Packing for India: What You Really Need to Bring
Planning a trip to India? After spending 3 months exploring the country, we’ve learned that packing smart is key to a smooth journey. From bustling cities to tranquil nature escapes and immersing in India’s vibrant culture, our packing guide has all the essentials you need to get ready for your adventure. Let’s dive in!Suitcase or Backpack?
India is not an accessible country, so traveling with a backpack is convenient. From busy cities to remote beaches and jungle treks, it will be easier to carry through uneven paths, non-existing sidewalks or broken ones or fit it in a tuk-tuk.
We recommend packing light— the less you carry the easier it will be for you to hop on and off trains, use public transport, taxis, or walk on the streets.
We typically organize our clothes in packing cubes for quick access: one cube for bottoms, one for tops, one for outdoor clothing, and so on. We also pack our shoes in fabric reusable bags. It ultimately depends on your packing style.
READ | The Ultimate Woldtrip Packing List
BUY | Osprey Aether 55 (55L)
Our Daypack Items
We have a list of the daypack items we rely on every day, regardless of the country. You can check list down below.
For India, a helpful travel tip is to carry toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and liquid soap in a refillable bottle, as public restrooms often lack these essentials. The local hygiene standard typically involves using the famous bum gun or a bucket with a mug. Toilet paper isn’t always available, though it’s more common than Indonesia or Thailand.
Mosquito repellent and sunscreen are also a must. We love the Indian mosquito repellent cream in India (Odomos). It is cheap and it feels great on the skin.
READ | Everyday Essentials: The Must-Have Items in our Daypack
BUY |
Fjällraven Abisko Hike Foldsack (25 L)
Clothing
India’s climate varies greatly by region, so what you pack depends on where you’re going. In hot and humid areas like Kerala, Goa, or much of South India, lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen are ideal. Skip the synthetics—they trap heat and make you feel sticky fast. If you’re visiting during the monsoon season, especially in the south or along the west coast, a light rain jacket or poncho is a must. Quick-dry clothing is also a smart choice.
If you’re heading into the Himalayas or high-altitude regions like Ladakh, Sikkim, or Himachal Pradesh, you’ll need layers—even in summer. Temperatures can drop sharply in the evenings, so pack a fleece or down jacket, thermal layers, and warm accessories like a hat and gloves if you’ll be above 3,000 meters.
For footwear, sandals or slip-ons are great in warm regions, especially when you’re constantly taking shoes off to enter temples or homes. But keep in mind that streets and paths can be rough or uneven. Flip-flops work for beaches or quick errands, but they offer little support. If you’ll be walking a lot or exploring mountainous terrain, go with comfortable sneakers or lightweight trekking shoes.
A scarf or shawl is a great addition, especially in the evenings or if you're traveling to cooler regions like the Himalayas. It can also be helpful in temples or other cultural sites.
If you’re heading for beach destinations like Goa or Kerala, don’t forget swimwear. While modest dress is important in most public spaces, swimwear is perfectly acceptable at beaches and pools.
In the evenings, long-sleeved shirts and light pants keep you comfortable and help protect against mosquito bites, particularly in tropical or rural areas.
Dressing Respectfully
When visiting temples, palaces, and other cultural or religious sites in India, it’s important to dress respectfully by covering your shoulders and knees, as you won’t be allowed to enter without doing so.
Most Indians dress conservatively. Women typically wear clothing that covers the elbows and knees, avoiding anything too revealing. That said, it’s not unusual to see younger people in slightly shorter outfits—think dresses or shorts that fall above the knee, but not ultra-short styles. Keep in mind that showing cleavage is generally not the norm.
We encourage you to avoid wearing bikinis, going shirtless, or wearing see-through clothing when walking around or riding scooters. In touristy areas, you may see other foreigners doing so, but it’s not part of Indian culture. We believe in showing respect to the places we visit. Indian women typically swim at the beach fully dressed—often in a sari, kurta, or regular clothes.
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Menstruators Essentials for India
For menstrual cup users it is one of the easiest countries to handle your cup on the go. Most of the toilets have one sink inside of a single cabin. If this is not the case, there is always either a bum gun and/or a faucet for the bucket and mug.
You will also be able to find pads without any issue.
Sustainable Recommendations
For your Daypack
We always carry our reusable water bottles since in most countries, including India. We had water filters or water gallons for free to refill our bottles at all of our stays.
We always carry a reusable bag for groceries or beach trips, and it’s super helpful if we need to lighten our luggage at the airport, allowing us to shift items into our carry-on. For hikes or visits to street food markets, we recommend investing in collapsible food containers, along with reusable cutlery and metal straws.
Additionally, we keep a travel-sized reusable bottle filled with sunscreen in our daypack for easy access throughout the day.
READ | Eco-Friendly Travel: Sustainable Essentials for Your Packing List
Laundry
We recommend packing light, as doing laundry in India is quick and easy. In most of our accommodations the families offered a laundry service. They had a fixed price independently of the weight and pieces we turned in. We also had accommodations with our own washing machine.
Don’t forget to pack a laundry mesh bag for both sustainability and to protect your delicates while traveling India.
Health & Safety
Safety
When traveling in India, it's important to stay safe.
Keep your belongings close and secure, especially in busy areas.
Try not to show valuable items like expensive jewelry or electronics.
Dress modestly, especially in more traditional areas, to respect local culture.
Always use trusted transportation, and when taking a taxi or rickshaw, agree on the price first or use a ride-hailing app.
Stay aware of your surroundings.
Drink plenty of water, and avoid tap water.
If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and ask locals or other travelers for help.
Learn more about how we prioritize safety while traveling here.
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Health
Vaccinations
No specific vaccinations are required for entry into India unless you're traveling from a country with a risk of yellow fever.
We advice you to consult with a healthcare provider before traveling.
Recommended Vaccinations for India
Routine Vaccinations: Make sure you’re up to date on the standard vaccinations, including:
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP)
Polio
Influenza
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Hepatitis A: The virus can be spread through contaminated food or water, and it’s advisable for travelers to get vaccinated before visiting Taiwan, particularly if you plan on visiting rural or less-developed areas.
Hepatitis B: It is recommended for travelers who may have exposure to blood or bodily fluids, such as those planning on staying long-term, seeking medical treatment, or engaging in high-risk activities.
Typhoid: If you plan to visit more rural areas or eat food from street vendors, the typhoid vaccine is recommended as it protects against foodborne bacteria that can cause infection.
Japanese Encephalitis: This is recommended for travelers who will be spending significant time outdoors in rural areas or near farms, particularly during the warmer months when mosquitoes are more prevalent.
Rabies: Rabies is a major concern in Thailand, it’s recommended for travelers who may have close contact with stray dogs and monkeys.
Travel Insurance
Travel Health insurance is essential for any trip, covering unexpected medical expenses such as doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and emergency treatments. It ensures you receive the care you need while protecting you from high medical costs. This is especially important when traveling to unfamiliar destinations or regions with limited healthcare access, where quality medical treatment may not be readily available. To help you find the best coverage for your trip, we’ve put together a guide—here’s what to look for.
READ | Travel Insurance
Payment Methods
India is generally a credit card-friendly country, especially in larger or modern restaurants and shops, where cards are accepted without additional transaction fees. That said, carrying cash is essential—many small eateries, local markets, and transport options don’t accept cards.
Digital payments via UPI and QR codes are extremely common among locals, but unfortunately, international travelers can’t register with a foreign credit card to use these systems.
ATMs are widely available, and most banks don’t charge withdrawal fees. Reliable options include SBI, Bank of India, Union Bank, and Canara Bank. Some banks—like South Indian Bank—may charge around ₹220 per transaction. Withdrawal limits typically range between ₹10,000 and ₹20,000 per transaction.
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