Backpacking Asia Packing List: Everything You Need

If you’re going backpacking in Asia, one of the most important things to consider before leaving is your packing list. What items will you need, and which ones can better be left at home?

Asia is an incredibly diverse continent, so what you will have to keep in mind when packing largely depends on the country or countries you are visiting and the activities you will be doing. That’s why this packing list is divided into a few categories: you will find a general packing list first, followed by others depending on your chosen region and activities.

These lists were based on two years of experience backpacking all over Asia. They include everything you will (and won’t) need, and are full of insider tips.

Backpacking Asia: Packing List

When it comes to a backpacking trip, it’s good to travel light. You will have to carry your belongings around your entire trip after all, and there’s nothing worse than a pack that you can hardly lift (believe me, I’ve been there).

So keep this in mind and seriously consider what you actually need when packing. If you leave an item at home but end up needing it, you can always borrow it from someone or buy it at your destination.

Backpacks and luggage

First things first. Some of the most important items that you will need are backpacks and other bags.

I recommend bringing the following:

• A big backpack: A 60-liter pack like Osprey’s Gregory Deva should be sufficient for most trips.
• A day pack: Your day pack should fit what you need for a day trip. For me, a 20-liter pack is perfect, as it fits all of my photography gear as well as a rain jacket, snacks, and a water bottle.
• A backpack rain cover: This will protect your backpack (and what’s in it) if you get caught in the rain. I have one for both of my bags and use them all the time when I’m backpacking in Asia.
• A little backpack or purse: These don’t take up too much space in your luggage, and they’re nice to have when you’re going out for dinner, for example.
• A toiletry bag: This speaks for itself. My next one will be a hanging toiletry bag, as I think these must be amazing to travel with!
• A laundry bag: Some travelers like to put their dirty laundry in a compression bag instead, which helps save some space.
• Packing cubes: I’ve never used these myself, but many travelers swear by them, as they help you organize your luggage.

Essentials

Bring the following items on any trip, but on top of that, a packing list like this wouldn’t be complete without them.

• Your passport and visa: Make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of departure.
• A wallet, bank cards, and money: Let your bank know that you’re traveling outside of the continent so that it doesn’t block your card on suspicion of fraud. This happened to me in Africa, and it was a hassle to get it unblocked.
• Your phone and charger
• Flight and accommodation bookings: Unless you have an international SIM card, you won’t be able to access the internet once you land at your destination, so it’s good to save your bookings on your phone or print them out.
• Travel insurance: Although I hope nothing bad occurs during your trip, you never know what might happen, and so it’s really important to have travel insurance just in case. A visit to the doctor might not be very expensive in Asia, but it’s a whole other story if you end up in the hospital or need to be repatriated. I personally use SafetyWing.
• A travel adapter: This is one of these items that are often forgotten, but it’s a crucial to charging your batteries when the power sockets don’t match your plugs.

Clothing

An important thing to consider when packing clothes is which countries you will visit and how conservative they are. Packing for Vietnam, for example, isn’t the same as packing for India, but more about this later in this post.

Other things to keep in mind are the type of activities you will do and the weather. Cotton, linen, and silk are good fabrics for hot weather; wool, cashmere, and fleece are great for cold weather.

I like to bring layers, and clothes with colors that fit well together. This allows me to pack light, because I can make plenty of combinations and create different outfits easily.

Here’s a suggested list:

• 2 tank tops
• 2 T-shirts
• 1 long-sleeve shirt
• 2 pairs of pants: Don’t bring jeans — they’re heavy and take ages to dry.
• 2 pairs of shorts
• 1 skirt
• 2 dresses
• 1 sweater
• 1 fleece
• 1 rain jacket
• 1 bathing suit: Bring two if you’re gonna spend a lot of time at the beach.
• Sleepwear
• 2 bras
• 10 pairs of underwear
• 7 pairs of socks

Toiletries

While you can purchase nearly all toiletry products in Asia (tampons are an exception), some of these tend to be more expensive, and you might not find your go-to brands. You should also be aware that many lotions have whitening ingredients on this continent.

So, when it comes to toiletries, I like to bring all of the things I need with me. I even bring two or three deodorants or bottles of sunscreen for longer trips.

Here’s a suggested list:

• Toothpaste and toothbrush
• Shower gel or soap
• Facewash
• Shampoo and conditioner: You can opt for solid shampoo and conditioner too. They’re better for the environment, and they take up less space in your luggage!
• A hairbrush
• Sunscreen: It can be hard to find sunscreen of good quality in Asia, so make sure to bring enough.
• After-sun lotion: This is even harder to find than good sunscreen.
• Moisturizer
• Lip balm
• Hand sanitizer
• Deodorant: In most Asian countries, deodorant is more expensive than in Western countries, so this is one of these items that you don’t want to forget.
• Cotton swabs
• A razor: Safety razors last for a lifetime; you just need to replace the blades.
• Nail clipper
• Tweezers
• Feminine products: Tampons are taboo in many Asian countries, so pack enough if you use them. Otherwise, a menstrual cup is a good alternative.
• A medical kit: Make sure to bring prescription medication, Imodium, Motilium, paracetamol (acetaminophen), motion sickness medicine, antibacterial ointment, and bandages. If you visit your doctor before leaving, s/he might suggest you bring antibiotics as well.
• Earplugs: Asian cities tend to be a bit loud, so I like to bring earplugs. It depends on where you’re traveling, but they can be hard to find in Asia, so I always bring plenty.
• Bug spray

Accessories

Most of these accessories are light and don’t take up too much space. They can come in incredibly handy, though!

• A scarf: This is one of my favorite travel items! It can also serve as a pillow, a blanket, and a beach cover-up.
• Sunglasses
• A sun hat
• A refillable water bottle and Steripen: You can fill your water bottle for free in many hotels or hostels, which is nice.
• A quick-dry towel: If you’re going to stay in hostels, you will need a quick-dry towel, as this type of accommodation often doesn’t provide towels. Apart from that, you can also use this item if you’re going to swim in waterfalls, for example.
• A sleep liner: I can’t recall the number of times that I checked into a cheap ho(s)tel and the bedsheets weren’t clean. A sleep liner is a lifesaver when this happens.
• A combination lock
• A pen

Shoes

Shoes can take up quite some space in your backpack, and they’re not the lightest items out there, so don’t pack too many of them.

You can buy shoes cheaply anywhere in Asia, so you can always get a new pair if you need more.

• Sneakers
• Flip-flops
• Sandals: I don’t bring sandals myself; I use my flip-flops instead. It’s not very elegant, but it does save some space in my luggage.

Electronics

Not everyone is going to pack all of these items. It depends on the type of backpacker that you are — you might be able to go without a camera, GoPro, drone, e-reader, and/or laptop during your trip.

A power bank and chargers, on the other hand, are some backpacking essentials for Asia that should be on any list.

• A power bank: I use my phone all the time when I travel, and a power bank saved me a couple of times when my phone was about to die while I was using it to navigate.
• Headphones
• An e-reader or book
• Chargers
• A camera: If you’re traveling solo, a lightweight tripod can come in handy too.
• A GoPro: What’s nice about a GoPro is that it can film and take pictures underwater as well.
• A drone: The DJI Mini II is perfect for travel, as it’s super light.
• A laptop

What to Pack for Beach Holidays in Asia

Apart from bathing suits, sunscreen, and some accessories, the following items will come in handy too if you’re planning on spending a lot of time at the beach:

• A beach bag
• A dry bag : This will keep your belongings dry if you decide to hop on a boat, for example.
• A sarong: You could easily buy one all over Asia!
• A beach towel
• A snorkel: It all depends on where you’re going, but in many countries (like Sri Lanka, for example), you can rent a snorkel at the beach.

What to Pack for a (Multiday) Hiking Trip

If you’re planning on doing a lot of hiking or if you’re going on multiday treks, you will need hiking clothes along with some extra items.

What you need to pack depends on the duration of your hike and the weather at your destination, but the following items are essential:

• Hiking pants or leggings
• A tank top or a thin, long-sleeved shirt 
• A sports bra
• Hiking boots: Make sure they’re comfortable and that you break them in before your trip.
• Hiking socks: They’re more breathable than regular socks, and they help prevent blisters.
• A rain jacket: A light and breathable rain jacket is great to have when you’re hiking in the rain.
• A buff: This is a multifunctional item that can be used as a mask, bandana, scarf, hairband, etc.
• A headlamp: In case you need to hike in the dark or if you’re planning on camping

If it’s cold, you will want to pack warm, layered clothes. I suggest you bring the following items too:

• A puff jacket: Make sure it’s warm, windproof, and water-resistant.
• Thermal underwear
• A beanie
• Warm gloves

For multiday hikes, you will need to bring some extras, listed below. It’s possible to rent this gear in some places, though. It wouldn’t make sense to carry a tent and sleeping bag with you for your entire trip if you’re only going to use it once or twice. If it’s not possible to rent these items, you could ask if you can borrow them from someone or buy them at your destination and sell them once you’re done.

• A lightweight tent
• A sleeping bag
• A sleeping mat
• Hiking poles

What to Pack for Southeast Asia

When making a packing list for a backpacking trip to Southeast Asia, it’s good to keep in mind that many countries there are moderately conservative. This is due to the influence of religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam.

While tank tops and shorts are fine in most Southeast Asian countries (like Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia, to name a few), you will have to cover your shoulders and knees to enter temples.

As this part of the world is more conservative compared to the West, I usually stick to maxi skirts and long dresses and always carry a scarf with me.

Keep in mind that Malaysia and a big part of Indonesia are majority Muslim and more conservative, though, which brings us to the next section.

What to Pack for Conservative Countries

If you visit more conservative countries like India, Nepal, some parts of Indonesia, and many Central Asian nations, it’s extra important to keep the culture in mind when packing. These are not the right places for spaghetti tops and shorts, but maxi dresses, maxi skirts, loose pants, and scarves are your best friends here.

As a woman, the best way to dress respectfully is by covering your cleavage, shoulders, and knees, and wearing conservative, loose-fitting clothes.

Keep in mind that you’re a guest in the country and that it’s important to respect the local culture.

Backpacking Asia Packing List: Final Thoughts

I hope that these lists will help you prepare for your trip to Asia. It can be a little daunting to figure out what to pack and what to leave at home, but one of the best tips I can give you is to travel light. Most of the backpackers I met complained about bringing too much stuff and ended up dropping things on the way (this includes me).

Finally, here are some other posts and itineraries that will help you plan your trip further:

What to Pack for Backpacking in Southeast Asia
The Only Backpacking Checklist You’ll Ever Need
10 of the Best Places in Asia for Solo Female Travelers
The Ultimate Southeast Asia Itinerary
The Ultimate Backpacking Vietnam Route Planner
The Ideal Thailand Backpacking Route