Southeast Asia packing list for 2-4 weeks

Two to four weeks in Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines or Indonesia look different on paper, but the bag is mostly the same: it's hot, it's humid, it rains hard and briefly, and you'll walk more than you planned. This is what goes in every time.

Tick things off as you pack. Nothing is saved.

Documents and money

Passport, valid for at least six months after arrival. The Philippines also want to see an onward or return ticket
Arrival forms, done online before the flight. Both are free and both open 72 hours before arrival: eTravel for the Philippines and the Thailand Digital Arrival Card. Don't pay a third-party site for either
Printed and offline copies of your passport, bookings and travel insurance
A Mastercard and a Visa card. If one network fails at a terminal, the other usually works. Keep them in different places
Some euros or US dollars in cash as a reserve

Clothes

Light linen and thin fabrics. We pack a few pairs of trousers and several shirts that mix; linen dries fast and stays cooler than synthetics in the humid heat
One long-sleeved shirt for sun, mosquitoes and freezing air-conditioned buses
Shorts, and clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temples and churches
Two swimsuits, so one can dry
Underwear and socks for about a week; laundry services are cheap almost everywhere
A thin rain jacket or a packable poncho

Shoes

Comfortable trainers or walking shoes
Waterproof sandals or water shoes
Flip-flops for hostels, beaches and boat transfers

Health

Personal medication in the original packaging, with a copy of the prescription
Mosquito repellent with DEET or icaridin
High-SPF sunscreen; it's expensive in many tourist spots
Plasters, blister pads, disinfectant and painkillers
Oral rehydration salts and something for an upset stomach
Talk to a travel clinic or your doctor about vaccinations six to eight weeks before you go

Tech

A universal travel adapter. Plugs change from country to country: US-style flat pins in the Philippines (at 220 volts, so check older chargers), mixed sockets in Thailand, mostly round European pins in Vietnam and Indonesia, British three-pin in Malaysia and Singapore
Power bank, in hand luggage only. Thai Airways, AirAsia, Singapore Airlines, Scoot and other Asian airlines no longer let you use or charge it during the flight
A local eSIM for each country. In the Philippines we use Globe
Offline maps, downloaded before you land

Small things that matter

Dry bag
Reusable water bottle with a filter
Packing cubes
A light scarf or sarong: temple cover, beach towel and blanket on a cold night bus
Earplugs and an eye mask

Sources

Rules change. We checked these on October 11, 2026; confirm the details that matter for your trip before you fly.