Asia Packing List

Prepare For Your Amazing Trip To Asia

Packing for an Asian adventure can be a bit overwhelming. With it's diverse climates, cultures and regions, figuring out what to bring (and what to leave behind) requires some careful planning. Whether you're heading to the bustling streets of Bangkok, trekking through the jungles of Cambodia, or lounging on the beaches of The Philippines, we've got you covered. Here's the Ultimate Asia Packing List - everything you need and more importantly, what you don't!

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Essential Documents, Visas & Health Requirements

Before you start packing your suitcase make sure you have all your important documents in order:

• Passport & Copies: The most essential item for any international trip. Keep a few photocopies and store them separately in a waterproof holder. Also store a digital copy in case you lose it. Ensure that your passport is valid and has at least 6 months validity remaining beyond your travel dates.

• Visas: Depending on your destination you may need a visa. Make sure you've sorted this out in advance.

• Extended Stays: For travelers planning an extended stay, ensure that you do not exceed maximum number of days permitted.

• Vaccination Records: Some countries in Asia require proof of vaccinations. Make sure to have this with you.

• Health Insurance ID Card, a list of allergies and current medications with dosage, emergency contact info.

• Travel Insurance: This is a must, especially when you're traveling to places where medical facilities may not be as accessible. Purchase SafetyWing before you go!

• International Driver's Permit: If you plan to rent a vehicle, an international driver's permit may be necessary in certain countries.

• Travel & Visa Information Websites:

  • Royal Thai Consulate-General: https://newyork.thaiembassy.org/en/index

  • The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines: https://philippineembassy-dc.org/visa

  • The Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and E-visa Portal: https://vietnamembassy-usa.org and https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/web/guest/home

  • The Royal Embassy of Cambodia and E-visa Portal: https://embassyofcambodiadc.org and https://evisa.gov.kh

  • Immigration Department of Malaysia Official Portal: https://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/home/

  • Laos e-Visa Travel Information: https://laoevisa.gov.la/index

  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore: https://mfa.gov.sg

  • Indonesia Ministry of Immigration: https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/

  • US Department of State: https://travel.state.gov

  • Government of Canada Official Website: https://canada.ca

Gear

The right gear can make a difference in your comfort and ability to enjoy the journey, especially when you're far away from home:

• Carry-On Size Luggage: 4 spinner wheels are magical, carry it on or check it in. Our Picks:

  • Travelpro Maxlite 5 - it's lightweight, affordable, and trusted by frequent flyers.

  • SwissGear Sion Softside - expandable, durable, 10 year warranty.

• Carry-On Size Travel Backpack:

  • Tomtoc Travel Backpack 40L - water resistant, durable, fits 17.3 laptop.

  • Osprey Daylite-44L Carry-On Travel Pack - lightweight, carry-on approved, super comfortable.

• Compact Backpack or Daypack: Perfect for daily excursions or hikes. Choose something lightweight and waterproof. Compact backpack for trips to the beach, tours, personal items, snacks and souvenirs bought along the way. Our Top Picks are:

  • Matein Carry On Backpack - expandable, convertible design.

  • Cotopaxi Allpa 20L - full wrap zipper opening, stylish, and padded shoulder straps.

• Packing Cubes: Keep your bags organized and reduce clutter with packing cubes. You'll thank yourself when it's time to unpack. Our Top Picks:

  • Amazon Basics 4 Piece Packing Cubes - premium quality and space saving design.

  • BAGAIL 8 Set Packing Cubes - lightweight, premium fabric.

• Waterproof paper protectors to store your documents: AKONEGE Plastic Sheet Protecters

• Waterproof Phone Cover: Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch - case friendly, responsive touch screen.

• Rainleaf Microfiber Towel - quick drying, compact and essential, especially for beach or hiking trips.

• Sunglasses:

  • Rayban Classic Aviator - since 1937, non-polarized, UV protection.

  • Oakley Holbrook Square - matt black frame, PRIZM lenses, UV Protection.

  • KALIYADI Polarized - moderately priced, UV protection.

Clothing - What to Pack

Asia's climate varies - so packing lightweight layers is key to staying cool and comfortable. Choose moisture-wicking fabrics like cotton, linen or synthetic blends. Here's a list of clothing essentials:

• Casual Shirts & Blouses. Cotton/Linen in humidity work best! Popular Recommendations:

  • Men's Short Sleeve

  • Women's Summer Casual

• T-Shirts. Crew neck and tank top. 100% cotton or moisture absorbing fabric because it gets humid.

  • Hanes Women's Crew

  • Hanes Women's Tank Top

  • Fruit of the Loom Men's Crew

  • Fruit of the Loom Men's Tank Top

• Casual Shorts.

  • Amazon Essentials Men's Classic Chino

  • Women's Lightweight Trendy

• Casual Lightweight Pants or Skirts.

  • FENSACE Women's Sun Dress

  • Wrangler Men's Relaxed Fit

• Thin Cotton & Poly Socks. In hot temperature 100% cotton socks keep feet moist and would likely cause blistering.

  • Women's No Show Low-Cut

  • Men's No Show Low-Cut

• Lightweight and Breathable Underwear.

  • Women's Seamless Thong

  • Women's Bikini Briefs

  • Men's Fruit of the Loom Briefs

• Swimwear: 2 pair. Alternate daily to allow for air drying. Essential for beach destinations or hotel pools. A good cover-up is also useful when you're heading to the beach.

  • Men's Nautica Classic Swim Trunks

  • Men's Barracuda Trunks

  • Women's Triangle Bikini

  • Women's One Piece Bathing Suit

• Rain Jacket or Poncho: Depending on the season monsoon rains can surprise you. A lightweight packable rain jacket is perfect for keeping dry without taking up space. Unisex Hagon Pro Disposable 5 Pack

Clothing - What to Wear on the Plane

You'll be on the plane for a while. Make yourself comfortable:

• Travel Clothing for Flight(s):

  • Warm-up suit.

    • Adidas Men's 3-Stripe Suit

    • Women's Velour 2 Tracksuit

  • Light jacket with zippers.

    • Women's Lightweight w/Zippers

    • Men's London Fog Auburn Jacket

  • Hoodie.

    • Women's Nike Full-Zip Hoodie

    • Men's Carhartt Full-Zip Hoodie

  • Compression socks: Physix Gear Unisex

• Earplugs

• Headphones:

  • Beats Studio Pro - noise cancelling, wireless, bluetooth

  • BERIBES Bluetooth Headphones - lightweight, strong bass, wireless, moderately priced

• Manta Sleep Mask

• Baseball Hat or Cap

• A good book and updated music and video playlists for your long flight(s).

Footwear

• Comfortable Sneakers/Walking Shoes: Pack sturdy, yet comfortable and breathable shoes for sightseeing and long walks.

• Flip Flops/Sandals: Great for beaches, pools, showers and casual days.

• If Trekking: Low-Cut Trekking Shoes - hybrid between hiking boots and sneakers. Features good traction, lighter than boots.

Toiletries & Personal Care

Keep it simple but don't forget these essentials:

• Toothbrush, paste, mouthwash, floss, deodorant, Q-tips

• Reusable Toiletry Bottles: Save space and reduce waste with reusable bottles. Fill them with your favorite shampoo, conditioner and soap.

• Nail clippers, tweezer, your particular shaving device with blade refills.

• Sunblock

• Chapstick or Burt's Bees

• Condoms

• Personal Items for Females:

  • Menstrual Products: pack enough tampons, pads or menstrual cups for your trip - these can be hard to find in some countries, especially outside major cities.

  • Feminine Hygiene Wipes: great for long bus rides or days without easy access to a clean bathroom.

  • Compact mirror and basic essentials: even if you're packing light, a small makeup pouch with moisturizer, mascara, lip-balm, powder goes a long way.

  • Travel Hairbrush or Comb: humidity can make hair unruly. A compact hairbrush & ties or headband help keep things manageable.

  • Personal Safety Items: consider a whistle, small flashlight, or a doorstop alarm for added peace of mind in accommodations.

Tech

Tech items are essential for staying connected but make sure you only bring what you need:

• Universal Travel Adapter with USB ports: Asia uses different plug types so an adapter is a must for charging your devices.

• Power Bank: Stay powered-up while on the go. A reliable power bank can save you when you're out sightseeing and your phone battery is running low.

• Unlocked Phone & Charger: An unlocked phone gives you the flexibility to use e-SIM's or local SIM cards to save on roaming charges.

• GoPro & Charger

• Mini-Bluetooth Speaker

Apps

Download before you go:

• Bolt. Car and motorbike transportation. Similar to UBER.

• Grab. Car and motorbike transportation. Similar to UBER.

• Airalo e-SIM. Easy. Dependable. Automatic top off option if you run out of data.

• iCloud or OneDrive to automatically store your images, messages, notes in case you lose or damage your phone

• Google Maps

• Google Translate.

• Wise Currency Converter.

First Aid & Health

Stay prepared for any situation:

• Mosquito Repellant

• Small First-Aid Kit: Pack basic items like band-aids, antibacterial ointment, antiseptic wipes, and gauze for small injuries.

• Tums & Pepto Bismal: Will help in case you've eaten too much spicy food.

• Tylenol or Aspirin.

• Cough & Cold Medicine: Just in case you catch a small cold

• Electrolyte Tablets: These are great for rehydration after long travel days or in hot climates.

• Hand Sanitizer & Wipes: For clean hands when you don't have access to soap and water. Keep in your backpack. Many restrooms, especially in remote areas will not have toilet paper or soap.

• Prescriptions & Vitamins: Bring enough of any prescription medications for the duration of your trip and keep them in their original packaging for easy identification (and a few extra in case of any delays when returning home).

What Not to Bring

Here are a few items you can leave behind to save space and avoid inconvenience:

• Heavy or Bulky Clothing: Leave those heavy jackets, jeans or boots at home. Asia is hot and humid in most regions and you'll regret overpacking. Stick to lightweight, breathable clothes.

• Too Much Tech: Multiple devices can increase the risk of theft. Limit your gear to essentials like your phone and camera.

• Expensive Jewelry: Leave the valuable jewelry at home. It can be a target for theft in tourist-heavy areas.

• Full Size Toiletries: Packing full-size toiletries takes up precious space. Opt for travel-size versions or refillable containers.

Money Matters

A few easy decisions to make in advance:

• Decide which Credit and/or Debit cards to bring and notify institutions where and when you'll be traveling.

• Designate Back-up Credit & Debit Cards and keep separate from your every-day use cards.

• Small amount of local currency for when you arrive at your destination. Perhaps for a taxi, snack, tips, etc.

• Keep a small amount of your home country's money for when you return.

Bonus! Printable Packing Checklist

Want a handy checklist to make packing easier? Download the Ultimate Asia Packing List (PDF)

Final Tips

Before you head out on your adventure here are a few final packing tips:

• Instead of folding, roll your clothing. You'll save approximately 20% more space!

• When carrying-on luggage, be sure liquids do not exceed size limitations.

• To protect the contents of your luggage from spillage, pack all liquid and cream containers together inside a sealable plastic bag before placing them in your luggage.

• Leave room for souvenirs: You'll likely find treasures so make sure you leave some room in your luggage for them.

• Consider Cultural Norms: When visiting religious areas, dress modestly and wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.

• Make a hard copy of your itinerary and e-tickets. Leave a copy with someone at home.

• Everything on this Asia Packing List fits neatly into a single carry-on bag and stays within airline weight limits. I also bring a personal backpack that sits under the seat in front of me. Inside, I keep my essentials close at hand - like a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, medications, phone and charger, headphones, a book and a few snacks.

Packing doesn't have to be stressful. With this Ultimate Asia Packing List you'll be ready for any adventure that comes your way. Bon Voyage!

Packed and Ready? Now Let's Book the Trip!

You've got the perfect packing list - now let's bring your adventure to life! From flights to hotels to unforgettable activities across Asia, you can book it all right here in one place. Secure your spots early, skip the stress and start your journey with confidence. Click here to Book Flights Hotels Activities Now!