Asia and South Pacific packing list for families
From Tokyo trains to Bali temples to overwater villas, Asia and the Pacific reward families who pack for heat, modesty, and long flights.
Kristina's notes
- Temples often ask for covered shoulders and knees, so pack light linen layers.
- Shoes come off often in Japan, so easy slip-ons help.
- Long flights go better with a dedicated carry-on kit for each child.
The complete family Asia and Pacific packing list
Asia and the Pacific cover everything from Tokyo winters to Bali beaches, but a few things hold true: heat and humidity, modest dress for temples, and long flights. Here is our master list, then choose your destination below for weather and tips by month.
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Long-haul flight
- A change of clothes for everyone in your carry-on
- Headphones, downloads and a few new small toys
- Compression socks for adults and a neck pillow
- Snacks for jet lag mornings
Clothing
- Breathable cotton and linen for heat and humidity
- Something that covers shoulders and knees for temples
- Slip-on shoes, since you'll take them off often at temples and homes
- A light rain jacket in monsoon months
- Layers for heavily air-conditioned trains and malls
Health
- Insect repellent and long layers at dusk
- Rehydration salts and children's pain reliever
- Hand sanitizer and wipes
- Ask your doctor about recommended vaccines for your route
Tech and documents
- Plug adapters vary widely; a universal adapter is easiest
- Check visa or e-visa rules for each country
- An eSIM or local data plan for maps and translation
Beach and island days
- Reef-safe sunscreen and rash guards
- Water shoes for coral and rocky shores
- A dry bag for boat trips
Family basics
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss
- Shampoo, conditioner and body wash, or use the hotel's
- Leakproof travel-size bottles
- Deodorant, hairbrush and hair ties
- Glasses, contacts and solution
- Prescriptions in their original packaging
- Bandages, a thermometer and hand sanitizer
- Phones and chargers
- Driver's licenses or IDs and health insurance cards
- Credit cards and a little cash
- Flight, hotel and car confirmations saved offline
- A warm layer or light jacket for each person
- Mesh laundry bag for dirty clothes
- Before you go: hold the mail, set the thermostat, charge everything
Three mistakes we see families make
- Packing only shorts and tank tops for a trip with temple visits
- Bringing lace-up shoes you'll take off ten times a day
- Leaving visa research until the week before
Choose your destination
Asia & PacificIndia
Rajasthan's palaces and forts plus Kerala's backwaters.
Asia & PacificJapan
Tokyo and Kyoto, Okinawa beaches, Niseko powder, and Tokyo Disney.
Asia & PacificThailand
Bangkok temples, Chiang Mai elephants, and island beaches.
Asia & PacificAustralia: Uluru & Outback
Red earth, Uluru at sunrise, Kata Tjuta, and desert stars.
Asia & PacificBali
Rice terraces, temples, waterfalls, and easy beach days.
Asia & PacificBangkok
Golden temples, river boats, and the best street food.
Asia & PacificBhutan
Cliffside monasteries, mountain festivals, and the Tiger's Nest hike.
Asia & PacificCambodia
Angkor's temples, Phnom Penh, and a quiet stretch of coast.
Asia & PacificCambodia: Siem Reap & Angkor
Sunrise at Angkor Wat, jungle temples, and village life.
Asia & PacificChiang Mai, Thailand
Golden temples, night markets, and ethical elephant sanctuaries.
Asia & PacificDubai & Abu Dhabi
Desert dunes, beach resorts, and over-the-top family fun.
Asia & PacificHanoi & Ha Long Bay
Old Quarter street food and an overnight cruise among limestone isles.
Asia & PacificHoi An & Central Vietnam
Lantern-lit old town, tailors, and long beaches nearby.
Asia & PacificHong Kong
Harbour ferries, dim sum, and city views from the Peak.
Asia & PacificIndia: Rajasthan
Pink City palaces, lake views in Udaipur, and hilltop forts.
Asia & PacificJapan: Okinawa
Calm turquoise coves, coral reefs, and a gentler side of Japan.
Asia & PacificJapan: Tokyo & Kyoto
Bullet trains, temple gardens, and the best convenience-store snacks.
Asia & PacificJordan: Petra & Wadi Rum
Petra's rose-red city, Wadi Rum camps, and a Dead Sea float.
Asia & PacificKerala, India
Houseboats, tea hills, and spice-scented backwaters.
Asia & PacificLaos: Luang Prabang
Saffron-robed monks, Mekong sunsets, and turquoise waterfalls.
Asia & PacificMalaysia: Langkawi
Rainforest resorts, mangrove boat rides, and quiet beaches.
Asia & PacificNew Zealand
Queenstown adventures, fjords, lakes, and road trips.
Asia & PacificOman
Muscat's grand mosque, wadi swims, dunes, and turtle beaches.
Asia & PacificPhilippines: Palawan
Limestone lagoons and island hopping in El Nido and Coron.
Asia & PacificSeoul, South Korea
Palaces in hanbok, K-food markets, and very cool kids' museums.
Asia & PacificSingapore
Supertrees, hawker centres, a night safari, and Sentosa days.
Asia & PacificSri Lanka
Leopards, tea country trains, temples, and whale-watching coasts.
Asia & PacificSydney & Great Barrier Reef
Harbour city days, then snorkeling the world's largest reef system.
Asia & PacificTaiwan
Night markets, dumplings, hot springs, and mountain day trips.
Asia & PacificVietnam
Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, and the south, north to south.
Asia & Pacific packing, answered
What should kids wear in Asia?
Light, breathable clothes, with at least one outfit that covers shoulders and knees for temples. Slip-on shoes make temple visits much easier.
What do I need for a long flight to Asia with kids?
A change of clothes for everyone, headphones and downloads, snacks, a few new small toys, and a plan for the first jet lag morning.
Do I need a special plug adapter for Asia?
Plug types vary by country. A universal travel adapter is the simplest choice for multi-country trips.
How do I get a list for my exact destination?
Choose your destination below, then set your month and your kids' ages for typical weather and what's happening that time of year.
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Kristina's edits for this trip
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I'm Kristina, and planning family trips is what I do.
As a luxury travel advisor with KM Luxe Travel, I plan the hotels, the flow of the days, and the little details, often with perks like breakfast and upgrades when available.