Southeast Asia Packing List: What to Pack for One Month in SE Asia

by | Sep 28, 2015 | Asia, Laos, Thailand, Travel tips | 11 comments

(Last Updated On: April 29, 2019)

Anyone who knows us, know that we like to overpack. If we are packing for the weekend, we pack for 2 weeks. It’s just what we do. So how did we survive a whole month in SE Asia with only one backpack EACH?! Actually, just fine! When it came time to start packing for Laos and Thailand, we knew we had to be a little more resourceful than we usually are. While we weren’t quiteΒ sure if we could do it at first, we knew it had to be done. We would be in 8 different towns, and knew we had a lot of different modes of transportationΒ (plane, bus, taxi, long tail boat, ferry…) to be doing, so we had to be efficient. Luckily for us we went in April, which means we didn’t need any coats! We each took one (big) backpack, and another small purse/backpack. Here is what to pack for one month in Southeast Asia.

Heading to Southeast Asia? Check out how we packed for one month in Thailand and Laos in one bag

Minimalist Packing tips for southeast asia. How to pack with just a carryon for one month Fittwotravel.com

 

Southeast Asia packing list. How to pack a backpack for one month traveling through Thailand and Laos fittwotravel.com

southeast asia packing list backpack fittwotravel.com

Backpacks and Bags

month in southeast asia- Osprey Porter 46 Travel Bag fittwotravel.com

Osprey Porter 46 Travel BagΒ I researched backpacks HEAVILY before I actually bought one.I found a couple I liked on amazon, went to REI to try a couple on, and finally decided on the Osprey Porter 46. It is a front loaded pack, with a hip belt, and padded shoulder straps that can be zipped up and carried like a duffel bag. There are plenty of pockets and is made of durable fabric, great for lots of travel! This backpack was able to be used as a carryon even on all the domestic flights we took throughout Laos and Thailand, which made it so easy. I was pleasantly surprised at how much stuff I could fit in here!

TETON Sports Oasis 1100 Hydration Backpack fittwotravel.com

 

TETON Sports Oasis 1100 Hydration Backpack–Β this backpack came with a bladder for water, so we could easily fill up before we left for the dayΒ and take it with us. We also ended up using this backpack for all our electronics.

 

southeast asia packing list Ebag packing cubes fittwotravel.com

Packing cubesΒ Ebags 3 piece packingΒ cubes. We bought these just before we left, and I don’t think we would have been able to fit everything inΒ our backpacks if we didn’t have them. Plus they keep everything nice and neat, which IΒ really enjoy! πŸ™‚ Also, roll everything, as it really compacts everything tighter.

Β 

 

Electronicsmonth in southeast asia, what to pack for SE Asia fittwotravel.com

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**While you are there, here are some great day trips from Bangkok


month in southeast asia, Clothes to pack for SE Asia fittwotravel.comClothes

In SE Asia, it is respectful to cover your shoulders and legsΒ when visiting temples, so we had to be mindful of that. Although we would be wearing tanks and shorts most of the time, because it was forecasted for 100+ degrees, we had to bring some things to cover up! A scarf, long sleeve shirt, and capris/pants are great to packΒ if you plan to visit temples while there. If you forget theseΒ while visiting a temple, we found you can “rent” out clothes or scarves to cover up for a small fee.

Light, loose clothing is best, especially if you are going during the hottest times like we did. And although we were able to fit a lot in our backpacks, laundry isΒ around 30 baht (or $1) per kilogram, so you don’t need to worry about running out of things. Or you can wash it in the Mekong River, like we did once πŸ™‚

Clothes are also really cheap in Southeast Asia, so if you forget anything you can just buy it there. Tanks are super cheap, so we came home with an abundance! Also, knee-lengthΒ skirts/dresses were actually a better idea than longer, because of how hot it was. Β There are plenty to buy there.Β A sarong is good to buy once you’re there, as it is perfect to use as a cover-up at the temple, or at the beach.

toiletries

ToiletriesΒ 

We suggest you use travel size containers of all toiletries so you can packΒ it in your carry-on

  • bug spray- and lots of it!
  • motion sickness pills
  • band-aids
  • Neosporin
  • pepto-bismal
  • anti-diarrhea pills
  • tissues (you will need these at public toilets)
  • hand sanitizer
  • advil
  • anti-itch cream
  • aloe vera
  • sunscreen
  • deodorant (we learned that this is very expensive there, and actually has skin whitening ingredients added)
  • baby powder (they use this frequently to soak up sweat, so you could probably just buy it there as it is easily accessible)
  • toothbrush/toothpaste
  • hairbrush
  • emergen-c
  • shampoo/conditioner
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Extras

  • Combination lock- especially if you are staying in a hostel
  • Microfiber towels– these were great for when we were stuck in the heat for hours! We wish we would have brought a bigger one, as these are the size of hand towels
  • Travel pillow– this pillow inflates super quick, and the extra hood is very nice for long flights
  • Ziplock baggies for dirty clothes

Don’t forget copies of important papers, like your passport, just in case you lose them! We scanned copies of our passport and bank cards and emailed them to ourselves, just in case. And don’t forget to let your bank know you are traveling overseas!women pack vs men pack

While we took more than we NEEDED, we were very proud of ourselves forΒ fitting everything in our backpack. We fit all of this in ourΒ backpack, and it only weighed 22 pounds! AlthoughΒ we didn’t have to do too much walking with our full packs on, we did have to cross the Laos-Thai border with all of our belongings, and had I known what a pain that would have been (blog post to come on that adventure), I would have brought even less! We can now say that we are professional minimalist packers!

What are your essentials for a backpacking trip?Β 

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Tip and Tarah of Fit Two Travel

Tip and Tarah of Fit Two Travel

Tip and Tarah are the founders of Fit Two Travel. Since getting married in 2013, they have traveled to 26 countries and 22 states together. They are true Oregonian natives, and love to explore the outdoors, enjoy the food and drink, and spend time with their 2 dogs. They help others plan their international and local trips.

11 Comments

  1. heimwee2456

    Im going away for one month in Sunday…Im a little stressed because it will be through northern and also southern Europe where will be different weather and I can have only one backpack…difficult situation πŸ˜€
    Also, I write about traveling, too, can we do follow for follow? πŸ™‚
    http://www.asequibles.wordpress.com

    Reply
    • fittwotravel

      Yes, it is hard to pack, especially for different climates. But we’ve come to realize its just clothes, and if we desperately need something, we pick it up there! Have fun!!

      Reply
  2. Gabi

    After packing for a couple of kids I guess I am becaming kind of a male packer… And loving it!!!

    Reply
    • fittwotravel

      Haha not a bad thing! I would too if I had to pack for other people πŸ™‚

      Reply
  3. Nikita Raj Raikwar

    I would be travelling to North India and they say it’s already quite chilly out there. Let’s see what all fits in my backpack πŸ˜‰
    BTW, Lovely post !

    Reply
    • Fittwotravel

      It is definitely much harder when you need to bring cold-weather gear! But we have learned we always overpack anyways! Have fun-can’t wait to hear all about it!

      Reply
  4. Jesper, The Biveros Effect

    Thank you for the tips, it sure makes a difference when traveling light compared to travelling with bigger suitcases. The good thing with bringing less is that you will not carry around things you will not use. As long as you got the really neccessary things such as passport, access to your bank account and devices for communication, then it is possible to purchase items that might have been forgotten. πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Fittwotravel

      Yes, it is hard for me to pack light, but I sure am glad when Im carrying it around with me! My motto is now, if I forgot it, I didn’t really need it that bad anyways πŸ™‚

      Reply
  5. maxman

    one backpack for one month ??????
    ….waaaaoooooowwwwww amazing

    Reply
  6. Alex Huynh

    Oh, such a neat packing! This article is so helpful. I never though about a backpack for a whole month before πŸ˜€

    Reply

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