Southeast Asia is a dream destination for many globetrotters: tropical weather, beautiful beaches and evergreen jungle provide the perfect conditions for an unforgettable trip. No matter if you are on the road for only a few weeks, for several months or even with open end.
This packing list for Southeast Asia will help you prepare for your vacation. So you don't forget anything important and you are well equipped.
Preparation
- Vaccinations: Do early enough (approx. three months before departure) make an appointment with your tropical doctor and get vaccinated. In some countries (e.g.B. Singapore) a yellow fever vaccination is mandatory if you have been in a yellow fever area before.
- Visas: Make sure you know in advance which countries you need to apply for a visa in advance and where you can get a visa on arrival.
- Take care of travel credit cards: free cash withdrawal, no fees for using foreign currencies. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in Southeast Asia.
- Insurances: International health insurance, liability insurance
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Documents
When traveling abroad you must always remember some important documents and papers. Otherwise you will not even make it to the plane or you will have problems entering your first destination country in Southeast Asia.
- Passport, valid for at least six months on arrival
- Insurance certificate of your health insurance abroad
- International and German driver's license (Officially, the international driver's license is only valid in combination with the national one)!)
- Vaccination certificate
- Copies of the most important documents (Preferably also as digital version on Google Drive or Dropbox)
- Tickets (For train rides, flights, etc.).)
- Return ticket (must be shown in some countries)
- Passport photos (For visa on arrival in some countries or if you want to get your diving license)
- Possibly. Diving or sailing license
- Phone number of your emergency contact at home
Finances
No matter how long your trip is, you should always be prepared for as much as possible. For starters, it's best to travel with some cash already, for when you're on the road or in case you can't find a working ATM on your first day. We also think it's important to have a second credit card as a backup, so it's best to have a Visa and MasterCard with you.
- EC card (only if you absolutely need it for the trip). Otherwise you can leave it at home, because even if you can use it in a country in Southeast Asia, then with very bad conditions)
- Travel credit card with favorable conditions (free cash withdrawal anywhere in the world, no foreign currency fees)
- Second travel credit card (preferably from a different company than your first card)
- Some cash in Euro (so you can have it changed into the local currency if your credit card doesn't work)
- Some cash in US Dollars (in the rare case that Euros are not accepted). Pay attention to flawless banknotes, in some countries banknotes with cracks and creases are not accepted)
- Emergency number to block your credit cards
First aid & first aid kit
If you are traveling in Southeast Asia, you should equip yourself with a first aid kit with the most important basics. Even if you never need it personally, you might be able to help other travelers in case of a minor accident or injury. And also the most important medicines are really practical when traveling, so that you don't have to visit a doctor for the smallest aches and pains.
- First aid kit / first aid kit with disinfectant, small bandages and plasters
- Ointment for wounds
- Burn ointment
- Antipyretic
- Painkillers
- Medication for stomach upset and nausea
- Anti-diarrheal medication
- Possibly. Antimalarial medication (depending on the destination country, consult a tropical doctor)!)
- Personal medicines (e.g.B. Allergy medication, contraceptives)
- Certificate for prescription medications from your doctor (Must also be in English)!)
- Tweezers or pliers for ticks
- Mosquito spray and bite healer
Backpacks & Bags
Many travelers in Southeast Asia travel with a large backpack, but shorter trips can also be made with a rolling suitcase. In addition to your main piece of luggage, however, you should also think about some other bags and places to store your valuables.
- Big backpacking backpack with rain cover (frontloader; so you can get your stuff easier)
- Alternative: rolling suitcase
- Packing system with compression function for overview and more space
- Daypack (is included in some backpacking backpacks, which we find super handy). This way you have two backpacks in one and can use the small one for day trips)
- Drybag for boat trips or if it rains sometimes
- Fanny pack, money belt or chest pouch
- Small bag for going out
- Compact toilet bag to hang up
Care & hygiene products
Here you can save a lot of space, if this is an important point for you. For a shorter vacation, for example, you should really only take what you absolutely need in terms of care products. If you are traveling and backpacking for a longer period of time, think twice about whether you really need that much makeup or other products. This way you can already save some space in your luggage.
- Shower gel and shampoo in small silicone containers to fill up yourself
- Deodorant
- Washing cream
- Moisturizer that doubles as apres sun lotion
- Anything to brush your teeth
- brush/comb, hair ties
- Shaving kit
- Small mirror
- Nail clipper and file
- Glasses or contact lenses and accessories
- For the ladies: Make-up, menstrual hygiene products (especially space-saving for long trips: menstrual cup)
- Sunscreen (especially practical: Hamam towel, can be used as shower and beach towel)
Clothes & Shoes
In this category it depends a lot on when you want to travel and what activities you have planned exactly. If you want to do a Himalayan tour in Myanmar, you will need different clothes than if you are just going to Thailand for a beach vacation. Inform yourself about the climate at your chosen travel time in the countries you want to visit. Sure you can always buy clothes on the way in case of emergency.
- Underwear and socks
- Shorts and long pants
- Tops, shirts, Hawaiian shirts
- Light jacket
- Rain jacket
- Comfortable clothes for traveling and for the hostel
- Pajamas
- Swimwear
- Hiking gear
- Sun hat or cap
- Comfortable sneakers
- Flip flops or slippers
- Travel wash
Electronics
Before you go on vacation to Southeast Asia, think carefully about which electronic devices you really need. We're not assuming in this list that you'll need to work on the road – in that case, you'll need more things!
- Smartphone, waterproof case
- Possibly. Tablet to watch movies
- e-book reader
- Camera or Go-Pro
- Charging cables for all your devices
- Multiple plugs (USB plugs are practical)
- Plug adapter
Small stuff & hand luggage
For which of these items you still have space, you have to estimate yourself. Some of these can come in super handy while traveling!
- Sunglasses
- Small lock for backpack and locker , earplugs, inflatable travel pillow
- Playing cards
- Sewing kit
- Travel diary
- Travel guide
- Multifunction pocket knife (can opener, corkscrew!)
Did you like our Southeast Asia packing list? We welcome your comments with suggestions and tips. Have fun on your trip.
Tip: Travel gadgets wanted for your next trip? Click here:
Helpful, useful and maybe not so useful gadgets for your next trip!