Summer's here! What more could we ask for than sun, sea, sand and all things Asian? As we've experienced, the world of travel keeps changing once every few years. That's why your travel essentials for the last trip to Bangkok 3 years back would not be useful for your upcoming trip. What should you pack for your next Southeast Asia trip? We'll help you out!
Firstly, these are the countries that fall into the geographical category of Southeast Asia. Keep in mind that East Asia (Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan) is vastly different from Southeast Asia despite sharing similar cultural/culinary values. Air tickets to Southeast Asian countries are cheaper and expenses as a whole is quite affordable.
Southeast Asia Includes:
Singapore | Malaysia | Thailand | Indonesia | Philippines | Vietnam | Cambodia | Brunei | Burma (Myanmar) | Timor-Leste | Laos
In this article on what to pack on your trip to Southeast Asia, we'll be covering;
Wardrobe essentials
First-Aid essentials
Personal Care essentials
Electronic essentials
Other general travel tips and information
*This article includes affiliated links
Read about the Best Places to Visit in Thailand and Bangkok in 2024.
Southeast Asia Travel Essentials
Wardrobe Essentials
Southeast Asia is a region full of diverse landscapes and cultures, home to bustling cities like Bangkok and picturesque destinations like Hanoi. However, one thing remains consistent across these destinations: the warm and humid climate, be it summer or spring.
Light clothes
Remember to pack light clothes. Avoid heavy clothes like denim and high-quality jeans. Prioritize lightweight and breathable clothing to stay comfortable in the heat.
Firstly, you can find very cheap clothes in Southeast Asia. Just walk down an alleyway and you'll find flowy dresses and all types of tropical clothes to fit the climate, at really low prices too.
You can bring them back home as well if you want. This way you don't have to throw away clothes to make space in your luggage on the trip back.
Modest clothes for Remote cities
We indeed tend to wear bold clothing when we go on vacation. It's a type of freedom statement. You're in a new land, nobody knows you, you can be whoever you want. And it's common for tourists to do this. But here's what's changing in 2024 in Southeast Asia.
In cities like Pattaya, this is the norm. But local-dense cities like Chiang Rai and Phnom Penh are still a lot conservative.
Irresponsible tourists have destroyed the cultural values that locals uphold and the locals aren't very happy.
If you're travelling only to urban cities like Bangkok, you're fine. Otherwise, it's wise to try and blend in more than to stand out by wearing modest clothing.
A Few Accessories
Please carry just a few accessories! Do not waste luggage space on something that adds very little value to your wardrobe.
Plus you can find so many varieties of accessories in Southeast Asia priced at less than half of what you'd pay for similar items back home.
Long Pants
As you might already know from your research, almost all Southeast Asian countries have temples and places for religious worship. You can't skip a beautiful temple visit on your trip to Cambodia or Thailand.
During our trip to Bangkok, we visited over four temples and three of them weren't even in our itinerary. When you see those magical structures, you just want to go inside and see for yourself.
And to enter a temple, you have to wear long pants. Yes, this applies to both men and women.
Fortunately, our previous travels in Sri Lanka had us well-prepared, but we noticed many tourists resorting to renting sarongs and wrap-around garments repeatedly worn by others. It wasn't the most hygienic option, to say the least.
So pack a long pant for temple visits and rough hikes. We of course were too lazy to climb mountains, but if it's your thing, long pants would come in handy to avoid leeches.
Pairs of light PJs
Don't forget that you've got to hit the sack too. It's best to carry some light PJs for the entire trip. You can wash and reuse if you're staying for a long period.
The pyjama situation in Southeast Asia might not be what you're used to. You could end up with choices ranging from an old granny's nightgown to a 13-year-old's hello-kitty dress or even full-blown lingerie. Yep, it can get pretty interesting.
Swimwear
What do you need to travel in Southeast Asia? Well, if Swimwear is not on that list, it's a crime! Southeast Asia is blessed with the most beautiful beaches in the whole world. And the summer sun is to die for!
So please bring your favourite swimwear. The same PJ theory applies here as well. Southeast Asians - like many Asians, aren't very comfortable with the concept of 'Resortwear Swimsuits', so you won't find that many swimwear choices.
And the ones you find would be pretty expensive too.
A Pair of Shoes & socks
You'll be doing a lot of walking in Southeast Asia, so bring a comfortable pair of shoes. One pair is more than enough. Don't forget to pack extra socks because Asian sizes are smaller than the average.
I learned this the hard way when I didn't pack enough socks and ended up having to buy some from a street market. My feet are a US size 7-8, so I grabbed the largest ones they had for women, but they were still too tight for me. Wearing them actually gave me a clot on my toenail. Lesson learned: bring some trusty, well-worn socks, and you'll thank yourself later.
Raincoat
The beauty of Southeast Asia and its tropical climate is that there's never a dull moment or dull weather.
One minute you're sweating under the scorching sun, the next it's raining cats and dogs.
That's why it's important to have a raincoat in your backpack.
First Aid Essentials
One of the most important travel essentials for Southeast Asia is first aid. Especially if you're prone to catching all kinds of colds and flu, make sure your First-Aid pack is up to date.
Mosquito Repellent
Southeast Asia is known for deadly mosquitoes among other bugs and insects.
From Dengue to Malaria, tropical mosquito-borne viruses are quite common. So remember to pack a super strong Mosquito repellent.
If you're staying in rural areas, your options for buying mosquito repellent might be limited. In that case, it's a good idea to purchase it from the city before heading to more remote parts.
Painkillers like Ibuprofen
In this part of the world, it's uncommon to find painkillers like Ibuprofen unless you visit main pharmacies and hospitals. What's commonly found is Paracetamol-based painkillers.
They are actually better at relieving body aches. However, if you prefer Ibuprofen for certain reasons, be sure to bring enough for the duration of your stay to avoid any inconvenience.
Plasters, and alcohol wipes
While you can easily find plasters and wipes throughout Southeast Asia, we still suggest bringing a few with you to save time hunting down drug stores. Minor injuries like cuts and wounds may seem insignificant, but they could escalate into more serious infections if left untreated.
Bandages
If you're planning to hike or do some serious sport or even water sport in that case, we recommend you bring some bandages. This way you can stay ahead of sudden sprains and stiffness.
Again, you can find Bandages in any pharmacy, but why would you waste your precious travel time looking for pharmacies?
Probiotics & Food Poisoning Medications
Luckily we did not have any food poisoning while in Bangkok (we ate a lot of street food too) but Southeast Asia is known for being a little too rough on certain stomachs.
To avoid sudden upset stomachs and discomfort, make sure you bring some Probiotics with you to help balance the good bacteria.
Plus you could also bring your regular anti-laxatives and other medication.
Stay up to date with vaccines
Check your country's travel advisory for the Southeast Asian country you plan to visit. Stay updated on recommended vaccines, especially if you have a compromised immune system. It's better to be safe against any unexpected illnesses that may lurk on the other side of the world.
Personal Care Essentials
Southeast Asia travel essentials include yet another important component - Personal care. While we are sure you give the highest priority to this (so did I), make sure the following is given extra attention.
Tampons
If you're a woman who menstruates, you must know that in Southeast Asia, and Asia in general, Tampons aren't a thing. You'll still be able to find them in the main supermarkets but they'll be way expensive. Pads are the most common types you'd find. Pads are a great alternative, but for those who are not comfortable, it can be a nightmare.
Unless you're comfortable travelling with Diva cups, make sure you bring enough tampons for your period.
Dry bags
You'll never regret bringing extra bags to put your laundry clothes, souvenirs, and sensitive goods to save from moisture. You can even pack a Microfibre towel to keep your belongings extra clean.
You'll be doing a lot of shopping, and they need to go somewhere in your luggage. And you have to carry that luggage and travel long hours in airports. So help yourself by bringing some dry bags.
Sunscreen
If there's one thing that you absolutely must carry with you as a tourist in Southeast Asia, it's definitely Sunscreen!
The sun in this region can be intense and lead to serious sunburn if you're exposed for too long.
Moisturizer
Summer days can be scorching, leaving your skin feeling parched and dehydrated, especially with the air conditioning drying it out even more at night. Add to that long hours spent under the sun at the beach or pool, and your skin is in for a tough time.
To keep your skin safe from damage, you need to keep it moisturised. As someone who has naturally oily skin, I often forget to carry a moisturizer with me when travelling and end up regretting it.
If you're like me, make sure you carry a moisturizer wherever you go.
Body Spray
By now you know Southeast Asia is pretty warm, which means you'll be sweating a lot. A strong body spray is the only thing that will keep you smelling fresh and nice throughout your day.
So don't forget it.
Keratin Shampoo
Hours in the pool and the saltwater sea will surely leave your hair frizzed, and let me tell you it's pretty painful. I ended up having the biggest case of hair frizz when I was in Pasikuda.
I couldn't brush it and lost so much hair. I had to live with it for 2 full days until I got back home and washed my hair with Keratin Shampoo.
So make sure you carry one with you on your trip to Southeast Asia.
Electronic Essentials
When travelling to Southeast Asia, it's crucial to pay special attention to your electronics. Firstly, familiarize yourself with the most common plug types used in the region, which are A, B, and C. In Indonesia, you'll also find type C and F plugs, so it's best to be prepared for variations depending on your destination.
Power bank
When you're travelling, it's not practical to stop at every restaurant or shop to ask if you can charge your phone. It's important that you carry a power bank with you to save you all that trouble.
Torch
Frequent power outages are common in certain remote parts of countries in Southeast Asia.
Whether you want to find your way back to your hotel in the middle of the night, or simply keep your room lightened up during a power outage, a torch would come in handy.
Chargers
Don't forget to pack your chargers for the trip. Keeping your phone charged is crucial, especially when you're in unfamiliar territory and may rely on Google for assistance.
Adapters and extra cables
If your electronic devices have different power cables, make sure you bring adapters. Bring extra cables as well if in case one doesn't work, there's always a backup.
If you're a remote worker like me or a photography enthusiast like my husband, you definitely need a protective bag to carry all your heavy gear and laptop.
Especially when going through airport security, having all of them in one bag is easier and safer for you.
Must-Haves in Your Hand Luggage
Lost luggage is not uncommon when travelling overseas. That's why it's best to be prepared anyway.
Here's a list of things to carry in your hand luggage that would sustain you for a day or two, in such case.
All your identification documents
Toiletries (without liquids)
All your cash for the trip
Wet wipes
Medication & prescriptions
Electronic devices
Change of clothes and extra underwear
Snacks
What cash should I take to Southeast Asia?
USD is the go-to currency for many travellers visiting Southeast Asia. With each country in the region using its own currency, it's convenient to exchange your USD for the local currency of the country you're visiting.
How much money do you need to travel to Southeast Asia for 3 months?
If you're visiting Southeast Asia for a backpacking adventure of 3 months, you would need around $4000 for an average comfortable trip.
You can cut costs by staying at cheap hostels for most parts of the trip, but make sure you treat yourself to a well-deserved vacation at a classy hotel at least for a couple of nights.
How much money do you need for 3 weeks in Southeast Asia?
You will generally spend about $50 per person in Southeast Asia. When we were in Bangkok, it cost us both about $100 per day.
This includes all meals at casual restaurants, street food and quenchers, and transport on Grab and In-Drive, which helped us manage our costs better. We used taxis only when it was super humid outside and waiting in the sun was a torment. If you can travel on public transport, you'd be able to save more.
Can I wear shorts in Asia?
Absolutely! You can wear shorts in Asia - more particularly in Southeast Asia.
On a separate note, you must wear light clothing to save yourself from exhaustion as the weather is unbearable here when it is sunny.
But do keep in mind that you are not allowed to wear shorts or skin-revealing clothing for temples and places of religious worship. It's a form of respect. So pack a neutral wardrobe consisting of shorts as well as longs.
What to pack for Bangkok?
Don't pack much for Bangkok, as it's a round-the-clock active city with locals and tourists alike, you can find pretty much everything you need to live. From countless 7/11s to street markets, you can buy anything here, any time of day.
We were in Bangkok for 5 days and here's what we packed:
Our whole focus of this trip was to explore street food so we didn't spend time sipping cocktails by the pool or hardcore partying although we did casually visit Sukhumvit and Khaosan Road.
A few clothes to last 3 Days (we used laundry services).
Two comfortable PJs.
Underwear for 6 Days (I always fear we'd run out of underwear so I prepare extra).
My specific toiletries (especially for my hair and skin, as I don't trust hotel amenities).
A pair of shoes and a couple of socks.
And all our travel identification documents and cash!
That's about it! All this was less than 7kg so we could carry them in hand. Super convenient!
Should I carry my Passport or leave it at the Hotel in Bangkok?
We recommend leaving it at the hotel safe. Having a scanned copy of it on your phone for identification is sufficient. We only needed to show our passports at a few places during our trip: when exchanging money, checking into hotels, purchasing SIM cards, and buying tourist tickets at Dream World.
Additionally, you need age identification when entering pubs, clubs and other adult entertainment areas.
You can produce a scanned copy of your passport at these times and they will accept it.
Do I need a jacket in Southeast Asia?
Depending on the type of trip, yes, you might need a regular jacket.
First of all, Southeast Asia has a unique climate year-round. And in different parts of the country you're visiting, you'll experience varying climates.
If you're planning on hiking or trekking in the morning, like climbing Mount Batur in Bali, you need to be prepared for the early morning chill. While it may not be as chilly as it is in the West, it certainly is colder than the average Southeast Asian weather.
Travelling to Southeast Asia this year? Let us know your doubts in the comments and we'll be happy to help!
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