What to Pack for India

Clothing

• Lightweight cotton shirts/tops (best for heat and humidity)
• Loose trousers or long skirts (modest for temples and comfortable in heat)
• Shorts for casual wear (more suitable in big cities/beach areas)
• Breathable underwear and socks (quick-dry preferred)
• Sleepwear (lightweight and modest)
• Light sweater or cardigan (for AC trains, malls, and cooler north India evenings)
• Scarf or shawl (useful for sun, dust, and temple coverage)
• Rain jacket or compact poncho (Jun-Sep monsoon)
• One smarter outfit (for nicer restaurants, business, or ceremonies)

Footwear

• Comfortable walking shoes (for long days and uneven sidewalks)
• Sandals or slides (easy for hot weather and temple removals)
• Closed-toe shoes (better for trains, rural areas, and some sites)
• Flip-flops (for hotels, showers, and beach destinations)
• Socks that are easy to remove (handy for temples and homes)

Toiletries & Health

• Sunscreen SPF 30+ (strong sun in most regions)
• Insect repellent with DEET or picaridin (especially evenings and monsoon season)
• Hand sanitizer (useful when soap/water are unavailable)
• Wet wipes or tissue pack (many public restrooms lack supplies)
• Basic meds: pain reliever, antihistamine, anti-diarrheal, oral rehydration salts
• Personal prescription medicines (bring original packaging and copies of prescriptions)
• Motion sickness tablets (for long road trips or mountain routes)
• Mosquito bite relief cream (helpful in humid areas)
• Travel toilet paper/tissues (for restrooms)
• Small first-aid kit (band-aids, blister care, antiseptic)

Electronics & Gear

• Universal travel adapter (India uses Type C, D, and M plugs)
• Power bank (useful for long travel days and outages)
• Phone charger and cable (carry a spare if possible)
• Camera or smartphone with extra storage (for photos and offline maps)
• Headphones/earbuds (for trains and flights)
• Small daypack (for sightseeing, markets, and day trips)
• Reusable water bottle (filtered/refillable if possible)
• Offline map app downloaded (data can be patchy in some areas)
• Flashlight or phone torch (helpful during outages)
• Money belt or secure pouch (for crowded stations and markets)

Documents & Money

• Passport with at least 6 months validity
• Indian visa or e-visa printout (carry a paper copy)
• Travel insurance details (including medical coverage)
• Flight and hotel confirmations (digital and printed copies)
• Emergency contact list (home and local)
• Debit/credit cards with international use enabled
• Some cash in Indian rupees (for taxis, tips, small shops)
• ATM backup card (in case one card fails)
• Passport copies (store separately from originals)
• International driving permit (if planning to drive)

India-Specific Essentials

• Temple-appropriate clothing (shoulders and knees covered for many religious sites)
• Slip-on shoes (many temples and homes require shoe removal)
• Reusable cloth bag (handy for market shopping and plastic restrictions)
• Compact umbrella or rain cover (especially useful during monsoon season)
• Indian plug adapters for Type C/D/M outlets (check your device voltage too)
• Local SIM/eSIM plan (Airtel or Jio are common choices; buy after arrival or at airport)
• Offline translation app or Hindi/local language phrasebook (useful outside major tourist areas)
• Small bills and coins (for rickshaws, tips, and snacks)
• Tissues for public restrooms (often not stocked)
• Water purification tablets or bottle filter (useful for longer rural trips)