What to pack for Thailand?

Thailand is a great destination that offers something for everyone. Here you can experience everything from picturesque beaches and islands to lively big cities, the most beautiful temples and delicious Thai food.

Find out what to pack for your Thailand tour so that you can just enjoy the adventure while you are away.

We have made a recommended packing list for travellers who need to pack for themselves and for travellers who are travelling with children and need to pack for more persons.

What to bring to Thailand?

When you are going on a Thailand tour, it is important to consider what you need to bring.

Your packing list may change depending on the season, the content of the tour and your co-travellers. For example, you should bring rainwear when travelling during the rainy season, and your packing list should also be adjusted when you are travelling with a baby or children.

Pack according to Thailand’s seasons

Your packing list may change depending on the weather. Thailand has a tropical climate, which means that it is generally hot and humid throughout the year.

The weather in Thailand varies greatly during the year depending on the season and on where you are staying in Thailand.

Read our post about the weather in Thailand and adapt your packing list to the season in which you are travelling.

Pack according to the purpose of your tour

In addition to the weather, what exactly you need to pack for your tour also depends on the purpose of your tour.

If, for example, you are going island hopping or combining your tour with a beach holiday, where you expect to spend most of your time on the beach, you should pack enough swimwear, sunscreens and light clothing.

If you are going on a tour with several different destinations, or if you are going to experience the natural surroundings of Thailand, you should consider a versatile choice of clothing and more practical travel items such as a good backpack and a pair of sensible shoes for walking.

What if I forget something?

Make sure to remember your passport and other essential personal items. But other than that, there is almost nothing you cannot get in Thailand. Thailand is used to visitors, especially in the large cities.

Forgotten toothpaste, a t-shirt or a towel? Visit Thai shops to find what you need.

Packing list for Thailand as PDF

Here you can download our recommended packing list for a Thailand tour as a PDF.

Remember to adapt your personal packing list according to the weather, the purpose of your trip and if you are travelling with children.

Be aware of the rules for hand luggage, for example the rules for liquids in hand luggage. You are generally allowed to bring a clear resealable 1-litre bag in which you can carry liquids that do not exceed 100 ml. In addition, you must be aware of things that MUST go into your hand luggage, including some types of electronic appliances. Check the specific rules with your airline.

For the hand luggage

It is important that you carry your most essential travel items in your hand luggage so that you always have your most important things with you if your luggage is delayed.

• Passport (valid for at least six months from your arrival in Thailand)
• Flight tickets and vouchers (available in the TourCompass app)
• Money, credit cards and any other valuables
• Vaccination papers
• Copies of personal documents in your own suitcase and any co-traveller’s suitcase. This may, for example, be of passport, plane tickets, insurance documents, vaccination card, driving licence etc.
• List of phone numbers, for example for blocking lost payment cards or for your insurance company etc. (in case of an accident)
• Vital medicine or prescription medicine
• Sleep mask/earplugs
• A change of clothes
• A warm sweater
• Toiletries, for example lip balm, toothbrush and toothpaste if you are spending the night on the airplane
• Headphones
• Book, music or other entertainment for the flight
• Snacks
• Small first aid kit
• Hand sanitiser
• Electronic appliances, e.g. camera & memory card, charger and possibly power bank, computer or the like
• Mobile phone and charger

Clothing & footwear

• Underwear and possibly nightwear
• Stockings
• Shorts/skirts/trousers
• T-shirts/tops
• Dresses
• Sweater or light jacket
• Swimwear
• Rainwear
• Sun hat or cap
• Sandals and light closed-toe shoes

Toiletries

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Contact lenses/glasses
• Mosquito repellent (both preventative and against itching) – can also conveniently be bought locally
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm
• Nail clipper and file
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Shower gel
• Hairbrush
• Skincare products
• Make-up
• Shaving gear

Medicine or the like

Keep all prescription medicine in their original containers in your hand luggage, and make sure to pack enough for your entire tour.

• Allergy medicine
• Pain killers
• First aid kit (plasters, disinfectant wipes etc.)
• Tablets against travel sickness
• Medicine for diarrhoea, possibly activated charcoal pills
• Possibly lactic acid bacteria

Travel accessories/Miscellaneous

• Baggage tag/baggage code lock
• Small backpack for day trips
• Possibly larger backpack if you are going to spend the night where you cannot bring a suitcase
• Packing bags
• Notebook/Diary
• Sunglasses
• Bring a USB stick for back-up of photos
• Power adapter (Thai plugs can be with both two flat pins and two round pins)

Packing list for children

It can feel a bit overwhelming when you are travelling with children. This should preferably not apply to the packing list. We have therefore made a recommended packing list for when you are travelling to Thailand with children.

What exactly you need to pack depends largely on how old your children are. The younger they are, the more things you typically need to bring. Customise it to suit precisely your family’s needs.

The below packing list for children contains things you need to pack in addition to the above packing list. You can download our packing list for Thailand with children here.

Also check out our tips for surviving a long flight with children.

Please note that this packing list is for those travelling with children who no longer use diapers. A car seat can also be booked for small children.

For the hand luggage

You may want to bring a ride-on suitcase such as Jetkids Bedbox, which can contain some of your child’s things and can also be used as a leg rest or airplane bed on the plane.

• Passport and other important documents (see ‘for the hand luggage’ in the overall packing list)
• Snacks
• Extra clothes
• Warm sweater
• Wet wipes, towel or paper towel
• Toiletries
• Teddy bear or the like for sleeping
• Toys and entertainment for the flight, possibly hourly gifts
• Possibly ID bracelet with parents’ details
• Possibly iPad/tablet

Checked baggage

• Underwear and possibly nightwear
• Stockings
• Clothing, including dresses, shorts, t-shirts, trousers and blouses
• Light jacket
• Possibly rainwear
• Swimwear
• UV clothing
• Sun hat
• Shoes and sandals
• Sunscreen for children and possibly lip balm with SPF
• Toiletries
• Possibly thermometer and medicine, e.g. fever-reducing medicine
• Cap/sun hat
• Life vest, armband floaties, diving goggles
• Sunglasses
• Books
• Possibly other toys

Packing list for baby

Travelling with a baby or small children requires even more preparation.

We have therefore made a recommended packing list for those travelling with a baby or small children who are still using diapers. Customise it to suit precisely your family’s needs.

The below packing list for baby contains things you need to pack in addition to the overall packing list. You can download our packing list for Thailand with a baby here.

If you are travelling with a baby, you can advantageously book a bassinette in which your child can sleep on the plane. Contact your airline for more information about this option.
Alternatively, you can bring a ride-on suitcase such as Jetkids Bedbox, which can contain some of your child’s things and also be used as a leg rest or airplane bed on the flight. However, be aware of what age these are recommended from.

For the hand luggage

• Passport and other important documents (see ‘for the hand luggage’ in the overall packing list)
• Snacks, food or possibly bottle + infant formula
• Possibly nursing pads for mother
• Diapers, cloth diapers and other items for the diaper bag
• Wet wipes, towel or paper towel
• Extra clothes
• Warm sweater
• Duvet or blanket
• Toiletries
• Cuddle cloth, teddy bear or the like for sleeping
• Teether or the like
• Toys and entertainment for the flight
• Baby monitor and charger
• Possibly ID bracelet with parents’ details
• Possibly iPad/tablet
• Possibly pacifiers

Checked baggage

• Underwear and possibly nightwear
• Stockings
• Clothing, including bodies, shorts, t-shirts, trousers and blouses
• Light jacket
• Possibly rainwear
• Swimwear, possibly swimming trunks, that close tightly if you have a baby who wears diapers
• Possibly swim diapers
• UV clothing
• Sun hat
• Shoes and sandals
• Extra pacifiers
• Sunscreen for children and possibly lip balm with SPF
• Toiletries
• Possibly thermometer and medicine, e.g. fever-reducing medicine
• Enough diapers for the entire journey (or plan to buy locally)
• Diaper bags and other things for the diaper bag
• Wet wipes/foam cloths or the like
• Baby food and bottles (if needed)
• Bibs
• Armband floaties and bath toys
• Books
• Possibly other toys
• Possibly baby carrier or wrap

Other things for check-in

If you are travelling with children who are still napping or are going on a tour where you need to walk a lot, you can advantageously bring a stroller or the like. A car seat can also be booked.

• Stroller/possibly travel stroller + transport bag
• A mosquito net/rain cover that fits the stroller
• Possibly a high chair and travel cot – available, however, at most destinations.

Adventure awaits you. Have a great tour!

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller