Every southeast asia packing list on the internet is either too long or too vague. This one is different. After years of traveling the region and helping travelers plan their trips, we've distilled it down to what you actually need — and just as importantly, what you should leave at home.
The golden rule: **pack less than you think you need.** Southeast Asia is hot, casual, and has 7-Elevens on every corner. You can buy almost anything there, often cheaper than at home. The biggest regret of first-time visitors isn't forgetting something — it's lugging around a 50-pound suitcase in 35-degree heat.
Luggage: Choose Your Style
Backpacker / Multi-City Trip A **40-55 liter backpack** is the sweet spot. Big enough for everything, small enough for overhead bins on budget airlines (which often don't include checked bags). Good options: Osprey Farpoint 40, Tortuga Outbreaker 45, or the REI Ruckpack 40.
Resort / Single Destination A **carry-on rolling suitcase** works if you're mostly staying in one or two places and moving by taxi or private transfer. Just know that wheeled luggage struggles on unpaved roads, uneven sidewalks, and boat docks.
Either Way, Add: - A **packable daypack** (20L) for daily exploring. This is arguably the most important bag you'll bring. - A **dry bag** (10-15L) for boat trips, beach days, and rainy season downpours. Costs $5 in Southeast Asia, but having one from day one is worth it.
Clothing: Less Is More
The climate is hot and humid almost everywhere, almost always. Pack for heat, with a few exceptions for temples, air-conditioned spaces, and upscale restaurants.
The Core Wardrobe (7-10 Days, Works for Any Length of Trip)
**Tops (4-5)** - 3 lightweight t-shirts or tanks in breathable fabric (merino wool or synthetic, not cotton — cotton stays wet) - 1 collared shirt or nice blouse (for nicer restaurants, rooftop bars) - 1 long-sleeve lightweight shirt (sun protection, temples, mosquitoes at dusk)
**Bottoms (3-4)** - 2 pairs quick-dry shorts - 1 pair lightweight long pants or trousers (temples require covered knees; also useful for mosquito-heavy evenings) - 1 pair for women: a midi skirt or dress works well for temple visits and can double as evening wear
**Swimwear (2)** - 2 swimsuits. Having two means one can dry while you wear the other. Quick-dry fabric is essential.
**Footwear (2-3)** - **Comfortable walking sandals** with good arch support (Birkenstocks, Tevas, or Chacos). These will be your primary shoe. Flip-flops are everywhere in SEA but terrible for actual walking. - **Lightweight sneakers** or trail runners for hiking, cave temples, or anywhere you need closed-toe shoes. - **Nice sandals or loafers** (optional) for upscale dinners. Skip these if you're traveling light.
**For Luxury Travelers** If you're splitting time between backpacker mode and high-end resorts, add: - 1 linen shirt or elegant sundress - 1 pair smart casual trousers or a wrap skirt - Dressier sandals
Many luxury hotels in the region have a "smart casual" dress code for their restaurants. When you're booking through a platform like SEA Hotel, check the hotel's dress code in reviews to know what to pack.
What NOT to Bring - **Jeans.** They're hot, heavy, take forever to dry, and you'll never want to wear them. - **Hoodies or heavy sweaters.** A lightweight merino layer handles cool bus rides and over-air-conditioned airports. - **Too many clothes.** Laundry services are everywhere and cheap — typically 40-80 THB/kg ($1-2/kg) in Thailand. You can do laundry every 3-4 days.
Temple and Mosque Clothing Rules
This catches many travelers off guard. For temples in Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar, and mosques in Malaysia and Indonesia: - **Knees and shoulders must be covered.** Both men and women. - A lightweight **sarong or scarf** is the most versatile solution — it covers shoulders at temples, works as a beach wrap, and serves as a light blanket on buses. - Some major temples provide coverings to borrow, but don't count on it.
Tech and Electronics
Must-Have - **Smartphone** with offline maps downloaded (Google Maps allows offline downloads by region). - **Power bank** (10,000-20,000 mAh). You'll be out all day and your phone is your map, translator, payment tool, and ride-hailing app. - **Universal travel adapter.** Southeast Asia uses a mix of plug types (Type A, B, C, G, and others). A universal adapter with USB ports handles everything. Thailand and Vietnam mostly use Type A/B (same as US). Singapore, Malaysia, and Myanmar use Type G (UK-style). Indonesia varies. - **Charging cable(s)** — bring at least two. Losing one is inevitable.
Nice to Have - **E-reader** (Kindle) if you're a reader. Books are heavy. - **Noise-cancelling earbuds or headphones** for flights and loud hostels/hotels near busy streets. - **GoPro or action camera** for water activities. Smartphones don't do well underwater.
What to Buy There - **SIM cards.** Buy a local SIM card at the airport in each country. They're cheap ($3-10 for plenty of data) and the setup is quick. Thailand: AIS or True, Vietnam: Viettel, Indonesia: Telkomsel, Malaysia: Hotlink. eSIMs are also an option if your phone supports them — Airalo and Holafly are popular. - **Cheap earbuds** if yours break. They're sold everywhere.
Toiletries: Bring the Essentials, Buy the Rest
Southeast Asia has excellent drugstores (Watsons and Boots are throughout Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore) and 7-Elevens with surprisingly good product selections. Don't overpack toiletries.
Bring from Home - **Sunscreen SPF 50+.** Reef-safe if you'll be snorkeling. Sunscreen in Southeast Asia exists but is often lower SPF, heavily whitening, or expensive for Western brands. Bring enough for your trip. - **Insect repellent with DEET (25-50%).** Available locally but bring a travel bottle for day one. - **Any prescription medication** in original packaging with a copy of the prescription. Some medications available OTC at home require a prescription (or aren't available) in SEA. - **Contact lens supplies** if you wear them. Your specific brand may not be available. - **Menstrual products** if you have a preferred brand. Options are widely available in cities but limited in rural areas. A menstrual cup is the best travel option.
Buy There - Shampoo, conditioner, body wash — sold everywhere in single-use or small bottles. - Toothpaste, deodorant — available at every 7-Eleven. - After-sun / aloe vera — Thai aloe vera gel is excellent and cheap. - Tiger Balm — the unofficial cure-all of Southeast Asia. Available on every street corner.
Documents and Money
Essential Documents - **Passport** with at least 6 months validity. Check this well before your trip. - **Passport photos** (bring 4-6). Needed for visas on arrival in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Cheaper and less hassle than getting them at the border. - **Photocopies of passport, insurance policy, and credit cards.** Keep physical copies separate from originals, plus digital copies in email/cloud storage. - **Travel insurance confirmation** — printed and digital.
Money - **2-3 credit/debit cards** from different networks (Visa and Mastercard are most widely accepted). Notify your bank of travel plans. - **A card with no foreign transaction fees.** Charles Schwab (debit), Wise, or Revolut are popular among travelers for free ATM withdrawals. - **$100-200 in clean, crisp US dollars.** Useful for visa fees in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Bills should be new and un-creased — damaged USD is often refused. - You generally don't need to buy local currency before arriving. Airport ATMs and exchange counters are available everywhere.
Health and First Aid
Pack a small first aid kit. Pharmacies in Southeast Asia are well-stocked and many medications are available OTC that require prescriptions back home, but having basics on hand saves time.
The Kit - **Imodium (loperamide)** — for when the street food fights back - **Oral rehydration salts** — essential for food poisoning or heat-related dehydration - **Antihistamines** (cetirizine/loratadine) — for allergic reactions and insect bites - **Ibuprofen and paracetamol** — basic pain relief - **Band-aids and antiseptic** — small cuts in tropical humidity get infected fast. Clean and cover everything. - **Hydrocortisone cream** — for insect bites and rashes - **Motion sickness tablets** (meclizine/dimenhydrinate) — if you're prone, the winding mountain roads and choppy ferry rides will test you
Miscellaneous Essentials
These are the things you'll be glad you packed:
- **Reusable water bottle with filter** (Grayl or LifeStraw). Saves money, reduces plastic waste, and ensures safe water. Many hotels now have filtered water stations. - **Padlock** — for hostel lockers, some hotel room safes, and luggage. A small combination lock works best. - **Packing cubes** — the single best thing you can do for luggage organization. Color-code them: one for tops, one for bottoms, one for underwear/socks. - **Ziplock bags** — for wet swimsuits, dirty laundry, leaky toiletries, and keeping electronics dry in sudden downpours. - **Microfiber towel** — dries fast, packs small. Some budget accommodations don't provide towels. Even at nice hotels, it's handy for beach days. - **Sunglasses** with UV protection. - **Hat or cap** — the tropical sun is no joke, especially in the middle of the day. - **Earplugs and eye mask** — essential for hostels, thin-walled hotels, and the roosters that crow at 4 AM throughout rural Southeast Asia.
The "Buy It There" List
Save luggage space. These are all cheap and widely available across the region: - Sarongs / beach wraps ($2-5) - Cheap flip-flops ($1-3) - Elephant pants / harem pants ($3-5 in tourist markets) - Hammock ($5-10) - Laundry bag - Sunglasses (if you're okay with non-polarized) - Souvenirs and gifts (obviously) - Rain poncho ($1 at any 7-Eleven)
Season-Specific Additions
Rainy Season (May-October in most of the region) - **Lightweight rain jacket** or packable poncho. You'll get wet regardless, but a jacket protects electronics. - **Waterproof phone case** — worth every penny during monsoon season. - **Extra ziplock bags** for electronics and documents.
Cool Season (November-February, Northern Thailand/Vietnam) - **Lightweight down jacket or fleece** if visiting Chiang Mai, Sapa, or other highland areas. Temperatures can drop to 10-15C (50-60F) at night. - **Long pants and closed-toe shoes** for highland trekking.
The Final Check
Before you zip up your bag, verify: - [ ] Passport (6+ months validity) - [ ] Passport photos (4-6) - [ ] Travel insurance docs (printed + digital) - [ ] Credit/debit cards (2-3, different networks) - [ ] Clean US dollars ($100-200) - [ ] Prescription medications in original packaging - [ ] Phone charger + power bank + universal adapter - [ ] Sunscreen SPF 50+ - [ ] Insect repellent with DEET - [ ] Photocopies of all documents
Pack light, buy what you need on the ground, and remember: the best-packed bag is the one light enough to carry comfortably. You're going to Southeast Asia, not the moon. Everything you need is available there — usually for less than you'd pay at home.
