The Complete Packing List for a Southeast Asia Backpacking Trip
I traveled through Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and Indonesia for six months and I lived out of a 40L backpack, a daypack, and a purse. I was really happy with the balance that I struck of having everything needed, being able to comfortably carry my stuff, and still looking cute.
Every time I talk to someone about my trip, they ask me what I packed and how much I brought. It’s fair. This kind of traveling is terrifying and so much of it is unpredictable. Packing is one of the only things you can control before you leave for a big trip, so people tend to project a lot of their stress onto it.
However, I do encourage people to analyze the business perspective of most travel influencers, bloggers, or outlets. Scaring people about packing is a great way to push consumers to buy things they don’t actually need. Cards on the table, even I earn commission from some of the items on this list (at no extra cost to you), but I would never encourage you to buy something I don’t personally use and vouch for.
It’s important to remember that no packing list is one-size-fits-all, because it’s personal. Your backpack is essentially your house during your travels, and you’re the only person who has to live with carrying or lacking the things you do or don’t bring. Don’t be afraid to repack, throw out what no longer serves you, or buy things there.
This is my complete Southeast Asia packing list for solo female travelers:
Best Travel Gear for Southeast Asia
Backpack - This is always up for debate because get super competitive about which bags are best. Honestly, go in person and try a few on, because it's your bag. I just got the REI Trail 40L, because it fits me well, has a lot of different pockets, and opens suitcase-style. Some people prefer to have more bells and whistles, but you don't really need them.
Uniqlo purse - Every girl in Southeast Asia has the Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder bag and for good reason. I use this bag every day and I love that I convert it into a practical crossbody or a slightly more stylish shoulder bag. It holds a ton of stuff and keeps it pretty safe. I was once destroyed by waves on a ferry in Indonesia, but my AirPods, phone, and wallet all stayed safe in my purse. This is the best travel purse in my opinion.
Tote bag - Good for beach days, groceries, laundry, etc.
Carabiners - These come in so handy in so many random ways. If you have any extra carabiners, definitely clip them to your backpack to use later.
Packing cubes - My packing cubes kept me sane during my travels. They are only reason I didn't lose my stuff and they kept everything so neatly organized in my bag. I recently got the Tripped Travel Gear compression cubes which help me save space in my bag, and I love the National Parks pattern. You can buy them on Amazon here.
Toiletry bag - Similarly, a good toiletry bag just helps keep you sane. It's just easier to grab one bag when you're living in hostels and sharing space.
Important Paperwork You Need for Southeast Asia
More than one bank card - If you are looking for an international ATM card, I recommend the Wise debit card. I have pulled cash from ATMs around the world, and I even use it as a universal money transfer app when I travel with people from different countries. It usually costs $7, but you can get it for free using my link.
Passport - I have two passports because I'm a dual citizen, so I brought both to be safe.
Extra passport photos - you will need these for certain visas and it’s always just good to have them on hand. I had to get photos taken in Chiang Rai, Thailand in order to extend my Thai visa, and it was fine but a bit annoying.
Printed scans of passport - I luckily have never needed this, but I keep it in the back of my backpack. Better safe.
Cash - USD and euros tend to be the most useful. Once again, not something I have frequently needed, but I am glad to have in my bag. I did end up using USD to pay for a visa overstay in Vietnam and would not have been able to get back to the States without it
What Clothes to Pack for Southeast Asia Travel
6x Tank tops
I packed a million of these because they’re so tiny it was kind of like why not. You'll wear them most days and sweat through them, so it's nice to have a lot of options.
Activewear tank tops are the best because they’re weirdly flattering but also just very useful. I had a mix of these and regular cotton tank tops.
3x T-shirts
I don’t really wear T-shirts in my daily life so I don’t know why I thought I would suddenly start wearing them in Asia. I wore my big comfy shirt for travel days but I didn’t really need three of them.
4x Shorts
Make sure to only get shorts with pockets. Any pair that I owned that didn’t have pockets were kind of useless for me.
1x biking shorts - I liked having these because I do a lot of yoga and a tighter pair of shorts might be better for something like a hike. However, it’s so sweaty in Asia that you probably won’t want to wear them on the daily.
2x running shorts - These are just comfy and easy.
1x linen shorts - I bought my linen shorts for $1 at a night market in Thailand and I wore them maybe a hundred times. They’re less utile than my running shorts, but they’re cuter.
NO denim shorts. They are so uncomfortable in the heat in Asia and they’re too stubborn and annoying and heavy to carry around in a backpack.
2x Pants
1x leggings - Leggings are great for travel because they keep you pretty warm considering how little space they take up in your bag. You may want to bring two pairs just in case one gets dirty, but they're pretty easy.
1x linen pants - If you don’t own a pair, you can easily buy these there for super cheap. You’ll wear them constantly to temples, in buggy areas, or when you want to look cute. I had a super patterned pair that I loved, but it was kind of dangerous because I was scared to get them dirty. Just a basic tan pair will probably go with everything.
NO jeans. These take up so much space in your bag and you’ll literally never wear them.
6x Dresses
4x sundresses - I am a sundress girl so I wore these the most. It is so hot and sweaty in Asia that you want something light, and you will probably still get them sweaty and gross and can only wear them once or twice. A sundress is just what I want to throw on after a shower or before a beach day, so I could not bring enough of these.
2x maxi dresses - Long dresses are handy because, like linen pants, you can wear them to temples, in more conservative areas, or to avoid bugs.
1 casual linen maxi dress - I bought mine in Pai, Thailand and was absolutely obsessed with it. I wore it constantly and always got compliments.
1x nice dress - This was a bit extra of me if I’m being honest. But it’s so small that it takes up no room in my bag and sometimes it feels really good to dress up and look pretty when you’re living out of a backpack.
4x Swimsuits
Depending on where you are traveling, you might just want to buy these when you get there. I bought every swimsuit I had while traveling in Byron Bay and Indonesia, and they are some of my favorite souvenirs now that I’m back home.
Bring one swimsuit that is significantly more modest. If you are going to Malaysia or Indonesia, it is considered taboo to wear something too cheeky or revealing.
1x Linen top
I love my linen top. It just makes every outfit look a little classier, it’s a good swimsuit coverup, and you may need it for temples or other modest sites.
2x Pajamas
1x matching pajama set - Debatably extra, but I love a matching pajama set. They just make me feel so put together and adorable.
1x pajama dress - Super comfy, maybe not the best for hostels. Mine is really cute so I would sometimes wear it with a T-shirt out on the town and it took up no room in my bag.
1 Sweater - You do need one sweater for travel days or randomly cold nights. However, you don’t need anything crazy warm and this will probably be one of the biggest items in your bag.
1 Rain slip - It will randomly pour rain in Southeast Asia so a rain slip is essential.
Optional:
Rashguard: If you are planning on surfing in Indonesia or Philippines you’ll need a rashguard. This was also helpful during the plankton and jellyfish seasons in the Philippines
Sarong: Honestly, you should probably buy this there because they will be way cheaper and cuter. I used my sarongs religiously and I somehow ended up with three of them because I was obsessed.
Matching set: One of my "sundresses" was a matching tube top and skirt set that I adore. It was nice to have a matching that I could split up if I just wanted to wear one or the other.
Accessories to Pack for Southeast Asia Travel
Sunglasses - I think it's dramatic to bring more than one pair of sunglasses on a backpacking trip.
Baseball cap - I especially recommend bringing a baseball cap that clips so you can just hook it onto your bag. You'll need this for sunny beach days.
Silk scarf - I bought mine in Vietnam, and I like being able to wear it in my hair, as a shirt, or just tie around my bag.
Simple jewelry - I was happy just with my gold hoops, but it depends on preference. Don't be afraid to wear all of the rings and necklaces you love, but I wouldn't bring anything too expensive.
Best Shoes for Southeast Asia Travel
Tevas - I literally lived in my Tevas in Southeast Asia. I wore them every single day of my trip. They’re sturdy enough for most basic hikes, driving motorbikes, and long travel days. I can’t emphasize enough how perfect these are for the Southeast Asia style of travel.
Pro-tip: Put a sticker or ribbon of some kind on your shoe to make it stick out. Every girl in Southeast Asia has the same black Tevas and you have to take off your shoes all the time, and it's so confusing. Someone mixed up their shoes with mine at a surf beach in the Philippines and I'm still bitter about it.
Running shoes - You’ll want these for the more intense hikes or other adventure travel activities. I got a super practical pair that were lowkey kind of ugly. I only wore mine a handful of times, and I wonder if I would have worn them more if I had gotten a cuter pair. So as much as practicality is important, be realistic with yourself.
Plastic flip flops - these aren’t necessary but they’re so cheap and light that they’re easy to throw in a bag. You’ll want them for hostel showers and little things. In Asia you have to take off your shoes all the time, so it’s nice to have something that you don’t need to strap into or lace up.
Technology Packing List for Southeast Asia Travel
E-Sim - I use Airalo as my E-sim when I travel. It’s just easiest way to reliably have data, because you don’t have to go through the hassle of buying and implementing a new Sim card every time you get to a different country. Download the app here.
Converter - In most of Southeast Asia you can use a normal American plug also known as the Type A (just like me). I think that the big universal outlets are annoying and ugly. I just stuck to my normal plugs and would carry two so I could charge my laptop and phone at the same time. Maybe it’s worth it for you to get a bigger converter so you can charge more things at once. Your call.
Laptop - I needed my laptop because I was working remotely while I traveled. If you are not working, I feel like an iPad also does the trick and it’s way lighter and less stressful.
Kindle - I’m obsessed with my Kindle. I read like 12 books in four months because it was just so much easier than scrounging around for books in hostel libraries.
Chargers
Portable charger - Essential.
Big headphones - These keep me sane when I’m living in hostels or traveling for long periods of time. They’re a universal “don’t talk to me” sign for when your social battery is running low, and they protect you from feeling too overstimulated.
Airpods
String headphones - One time my AirPods died on a long bus ride and I think I would have cried if I didn’t have these on me.
Toiletries to Pack for Southeast Asia Travel
Tooth brush and toothpaste
Earplugs and sleeping eye mask - My earplugs and sleeping eye mask are the only reason I was able to basically live in hostels for four months. They’re also great for night buses, travel days, etc.
Hair clip and hair ties
Nail clippers - For some reason I feel like everyone forgets about nail clippers. Not a big deal, but it’s a pain in the ass to have to buy them there.
Tweezers
Sunscreen - If you start your trip in Thailand or Indonesia, you can probably find sunscreen there. However, it’s so hard to find it in Vietnam or the Philippines. Either way, it’ll be way more expensive abroad than it is in the States. I loaded up on sunscreen in Australia before leaving for Asia.
Face wash - I bring multiple to little bottles of face wash because I have tendency to lose it for some reason. I use Cerave which I can basically find anywhere in the world, but, if you have a more specific brand, I would pack extra.
Optional:
Lip oil - I use this as chapstick, blush, lip color, etc. It’s so small in my bag and just makes me feel a bit more put together
Eyelash curler and eyeliner - Similar thing. It’s pretty low effort but it makes me feel pretty <3
NO makeup - Beyond these items, I didn’t use any makeup while I was in Asia. I can do my winged eyeliner in about 30 seconds, so it’s worth it for me just to feel a bit more put together. But this trip was a great opportunity to embrace the all-natural look. You don’t definitely won’t want foundation, mascara, or anything that will sweat off of you.
What Medication to Pack for Southeast Asia
Inhaler - I have asthma so I think I brought like 3-5 of these and kept one in every bag.
Antihistamine
Bandaids
Tampons - I once hunted around Port Barton because a girl from my hostel could not find a tampon, and they were still so expensive. The European style without the applicator is much more space-effective. I also recommend bringing a diva cup. All you have to do is find a place to sterilize them every so often, but they’re more sustainable and easier to carry around.
Immodium - I personally didn’t travel with this because I was manifesting not getting food poisoning. It didn’t work. I got food poisoning twice. But also, you can so easily buy this if you need it.
Dramamine - I get motion sickness so these were great for boat rides or rocky vans.
Benadryl - These make me sleepy for night buses and long boat rides.
For Fun
Watercolors and sketchbook
Portable speaker - I traveled with a JBL Clip which is little and waterproof.
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