A Woman's Essential Packing List for Long-Term Travelling: Hot Countries Edition

I set off on a six-month trip around South East Asia with one suitcase and a small backpack. Between November 2025 and June 2026, I travelled to India, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Hainan (China), the Philippines, South Korea, Japan and mainland China. This was not my first rodeo in this region, but it was definitely my longest visit. I was not entirely sure about my full itinerary as I did not plan everything before leaving London. All I knew for certain was that I would be in South India for nearly three weeks and then fly to Thailand for just under two months.

This made the logistics of packing for an open-ended getaway a little tricky, but I managed to pull everything together, and I must say, I think I did pretty well. Maybe apart from bringing a few extra things, which I will get to shortly… I am obviously writing this from a woman's perspective, but many of these tips are universal, so I hope they are useful for everyone. Now, here is the list of what you should pack!

Clothing

2 Bikinis / Swimsuits - for a morning and an evening dip. To be honest, I brought 4 with me, but I am extra like that.

1 Beach cover-up - some places are more modest and require a longer t-shirt when you chill at a beach café.

3 Sports bras - for your workouts, but also amazing for jungle treks.

4 Bras - you will sweat more than usual and need fresh ones to change into.

7 Short-sleeve / Vest / Crop tops - again, when it is hot, you change outfits a lot throughout the day. Get a variety of styles so you can wear them for outdoor activities, temples, walking around the city, and going out.

1 Long-sleeve thermal top - you will be so happy you packed it for a cold evening at the mountain peak where there is no central heating.

2 Long-sleeve buttoned shirts - great for covering shoulders at temples, providing mosquito protection at night, staying warm in heavily air-conditioned places, and shielding your skin if you forget sun cream.

3 Gym / Comfortable shorts - honestly, the best things to wear on a sweaty hike.

2 Shorts / Shorter skirts / Skorts - to keep cool in warm weather.

3 Trousers / Longer skirts - covering knees when visiting temples and a good shield from bugs.

1 Pair of thermal leggings - it is worth bringing a pair if you are heading into the mountains as the nights can feel chilly in some regions.

2 Dresses / Playsuits - it is just nice to have a few different styles.

1 Going-out dress / Jumpsuit - to have an option when you go out-out.

7 Pairs of underwear - self-explanatory.

4 Pairs of socks - you can always buy more when you arrive at your destination, but I found this amount plenty.

2 Pyjama sets / Nightdresses - make sure they are made of cotton for a comfortable night's sleep.

2 Hats / Caps - it is good to have a backup when one gets sweaty, or falls into the sea (a sad, true story).

1 Waterproof jacket with thermal fleece - this is super important and can make or break the trip. I got mine from Jack Wolfskin.

Accessories

Sunglasses - protect your eyes with good-quality, UV-blocking shades. Pack a case to store them when you go for a dip in the ocean.

2 Hairbands / Scrunchies - so your hair does not get in your face when you enjoy your pho.

Umbrella - it is nice not to have to wear your jacket when you are just stepping out to dinner.

Small cross-body bag / Bum bag - both are super handy when you are out exploring and want to be hands-free with your belongings close by.

Backpack - I needed a bag spacious enough to fit all my electronics and laptop. I wanted a waterproof one as well, so I purchased mine from Patagonia.

Waterproof backpack cover - because sometimes when you get caught in a storm, the rain can be relentless.

2 Tote bags - one for the beach and one for shopping / carrying snacks. You can easily wash them.

Shoes

Walking sandals - I wish I had these sooner. They do not look pretty, but are so comfortable for long walks in the heat as your feet swell (glamorous, I know). I got mine from Teva.

Walking shoes - at this stage, they have become a non-negotiable item for me. Salomon shoes have been the best ones I have tried so far.

Flip-flops - great for the beach, shower and walking around the flat (obviously rinse them before you enter). I use them as my 'fancier' choice for going out.

Toiletries & Cosmetics

Skincare - I brought all the cosmetics that I knew would last me most of the trip. However, I love testing different toiletries abroad, so I made sure to leave space in my luggage for the new purchases.

Face masks - super convenient to transport and plop on after a flight or swimming in the ocean. Bring a couple with you and buy more as you need them.

Make-up - there are so many travel-specific beauty products these days. I particularly like multipurpose items like eyeshadow and highlighter in one, or lipstick and blush in one. I am very fond of my stacked cube from Morphe that consists of four different items including a mirror.

Make-up remover - if your skin tolerates it, you can simply use cleansing wipes.

Tweezers - for when your eyebrows start looking a bit wild.

Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss - and do not forget your charger!

Haircare - I packed an Olaplex deep conditioner and a heat protection oil. As most accommodations provide regular shampoo and conditioner, I only brought small bottles of these in case they did not.

2 Hairbrushes - I got a tiny detangling brush from Tangle Teezer that clips together like a case, so the bristles do not break and I found it so convenient to bring to the beach or the spa. The other brush is for grooming and styling.

SPF cream - carry one full bottle, and buy more as you run out. Always apply it before you head out, even when it is cloudy.

Soap - I had a small bar on me in case I was staying in a budget guesthouse.

Body lotion - moisturising after the day in the sun will feel amazing on your skin.

Shaving razor - I use Gillette with replaceable heads, and it does not take much space to pack a few spares.

Fragrance - I brought a roll-on deodorant in a plastic container and a tiny spray of perfume to not add too much weight to my suitcase.

Nail care - I had a small pouch with clippers, scissors, a file, and cuticle nippers. I also brought a few nail polishes, including a conditioner and stickers. And, of course, nail polish remover pads.

Feet masks - I do not think I could live without them at this stage. My heels crack quite a lot, especially when wearing sandals / flip-flops, and using the masks once a week really helps soothe them.

Foot cream - for me, as I have mentioned - it is essential.

Period care - stick to whatever products you like best. I found it a bit tricky to find specific brands in more remote areas, so top up as needed in the pharmacy before heading somewhere rural.

Health & First Aid

Bug spray - I use Jungle Formula with 50% DEET, and it really feels like I am wearing a hazmat suit outside. I very rarely get bitten. Just remember to put it on top of your sun cream and be mindful of what your body touches as it will imprint a plastic tablecloth onto your skin if your forearms rest on it…

Bite / antiseptic cream - for that itchy bite where you missed a spot, or to disinfect a cut.

Calamine lotion - if your skin sunburns like mine, definitely add it to the list. It is the best thing you can put on any irritation to calm it down. It is great for heat rash too and is much more effective than aloe vera. I learned this when I visited Kochi in India for the first time in 2023. I woke up to my entire body covered in large, inflamed patches only a day after arriving from freezing London. I had been exploring the tropical area all day, and then I slept in a room without air-conditioning due to a power cut. When I finally applied calamine to my skin, the relief was instant.

Cooling spray - just a little spritz of coolness when you feel like you are melting. Snake brand is my favourite.

Plasters - for blisters and random cuts.

Paracetamol - it is always good to have a couple of these on you.

Rehydration sachets (ORS) - after a long jungle trek in the heat or a full day on the beach, this is an absolute must-have. Sometimes, I would not realise that I was dehydrated, so I made a rule to just drink one when I felt unusually tired or sensed a headache coming on. Most of the time, it helped massively.

Anti-sickness tablets - these are essential to have for coach journeys in the mountains even if you do not usually get car sick. I was surprised by how winding the roads were in El Nido, the Philippines and Cameron Highlands, Malaysia.

Gadgets

Power bank - Anker does the best ones in my opinion. I got a small version that fits in my shoulder bag. You might also want to bring a larger one that will hold a full charge for your laptop if you are working remotely. Check the certification stamps especially when travelling to China as all of my power banks were confiscated there even though they were EU-approved.

Plug converter - get a universal adapter that fits into any socket, allowing you to charge your electronics via a single plug and a few cables.

Phone charger - I got a magnetic charging box from Anker that simultaneously charges my phone, watch and headphones. I love it and bring it everywhere with me.

Headphones / earphones - a necessity. I got mine from Apple.

Laptop - I guess this is optional, but I had to bring it for work.

Electric hand fan - spend a bit more money on this and get a better one that will last you the trip. I got mine from Jisulife and I am very happy with it.

Other

Filter water bottle - you will save money and time on buying water. Currently, I use Grayl, and I am pretty happy with it, as you can easily filter any tap water into the kettle and boil it for some tea. You can drink it straight from the bottle without boiling as well. Bring a spare filter.

Light refillable water bottle - I like a metal one that will fit into my shoulder bag so I can store hot and cold water.

Metal cup - if you like a hot drink, you will be very pleased with yourself that you have a cup to drink from. Some airports have hot water dispensers, so just keep teabags in your hand luggage and live your best life.

Cutlery - I think a portable cutting knife, spoon, and fork will be just enough if you fancy a snack or breakfast at your hotel.

Metal bowl with a lid - I found this so useful whenever I wanted to assemble a small meal, or store some snacks. It is very straightforward to pack away and is incredibly light.

Zip-lock bags - good-quality spare ones come in handy for any cosmetics, snacks, or electronics… the possibilities are endless.

Towel - I brought a long, very light, 100% cotton towel that dries very quickly. It is perfect for the beach, hot spring or showering if the hotel's one looks a bit tired.

Beach blanket - get a light one made out of cotton, or buy it at a market nearby the beach.

Earplugs - an essential item to avoid hearing your neighbours or traffic outside.

Exercise band - it hardly weighs anything and helps me stay active.

Things I brought, but never used or did not need

Numerous going out-out outfits - I am not sure what kind of trip I thought I would have, but I brought way too many of these, especially considering that I was working full-time and moving to new places every few days. I was channelling something. Trust me, bring one set and make it satin, so it does not take up all your space.

Small purse - again, I think I wore it one time.

Trainers - I brought my Nikes with me in the past and they spent most of the time resting in my suitcase. The streets in some parts of Asia can be dusty and not well-maintained, and I just did not want to ruin them. Also, for the majority of the getaway, I would roast in them. I stuck to my Salomons on colder nights or during more challenging hikes.

Belts - I brought one fancy, chunky belt for my dress. I styled it every time when I wore that one outfit, but it was impractical and an absolute waste of space for long-term travel.

Large containers for cosmetics - choose the items you like, but be aware of the chunky and heavy packaging. I definitely did not think about how sneakily the weight of glass bottles eats up your baggage allowance. If you can, transfer your products into smaller plastic bottles and label them.

A vast make-up selection - stick to the basics that you use regularly. Everything else will take up unnecessary space. It also feels nice to give your face a break from foundation in the humid climate.

Shaving cream - it takes so much room, but all you need is to apply some soap on your body to shave cut-free.

Too many packs of contact lenses - unless you have a very complicated prescription, you can easily buy them at the opticians in e.g., larger shopping malls. There is no need to carry boxes and boxes of them.

Kindle - I read a lot for work and the rest of my time I actively explore new places, so there is no opportunity or desire to sit down with a book. I like listening to audiobooks while I am doing something not too complex, like packing or tidying up the apartment I am staying in.

More packing tips

• Packing cubes or dry sacks will be your best friends for organising your clothes effortlessly.
• I also use multiple cosmetic bags to keep things accessible.
• Cling film is amazing for wrapping toiletries in your bag to prevent leaks. Then zip-lock them to secure them further.
• Remember there are laundrettes everywhere, or you can try booking accommodation with a washing machine (most guesthouses have them on the premises), so you can always do your laundry as you run out of clean clothes.
• Plan the clothes you pack well, choosing similar colours, so you can wash them together or separate them into two loads: lights and darks. There is no need to pack that red t-shirt that will stain everything. You can hand wash, but be realistic.
• Opt for natural, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen, which will keep you cool in the heat. Be mindful that dark clothes attract the sun, so bring more light-coloured items to wear during the day.
• Most basic cosmetics you will be able to top up as you run out, unless you want specific products, or you are staying somewhere rural. I found South Korea and Japan had amazing selections. Things like aloe vera and hair oils are very cheap in most of Asia.
• Mosquito plugs and refills - they come in so useful if you do not like to be attacked by insects at night. You can buy them at all supermarkets.
• You do not need to carry 1kg of detergent in your bag as you move from place to place. You can get small packets of laundry powder as needed.

Now off you go packing, and have a great time travelling! 💚