Despite the millions who pay to come to Egypt, there are also millions within the country desperate for an adventure beyond its borders. Whether going for business or pleasure, traveling always has the potential to be one big hassle. The right gear and gadgets, however, can help ensure a smooth ride.

Think of Goldilocks when choosing bags. You don’t want to under- or over-pack, but instead, achieve that perfect balance. Don’t forget: You’re likely to come back with more than you left with. If you plan to shop a lot, your best option is a collapsible bag. The expensive option is to get a Samsonite collapsible at LE 2,100, or LE 1,800 with the 20 percent discount the Cairo outlet is currently offering..

That said, Downtown has many non-brand luggage shops selling similar goods at a fraction of the prices — though you can still expect to pay around LE 300.

Keep in mind the amount of time spent doing nothing — or working, if this is a business trip — while waiting in the departure lounge or sitting on the plane. You’ll want a carry-on bag, preferably a laptop backpack or briefcase, to ensure easy access to your books or work briefs.

Again, Samsonite offers several rather pricey options. First is a twin bag package (a normal business bag with wheels along with a laptop backpack) priced at LE 990. Samsonite also offers a LE 770 laptop backpack with wheels and extendable arm so you can pull it behind you; a LE 390 version comes without the wheels.

The iPod Shuffle is another great way to entertain yourself when travelling.

Radio Shack has a couple of decent bags for around LE 370, while Virgin Megastore has bags for LE 225–900. A cheaper option is to visit CompuMe (in Mohandiseen or any of the other computer malls around the city. Expect to pay close to LE 150 for a bag, and make sure it is comfortable to carry, as poorly made straps could strain your shoulders.

The last of the bags you need to have are the little ones, like travel wallets (for your passport and plane ticket in addition to the usual stuff), money clips and pouches. The high-end choice is a travel wallet from Mont Blanc for LE 2,600. There is also a nice option from the Mercedes Shop in CityStars for LE 625. A money clip there will set you back LE 200. The cheaper option is go lookingin the leather shops in Downtown and Heliopolis near the Presidential Palace, where you will pay around LE 200 for the travel wallet and LE 100 or less for a money clip.

A travel pouch will help you feel confident that your wallet will not be liberated from your pocket in crowd; it’s also harder to accidently leave your valuables behind in a café or a cab. They are generally much less expensive than travel wallets and money clips, and can generally be found at computer shops or sports equipment outlets. Appliance Shop, a small computer mall on the ground floor of CityStars in front of Spinney’s, has a leg pouch for LE 40, a waist pouch for LE 60 and a collapsible bag (women’s style only) for LE 98. Le Coq Sportif also has nice options at LE 66.

There are high-tech gadgets out there for every imaginable need. Some are incredibly useful while others fall more into the expensive toy category. The cool thing is that you will not need a universal charger for these gadgets — we are a 220V nation, so when visiting a 110V nation, chargers will still work.

First off, invest in a good practical MP3 player. For maximum convenience, use your phone or an iPod Shuffle with its belt clip and 2GB memory. A Bluetooth earpiece is also important as it negates the need to take out the mobile to answer calls, especially handy on a business trip. Expect to part with between LE 250 and LE 600.

As far as laptops go, the 15.4-inch screens are a popular and an excellent size for home use, bit they can feel too large and cumbersome when traveling, particularly when sitting in a plane or departure lounge. If you are seeking a laptop to take on trips, then the answer lies in the HP 12.1-inch swivel model with touch screen, which retails anywhere between LE 6,000 and LE 7,600, depending on the specs. The major benefit is that the laptop comes with a handy carrying case and extra battery, and coupled with the touch screen and swivel options, you can use it as an electronic launching pad to access any form of entertainment you want.

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