Packing for India depends on where and when you go. A Goa beach week, a Ladakh road trip and a Varanasi temple tour need very different bags. Pick your destination type, season, trip length and activities, and get a checklist you can tick off or print.
India Packing List Generator
Packing tips for India
- Dress modestly at religious sites: cover shoulders and knees at temples, mosques and gurudwaras, and carry a scarf to cover your head at gurudwaras. You will take your shoes off often, so slip-on sandals save time.
- Pack light layers: even in winter, afternoons in the plains are warm while mornings are cold. Layers work better than one heavy jacket.
- Bring a filter bottle: it saves money and plastic. Drink only filtered or sealed bottled water.
- Plug adapter: India uses Type C, D and M sockets at 230 V. A universal adapter covers all three.
- Medicines: carry any prescription medicines in original packaging, plus oral rehydration salts for stomach upsets.
- High altitude: for Ladakh and Spiti, pack warm layers even in summer and speak to a doctor about altitude sickness before you go.
What you can buy in India
Don’t overpack. Toiletries, light cotton clothes, scarves, sandals and basic medicines are cheap and easy to find in any Indian city. Buy them after you arrive and support local shops.