What to Pack for Surat. Clothes, Accessories, Essentials

Season-Specific Clothing

Winter (Oct-Feb): Light cotton clothing for the daytime. Pack a light sweater, cardigan, or jacket for evenings and early mornings. Summer (Mar-Jun): Lightweight, fabrics that breathe like cotton or linen. Opt for light colors.

Monsoon Essentials Jul-Sep

Quick-drying synthetic materials are a good choice.
Pack a Light rain jacket or a robust Umbrella.
Waterproof footwear also makes sense.

Cultural Dress and Activity Attire

Modest attire is appreciated in Surat, especially when visiting religious sites. Loose-fitting clothing is culturally appropriate and comfortable.

Guidelines for Clothing

For Female travelers: Conservative attire ensuring shoulders and knees are covered. Avoid revealing outfits.
For Men: Trousers or long shorts and shirts are suitable.
Religious Sites: Remove footwear. Women find a Scarf useful for head covering.

Footwear Recommendations

Comfortable Walking Shoes

Essential for exploring markets, historical sites, and urban streets. Ensure good support.

Find walking shoes

Slip-on Shoes/Sandals

Bring for convenience. You will remove footwear frequently at shrines, homes, or shops.

Shop sandals

Waterproof Shoes

Protect your feet from rain and puddles during the wet season.

Explore waterproof footwear

Essential Documents

Travel Papers

Keep your travel documents organized and accessible. Carry hard copies and electronic copies of important papers.

Passport (original) and a printed copy of your e-Visa ETA.
Travel insurance policy information and emergency contacts.
International Driving Permit (IDP) with your home country license, if renting a vehicle.
Vaccination records and doctor's prescription for medications.

Printed and digital copies of all reservations (flights, hotels, tours).
Emergency contact information for families, embassy/consulate, and hotel.
Student/Senior/Press IDs for potential discounts.
Store digital copies on your phone or in cloud storage.

Technology & Electronics

Power & Connectivity

Stay connected and powered up with the right electronics plus extras.

Essentials

India uses Type C, D, and M power sockets (230V, 50Hz). Bring a Universal travel adapter.
Most international phones are GSM compatible. Purchase local SIM cards (Jio, Airtel) on arrival or use an ESIM from Airalo.
Portable chargers are crucial for devices while exploring; power failures might occur.

Photography & Digital Security

Document your experiences and protect your digital footprint.

Gear and Protection

Pack your standard camera gear. Be aware of photography restrictions at certain sites. A Portable tripod can be useful. Consider retailers like B&H Photo.
Utilize NordVPN or ExpressVPN for secure connections, especially on public Wi-Fi.
Back up photos and documents to cloud storage or an External hard drive.

Recommended Apps for Travel

Navigation & Ride-sharing

Google Maps for directions. Ola (popular in Gujarat) and Uber for a ride-sharing.

Accommodation & Food

Booking.com, Agoda, MakeMyTrip for hotels. Zomato, Swiggy for food delivery.

Translation & Payments

Google Translate (downloadable packs for Gujarati/Hindi). UPI apps are common but typically need an Indian bank account.

Health & Wellness Items

Personal First Aid & Medications

A well-stocked Personal first aid kit and necessary toiletries back your comfort and well-being. Keep all medications in their original packaging.

Kit Contents & Prescriptions

Include Band-Aids, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers (Ibuprofen), and Anti-diarrhea medication.
Bring a sufficient supply of any medications you are prescribed with a doctor's prescription and letter.
Pack over-the-counter remedies for cold/flu, motion sickness, and antacids.

Protection & Hygiene

Safeguard yourself from insects and sun, and maintain personal cleanliness.

Repellent, Sun & Water

A Strong insect repellent (DEET/Picaridin) is advised.
High SPF sunscreen, Sunglasses, and a Wide-brimmed hat for powerful sun protection.
Water purification tablets or a Portable water filter bottle serve as a backup.

Specialized Health Considerations

Altitude/Motion Sickness

Surat is flat, so altitude sickness is not a concern.
Motion sickness remedies are useful for day excursions with winding roads.
Pack motion sickness pills if you typically experience it.

Personal Hygiene Essentials

Bring specific brands of toiletries you prefer.
A small bottle of Hand sanitizer is always practical.
Most standard items are available locally.

Activity-Specific Equipment

Hiking & Trekking

Surat itself does not provide comprehensive hiking. If your itinerary includes day trips to areas with such activities, pack accordingly.

Comfy shoes for walking walking tours.
Light trekking gear if visiting nearby hills.
Layered clothing for varying temperatures.
Adventure Medical Kits for any excursions.

Water Activities

Open-access shores in Surat are not typically for swimming. Swimwear is acceptable at hotel pools.

Swimwear for hotel pools.
Quick-drying towels.
Sun hat and sun protection.
Goggles if you plan to swim.

Photography Trips

For capturing the culture plus vistas.

Camera supplies and extra batteries.
Memory cards.
Portable tripod for stability.
Weatherproof a bag for your camera for monsoon.

Rent vs. Bring Decision

Bring Personal Items

Specific camera supplies and medical equipment.
Items that fit your specific comfort needs.
Specialized adventure or sports gear you frequently use.
Preferred toiletries if local brands are not suitable.

Rent or Purchase Locally

Umbrellas during monsoon.
Extra layers of clothing if unexpected cool weather.
Basic flip-flops or sandals.
Some non-prescription medications.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Comfort & Security Items

These further things your comfort, security, and convenience during your trip.

Travel Aids & Safeguards

A Neck pillow, Eye mask, and Earplugs greatly enhance comfort on long journeys.
A Small padlock for luggage and a Money belt keep valuables secure.
Consider an RFID-blocking wallet for credit cards. Check Pacsafe for anti-theft bags.
No items are specifically unique to Surat beyond general Indian travel must-haves.

Sustainable & Locally Difficult Items

Minimize your environmental effect and ensure you have what you need.

Reusable & Specific Items

Carry a Reusable water bottle to lessen plastic waste.
A Reusable shopping bag is useful for market visits. Some travelers bring Reusable utensils.
Items difficult to purchase locally: specific international brands of toiletries, specialized hiking gear, certain prescription medications.
If you rely on these, bring an ample supply.

Sustainable Travel Items

Reusable Water Bottle

Reduces plastic waste; refill with filtered water.

Reusable Shopping Bag

Useful for market visits and avoiding single-use plastics.

Reusable Utensils

Minimizes disposable cutlery waste during street food excursions.

Solar Charger

Sustainable way to keep small electronics powered up.

Destination-Specific Items General

Climate-Responsive Gear

Sunscreen and wide-sun hats for intense sun.
Light jacket or shawl for cooler evenings, especially in winter.
Rain gear (jacket/umbrella) during monsoon season.

Cultural & Practical Items

Language guide or translation app for Gujarati/Hindi.
Small denominations of INR for local markets.
Insect repellent for evenings and outdoor activities.

Packing Pro Tips

Roll your clothing to save space and prevent wrinkles. Use packing cubes to organize items and maximize luggage capacity.

Place heavier items at the bottom of your suitcase. Keep an extra change of clothes and essential toiletries in your carry-on bag.

What to Pack for Surat