We see two extremes at the airport pickup: travellers with one carry-on who look slightly underdressed for adventure, and travellers with two big suitcases and a sun hat who look unwearably prepared. The carry-on people, every time, have the better trip. Here is the realistic packing list, with the small additions that actually matter.
Clothing
- Light, loose, breathable layers — linen, cotton, technical synthetics. Avoid anything tight or heavy.
- Long trousers or a long skirt for religious sites (mosques, temples).
- A scarf or pashmina for shoulder coverage and cool evenings.
- One nice outfit for a dinner at a heritage hotel or palace.
- Closed-toe walking shoes broken in before the trip. You will walk a lot on uneven ground.
- Easy-on / easy-off sandals or loafers — shoes come off at every temple, mosque and home.
- Light socks (you will appreciate them inside the Taj's shoe covers in winter).
- Sunglasses, sun hat, and a packable rain jacket if you are travelling in monsoon shoulder months.
The essentials bag
- Power bank (10,000 mAh is plenty) — your phone will be your camera, translator, map, currency converter.
- India travel adapter (Type D or Type M for India's three-pin sockets).
- Refillable water bottle with built-in filter (LifeStraw, Grayl). Saves on plastic and on hotel bills.
- Hand sanitiser and tissues — public restrooms vary widely.
- Oral rehydration salts (Electral, Dioralyte) — the single most useful health item you will bring.
- Sunscreen SPF 30+ and a small lip balm.
- Mosquito repellent with DEET, especially September–November.
- Small first-aid kit: plasters, paracetamol, Imodium, antihistamine.
Documents and money
- Passport with at least six months validity beyond your return date.
- Printed e-Visa (and a phone screenshot).
- Two passport photos for the unexpected form.
- A no-foreign-transaction credit card.
- Some US dollars or euros as backup; we convert to rupees at the hotel desk on arrival.
- Travel insurance documents — phone screenshot of the policy number.
Season-specific additions
October to February
- A warm layer — north India mornings can be 4–8°C.
- Gloves and a beanie for the sunrise Taj in December and January.
- A scarf that doubles as a warm wrap.
March to June
- Light cotton everything. Avoid synthetics that trap heat.
- A cooling neck towel.
- Electrolyte sachets — heat exhaustion is real.
- A wide-brim hat, not just a baseball cap.
July to September
- Packable rain jacket.
- Quick-dry shoes (your sandals will get soaked).
- Mosquito repellent.
- A dry bag for your camera and phone.
What to skip
- Big DSLR camera if you are not already a photographer — modern phones are excellent and lighter.
- Heavy guidebook — your guide and your phone are better.
- Western toiletries you can easily buy locally; a stop at a Delhi pharmacy on day one fills any gap cheaply.
- Anything you would be sad to lose. Travel light, travel calm.
Quick answers
Can I wear shorts and t-shirts in India?
Outside of religious sites, yes — shorts and t-shirts are fine in any modern city, especially in summer. Cover shoulders and knees at temples and mosques, and we usually recommend trousers or a long skirt for older or rural areas.
Do I need an adapter for my electronics?
Yes — India uses Type D and Type M three-pin sockets. Any 'India' or 'universal' travel adapter works. Voltage is 230V, 50Hz; most modern chargers handle this automatically.
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