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Southeast Asia is full of diverse interests for every young woman to enjoy! As a budget backpacker, the goal is to pack as lightly as possible, bringing only the essentials. To make your life a smidge easier, here’s the only travel packing list you’ll need for Southeast Asia as a youngin’ in her 20’s!

Suitcase or backpack?
For budget travelers, backpacking backpacks are the best option! Especially when it comes to staying in hostels and country hopping, they’re literally the most convenient.
In my experience, staying in hostels with a suitcase was MUCH more difficult to travel with (they’re not very “suitcase-friendly”). Their structure can also add unnecessary weight (which is an airline fee you DO NOT want to pay for!) as opposed to backpacks.
Hostels are much more accommodating to backpacks, in fact, you’ll almost never see a suitcase amongst backpackers – hence the name lol.
Check-in or carry-on?
The goal for your travel packing list is to be minimalistic, packing only what you can’t find inside the country. Depending on the airline, you may have to check in your backpack, but aiming to carry-on is the best way to save some $$$ (especially since luggage is charged by weight).
Clothing
1) Modest shirts and pants
Temples have a strict dress code! Shoulders and knees are to be covered at ALL times. You wonโt be allowed in unless youโre appropriately dressed.
2) Maxi dresses and jumpsuits
Also perfect for temples! (and they make for cute Instagram pictures!)
3) Lightweight/airy shorts and tank tops
These are your go-to when exploring cities and spending time at the beach. Keywords: LIGHTWEIGHT and AIRY
4) Bikinis/swimsuits
Unlike temples, there isn’t a standard for swimwear in Southeast Asia. Since beach cities are typically the “touristy” destinations, you’ll come across a wide array of swimsuits.
5) Lightweight rain jacket or poncho
Definitely have these ready if youโre visiting during rainy season (May through October). Although you can purchase them in Southeast Asia, their quality may not allow them to last very long (plus, the prices skyrocket due to supply and demand). I definitely recommend purchasing them ahead of time!
Shoes and footwear
1) Tennis shoes (breathable)
Whether you’re country hopping, hiking, or zip-lining, breathable tennis shoes will do the trick by keeping your feet airy and comfy.
2) Slippers/Flip flops
3) Back-strap sandals
Many rooftops bars and clubs have a specific dress code, which includes back-strap sandals (or shoes). Check their websites ahead of time!
Daytime accessories
1) Lightweight backpack
Make sure your backpack is sturdy and held on tightly! In tourist hotspots, drive-by robberies are not uncommon! And if you’re relaxing at the beach, donโt let your bag out of your sight!
These are two of my favorite brands when it comes to daytime backpacks!
2) Crossbody bag
An essential accessory for a night out! And if youโre in a tourist destination, keep it wrapped around your body and away from the road.
Pro tip: purchase a woven crossbody bag anywhere in Southeast Asia for $6-$10 USD (see Amazon link for reference).
3) Fanny pack
If you want to be hands-free, this is the way to go. Especially if you’re going clubbing, this accessory is a MUST.
Note: Although you can purchase fanny packs throughout Southeast Asia, I highly recommend purchasing them before traveling. During my time abroad, I purchased 3 and each lasted about a month before breaking.
4) Hat
I recommend saving yourself some luggage space and purchasing these in Southeast Asia! The ones linked below are the most popular (and make for cute beach pics!)
5) Sunglasses
Be sure to remember these before you leave home!
6) Pareo/Sarong (or any sort of wrap skirt)
This is one of the best purchases youโll make in Southeast Asia! Theyโre so versatile and can be used either as a beach mat or a wrap when visiting temples! These are most commonly sold on the beach between $5 and $10 USD.
Toiletries
1) Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a MUST when it comes to solo budget travel! Although sunscreen is sold at just about any convenience store, the bottles are smaller and sold at a much higher price compared to the United States. A $2 tube of sunscreen in America retails for around $10 in Southeast Asia.
Sun Bum is my favorite brand! Their products are paraben-free, vegan, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, and reef safe!
2) Tampons/Menstrual cup
Tampons are rare in Southeast Asia; I’ve only seen them at a couple of stores during my 8-months there. If you’re planning on staying for an extended period of time, I recommend saving luggage space by taking a menstrual cup!
Lighten the load and purchase the following items IN SOUTHEAST ASIA!
NOTE: many of the following products in Southeast Asia contain whitener! Be on the lookout for labels that say โbrightโ or โwhiteโ. Here are the most common products you can pick up in Thailand!
3) Mosquito spray/lotion
4) Face wash and moisturizer
5) Hand sanitizer
6) Body lotion
7) Deodorant (spray is most common in SE Asia)
8) Shampoo & conditioner
9) Body wash
10) Toothpaste & toothbrush
Miscellaneous
1) Phone charger
I don’t about you, but as a zillennial traveler, my worst nightmare was losing or breaking my phone charger. You can find chargers abroad (lightning connectors are more difficult to find), but it’s better to be prepared ahead of time!
2) Outlet converter
American plugs fit in most outlets, however, Southeast Asia has a different voltage. For instance, Thailandโs voltage is 220 volts at 50 cycles per second, compared to the 110-volt current in the United States. To avoid burning out your electronics, be sure to pack an outlet converter.
3) Earphones/Headphones
Be sure to pack multiple earphones! The most common earphones youโll find in Southeast Asia have the original headphone plug (lightning connectors are harder to find).
I also HIGHLY recommend this AirPods case cover! It comes with a snap hook and has a cover for the charging port. This makes it so easy to ensure your AirPods are safe and secured at all times (and easy to spot in your backpack!).
4) Portable charger
ALWAYS have this charged up and ready to go!
5) Camera or GoPro
No travel packing list is complete without a camera to document your experience in Southeast Asia! These are the highest-rated cameras for traveling abroad.
6) Travel cubes and an assortment of mesh bags
These are ESSENTIAL for budget travel! They easily keep your belongings organized and save SO much space in your backpack!
7) Umbrella
When rainy season rolls around, you’ll want to have one on hand! If you purchase one abroad, it’ll likely cost twice as much due to its demand during rainy season.
8) Digital luggage scale
Make sure this gem is on your travel packing list! It’s lightweight, compact, and so easy to use. This relieves me from the stress of guessing the weight of my luggage (and praying they’re under 7 kg). This is by far the BEST purchase I’ve made when it comes to budget traveling!
Got any other travel hacks?? Share them below!
Looking for other useful tips on traveling Thailand? Check out these!
Choosing an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand
How to Properly Wai in Thailand
15 Thailand Travel Tips
Don’t Travel to Thailand Without Knowing These 12 Customs!
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So, so useful! Really comprehensive list but not overkill. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome! ๐
Nice guide, I traveled to southeast Asia only once and it was awesome but packing for it can be pretty stressful, so thanks for the heads up!
Thank you! I had no idea what to expect when I first went to Southeast Asia!
I am always so horrible at figuring out what to pack for my trips. This is such a great list and super helpful.
Thank you! ๐
Love this! Great tips!
Thank you so much!
I always forget my rain coat!!
Same! I learned the hard way hahaha
Love that you included links and a list!
Thank you! ๐
This is a super comprehensive list! I managed to get all of this into a carry-on and a tote bag when I spent a month in Southeast Asia last year ๐ ended up being the perfect amount of stuff!
That’s amazing!! Packing is definitely a skill that takes practice ๐
I traveled through SEAsia for a month and I made the big mistake of having a giant suitcase! This is deff a helpful guide!
Same! My suitcase fit carry-on standards for the US, but rarely made the 7kg limit in Southeast Asia – packing was always super stressful!
This is a great guide! I had no idea there was brightener or whitener in products but I’ll be sure to lookout for it. With sensitive, very pale skin that’d be a disaster!
Side note, you mention a scale early on but there’s no link to one. You may want to add it in
Right?! I’m sooo grateful I was told about whitener ahead of time. And ooh thanks for the heads up! I’ll add that in ๐