Travel India with the right gear for its heat, culture, and varied hygiene standards. Covers modest temple attire, stomach health supplies, and comfort items for long train rides.
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Clothing & Cultural Considerations
Loose cotton or linen pants that cover knees (3-4 pairs)
Temples, mosques, and gurudwaras require covered legs for all visitors. Lightweight cotton harem pants or palazzo styles allow airflow in 35-45C heat while meeting dress codes everywhere.
Tops that cover shoulders and upper arms (5-6)
Cotton and modal blends under 140 GSM breathe well in Indian humidity (60-90% during monsoon). Avoid synthetic polyester in summer — it traps heat against skin and causes prickly heat rash.
Large cotton scarf or dupatta for temple visits
A 100x200 cm cotton scarf covers your head at Sikh gurudwaras, wraps your shoulders at Hindu temples, and removes shoes-dust from your feet. Buy a beautiful one locally for under at any market.
Lightweight rain jacket for monsoon season (June-September)
Monsoon downpours dump 50-100mm in a single hour. A jacket with sealed seams and pit zips handles the rain while venting the 30C humidity underneath. Umbrellas are near-useless in wind-driven monsoon rain.
Warm layer for hill stations and overnight trains
Easy slip-on shoes for frequent temple visits
You will remove shoes 5-10 times per day at religious sites. Slip-on flats or sandals with back straps save constant re-tying. Leave your best pair at the hotel — temple floors get dusty and wet.
Health & Hygiene
Water purification tablets or SteriPen UV purifier
Indian tap water contains bacteria that foreign stomachs cannot handle. Purification tablets kill 99.9% of pathogens in 30 minutes. Pack 50+ tablets for a 2-week trip — you will use them for brushing teeth too.
Anti-diarrheal medication and oral rehydration salts
Traveler’s diarrhea affects 30-50% of visitors to India. Carry both loperamide for symptom relief and ORS packets for rehydration. Take one ORS packet dissolved in 1 liter of purified water at the first sign of illness.
Hand sanitizer (60%+ alcohol, 3-4 travel bottles)
Running water and soap are not available at most street food stalls and rural stops. A 60ml bottle lasts about 50 uses. Station one in your day bag, one in your luggage, and carry a spare.
Mosquito repellent with DEET 30%+ and coil refills
Dengue and malaria are present in many Indian states. Apply DEET-based repellent at dawn and dusk. Budget hotel rooms rarely have screens — a portable mosquito coil or plug-in vaporizer provides overnight protection.
Prescription medications in original labeled bottles
Toilet paper or travel wet wipes (pack of 10 travel rolls)
Electronics & Documents
Power adapter for Indian outlets (Type C, D, or M)
India uses three different plug types, often in the same building. A universal adapter with thin round pins (Type C) fits 90% of Indian sockets. Voltage is 230V, so verify your devices are dual-voltage.
Portable power bank (20,000 mAh)
Power outages lasting 1-4 hours happen frequently outside major cities. A 20,000 mAh bank keeps your phone, camera, and e-reader running through a full day without wall access.
Printed copies of e-visa, hotel bookings, and train tickets
Local eSIM with 2GB+ daily data plan
Indian eSIM plans offer 1.5-2GB daily data for roughly -8 per month. Download before arrival since airport SIM counters often have 2-3 hour waits due to ID verification requirements.
Comfort & Essentials
Microfiber travel towel (quick-dry)
Budget hotels often provide thin, slow-drying towels. A 130x80 cm microfiber towel absorbs 4x its weight, dries in 2 hours, and weighs under 300 grams rolled up.
Padlock for hostel lockers and train luggage chains
Indian sleeper trains have metal loops under each berth for chaining luggage. Bring a combination padlock with a 60cm cable — it secures bags on trains and locks hostel storage lockers.
Earplugs and sleep mask for overnight trains
Daypack with rain cover (15-20L)
Ziplock bags in multiple sizes for wet and dry separation
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to visit India?
Most foreign nationals need an e-visa, which costs $25 for 30 days or $40 for 1 year with multiple entries. Apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in at least 4 days before travel; processing takes 1-3 business days. The e-visa is valid for entry at 28 designated airports and 5 seaports.
Is street food safe to eat in India?
Street food is a highlight of Indian travel but requires caution. Eat from stalls with high turnover and visible cooking (not pre-cooked food sitting out). Avoid raw vegetables, unpeeled fruit, and anything washed in tap water. Build up gradually by starting with cooked items like samosas, dosas, and pakoras before trying chaat and raw preparations.
What vaccinations do I need for India?
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus are recommended for all travelers. Malaria prophylaxis is advised for rural areas and some cities. Japanese Encephalitis vaccine is recommended for stays over 1 month or travel to rural areas during monsoon season. Schedule a travel clinic visit 6-8 weeks before departure.
How do I handle the heat in India?
October through March offers the most comfortable temperatures (15-30C) across most of India. April through June brings extreme heat (40-48C) in northern and central India. Drink 3-4 liters of water daily, carry oral rehydration salts, and schedule outdoor sightseeing for early morning (before 10:00) and late afternoon (after 16:00).
How much should I budget per day in India?
Budget travelers spend $20-35 per day on guesthouses, street food, and trains. Mid-range travelers in 3-star hotels with restaurant meals and AC transport spend $50-100. Rajasthan's heritage hotels offer palace-like experiences for $80-200/night. Train travel in AC classes costs $5-25 for journeys of 500-1,000 km.