Packing for a Family Trip to India: A Practical List
Focus on lightweight, breathable natural fibers and modest coverage to respect local customs and handle the heat. Carry a dedicated 'health kit' with rehydration salts and trusted over-the-counter medications to manage inevitable minor stomach issues.
- Prioritize modest, breathable fabrics. Pack loose-fitting cotton or linen clothing. Women should keep shoulders and knees covered to avoid unwanted attention and respect local customs in temples. Men should avoid sleeveless shirts.
- Assemble a robust medical kit. Include oral rehydration salts (ORS), loperamide, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, and a course of antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. You will likely face 'Delhi Belly' at least once, so be prepared to handle it in your room.
- Prepare for footwear requirements. Bring slip-on shoes or sandals that are easy to remove, as you will frequently take them off to enter homes and religious sites. Bring a pair of inexpensive socks if you dislike walking barefoot on hot or dusty temple floors.
- Digitize your document stack. Keep physical copies of your e-visas and passports, but also store encrypted PDFs of all travel documents, insurance, and vaccination records on a cloud drive accessible offline.
- Is it safe to bring kids to India?
- Yes, but it is intense. Choose private transport over public trains for longer distances to keep children rested, and stick strictly to bottled or filtered water.
- What should I pack for laundry?
- Pack a travel-sized bottle of concentrated laundry soap. Most guesthouses offer same-day laundry services for a small fee, so you don't need to pack for the full 14 days.