Skip to main content
Elitech TravelsHolidays · Visas · Forex
CallWhatsAppVideo callFree quote
Phi Phi Lay Island, Thailand

Packing list

Thailand and Bali Packing List: What to Carry (and What to Leave Behind)

Thailand and Bali packing list for Indians: beach and temple clothes, adapters, Thailand's vape ban, arrival forms, Bali's tourist levy and stomach care.

Fact-checked 2 min readBy the Elitech Travels editorial desk
44 items6 categories
Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0

Quick answer

Pack light, quick-dry clothes, two sets of swimwear, a rash guard, reef-safe sunscreen and strong mosquito repellent, plus one outfit that covers shoulders and knees for the Grand Palace and Bali's temples. Carry a universal adapter, ORS and anti-diarrhoea tablets. Don't take a vape to Thailand, where e-cigarettes are illegal, and file Thailand's Digital Arrival Card before you land.

Documents & money

  • Passport with six months' validity
  • Thailand Digital Arrival Card — File it free online within three days before arrival; ignore paid lookalike sites.
  • Indonesia e-VOA — Apply online before you fly to skip the arrival queue in Bali.
  • Bali tourist levy receipt — IDR 150,000 (about ₹810) per person, paid on the official Love Bali site.
  • Return ticket and hotel vouchers — Immigration can ask for both.
  • Forex card and some cash — Thai ATMs charge about THB 220 (₹590) per withdrawal, so take out larger sums less often.
  • Travel insurance — Check that it covers scooter riding; many policies don't without a valid licence.
  • Indian licence and International Driving Permit — Riding a scooter without the right licence invites fines and voids insurance.

Clothing

  • Quick-dry T-shirts and shorts
  • Loose cotton trousers or a maxi dress
  • Temple outfit covering shoulders and knees — The Grand Palace turns away shorts, sleeveless tops and ripped jeans.
  • Light rain jacket or poncho — Thailand's rains run May–October; Bali's run November–March.
  • Light layer — For air-conditioned buses, ferries and the Mount Batur sunrise trek.
  • Sleepwear
  • One evening outfit
  • Hat and sunglasses

Beach & water gear

  • Swimwear, two sets
  • Rash guard — Sun protection on island-hopping and snorkelling days.
  • Flip-flops
  • Water shoes — Coral and sea urchins line many shallow beaches.
  • Dry bag — Speedboats to Phi Phi and Nusa Penida soak everything.
  • Waterproof phone pouch
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Sarong — Doubles as a beach cover-up and Bali temple wear.

Health & medicines

  • Mosquito repellent with DEET or picaridin — Dengue is present in both countries.
  • ORS and anti-diarrhoea tablets — Drink bottled or filtered water only.
  • Antibiotics — Only on prescription.
  • Motion-sickness tablets — Speedboats to Nusa Penida and the Phi Phi islands are rough.
  • Reef-safe sunscreen, SPF 50
  • Aloe vera gel
  • Prescription medicines in original packs — Thailand limits some psychotropic medicines to a 30-day supply with a prescription.
  • Plasters and antiseptic — Scooter scrapes and coral cuts get infected quickly in the heat.

Electronics

  • Universal adapter — Thai sockets often take Indian two-pin plugs; Bali uses Type C/F.
  • Power bank — Cabin baggage only.
  • Local SIM or eSIM — Cheaper than Indian roaming for a week or more.
  • Action camera
  • Earphones
  • Phone with Grab and offline maps — Some Bali areas restrict ride-hailing pickups.

Toiletries

  • Travel-size toiletries — 100 ml each in the cabin.
  • Moisturiser and lip balm with SPF
  • Prickly heat powder
  • Deodorant
  • Wet wipes, tissues and hand sanitiser
  • Ziplock bags for wet swimwear

Two climates, one bag

Thailand is driest and most comfortable from November to February, at 30–33°C; March to May tops 35°C, and the rains run from about May to October. Bali is roughly the reverse: dry from April to October, wet from November to March. Both are humid all year, so pack quick-dry fabrics rather than heavy cotton, and add a light layer for cold ferries and the chilly dawn on Mount Batur.

Temple dress codes

Bangkok's Grand Palace turns away shorts, sleeveless tops and ripped jeans. Bali's temples ask everyone to wear a sarong and sash, usually lent or rented at the gate; carrying your own saves time and doubles as a beach cover-up.

Baggage on budget flights

Many Thailand and Bali trips include a short hop on AirAsia, Thai Lion Air or a similar carrier, where basic fares often include only a 7 kg cabin bag. Pack light, or add checked baggage at booking, when it costs less.

What's banned or required

E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal in Thailand, with heavy fines, so don't pack one. Thailand also requires a Digital Arrival Card filed online within three days before arrival. Bali charges foreign visitors a tourist levy of IDR 150,000 (about ₹810), payable online before you land. Keep medicines in original packs with a prescription; Thailand limits some psychotropic drugs to a 30-day supply.

What to buy locally

Sarongs, flip-flops, beachwear and rash guards are cheap in Bangkok's markets and Bali's shops, and snorkel sets come with most island tours.

Read the Thailand visa guide and the Indonesia visa guide, compare Thailand's seasons with Bali's, and pick travel insurance that covers scooters.

Frequently asked questions

Can I carry a vape or e-cigarette to Thailand?
No. E-cigarettes, vapes and refill liquids are illegal to import, sell or possess in Thailand, and visitors have been fined heavily or detained. Leave them at home, including in checked baggage. Smoking ordinary cigarettes is also banned on many popular beaches, with fines for offenders.
What should I wear to temples in Bangkok and Bali?
In Bangkok, cover your shoulders and knees: no shorts, sleeveless tops or ripped jeans at the Grand Palace, and remove shoes inside temple halls. In Bali, temples ask everyone to wear a sarong and sash, usually lent or rented at the entrance. A sarong in your daypack works for both.
Which plug adapter do I need for Thailand and Bali?
Thai sockets often accept Indian two-pin plugs, though not three-pin ones. Bali uses European Type C and F sockets, which take slim two-pin plugs. Both run on about 220–230 V, so Indian chargers work. Carry one universal adapter to cover laptop and three-pin chargers in both countries.
Do I need to pay a tourist tax in Bali?
Yes. Foreign visitors to Bali pay a levy of IDR 150,000, about ₹810, per person at the time of review. Pay it online on the official Love Bali site before you fly and keep the QR code, since it may be checked on arrival. It is separate from Indonesia's visa on arrival fee.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.