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India Packing List
What to pack for a city-and-monuments trip to India, from covering layers to the right plug.
A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.
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Written for a first-time visitor covering cities and monuments, such as the Delhi, Agra and Jaipur loop, with one carry-on. Under30Experiences describes that route as train rides, bus rides, tuk-tuks and stairs, so light matters; hotels offer laundry, so clothes can be washed out overnight. Dress is the part to plan. Under30Experiences advises covering shoulders and knees, men and women alike, and temples mean shoes off, so slip-ons and spare socks earn their space. It leaves out Himalayan trekking and tiger-safari kit, and it names no brands. Check health items with your doctor.
Why these items are on the list
- Passport plus printed eVisa. Bring a secondary ID too: a driver's license or state ID works.
- Printed accommodation addresses. Print the address of each stay; keep it handy alongside your travel insurance.
- Travel and health insurance papers. CDC lists your insurance card plus copies of claim forms, including supplemental travel cover.
- Prescriptions in original packaging. Labels must be legible for customs. Copies of prescriptions should use generic names.
- Unlocked phone. Unlocked means a local SIM or eSIM app works; check with your provider first.
- Type D plug adapter. Under30Experiences says India uses Type D plugs, so sort the adapter before you land.
- Portable phone charger. Days are packed and you'll want a full battery for photos.
- Rupees in small bills. Under30Experiences suggests exchanging $200-$300 on a nine-day Golden Triangle trip; its author spent just under $300. Few vendors have change.
- Physical debit and credit cards. Apple Pay isn't widely accepted, and ATMs and exchange points come up along the way.
- Crossbody bag with zipped pockets. Under30Experiences' author keeps passport, phone and cash in body-facing zipped pockets, away from pickpockets.
- Loose, breathable outfits. Under30Experiences suggests five to seven outfits; heat plus covered shoulders and knees means breathable cotton or linen.
- Scarf or shawl. Cover shoulders or head at religious sites; it also shades you from sun and dust.
- Lightweight jacket. G Adventures says December to March mornings and evenings can be cool, especially in the north.
- Slip-on walking shoes. Sources suggest slip-ons because footwear comes off frequently to enter temples.
- Several extra pairs of socks. Overpack socks: you'll want clean ones after taking shoes off at temples.
- Comfortable sandals. Expect mud, dust and very wet bathroom floors before choosing open-toed pairs.
- Hat and sunglasses. CDC prefers a wide brim for sun protection.
- Sunscreen with UVA/UVB protection. On a bus, a non-spray sunscreen is easier to apply and more eco-friendly than a spray.
- Insect repellent. Avoid aerosol to stay eco-friendly. One traveller used a gel; another found a cream worked well.
- Hand sanitizer and wipes. Pack sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol; wipes help after street food and open-air markets.
- Tissues and toilet paper. Toilet paper isn't promised in most bathrooms, and some public ones charge.
- Reusable water bottle. On one Golden Triangle tour, buses and hotels offered clean drinking water refills.
- N95 masks. Delhi's air quality can be poor; some travellers wished they'd brought them.
- Mini first-aid kit. Bandages, pain reliever, fever reducer, antibiotic cream; ask your doctor what suits you.
- Oral rehydration salts. The CDC lists them; ask your doctor what else belongs in your kit.
- Spare glasses or contacts. A spare covers you if your own pair gets damaged.
- Period products from home. Under30Experiences says applicator tampons aren't available in India; Julie Off Duty says other products are hard to find.
- Lightweight rain jacket or poncho. G Adventures expects heavy rain from June to September, especially in southern India.
- Swimsuit for hotel pools. Some palace hotels have pools, handy after a day of sightseeing.
Tick items off on your phone as they go into the bag, and re-open the list at the airport to check nothing stayed on the bed. Share it with a travel partner so two people don't pack the same thing.
When to use it
Use it in the weeks before departure, then run through it again the night before you fly.