What to Pack for a Trip to India
Searching for the perfect guide on what to pack for a trip to India? You’re in the right place!
Whether you’re headed to India for the first time or as a seasoned traveler, packing for a trip to India comes with some thoughtful planning. Though the majority of India falls in a generally tropical climate, the country has a full spectrum of topographies from the Himalaya mountains in the north to the balmy Goa sands in the south. India is also punctuated by seasons, which consist (broadly speaking) of the cold season, hot season, and monsoon or rainy season.
When deciding what to pack when traveling to India, it’s important to consider which climate zone you’ll be in during which season.
As a visitor, we might guess that you’ll choose to visit India when it’s not too cold, not too hot, and not too rainy. In other words, just right!
Under that assumption, here is our packing list for India:
India packing tips
Before we dive into specifics, it’s important to assess the purpose of your visit to India. Are you visiting primarily cities or are you heading into rural areas? What activities are you participating in? Will you be lounging in beautiful palace courtyards or hiking the trails of Rajasthan? Or perhaps participating in a yoga retreat? Each will require a particular set of supplies.
Also consider that India is a relatively conservative and traditional culture, especially the more rural you get. What to wear in India for women is something to think about. Dressing conservatively in India is not just not to draw unwanted attention, but also to respect the local culture.
When packing for India, you’ll also want to consider your luggage strategy. Will you bring a backpacking backpack or a roller suitcase? What about a day bag, or will you opt for a large tote? Keep in mind that if you’re taking domestic flights there are weight restrictions for both carry on and check in luggage. If you’re traveling by train, space is an issue to think about as you don’t want to store your luggage out of eyesight.
Since you’ll likely be visiting multiple places on your trip to India, we suggest a minimalist approach. This will make it easier to fit your luggage into vans or perhaps a tuk tuk if you can’t access a place by car. It’s also easier to pack and repack as you’re on the move. And don’t forget packing cubes to make the most of your space and to stay organized.
A good scarf is always useful to have
Ladies, as tempting as it may be to bring all of your hair and beauty products, we suggest that you go minimalist in that realm on your trip to India as well. Not only do dryers, straighteners and curlers take up precious space in your bag but they also may not be compatible with the outlets in India.
Okay, without further ado here is our packing list for India.
Clothing to pack for a trip to India
TOPS & BOTTOMS
When choosing what to bring to India, casual, conservative outfits for in and around the cities are a great choice for India. Choose fabrics such as merino wool and linen that breathe well. Long flowy lightweight pants, blouses with sleeves, t-shirts or button up tops, a long-sleeved shirt, and long dresses or skirts like these midi or maxi dresses are all great options. You might also bring a comfy cardigan like this one from Prana.
Traditional silk weaving in Varanasi - Photo: Ashley Blake
ACTIVE WEAR
If you’re engaging in outdoor activities in India like hiking or a safari, bring running or hiking pants, quick dry t-shirts, a sports-style zip up, and a jacket. A lightweight, packable rain jacket is always handy to have as well. Determine the weight and thickness of each of these according to the climate you’ll be in.
SWIMSUIT & PJs
Two things not to forget on any travels! Check out these organic cotton PJ's from Nui and opt for the swimsuit you feel best in!
What NOT to pack for India
One thing we suggest not packing for a trip to India is shorts or low revealing tops for the gals. Though yes midriffs are commonly shown in traditional clothing, shorts are generally not culturally appropriate unless very long. Capris are a better choice. Shorts for guys are okay except at temples.
Also keep in mind that India is flush with hand made textiles. You can find everything from silk in Varanasi to indigo-dyed cotton block printed shirts and pants in Jaipur. Another great reason to pack light so you can pick up some hand made Indian clothing while there!
Lounge time at a palace hotel in India
What shoes to pack for a trip to India
Always a tricky one, those shoes! Here are our recommendations for packing shoes for India:
CITY SHOES
For city excursions in India you’ll want closed-toed shoes that protect your feet since there will likely be a lot of people strolling the streets. Shoes that easily slip on and off like these are a good choice for temple visits when you need to remove shoes. Also bring a pair of sandals or flip flops for evenings and lounge time.
HIKING SHOES
If you’re doing any outdoor excursions in India, you’ll want good hiking or walking shoes with the right kind of terrain you’ll encounter. If you’re doing a safari or longer trek, you’ll want ankle height boots for extra support.
SOCKS
Don’t forget to bring ample pairs of socks that match your shoes. We love the varieties at Farm to Feet made with merino wool and good for many different climates.
Ready for a morning boat ride on the Ganges in Varanasi
Toiletries and accessories to pack for India
ACCESSORIES
The number one accessory to pack for India is a scarf to cover shoulders and head if entering a temple. And this isn’t only for gals; some temples such as the Sikh temple in Delhi require it for guys too.
TOILETRIES
If you’re staying at a hotel, they will usually provide soap & shampoo. However, you may want to bring your own to ensure natural and eco-friendly ingredients.
Pro tip: We love Baja Basics skin care because they are perfectly sized for travel and are clean made.
SANITIZERS & WIPES
Face, hand and body wipes and hand sanitizer are always handy to have around when traveling in India.
TISSUES OR TOILET PAPER are essential to bring for public bathrooms and are usually not provided (though in some cases you may pay a small fee to pay for a bathroom and they will provide you with paper).
Visiting the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra
GAL CARE
Tampons are not easy to find in India so be sure to bring extra supplies. Even if you use a menstruation cup, having an emergency stash of pads and tampons is advisable in case you can’t find a sanitary place to change.
SUN PROTECTION
Protecting yourself from the sun is essential in India, so don’t forget these 3 things.
Sunscreen: (make sure to avoid these 6 harsh chemicals)
A hat (either broad rimmed or baseball style depending on your activities)
Sunglasses like the Avila model from Sunski, which are lightweight, polarized and made from recycled materials
Filling up the Grayl water filter - Photo: Kyle Murphy
WATER FILTER & WATER BOTTLE
It is essential to have a hydration strategy when you visit India. It likely comes at no surprise that water is not potable in India. However, there are good solutions to have clean water without loading up on plastic water bottles. We always bring the Grayl GeoPress filter, which you can use to filter tap water from your hotel or even from a stream out when hiking. We then fill up this HydroFlask to take with us throughout the day. For coffee and chai tea drinkers, a to-go mug is another essential. Bringing a water filter and reusable water bottle to India not only helps you drink clean water and save money but also reduce plastic waste in a place that has little to no infrastructure for recycling plastic.
BUG SPRAY that is made of natural ingredients such as neem or tea tree such as one of these. You might also find locally made bug spray in India specifically geared toward the critters there!
Safari excursion in India
SLEEP’S LITTLE HELPERS
Sleep can be hard to come by in India if you are a light sleeper because noise is everywhere. Earplugs and an eye mask are critical - we love these sleep shades! And if the outside cacophony is still keeping you up, noise canceling headphones are extra helpful.
PHONE ACCESSORIES
Portable battery charger for your phone + 2-prong round adapters and a small flashlight or headlamp in case of power outages.
Breakfast on safari in Madhya Pradesh
Medicine and supplements to pack for India
Biking to temples in India
MEDICAL PRESCRIPTIONS
If you are carrying prescription drugs it is advisable to carry the prescription from your doctor. Be sure to bring your carry on, not checked luggage. Also, don’t forget to visit a travel health clinic before you depart to ensure that you have any necessary immunizations for your trip to India.
SUPPLEMENTS
Since you’ll be traveling far and exposed to new microbes in India it’s good to be mindful of your immunity! Bring along your favorite health supporting supplements, such as zinc, vitamin C, JetZone , activated charcoal (in case of food issues), grapeseed extract (food illness prevention), multivitamin, etc. Check out these 10 natural remedies for travel.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Protect yourself and your belongings with travel insurance. It provides coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and other unforeseen circumstances.
final thoughts: what to pack for a trip to india
Packing for a trip to India must be done with thought and intention. Knowing why you’re going - whether to immerse in culture, explore nature, or get to know people - will help you decide what outfits and gear will serve you best. That combined with research on the climate and season you’re traveling in will equip you with the right guidelines for your India packing list.
Still figuring out your plans to visit India?
Check out our 10-day Northern India Eco Tour that takes you through the best of the Golden Triangle with a focus on sustainability, cultural immersion and local livelihoods.
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