The ultimate packing list for your trip to India depends on the regions you are visiting, the activities you are planning to do, and the time of the year you are planning to visit India. For example, you will need sturdier shoes, a larger backpack, and different travel gear for a trekking tour than for a cultural trip, for which you will need a simpler travel kit. So whether you are visiting the Taj Mahal in the north, going on day trips in Delhi, or exploring the ancient ruins of the South, we will tell you everything you need to pack for India.
In this blog, we have put together a few essential items that should be on your India packing list.
Essentials
When you pack for India, there are a few essentials you need to have, whether you are backpacking India, going on a short trip, or staying for a long time.
- A valid passport and Indian visa – First things first. The most essential things you will need while packing for India or anywhere in the world are a passport that is valid for at least six months after the end of your trip, and a valid visa.
- Travel insurance – a travel insurance is a must while traveling abroad, since it could save you if you get in a situation.
- Your ID proofs and driver’s license (if you intend to drive)
- Vaccinations (For India, several standard vaccinations are recommended; we have written a detailed article about this for you)
- All your important documents and copies of them (passport, visa, flight ticket, travel insurance policy, vaccination record, etc.). Keep them on you the entire time.
Read: Best time to visit India
Clothing
Before you decide what to wear in India, you need to understand the region you are visiting and the season in which you are visiting India. Places with cooler temperatures will require you to pack sweaters and jackets, while most of India will be hot and humid during most of the year, so you will need light clothing. During monsoons, you will need to pack some extra things, while post monsoon season demands some other things.
In general, you will find most men and women tourists in loose, comfortable clothing on a daily basis. However, you will need to be fully clothed during temple visits and at religious sites, or sometimes dress as per local customs. For example, at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, you need to cover your head before entering the temple premises. You will also have to remove your footwear outside most religious places in India.
Men:
- One pair of jeans
- 5-6x t shirts and shirts
- 1 pair of shorts
- Swimming trunks
- 1-2x long linen or cotton pants
Women:
In India, revealing and tight clothes on women are not so common, except in a few metropolitan cities, so avoid packing mini skirts, tank tops, and hot pants. It’s best to follow the basic rule: cover your knees, shoulders, and neckline! Pack light and breathable clothing also protects you from the sun, dust, and unwanted attention.
- 5-6x t shirts, shirts, and blouses
- 1-2x long pants (linen or cotton)
- 1-2x long skirts (to hide the knees)
- Swimsuit
- 1-2x tank tops
- Long dresses
- Scarf (to cover your shoulders at religious sites or to protect yourself from the sun or cold)
- Hand bag
General clothing:
- 1x light jacket/sweater and 1x heavier sweater/jacket (for cold weather and cool nights)
- Underwear
- 1x towel, light and compact
- Hat, cap or any covering for your head
- Sunglasses
- Backpack
- Waist pouch with a hidden pocket for safekeeping
- 1 pair of woolen socks (for temple visits or hikes)
- Cloth handkerchief
- 1x plastic bag for dirty laundry
- Shoes – Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes while traveling in India, since you might be walking a lot while exploring. If you are visiting temples and religious places, you will need to remove your shoes outside, so preferably wear sandals with straps that are easy to put on and take off. You can wear flip flops on the beach. If you plan on going hiking, pack some hiking boots as well.
You will easily get laundry service in most tourist places in India. Many Indian hotels and hostels offer cheap laundry services, where you can get your clothes back within a day.
Read more: What to wear in India
Items for monsoon season (July to September):
- Light rain jacket AND umbrella
- Rubber or plastic sandals with ankle straps (NO flip-flops)
- Light, quick-drying clothing
- Rain cover for backpack
- Water-resistant zip bag for valuables
- Mosquito protection (cream, spray)
Monsoon season in India is from mid-June to September
Hygiene and self-care items
- Water bottles – When in India, always drink bottled water. You can easily buy packaged drinking water in most shops, cafes, and restaurants, but even then, carry a water bottle with you at all times. Always remain hydrated.
- Tissues and wet wipes – It is always a good idea to keep tissues with you in case you need to wipe your hands. Wet wipes are also a good option if you want to clean your hands or a sweaty face. Tissues are also useful as emergency toilet paper, since public toilets in India aren’t the most hygienic and you may not find a toilet roll in a lot of toilets.
- Sunscreen – Carry an SPF 50+ sunscreen in India and apply it liberally every day. India is largely a hot and humid country, so it is advisable to slather a lot of sunscreen before heading out for the day.
- Moisturizing cream – If your skin gets dry easily, carry a moisturizing cream with you which will protect your skin against the harsh weather.
- Bug spray, mosquito repellent, and insect repellent – You might encounter quite a few mosquitoes and insects in India, especially in the rural areas or during monsoon season. So keep bug spray handy.
- Hand sanitizer – Pack a hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol, since you will be exposed to a lot of germs in India. Keep it handy wherever you go.
- Deodorant – It gets quite hot in India, and you may start sweating easily. So you can keep a deodorant handy with you.
- Soap, shampoo, toothbrush, and toothpaste – While you will get these items in most hotels, hostels, and any store, it is best to carry your own as you may not get your preferred brands everywhere.
- Disposable razor – You will get razors in most local shops in India, but it is best to pack a disposable razor, just in case.
- Comb – Carry a comb in case you need to detangle your hair.
- Nail scissors – In India, you usually only find nail clippers.
- Earplugs – There can be a lot of noise pollution in India, and earplugs will help you sleep better.
- Tampons or menstrual cups – You will get sanitary napkins in most places in India, but tampons can be hard to come across, except in the metropolitan areas. So make sure to carry your tampons or a menstrual cup. Plus, it is always a good idea to have it handy, just in case.
Medications
- Before leaving on a trip, consult your travel doctor in your home country to learn more about the right vaccines for the region you are visiting and other important emergency medications you need to know about, and then carry the appropriate medical supplies with you.
- First aid kit – Keep a small travel first-aid kit with some pain relievers for headaches, cold, or slight fever, band-aids, cream or gel to soothe insect bites, malaria tablets, and electrolyte.
- Rehydration sachets – You will get these in any local pharmacy in India, but it is still good to have some packets with you just in case. Also, this is not a substitute for water, so drink plenty of water every day.
- Anti-diarrhea tablets – If you have heard the term “Delhi Belly”, you would know that these tablets are important when in India. The term refers to an upset stomach, often suffered by travelers in India.
- Asthma inhaler – If you suffer from asthma, it might get worse with the poor air quality in India, so don’t forget to carry your inhaler.
Electronics
- Portable charger or power bank – Your phone may run out of battery while traveling, and you may not get an electric port to charge your phone. That is why, keep a power bank handy.
- Adapter – It is always a good idea to carry an adapter, in case your devices are incompatible with others. In India, you will mostly find Type C, Type D, and Type M adaptors, so a universal plug adaptor is perfect.
- Local sim cards – Getting a local sim card in India is much more beneficial, as you can get data in most places at a lower rate. You will also need data to navigate Google Maps on your phone.
- Camera – If you love photography, India will give you some of the most amazing photographs. You can also click group photos for memories to look back on. So if you are visiting India, you should definitely pack your camera, along with some extra camera batteries.
- Surge protector – If you plan on using laptops, a surge protector is necessary, since it can protect your device from the fluctuating current.
Read more: Best places to visit in India
Miscellaneous things to carry
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- Books or e-reader – If you are traveling for long periods, on an overnight train journey or long bus rides, you can catch up on your reading with a book or two.
- Water bottle – Even though tap water in India isn’t drinkable, most hotels provide water filters for refilling
- Small flashlight
- Pocket knife
- Cable locks
- Waterproof phone case
- Notebook and pen – You can use it as a journal or simply to make notes about things.
- Curiosity & calmness
- Camera for capturing many memories
- Appetite for Indian food
- Space in your luggage for your shopping and souvenirs
What to Leave at Home
- Too warm clothing
- For women: Revealing clothing
- Large, bulky suitcases
- High heels & fancy shoes
- Valuable, conspicuous jewelry
India packing tips:
- Carry a smaller day bag with you when you pack for India. You can then keep the larger bag at your accommodation, and keep some essential items in your day bag. This will make it super easy for you to explore everything comfortably.
- It is not allowed to bring Indian rupees into or out of India. Therefore, rupees should not be on your packing list. Try to avoid exchanging money directly at the airport, as exchange rates are usually highest there. It is best to withdraw some cash at the airport so you have money on hand. We have a more detailed article on this topic here.
We hope our India packing list and India packing tips will result in a more comfortable India trip and that your luggage will return full of memories and unforgettable moments. Enjoy your stay in the country, stay safe, and look after your health.
At India Someday, we plan customized trips to India based on your requirements. Feeling the travel itch after reading this article? Contact us and book your next trip to India with us!
