🎒 What to Pack for India: Essential Checklist for French Travelers 🇫🇷✈️🇮🇳

Planning a trip to India from France? Packing smart is key to enjoying your Indian adventure without stress. From climate considerations to cultural etiquette, here’s a complete checklist tailored for French tourists heading to India.

🧳 Essential Travel Documents

• ✅ Valid passport (6+ months validity)

• ✅ Indian visa (e-Visa or sticker visa printout)

• ✅ Copies of passport, visa & travel insurance

• ✅ Travel insurance documents (health & theft)

• ✅ Vaccination certificate (especially if yellow fever zone previously visited)

👕 Clothing Essentials

India’s climate ranges from tropical to alpine, so pack accordingly based on your route & season:

👗 General Clothing:

• Light, breathable cotton clothes (linen also great)

• Long-sleeved shirts and full-length pants (sun & mosquito protection)

• Modest clothing for visiting temples and rural areas

• A scarf/shawl (for covering head in religious sites)

• Comfortable walking shoes/sandals

• Flip-flops for showers or casual use

• One warmer layer (sweater/fleece) – especially in A/C transport or hill areas

🧥 Seasonal Add-ons:

• Rain jacket or umbrella (June–Sept: monsoon)

• Warm jacket/gloves (Dec–Feb if visiting North India, Rajasthan, or Himalayas)

🛁 Toiletries & Hygiene

• Travel-size shampoo, soap & toothpaste

• Sunscreen (SPF 30+)

• Mosquito repellent with DEET

• Hand sanitizer & wet wipes

• Menstrual products (if applicable)

• Toilet paper or tissues (public restrooms may lack this)

• Travel detergent (for quick washing)

💊 Health & Safety

• Prescription meds (in original packaging)

• Basic first-aid kit (band-aids, antiseptic, painkillers, antihistamines)

• Diarrhea medication (loperamide, ORS)

• Rehydration salts (for heat or stomach upsets)

• Eye drops and lip balm (dry climates or pollution)

• Vaccination certificate (optional but useful)

• Health insurance card & contacts

📱 Gadgets & Travel Gear

• Universal power adapter (India uses Type C, D & M plugs – 230V)

• Power bank (long travel days)

• Unlocked smartphone with roaming or Indian SIM (Jio/Airtel)

• Charging cables

• Travel alarm or watch

• Camera (optional) + SD cards

🎒 Travel Accessories

• Small day backpack

• Crossbody anti-theft bag or money belt

• Reusable water bottle (or LifeStraw if trekking)

• Padlock for luggage

• Eye mask & earplugs (for trains, hostels)

• Ziplock bags for documents or electronics

• Foldable tote or shopping bag (eco-friendly)

💶 Money & Finance

• Euro to INR exchanged at arrival or via ATM

• Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard widely accepted)

• Emergency cash in Euros & INR

• Notify your bank of international travel

🎭 Culture & Etiquette Tips (What NOT to Forget)

• Dress modestly, especially in rural or religious areas

• Remove shoes before entering homes/temples

• Don’t point feet at people or religious items

• Use right hand for eating/giving

• Avoid public displays of affection

🌏 Bonus Tips for French Travelers

• Register your trip on Ariane (France Diplomatie) platform

• Learn basic Hindi greetings (Namaste, Dhanyavaad)

• Carry a physical map or offline Google Maps

• Always have tissues and sanitizer handy!

🧠 Final Thought

Packing smart for India means blending practicality with cultural respect. Whether you’re heading to the Taj Mahal, Kerala’s backwaters, or the Himalayas, this checklist will help you travel with confidence and comfort.