What you decide to pack and wear in India will depend on where you are and what time of year it is. The weather across India usually follows the monsoon cycle, so it’s quite easy to plan what to pack when it comes to rain, but temperatures will vary quite a bit from the north to the south. It's equally important to consider the type of clothing that is appropriate to wear in India, as it's not the type of place where you can rock up and stroll around in a bikini or short shorts. Although dress code standards have changed quite a bit in the past few years, there are still several best practices to follow to help you get the most out of your time in this incredible country.
Here's our guide on what to wear and pack when you visit India.
How should I dress when travelling in India?
All personal opinions and fashion preferences aside, the reality is that the clothing you wear in India will affect the way you're perceived by locals. India is still a male-dominated, and mostly conservative, society with an equally conservative dress code in most parts of the country. Below are some handy tips:
- Cover your shoulders, cleavage and thighs
- Avoid wearing thin spaghetti strap tops, mini-skirts or shorts, and tight clothing – tight jeans are fine, as long as you wear a long, loose top or shirt over them
- Only wear swimwear at the beach – and perhaps consider wearing a loose t-shirt over your swimwear when you're in a smaller, more remote destination
- Opt for loose-fitting shirts, t-shirts, long dresses, knee-level or below-knee shorts, pants and skirts
- Clothing made from linen or a linen blend is great to wear in hot weather
- Suss your surroundings and dress in a similar way – generally, touristy or modern cities like Mumbai are more liberal and relaxed when it comes to clothing than smaller towns and villages or holy places like Varanasi
- If in doubt, always err on the side of modest when choosing your outfits – many travellers dress like a local and buy a few pairs of harem pants or tunics to wear not just while they're here, but also at home.
What to wear in India in winter
In the lower-altitude towns of the Himalayas, like Darjeeling (2402 m/6699 ft), the winter temperatures can drop below freezing and may experience snow. Be sure to pack thermal underwear and clothes that can be layered – a warm fleece, windbreaker, gloves and a beanie are all great ideas, as is a down jacket.
Further south, in places like New Delhi and Varanasi, light clothes should suffice during the day with a warm jumper or jacket for the cooler evenings when the temperature drops. The same applies for Kolkata.
On the southern coast, around Mumbai and Goa, it’ll still be very warm in the winter so pack light clothes with a light jumper for any cooler evenings. It’s also worth bringing an umbrella or light raincoat if travelling to the south-eastern coast as the rain can last well into December.
What to wear in India in summer
In the summertime, and in the shoulder seasons for that matter, it’s going to be hot everywhere except in the higher altitudes of the Himalayas. In Darjeeling, you’ll need light clothes with a rain jacket and jumper, but if you’re travelling higher it’s best to pack warm clothes or a down jacket as well as a beanie, gloves and scarf.
In all low-altitude regions you’ll need loose, lightweight clothing with a raincoat or umbrella. Some parts of India carry the risk of malaria so long pants and long-sleeved shirts, as well as a bottle of insect repellent, are useful to have for dusk and dawn when those pesky mosquitos are out and about.
Click here to return to India FAQs
Our tours in India
14 Days
From
3940
Take in north India’s fabled cities and encounter the exotic wildlife of Ranthambhore...
8 Days
From
852
Take an action-packed eight-day tour through the essential sights and bites of India’s...
15 Days
From
1701
Travel to India and visit the Rajasthan region. Tour from Delhi to Pushkar through...
10 Days
From
3470
Take a 10-day India Premium adventure with Intrepid through the country’s north,...
13 Days
From
3605
Join Intrepid on a Premium adventure to explore the beaches, bazaars and backwaters of...
Tailor-Made trips
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
15 Days
From
1707
Travel to India and Nepal on a tour from Delhi to Kathmandu. Visit the Taj Mahal of...
22 Days
From
7380
Join Intrepid on a Premium adventure to explore opulent places, holy Ganges, dense...
11 Days
From
752
Get the most out of 11 days in India on this trip exploring the best of Delhi, Varanasi...
15 Days
From
2817
See the best of Rajasthan on this 15-day tour. Behold the delights of Agra, Jaipur,...
22 Days
From
1114
See the essentials of India’s north on a 22-day trip through Delhi, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur,...
10 Days
From
1440
Take an action-packed family tour of India, following tiger trails, visiting Delhi and...
15 Days
From
3025
Relish the sights and flavours of Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai and Goa on this...
13 Days
From
1598
Travel to India and visit Delhi, Shimla, Mandi, Dharamsala, Rishikesh and Amritsar on...
15 Days
From
1739
Explore the tropical and spiritual southern India. Ride the toy train in Ooty, relax in...
15 Days
From
1212
Discover India in all its glory on this 15-day spice-filled adventure from Delhi...
16 Days
From
1373
See the landscapes of South India on a 16-day adventure from Varkala to Goa via Kerala...
11 Days
From
917
Join us for a jaunt around north India, with rickshaws in Delhi, spirituality in...
13 Days
From
1335
Explore India and Nepal with other folks aged 18-29 on this 13-day adventure including...
9 Days
From
2335
Explore ancient temples and colourful cities on this 9-day northern India adventure...
15 Days
From
1040
Get on the road from Kathmandu to Delhi on a trip from Nepal to India, through Pokhara,...
16 Days
From
1045
Get an authentic slice of the real Rajasthan on a trip that takes you to Delhi,...
19 Days
From
2814
Spend 19 days touring India and Nepal, departing from Delhi and visiting Jaipur, Agra,...
13 Days
From
2755
Explore the backroads of India’s south on this 13-day tour. Travel from Chennai to...
37 Days
From
2460
Discover the colours and cultures of India on this trip visiting Delhi, Rajasthan's...
15 Days
From
2347
Travel to India and cycle the romantic Rajasthan region. Tour from Delhi to Pushkar and...
11 Days
From
1415
Discover northern India on this tour through Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Nimaj,...
10 Days
From
1735
Your whole family will love this incredible sensory adventure into the diverse life of...
29 Days
From
3494
This 29-day tour traverses India from south to north, winding from Kochi to Delhi and...
20 Days
From
2130
From the deserts of Rajasthan to the holiest river around, India will blow you away....
21 Days
From
5350
Get a cultural insight into India’s north and south, travelling through Delhi, Agra,...
12 Days
From
1735
Join an all-women group and female leader on an inspiring 12-day Women’s Expedition...
20 Days
From
1774
Spend time in Kathmandu and Pokhara and then see where Buddha did his thing. Get active...
19 Days
From
2628
Visit India and tour the famous Golden Triangle of Dehli, Agra, and Jaipur, delve into...
3 Days
From
425
Visit India and travel from Delhi to Agra. Travel to the Taj Mahal and Agra’s Red Fort,...
16 Days
From
3700
Discover the beauty of India’s most remote area on a 16-day Expedition that visits...
4 Days
From
378
Lift your spirits as you float on the Ganges at dawn in Varanasi, and explore the city...
18 Days
From
6735
Explore Northern India and Sri Lanka on this 18-day Premium adventure
