom or Ireland
Adapter required, voltage match is close enough. UK Type G is physically incompatible with Schuko. UK-to-Europe adapters cost £3-8.
From the EU (Schengen area)
Often nothing. Europlugs and Schuko plugs fit Egyptian sockets directly. The exceptions are Italian Type L and UK Type G.
From Australia or New Zealand
Adapter required, voltage match is fine. AU Type I doesn't fit Schuko. AU-to-Europe adapters cover the gap.
Practical answers for common Egyptian travel situations
Will my MacBook charger work in Egypt? Yes. All Apple chargers are dual voltage. Add a US-to-Europe adapter if flying from the US.
What about Nile cruises (Cairo to Luxor or Aswan)? Standard Egyptian Type C/F sockets at 220 V in cabins. Some larger Nile cruise ships (Oberoi, Sonesta, Movenpick) have additional US Type A outlets for American passengers, but don't count on it. Bring a Europe-style adapter and you'll be fine.
Are Cairo hotels reliable for power? Yes in major hotels (Four Seasons, Marriott, Hilton). Mid-range hotels see occasional brownouts. Budget guesthouses near tourist sites have more variable power.
Can I buy an adapter at Cairo (CAI), Sharm El Sheikh (SSH), or Hurghada (HRG) airport? Yes, at airport markup: EGP 100-250 ($3-8) for adapters that cost EGP 30-80 at any Carrefour, Spinneys, or Egyptian electronics shop in the city.
What about Sinai resorts and Red Sea diving destinations? Resort properties (Marriott, Hilton, Movenpick, etc.) have stable Schuko outlets. Smaller dive camps may have variable power; bring a surge protector for camera and dive equipment chargers.
Will my UK three-pin shaver charge in Egypt? Yes with a UK-to-Europe adapter. Voltage matches at 220-230 V.
Egypt on multi-country itineraries
A common pattern is Egypt combined with Israel, Jordan, Morocco, or Turkey. Power-wise:
- Egypt to Morocco: same Schuko sockets, no adapter change
- Egypt to Turkey: same Schuko sockets, no adapter change
- Egypt to Israel: different plug (Type H), Europlug fits modern Israeli sockets so EU/Egyptian devices often work
- Egypt to Jordan: same Schuko/Europlug standard
- Egypt to UAE: different plug (Type G), need an adapter
For broader regional trips, a universal adapter with Schuko and Type G coverage handles the most common combinations.
Charging multiple devices at once
Egyptian outlets often come singly per faceplate in older buildings, in pairs in newer hotels. For travel charging:
- A GaN multi-port charger with a Schuko or Europlug, charges 4 devices off one socket
- A Schuko-input travel power strip with 2-3 universal sockets
- A USB-C hub charger that plugs directly into Schuko
Egyptian sockets deliver 10-16 A per outlet (2,200-3,520 W at 220 V), enough for any travel charging plus a hair dryer.
The bottom line
Egypt is straightforward for travel adapters. Standard Schuko and Europlug sockets, stable 220 V mains in major destinations, modern infrastructure in tourist areas.
If you have Schuko or Europlug at home, leave the adapter behind. For US, UK, and AU travelers, one Schuko adapter handles the entire country including Nile cruises and Red Sea resorts.