Packing for a first trip to India raises more questions than the journey itself. How many clothes? Are shorts acceptable? What about temples? Will the plug fit the socket?
Below is a concrete list, based on what actually gets used on the route — and on what travellers most often bring home untouched. Because the most common mistake is not forgetting something; it is bringing half as much again as you need.
One rule that solves half the packing
Pack for five or six days, even if you are going for two weeks.
In 4-star and 5-star hotels laundry is inexpensive and comes back within a day, and on a touring route there are always two-night stops where it can be arranged without fuss. Instead of hauling a fortnight's clothing around, you send things to be washed once or twice and travel light.
The gain is bigger than it sounds: on a touring itinerary you change hotels every day or two, and a lighter bag means less friction at every move.
Clothing — February versus July
India is the size of a continent and there is no single answer. It depends entirely on when and where you are going.
February and March — Rajasthan, the Golden Triangle, Varanasi
This is the most pleasant season in northern India, but the gap between day and night can be startling: 25 to 30 degrees by day, dropping to 8 to 12 at dawn and after dark. You watch the sunrise over the Taj Mahal in a jacket.
- T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts — sun protection, and they get you into temples
- a light sweater or fleece for mornings and evenings
- a thin jacket or windproof layer
- long, breathable trousers; a skirt or dress below the knee
- something warm for safari — the jeep leaves at dawn and it is windy
July and August — Kashmir and Ladakh
A completely different proposition: mountains, altitude and wide swings in temperature. Warm by day with fierce sun, close to freezing at night, particularly in Ladakh.
- dress in layers — t-shirt, fleece, jacket
- a hat and thin gloves for the passes
- sunglasses with a proper filter — the sun at altitude is harsh
- high-factor sun cream, including in winter and under cloud
Always, whatever the season
- A large scarf or shawl — the most versatile thing in the bag: head covering in a temple, shade from the sun, a blanket in air-conditioned transport, a pillow on the plane
- Something to sleep in — hotel rooms can be cold with the air conditioning
- A swimming costume, if the programme includes hotels with pools
What to wear in temples
Every programme includes temples, mosques and gurudwaras, and each has its rules. They are not onerous, but it is worth knowing them before packing rather than at the door.
- Shoulders and knees covered — this applies to men and women equally. Shorts and strappy tops are out.
- Shoes come off at the entrance. Slip-on footwear is far more convenient than laces, and clean socks in your bag are worth having — stone floors can be hot or wet.
- A head covering is required in some places, gurudwaras among them. An ordinary scarf does the job.
- In some temples leather items may not be brought inside — belts and wallets included.
Still deciding where to go? Tell us the season you can travel in, and we will tell you which route fits it — and what the packing list will actually look like.
See our toursShoes
The most underrated item on the list. On the route you walk a great deal, on uneven surfaces, dust and stone.
- Comfortable, broken-in shoes for a full day of sightseeing — new ones bought a week before departure are a direct route to blisters
- A second, slip-on pair for temples and evenings
- Flip-flops for the hotel
Three pairs is the maximum. Shoes take up the most space and most often come home unworn.
Electronics and plug sockets
The good news: the voltage in India is 230 V, the same as most of Europe. Chargers and equipment work without a converter.
The less good news: sockets are often the Indian standards (types D and M), and a European plug will not always fit. Many 4-star and 5-star hotels have universal sockets, but not always and not in every room.
- A universal adapter — a few euros, and it solves the problem once and for all
- A power bank — in hand luggage, as they are not permitted in checked baggage
- A charger with several USB ports — fewer adapters to share around the room
Documents and money
- Passport valid for at least six months from entry, with two blank pages
- A printed e-Visa — plus a photograph of it on your phone as backup
- Travel insurance policy, printed and digital
- Cards plus some cash, kept in more than one place
- Copies of documents stored separately from the originals
Hand luggage
On a long-haul flight with a connection, hand luggage matters more than usual. Whatever you cannot afford to lose goes here:
- documents, money, phone, power bank
- prescription medication — all of it, not half
- a change of underwear and a t-shirt, in case checked bags are delayed
- the scarf mentioned above, which doubles as a blanket
What to leave at home
- Half your clothes. Genuinely. See the rule at the top.
- Expensive jewellery — no use for it on the route, and one more thing to worry about.
- A hairdryer — every hotel on our programmes has one.
- A large stock of toiletries — they are available everywhere and cost a fraction of European prices.
- A drone, unless you have checked the rules very carefully. Restrictions in India are strict and many monuments prohibit them outright.
Frequently asked questions
How big a suitcase do I need for two weeks in India?
Smaller than you think. Pack for five or six days — laundry in 4-star and 5-star hotels is inexpensive and comes back within a day, and on a touring itinerary there are always two-night stops where it can be arranged.
Can I wear shorts in India?
In a hotel or on a beach, yes. On the route and especially in temples, no — shoulders and knees need to be covered, and that applies equally to men and women.
Do I need a power adapter for India?
The voltage is 230 V, the same as most of Europe, so no converter is required. Sockets, however, are often the Indian types D and M, so a universal adapter is worth packing. Many 4-star and 5-star hotels have universal sockets, but not in every room.
Is it cold in Rajasthan in February?
By day it is 25 to 30 degrees, but at dawn and after dark it can drop to 8 to 12. You watch the sunrise over the Taj Mahal in a jacket. Layers are the answer.
What is the single most useful thing to pack?
A large scarf or shawl. It covers your head in a temple, shields you from the sun, works as a blanket in air-conditioned transport and as a pillow on a flight.
Can I take a power bank on the plane?
Yes, but only in hand luggage. Power banks are not permitted in checked baggage.