What should tourists wear in India?

Visitors to India should remember to dress according to the strict social codes of India and that means wearing appropriate clothing. Both men and women must wear loose pants and avoid tight tops. If you really want to blend in with the locals, wear a long skirt that covers the ankles, instead of pants. While t-shirts are considered acceptable, always err on the side of modesty by ensuring shoulders and upper arms are covered.

Ultimate Packing Essentials for India (+ FREE Travel Checklist)

Q: What do I need to pack for India?

Here’s everything you need to pack for a trip to India: 1. Comfortable sandals or flip flops 2. Loose fitting and breathable clothing (ie: harem pants) 3. Long sleeve top to prevent sunburn 4. Scarf or shawl for the cooler evenings 5. Eco-friendly bug repellent spray (or mosquito wristband) 6. Eco-friendly sunscreen 7. Electronics (power bank, universal adapter, charger cable) 8. Plenty of tissues 9. A lifestrpaw water filter bottle 10. Hiking shoes (if trekking)

Q: What should I be careful of in India?

Here’s what to avoid when in India: * Bottled water - bring a Lifestraw water filter bottle instead. * Raw/uncooked foods - avoid at all costs. Makes sure your food is cooked through. * Being overly polite - it’s considered a sign of weakness. * Only using private transport - try out the public transport sometime, especially the buses and trains (they’ve improved over the years). * Revealing clothes - cover up your shoulders, upper arms, and legs. * Wearing flashy jewelry and branded clothing - you’ll stand out like a sore thumb to pickpockets and you won’t be able to get yourself a good price on taxis or at the markets. * Getting easily offended or frustrated - Indians tend to be direct and ask questions about personal things and work etc., don’t take offence, and keep an open mind.

India is easily one of my favourite places to travel in the world, and I’ve personally visited three times, the last time I was there for six months.

For such a large and diverse country, there is just so much to absorb and boy does it hit your senses. The juxtaposition of stunning nature, wildlife, and ancient forts and temples is simply breathtaking and you’ll find this everywhere, the length and breadth of India.

The country is also unique in that winters are freezing up north, especially in evenings, in the foothills of the Himalayas, yet in the south, it is hot all year round – you can walk too a plane in Delhi on a cold January afternoon, fly two hours to Goa, and step off the plane into blissful heat!

They say when you’ve traveled in India, everywhere else in the world is easy.

In this post I’ve got you covered on everything you need to pack for your India backpacking packing list, ensuring that you’ll stay warm on chilly evenings but nice and cool when it’s searingly hot too. I also go over the strict customs and social codes of this conservative country, and I have a What NOT to pack for India section near the bottom.

Plus, be sure to download your FREE India travel checklist near the end of this post!

Scroll on to read: Ultimate Packing Essentials for India (+ FREE Travel Checklist)

This post contains affiliate links. I will earn a small commission if you use these links.

Ultimate Packing Essentials for India (+ FREE Travel Checklist)

Travel Documents

Firstly a list of all the important travel documents (such as IDs, itineraries and banking cards etc.) that you must bring on your India trip:

1. Passport and Itineraries

Take a photo of the photo page (2nd page) of your passport and save it on your camera roll. Get a photocopy made and bring it with you. Store this and all your important travel documents in one secure place, such as this travel wallet for women | men which will hold your passport and all your documents.

2. Travel Debit Cards

Bring at least a couple of travel-friendly debit or credit cards so that you always have access to cash. Remember, in India, cash is king. I always bring 3 cards just to be safe, they are:

The above three come with super useful banking apps that are very user-friendly and easy to use, as well as all being packed with tons of features, and most importantly, they are secured with 2FA and pin codes.

3. Driver License

If you’re planning to rent a car in India, you can use your driver license (if you’re from the US, UK, EU or have an international license). It also doubles as a valid ID, so you can leave your passport at your hotel/Airbnb.

4. Travel Insurance

For added security and peace of mind, don’t leave home without good travel insurance by World Nomads. Take it from me – what’s the worst that could happen? Well, on my first trip to Mexico I got electrocuted in a hostel (yes, seriously). I flicked a light switch in a dark bathroom and felt a sharp burn travel from my finger all the way up my arm, as if it caught fire (you can read about that in this post).

Think I just had a freak accident? What happens if you’re out in India and your appendix suddenly bursts? I cannot stress enough how important travel insurance is. You can find out more info about India safety on the CDC website:

Travel Gadgets & Electronics

These are more travel essentials to ensure you’re connected to power and have access to the internet and to contacts during your trip, as well as gadgets to keep you entertained on long journeys – you won’t want to leave home without these:

1. Universal DrimSim Card

A relatively new concept, DrimSim is a universal SIM card that allows you to connect to Data almost anywhere in the world. What’s more, it isn’t attached to a singe operator, and you can choose either a regular SIM card or an e-SIM card.

Travel tip: be sure to keep your original SIM card in a secure place such as the Passport Travel Wallet (it has a SIM card pocket designed specifically for this purpose).

2. A Universal Travel Plug

India operates on 230v mains and uses the rounded 3-pin plug (type D) as well as the rounded 2-pin plug (type C). For India this All-In-One Universal Travel Plug is super useful for visitors from anywhere in the world. It features several USB ports to charge all your travel gadgets.

3. 10-Foot Charging Cable

In my experience many places I’ve stayed at had power outlets that were a little too far from the bed. So it’s always best to bring an extra long charging cable, like this one for iPhone, or this one for Android.

Travel Tip: bring a second, shorter cable, like this one (iPhone) or this one (Android), that’s more convenient for charging from your power bank on the plane.

4. External Battery (Power Bank)

One of the most essential travel gadgets, an external battery (also called a power bank, portable battery charger or portable charger), can be a lifesaver when you cell phone battery is about to die on a long flight. Plus, there’s no guarantee you’ll find an outlet in a lot of places (or at least a reliable outlet). This 26,800mAh Conxwan PowerBank is reliable and affordable whilst packing a lot of power.

If you prefer a smaller model, the Keymox PowerBank is lighter and more compact whilst still packing plenty of juice.

5. Wireless Noise-canceling Earbuds

For comfort and convenience, you’ll want to grab yourself a pair of these Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds w/Bluetooth for traveling by air or on the road. Not only are they pretty decent with rave reviews on Amazon, they’re quite affordable too. Bonus!

6. Trtl Travel Neck Pillow

One of my favourite carry on essential items, these are not only perfect for flights, but for traveling around India too. Those car and train journeys in India will be a lot more relaxing when wearing the Trtl neck pillow, as the roads can be quite bumpy and journeys tend to be quite long.

7. Bendy Tripod Phone Holder

No doubt you’ll be planning to take some amazing photos on your India trip, and this bendable tripod phone holder is the easiest way to capture stunning and insta-worthy snaps. It’s small and compact, lightweight enough to carry around all day, and fits into your daypack neatly with minimal space.

8. Compact Digital Camera

For the avid photographer and those looking to take superb quality pics, a decent compact digital camera is an absolute must. My favorite over the years is the Ricoh GRIII ultracompact camera, which features 24MP, 28mm F2.8 Lens and a touch-screen LCD display. It has remarkable image-stabilization which makes it perfect for whipping out and snapping pics while on the go. You can even attach external lenses for zooming in, as well as an external flash gun.

9. VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A Virtual Private Network (aka VPN) is quickly becoming an important travel essential these days. What are they? VPNs allow you to establish a secure connection over a shared connection. So when you’re using free WiFi (eg. in a coffee shop), you’re connected to all the other people in that cafe, on that same network.

The problem with being on the same open network as others is that you’re exposed to potential hackers who have easy access to your information – such as your login credentials, bank card info, and other private things on the device you connect from – whether that’s your phone, tablet or laptop.

Enter the NordVPN – it disguises your connection, so your precious information is invisible to anyone looking to hack an unsuspecting user’s device.

India Travel Safety Items

A question many people ask is: Is India safe? The answer to that is, India is no more dangerous than anywhere else, as long as you keep your wits about you. Indeed, your main concern when traveling anywhere, is pickpockets and theft of valuable belongings in touristy places. The following list has everything you need to ensure you don’t encounter those situations:

1. Travel Money Belt

This is super handy when you’re walking around larger cities with cash and other small valuables – I recommend keeping these either stashed away in your hotel/airbnb, or stored securely on your body in a money belt.

2. Anti-Theft Book Bag

These have similar features as the anti-theft purses, the main zipper on these is in the back, making them impossible to open when you wear it on your back. Whether you decide on the cross-body bag or the backpack, it makes your daypack in the city slash-proof. This is really an extra-precautionary option, but will deter pickpockets and is great for peace of mind.

3. Anti-Theft Travel Purse

If you’re after the ultimate theft-proof purse, I highly recommend the Anti-Theft Travel Purse – it consists of five measures of theft prevention including:

Slash-resistant straps: straps with stainless steel wire inside, protects against grab-and-go thieves
Slash resistant fabric: the whole bag is made with a slash-resistant mesh barrier inside for extra layers of protection
Lockdown straps: the strap lock secures bag to a stationary object, protecting against grab-and-go thieves
Locking compartments: locking zipper pulls that prevent pickpockets from getting into your bag
RFID blocking pockets: protects against electronic identity theft with RFID blocking card slots and pockets

4. Small Lock

Be sure to bring a small lock for any hostel stays in India, so you can securely store your valuables in the lockers provided.

5. Security Travel Scarf

This stylish Security Scarf features a hidden zipper and pocket for that extra layer of security. With this security scarf, you can store some cash, a credit card, your cell phone, and even your wireless earbuds inside the hidden compartment of the scarf and nobody would be any the wiser!

6. PacSafe Bag Protector

Another great security option for wherever you travel, the PacSafe bag protector will store all your valuables and secure it to a stationary item in your hotel/airbnb.

Eco-Friendly Travel Packing Essentials

These days most of us try to do our bit for the world around us, and with air travel, we become more conscious of our carbon footprint. So with the items below, you’ll be making a difference in protecting wildlife, nature and the environment.

1. Water-to-Go Filter bottle

Since the water in India is not safe to drink, your only option is to buy bottled water (which wastes a lot of plastic), or bring a reusable waterbottle that has a filter so you can fill up from a tap or river and drink perfectly-clean, fresh water. I always bring my trusty Water-to-Go Filter bottle with me for this reason. Use the code GIVEME15 at checkout and get 15% off your order!

2. Reef-Safe Sunscreen

If you’re planning to swim on the beaches of Goa or Kerala, consider wearing the eco-friendly Badger Anti-Bug Mineral Sunscreen (SPF 30) to help protect the environment.

3. Eco-friendly Bug Spray

There’s loads of bugs in India, so you’ll also definitely want to cover up this eco-friendly REPEL Insect Repellent, and not only ‘cause it’s environmentally friendly, but avoid getting a blown-up arm from a Mexican mosquito infection, as that’s what happened to me on my second trip to Mexico! The bug spray is plant-based, DEET free, and smells of lemon and eucalyptus.

Travel Tip: There are convenience stores and malls in India that stock bug sprays, but they tend to be quite expensive because they know tourists will be forced to buy it if they don’t bring their own.

4. Anti-Mosquito Bracelet

Don’t fancy covering up in mosquito spray? Or looking to double up on protection? You can get yourself one of these mosquito-repelling bracelets which also does the job. (They are also DEET free and water-proof.)

5. Reusable Shopping Bag

Like with many places worldwide, India banned single-use plastic bags in all major cities since 1 July 2022. As such, you’ll want to make sure you have a couple of these reusable tote shopping bags that you can fold up into a tiny pouch, perfect for travel. Once folded, you can clip these little pouches onto the side of your purse or daypack, so it’s there ready to be filled with Indian souvenirs, groceries and/or crafts.

Toiletries & Medicines

This list features a cool travel hack as well as important travel essentials that you can’t leave home without. A popular question asked is: do I need medicine for India? Well, there are extreme climates around India including tropical jungles, deserts and high altitude terrain, and many parts of the country are hot year round, hitting 45C (113F) in the spring.

1. Dry Shampoo

For those who don’t want to wash their hair on vacation, or looking to save luggage space, the Baptiste Dry Shampoo works a treat.

2. Dry Conditioner

Those with long hair will understand the inconvenience of getting sea salt in your hair. The Moroccan All-In-One Leave In Conditioner can be easily applied to your hair straight after a swim, plus it’s compact and convenient to carry around in your beach bag.

3. Hand Sanitizer & Pouch

This feels more like a mandatory essential item these days. To ensure you use it throughout the day, get a sanitizer pouch that clips onto the outside of your purse or day bag, so it’s within easy reach. Sanitizer Bottle Keychain Holder

4. Small Pack of Tissues

When traveling around India’s rural areas, villages, gas stations and markets, you may notice that toilet paper isn’t readily available in the bathrooms. You’ll also find if you travel on India’s overnight sleeper trains, tissues are an essential item. It’s always a smart tip to carry a small pack of Travel Tissues with you on your person, and they’re handy for numerous things.

5. Facial Oil Blotting Rice Paper

India has a tropical climate, and the south is hot all year round. These sustainable Face Blotting Sheets with Natural Rice Powder are a quick and convenient way to dry sweat and oil, whilst making you feel instantly refreshed and looking shine-free.

6. Hangover Cure Tablets

Planning to party hard? Bring some hangover cure pills with you and take one before you hit the bars. The Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier contains antioxidants, herbs and homeopathic ingredients that ensure you won’t be hungover the following day, and missing out on precious vacation time. And don’t take my word for it either – it’s a bestseller on Amazon with over 96,000 positive reviews.

7. General Medications

You can easily get hold of medicine in India so don’t feel you have to pack the whole medicine cabinet. However its well worth bringing meds for headaches, cramps, allergies, as well as upset stomach meds like anti-diarrheal, Tums, and Pepto. Something else to consider: places like Rishikesh, Sikkim and Leh are high altitude regions due to being in the foothills of the Himalayas – they are over a thousand meters above sea level. If you’re not used to that, you may want to bring an altitude sickness bracelet as well as altitude sickness meds.

8. Massaging Shoe Gel Inserts

This is more of a travel hack – if your vacation will involve lots of walking and hiking like mine do, you may risk suffering aches and pains during your trip, especially if you do a lot of walking on day one of your trip. These super handy massaging gel inserts will keep your feet comfortable and protected from blisters, as well as from muscle pains and cramps in your legs.

India Beach Packing Accessories

Now for a list of items specifically for the beach, but also useful for things like watersports activities, and outdoor tours/excursions:

1. Beach Bag

A good beach bag is perfect for storing all your beach essentials for days spent sunbathing by the sea. It also neatly folds away into your backpack.

2. Waterproof Phone Case

Who knew a cheap waterproof phone case could be such a great investment? My favourite is this one – not only does it protect your prized possession in the water, it’s easy to use and doesn’t steam up/blur the camera lens, and it can fit almost every popular phone model.

3. Microfiber Towel

Perfect for the beach or poolside, the Rainleaf Microfiber Towel is an absolute must for any Mexico packing list. While they do feel a bit weird, they are lightweight and dry super fast, so you’ll never have to worry about stuffing a soggy towel in your bag.

4. Long-sleeve Rash Guard

When you’re in the water – whether in the sea or at a waterpark, a rash guard will help protect your skin from sunburn, cuts and grazes. O’Neill does superb rash guard for both men and women.

5. Underwater Camera

The good news about underwater cameras is that they are not as expensive as they used to be, which is brilliant for budget travelers. In fact, you can buy a pretty good one like this one by Akaso – not only does it have rave reviews, it’s actually quite cheap! I seriously recommend bringing one of these if you plan to go snorkeling.

6. Beach Coverup

For the ladies (or indeed anyone feeling particularly stylish) – a Beach Coverup is a great item to add into your packing list for that extra protection from sunburn when not in the water.

7. Other Beach Accessories

Finally, don’t forget to bring beach flip flops, a decent sun hat, a headband, and a snorkel. Plus, it’s wise to bring inexpensive polarized sunglasses – seriously, the amount of times I’ve lost my sunglasses over the years, and bringing designer sunglasses sets yourself up as a target for thieves. And lastly, if you’re going on excursions that involve rafting or waterfalls, you’re gonna need a pair of water shoes and a dry bag.

Clothing / Attire for India

For the image conscious and those looking to save packing space, it’s well worth having a capsule wardrobe for your India vacation so that you can interchange and mix up items of clothing, in order to wear a different look each day.

1. Hiking Boots

A strong and reliable pair of hiking boots will serve you well for all your trekking and walking activities in India and everywhere else, for years to come. These Columbia men’s and women’s hiking boots are some of the best around, though if you’re on a budget and don’t want to compromise on quality, you can get a pair of Quechua hiking shoes for men / women.

2. Flip Flops

An absolute must for beach vacations or even in case of a murky hostel shower. These trendy looking pair for women and men by Havaianas are popular.

3. Harem Pants

These are popular among visitors to India: harem pants are an extremely baggy yet trendy pair of long-length pants that are also very comfortable and made of quality wool material – meaning they keep you cool during the hot daytime, and keep you warm during the cooler evenings.

They are also traditional clothing native to India, which will make you blend in well with the locals.

Plus, I find they also prevent mosquitos bites due to the elastic cuffs at the bottom.

4. Swimsuits

Chances are you’ll need a swimsuit if you’re heading to the beaches of Goa, staying at an all-inclusive resort, or visiting India’s waterfalls and waterparks. Bring at least a couple so that you always have a dry one ready. This women’s suit and these men’s trunks are tried and tested bestsellers.

5. Cashmere Wrap/Scarf

If there’s one essential piece of clothing for India I’d say it’s this. Another traditional and popular attire that’s worn all over the Indian sub-continent: the classic Cashmere Wrap/Scarf is an absolute must for traveling India. Made from 100% wool from the Yaks of north India and Nepal, there’s a number of reasons why you need one of these:

it’s incredibly versatile – you can fashion and wear it in various ways
lightweight and easy to fold and pack away
made from 100% pure Yak wool – premium quality material that will keep you surprisingly warm on a freezing night, yet keep you cool in scorching hot weather
trendy – it’s traditional Indian attire that will make you blend in with the locals

6. Light Jacket

While India is known for its tropical climate and hot temperatures, you should definitely pack a jacket if you’re heading to the cities or the mountains. The Indian desert and hilly regions can get chilly in the evenings, and the whole north of India can be quite cold in the winter months. My favourite jacket is the trusted Columbia light jacket (mens / womens) which is comfy, light and always keeps me warm.

7. Sandals

Sandals are an essential item for India so you’ll want to make sure you have a decent pair that last many years. For women, these Tevas are comfortable and fashionable and have great reviews. For men, these sandals are affordable and have a strong and sturdy sole.

Travel Tip: Indians are modest and dress conservatively – in the cities and villages, as well as on the beaches, it’s not unusual to see Indians dressed in jeans and long-sleeve shirts, in fact this is the norm. Shorts are much more commonplace in beach spots like Goa and Kerala. You can wear shorts in some cities like Mumbai, but bear in mind that you’ll draw more attention if you do. If you want to blend in, opt for leggings/full length pants instead.

8. Sarong Cover up

Now for one of the most important clothing essentials you’ll need in India: the sarong – both men and women will require one when entering sacred sites such as temples, and it’s really versatile so you can wear it as a coverup for the beach or walking around the markets and villages. The Back From Bali Sarong for women and men is perfect for India with 20 different designs to choose from.

Luggage/Baggage and Packing Items for India

Finally, here’s a list of the packing items and baggage that I use to encase and carry all my stuff when I go on a backpacker type of trip. It’s well worth investing in a trusted brand to ensure you have reliable gear that will last you years of travel.

1. Backpack

In 9 years of travel I find the clamshell type of backpacks the most convenient for quick access to everything inside your bag. The Tortuga Setup Backpack (mens / womens) is one of the best out there. Not only is it affordable, its also very durable, weather-resistant, and comes in either 35L or 45L sizes.

2. Hardside Suitcase (if not the backpack)

Prefer to wheel around a suitcase instead of wearing a backpack? Worry not – Amazon Basics does a 30-inch Hardside Spinner that fits neatly into the overhead and it’s got 36,000 reviews to boot. A suitcase is perfect if you plan to spend most of your trip in 1-2 places or on a resort.

3. Daypack

The daypack is super useful day-to-day on your vacation as you don’t really want to be wearing your larger backpack other than for flight days and traveling between cities and regions. You can’t go wrong with the Osprey Daylite Daypack, that comes in a range of colours, it’s a hugely popular option loved by backpackers and travel bloggers alike.

4. Travel Laundry Bag

This is a must-have item for keeping your packing organized and reducing risk of lost clothing on your travels. It’s always wise to keep your dirty laundry separate from your clean laundry, plus, you’ll need a laundry bag to hand over to the laundrette when you get your laundry done during your trip.

5. Space Saver Packing Cubes

Another must-have packing essential, these packing cubes are a smart way of keeping your clothes well organized in your backpack whilst also saving tons of space, and giving you peace of mind. The Space Save Packing Cubes come in three different sizes, so you can put your pants in one, and shirts in another etc. The double zipper design ensures the pack shrinks down as small as possible when filled, leaving you with plenty more bag space for all your India souvenirs and new attire.

Travel Tip: if you really want to save space in your backpack, use these compression bags. They suck the air out like a shrink-wrap, and you’ll be amazed by how much space is left!

6. Hanging Toiletry Bag

Another one of my fave travel hacks is this hanging toiletry bag. It’s really useful for storing your toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo and conditioner, face wash, trimmer, bug spray and sunscreen, and it saves space in your backpack.

7. Travel Medicine Kit

Sometimes it’s better to be safe than sorry on your travels by planning ahead and bringing along basic medicines like paracetamol or ibuprofen, motion sickness pills and sleep aids. However, if you don’t want to buy those, the travel medicine kit packs them together neatly.

What NOT to pack for India

What can’t you bring to India? Below are the 4 main things you absolute need to leave at the door before you depart for India:

1. DON’T pack too many clothes

Honestly the number of times I’ve overpacked on my travels, it only causes dead weight and it doesn’t help at airport check-in either. If you forget anything, you can always buy them cheap at the market stalls.

2. DON’T bring designer labels and expensive jewelry

You will stand out in a crowd and set yourself up as a target for pickpockets. Another reason is that lots of taxi drivers and touts swarm around you near the entrances to bus/train stations and other public spaces, each one trying to convince you to take their offer. will Try to blend in with the locals to avoid drawing unwanted attention to yourself.

3. DON’T bring too much cash

Use travel money cards like Wise and Revolut. If you travel around in an Uber or Ola, you pay by phone anyway. You won’t need to carry more than 1000-1500 rupees in a single day.

4. DON’T bring unnecessary electronics/gadgets

A camera is fine as long as its strapped securely to your person, but carrying around a tablet isn’t sensible, and you risk getting it stolen, or at the least, drawing unwanted attention to yourself.

5. DON’T pack more than one set of warm clothes

It takes up valuable luggage space and besides, one set is enough for your India trip.

6. DON’T bring revealing outfits

Dress modestly in India and adhere to the strict social customs: keep your shoulders, navel, arms and legs covered. The only exception is on the beaches at touristy places like Goa and Kerala.

So there you go – the ultimate travel packing essentials list for India.

Take it from my 9+ years of travel around 47 countries, this list was created from trial and error, discovering the most reliable and trustworthy items that have served me well on my travels, as well as thousands of positive reviews that make them reputable. Be sure to download your Europe and US to India travel checklist below!

Going abroad soon? Check out my post: How To Plan For A Vacation (and download my FREE printable travel checklist)
Read up on my Top 10 Ways To Save Money For Travel to learn how I saved over $1K in one month

Thanks for reading my post: Ultimate Packing Essentials for India (+ FREE Travel Checklist)

India Packing Checklist

Download your FREE printable, travelling to India Checklist PDF here:

You can print it out and use it to tick off the boxes while packing for your India vacation!

Commonly Asked Questions

What do I need to pack for India?

Here’s everything you need to pack for a trip to India:

Comfortable sandals or flip flops
Loose fitting and breathable clothing (ie: harem pants)
Long sleeve top to prevent sunburn
Scarf or shawl for the cooler evenings
Eco-friendly bug repellent spray (or mosquito wristband)
Eco-friendly sunscreen
Electronics (power bank, universal adapter, charger cable)
Plenty of tissues
A lifestrpaw water filter bottle
Hiking shoes (if trekking)

What can you not bring to India?

Here’s what NOT to bring to India:

DON’T pack too many clothes – if you forget anything, you can always buy them cheap at the market stalls

DON’T bring designer labels and expensive jewelry – you will stand out in a crowd and set yourself up as a target for pickpockets

DON’T bring too much cash – use travel money cards like Wise and Revolut. You won’t need more than 1000 rupees in a single day.

DON’T bring unnecessary electronics/gadgets – a securely-strapped camera is fine, but a tablet isn’t sensible and you risk getting it stolen.

DON’T pack more than one set of warm clothes – it takes up valuable luggage space and one set is enough.

DON’T bring revealing outfits – dress modestly in India and adhere to the strict social customs: keep your shoulders, navel, arms and legs covered.

Can females wear shorts in India?

Can I wear shorts in India? Shorts are ok to wear in touristy beach areas like Goa and Kerala. Shorts are also acceptable (for both men and women) in cities like Mumbai, where they re commonly worn by the locals.

What should I be careful of in India?

Here’s what to avoid when in India:

Bottled water – bring a Lifestraw water filter bottle instead.
Raw/uncooked foods – avoid at all costs. Makes sure your food is cooked through.
Being overly polite – it’s considered a sign of weakness.
Only using private transport – try out the public transport sometime, especially the buses and trains (they’ve improved over the years).
Revealing clothes – cover up your shoulders, upper arms, and legs.
Wearing flashy jewelry and branded clothing – you’ll stand out like a sore thumb to pickpockets and you won’t be able to get yourself a good price on taxis or at the markets.
Getting easily offended or frustrated – Indians tend to be direct and ask questions about personal things and work etc., don’t take offence, and keep an open mind.

Can I show my shoulders in India?

Since India is a conservative country, you should avoid baring shoulders or showing cleavage and legs, in line with strict customs and etiquette.

Book Your Trip: Budget Tips & Tricks

Flights: As always, I source the cheapest flights on the web from Skyscanner and Kiwi.com. They are considered the top flight search engines for the best deals.

Accommodation: I use Booking for the best hotel deals and HostelWorld for the cheapest stays. If you’re considering Airbnb, be sure to check Vrbo to find cheaper vacation stays.

SIM cards: DrimSim is a universal SIM card that isn’t tied to an operator and works in any country/region.

Travel Insurance: Stay protected from theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. A safety net in case anything goes wrong, I never leave without it. World Nomads is my favourite agent for total peace of mind.

Tours & Excursions: I book all my fave activities and guided tours on Get Your Guide & Viator – they do superb deals whilst offering excellent customer support.

Renting a car? I always use DiscoverCars, make sure you book your car hire in advance. For airport transfers, I use KiwiTaxi for the best deals.

Need to store your luggage in a locker? Use Radical Storage to store your stuff in a locker in any city for just $5 per day.

Head over to my Travel Tools page for all my best travel tips & advice and everything you need for your trip.

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Billy

Lover of epic adventures, slow travel, and great coffee. When not travelling, Billy teaches dance, and creates performances on commissioned projects.

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Hey there! I’m Billy, the guy behind BRB | Gone Somewhere Epic. I’ve been travelling around the world for nine years, having an absolute blast going on epic adventures, without breaking the bank. Click here to read more about the art of budget travel.

Ultimate Packing Essentials for India (+ FREE Travel Checklist)

Table of Contents

Ultimate Packing Essentials for India (+ FREE Travel Checklist)

Travel Documents

1. Passport and Itineraries

2. Travel Debit Cards

3. Driver License

4. Travel Insurance

Travel Gadgets & Electronics

1. Universal DrimSim Card

2. A Universal Travel Plug

3. 10-Foot Charging Cable

4. External Battery (Power Bank)

5. Wireless Noise-canceling Earbuds

6. Trtl Travel Neck Pillow

7. Bendy Tripod Phone Holder

8. Compact Digital Camera

9. VPN (Virtual Private Network)

India Travel Safety Items

1. Travel Money Belt

2. Anti-Theft Book Bag

3. Anti-Theft Travel Purse

4. Small Lock

5. Security Travel Scarf

6. PacSafe Bag Protector

Eco-Friendly Travel Packing Essentials

1. Water-to-Go Filter bottle

2. Reef-Safe Sunscreen

3. Eco-friendly Bug Spray

4. Anti-Mosquito Bracelet

5. Reusable Shopping Bag

Toiletries & Medicines

1. Dry Shampoo

2. Dry Conditioner

3. Hand Sanitizer & Pouch

4. Small Pack of Tissues

5. Facial Oil Blotting Rice Paper

6. Hangover Cure Tablets

7. General Medications

8. Massaging Shoe Gel Inserts

India Beach Packing Accessories

1. Beach Bag

2. Waterproof Phone Case

3. Microfiber Towel

4. Long-sleeve Rash Guard

5. Underwater Camera

6. Beach Coverup

7. Other Beach Accessories

Clothing / Attire for India

1. Hiking Boots

2. Flip Flops

3. Harem Pants

4. Swimsuits

5. Cashmere Wrap/Scarf

6. Light Jacket

7. Sandals

8. Sarong Cover up

Luggage/Baggage and Packing Items for India

1. Backpack

2. Hardside Suitcase (if not the backpack)

3. Daypack

4. Travel Laundry Bag

5. Space Saver Packing Cubes

6. Hanging Toiletry Bag

7. Travel Medicine Kit

What NOT to pack for India

1. DON’T pack too many clothes

2. DON’T bring designer labels and expensive jewelry

3. DON’T bring too much cash

4. DON’T bring unnecessary electronics/gadgets

5. DON’T pack more than one set of warm clothes

6. DON’T bring revealing outfits

India Packing Checklist

Commonly Asked Questions

Book Your Trip: Budget Tips & Tricks

Billy

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