By Alex Carrington, Travel Editor at 247 Packing List · Last updated: ·

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India Holiday Packing List

India is the most intensely rewarding and challenging destination on this list — a country of extraordinary sensory richness that demands more preparation than almost anywhere else. Packing for India means anticipating heat, dust, religious sites, stomach bugs, and the full chaos of one of the world's great civilisations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to eat street food in India?

Carefully selected street food is generally safe and is some of India's best. The rules: freshly cooked and served hot, visibly busy stalls with high turnover, avoid salads or anything washed in tap water, avoid cut fruit that may have been washed in local water. Your stomach will need time to adjust regardless — some GI disruption in the first week is almost universal. Starting with bland food and building up helps.

What is the best time to visit India?

October to March is the most comfortable period for most of India — cooler, drier, and the best time for Rajasthan, Kerala, and the Golden Triangle. Summer (April–June) is extremely hot (45°C+ in Rajasthan). The monsoon (July–September) brings heavy rain but also transforms the landscape — Keralan backwaters and Goa are particularly beautiful in the monsoon. The Himalayas are best June–September before the passes close.

How do I get around India?

Indian Railways is the backbone of travel — book through IRCTC or an agent like Cleartrip or MakeMyTrip. Book sleeper trains as far in advance as possible (tourist quotas exist on popular routes). For shorter distances, Ola (India's Uber) works in all major cities. Domestic flights are cheap. Auto-rickshaws for short city hops — always agree the price before getting in.

Alex Carrington is the travel editor at 247 Packing List, building destination and trip-type packing guides from flight-delay experience, family trips and a lot of over-packed suitcases. Every list on this site is cross-checked against the destination's actual climate and airline baggage rules before publishing.