A Detailed Packing List for India For Backpackers

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Putting together a packing list for India was one of my biggest challenges before my epic two-month backpacking trip! Here’s everything I brought with my to India and my ultimate backpacking tips!

Before I headed off to India, I had to consider what were the essentials I needed and wanted to bring. And while my trip to India was set for two months, it was actually my first stop on my six month backpacking trip throughout Asia.

Packing for two months, let alone for six, is no easy feat! Especially because I had to pack for hiking, the beach, snow and sun, and everything in between. Not to mention, India, and Asia in general tends to be a bit more conservative.

In the end, I think I did a pretty good job packing my trusty After careful planning and test packing, I finally settled on a decent and (what I consider) minimal packing list for India that worked for me. Although not perfect, I’ve managed to fit nearly everything I needed into my carryon sized 46L Osprey Porter Backpack and my Fjallraven Raven 20 day pack.

This insanely detailed packing list for India shares everything I brought so you can prepare your own perfect packing list!  

↠ Read More: An Ultimate Guide to Backpacking India on a Budget

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!

How should women dress in India?

First things first, you might be wondering how you should dress while backpacking India. The answer depends on where you plan on visiting. If you’re going to Goa, you have free reign and can pretty much wear anything.

It’s such a touristy beach destination it doesn’t really matter what you wear – the locals are used to it. I found the same to be true in Pushkar actually where many tourists felt comfortable showing a lot of skin.

For the rest of India, you should dress a bit more conservatively. People here rarely show their legs above their knees so I recommend long skirts and flowy pants to keep your legs covered.

Indian women wearing saris have their midriff showing so a bit of stomach/back is ok. You should keep your cleavage covered to avoid too many stares. 

I ignored the recommendation of covering shoulders and rocked tanks because it is SO hot in India. As a tourist, people stare at you regardless of what you’re wearing, so if you push the limits of these rules a little you’ll be fine. If you rock a little cleave/shoulder, carry a scarf to cover up when the staring starts to feel uncomfortable.

Just read the room and if you’re out late of night, take extra caution to avoid drawing excess attention to yourself due to your clothes. It pains me to type that but it’s sadly the way things are in India.

↠ Read More: 27 Best Places to Visit in India

My Travel Bags

As previously mentioned, I backpacked India with my 46L Osprey Porter Backpack, which I love because it’s both spacious and works as a carry-on for most airlines. I also brought along my Fjallraven Raven 20 backpack, which I used to keep my valuables close at hand and as a day bag when I was off exploring.

With 46L, I was able to pack a lot more than I thought I would be able to. Plus, I loved that my Osprey opened like a suitcase, which made packing and accessing my stuff so much easier than having to dig through a top-down pack. 

↠ Read More: 11 Best Front Loading Backpacks for Travelers

An Ultimate Packing List for India for Backpackers

Ok, let’s jump right into the nitty gritty of everything I brought to India.

Bottoms/Dresses

1 Pair Denim shorts: Fine to wear in Goa, not recommended in other places in India

2 Pairs Light Pants: I brought a pair of black harem pants and a pair of red linen palazzo pants. Light linen pants are very easy to buy here for cheap, so you can opt to grab some after you arrive.

2 Pairs of Leggings: Bring two, you won’t regret it. Great for yoga, hiking, sleeping, train/bus travel days etc.

1 Pair of Athletic Shorts: Small and perfect for sleeping in the hot climate.

3 Dresses/Jumpsuits:I brought 1 cute maxi dress, 1 easy wearing t-shirt dress, and 1 lightweight romper for the beach.

Tops

4-5 t-shirts: I brought five t-shirts I could dress up to look cute, wear while being active, and throw on when feeling slouchy/at bedtime. A mix between regular and v-neck.

3-4 Tanks / Tops: I packed 2 tank bodysuits, and 2 cute tops that paired well with my bottoms.

Outerwear

1 Rain jacket: Don’t get caught in the rain without some protection!

1 Light Jacket: I prefer packable micro down to guarantee warmth without taking up the space. The desert gets cold at night and if you’re headed north for the mountains, you’ll def want it there.

1 Cover Up: A hoodie, cardigan, sweater or something to put on at night.

Swimwear

1 One Piece + 1 Bikini: This totally depends on your beach plans and what kind of style of swimsuits you prefer, but I recommend at least two different style swimsuits to cover the basics because much of India expects women to dress more conservatively

Undies

10 Undies: No need to overpack on the undies front. You’ll most likely have to do laundry before the ten day mark anyways. And if in a pinch, you can pick up a laundry detergent bar for very cheap and wash up your underwear in the shower.

1 Warm Socks: I love Smart Wool for my outdoor activities.

5 Pairs of socks: You’ll probably wear sandals more often than your shoes 

2 Sports Bras

2 Bras

Shoes

1 Pair Hiking Boots: Obviously only for avid hikers out there. Boots take up a lot of valuable space, but if you intend to embark on a few epic hikes, you’ll want your own sturdy shoes. If you want to save the space, you can always opt to rent from the local hiking shops. 

1 Pair Sandals: I love my Birkenstocks. They’re comfy for walking in, cute (IMHO don’t @ me if you don’t agree), and keep your feet cool.

1 Pair Tennis Shoes: You’ll want quality walking shoes for those long days spent on your feet and the day hikes you’ll inevitably take.

Toiletries

Backpacking in India is hot, sweaty, and dirty business. You’re gonna need some important toiletries with ya! But these essentials aren’t difficult to find once in India.

• Face cleanser
• Sunscreen for body + face
• Toothbrush, toothpaste + floss
• Shampoo bar
• Conditioner bar
• Bug spray
• Bar of soap 
• Basic makeup ‘kit’: mascara, eye liner, concealer
• Razor + one replacement head
• Deodorant 
• Tweezers 
• Hand sanitizer: I brought three small bottles
• Nail clippers 
• Hair ties + bobby pins 
• Baby powder: travel size bottle to use as dry shampoo 
• Wet wipes: nice to have in a pinch

Meds

I wouldn’t go overboard bringing medicine from home since India’s local pharmacies are pretty accessible, but if you have some favorite brands at home or need special meds, make sure to pack enough for your trip. I brought with me:

• Advil / Ibuprofen: I read online ibuprofen can be hard to find sometimes in India so I brought my own along.
• Anti-malarial:Not needed for India but for other parts of SE Asia. Check out the CDC for your planned travel destinations to check if you need it.
• Anti-diarrheal: India is the land of traveler’s diarrhea. It’s good to have on hand for those unfortunate days it hits you. 
• Neosporin + band-Aids:You can find these cheap in the local pharmacies, but it doesn’t hurt to come prepared. 
• Cold medicine
• Motion sickness: If you get motion sickness easily from car rides, I recommend coming with your favorite brand of preventative medication. Long travel days in India are an inevitable part of your trip and the roads are sometimes extremely bumpy and winding and traffic is always fast and very start then stop.
• Birth control: I actually have an IUD so no need to stock up on the pill for me, but this is just a friendly reminder to all the ladies on the pill – don’t forget it 😀

Travel Accessories

Some travel extras I love!

1 Travel Towel: A fast-drying, anti-microbial towel is best! I love this one I got from Amazon.

1 Eye Mask: You’ll definitely want this when trying to sleep in a shared space.

Ear Plugs: A necessity for anyone staying in hostels where snoring and parties run rampant. Mack’s silicone earplugs are the best out there.

1 Reusable Bag: This has come in handy to use for dirty laundry, carrying extra things, etc.

Packing Cubes: The best way to maximize backpack space while keeping everything organized. I have three; 1 for bottoms, 1 for shirts and 1 for delicates.

1 Toiletry Bag: Get one that has a hook for hanging and is water-resistant! I picked up this cheap one and it has lasted for years.

Reusable Shoe Bags: This was something I never knew I needed until I came to India and thank goodness my dear mother recommended them to me! Keep your dirty shoes separate from your clothes and use thick shoe bags to store them in your backpack. 

Reusable Cotton Pads: This is for fellow skincare addicts (K beauty is a godsend people, check it out). But I love these reusable/washable cotton pads for applying toner to my face. Reduces my waste and saves me space / the headache of constantly replacing my cotton pads. And this specific one comes with a laundry bag and super cute carrying pouch!

2 Locks: 1 sturdy lock for the lockers you’ll use in hostels, and 1 lock for your backpack.

RFID Passport Wallet: Keep your passport, cards, money and travel docs safe.

Sunglasses + Hard Case: Protect your eyes and your sunglasses people!

Soap carrying cases: With all of my solid soaps, I picked up these plastic, leak-free dishes to keep my bars safe and clean.

Technology

Computer + charger: I’m a blogger so this was a necessity for me. I was worried about bringing my computer for fear of theft, but I’ve felt secure with it my entire time in India! It wasn’t as stressful having it with me as I expected.

Kindle + charger: My Kindle is a godsend. So lightweight and the easiest way to carry hundreds of books with me at any given time. A must for those hours spent on long train and bus journeys.

Smart phone + charger: duh.

Camera, charger, + tripod: I love my mirrorless Olympus camera personally. But you def want to come with one of the best travel cameras to ensure you capture the incredible experiences you’re about to have!

Portable battery pack: I actually got an MI portable battery pack as a gift and it’s been extremely reliable, gets me more than 1 full charge for my phone, and hasn’t died on me yet which is actually rare in the world of battery packs. Really recommend!

Travel Adapters: I personally use the adapter set from Apple but it’s like $40 and kind of expensive and obviously not everyone has Apple products so I get that’s not always an option. (But if you’re an Apple person – I love it). So, for those looking for a universal adapter, this one by Sublimware on Amazon is actually amazing. It’s affordable and very fast charging, even with two phones plugged in.

Important Travel Documents for India

• Copies of passport: A couple for safekeeping
• Passport photos: You need this for various things in India in Asia such as getting a SIM card, applying for special permits and visas, etc. They are good to have with you.
• Paper copies of visa: In India, they want to see your e-visa printed out for when you arrive and leave. It doesn’t hurt to have a physical copy on hand for anywhere you travel.
• Photocopy of plane ticket: In India, they also prefer printed copies of flight information. They’ve had some issues with terrorism and they’ve cracked down on security. They want to ensure you have the right authorization to enter the airports. 
• Travel insurance 

Packing List for India Tips: Things I Wish I Brought + Things I’m Glad I Didn’t

Hindsight is 20/20 and now that I’ve completed the first leg of my backpacking journey and my entire time in India, there are some things I wish I would’ve packed with me.

• Dryer sheets to keep my bag smelling fresh 
• Extra zip lock baggies
• Travel size bug spray to bring out with me when needed in a pinch
• Sleeping bag liner: Sleeper trains and buses, as well as some hostels, aren’t the cleanest. I wish I’d packed a lightweight packable sleeping bag liner to use when sleeping in places where the cleanliness is questionable. 
• LifeStraw or water bottle with filter: reliable drinking water is not always easy to find in India, and I regret having to buy so many plastic bottles rather than just bringing along a reliable filter that would let me drink any water safely. I really recommend this for India!
• Scarves: Wait to buy any scarves until you arrive in India. They are a great way to cover up shoulders, or when entering a temple, or when it gets chilly at night or on the buses and trains – and they make for a great souvenir!
• Followed smart packing tips like don’t pack for “just in case”.

Doing Your Laundry in India

When backpacking in India long term, or anywhere for that matter, you’re undoubtedly going to need to do laundry fairly frequently. Most guesthouses and hostels offer laundry services that can be completed within 24 hours.

I usually did laundry from every 7-10 days, and it usually cost me between 100-300 rupees ($1.25 – $4.40) per load, depending on where I was and how much I needed washed. In more off-the-beathen path destinations it was a lot cheaper than popular tourist spots. For example, I paid 35 rupees ($0.50) in Manali but paid 300 ($4.50) in Varanasi.

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!

Do you have any recommendations for the perfect Asia packing list?