What to Pack for Chennai (& South India)
Chennai is hot, humid and deeply traditional — which makes packing pretty simple once you know the four things that actually matter: staying cool, staying charged, staying healthy, and dressing respectfully at temples. Here's the first-timer's list, with honest notes on what's worth bringing from home versus buying there.
1. Power & staying charged
India runs on 230 volts with mainly Type D and Type C round-pin sockets, so US and UK plugs won't fit. Most phone and laptop chargers already handle 230V (check the label — “100–240V” means you're fine), so you usually need an adapter, not a voltage converter.
- Universal travel adapter. One adapter that covers India plus your onward stops. Get one with USB and USB-C ports so it charges several devices at once. Find on Amazon →
- Power bank. Long temple days, day trips and hours in transit drain a phone fast — and your phone is your map, cab app and camera. A 10,000–20,000 mAh bank covers a full day. Find on Amazon →
Data on arrival is the other half of this — see our SIM & internet guide for setting up an eSIM before you land.
2. Clothing for heat — and for temples
Pack light, loose, breathable cotton and linen. Chennai is warm to very hot year-round, so think airy layers, not heavy fabrics. The one cultural must-know: temples expect modest dress — shoulders and knees covered — and you'll remove your shoes before entering, so slip-on footwear saves fuss.
- Lightweight modest clothing. Loose cotton trousers, long skirts, and tops that cover the shoulders keep you cool and temple-ready. Find on Amazon →
- A scarf or shawl. The traveller's multitool: cover your head or shoulders at a temple, wrap up in fierce AC, or use it as a beach throw. Find on Amazon →
- Easy slip-on sandals. You'll take shoes off constantly at temples and homes — comfortable sandals you can slide on and off beat laced shoes every time. Find on Amazon →
- Sun hat & sunglasses. The midday sun is strong; a packable hat and UV sunglasses make sightseeing far more pleasant. Find on Amazon →
3. Health, hydration & bugs
Nothing here is medical advice — just the practical kit seasoned India travellers carry. Don't drink tap water; stick to sealed bottled or filtered water. Mosquitoes are active especially around dawn and dusk, so repellent earns its place in your bag.
- Insect repellent (DEET or picaridin). The single most useful health item for India — use it in the evenings and on any greenery or backwater trips. Find on Amazon →
- Reusable water bottle with filter. Cuts down on plastic and gives you safe water on the move — a filter bottle is reassuring for a long trip. Find on Amazon →
- Rehydration salts (ORS). The heat alone can leave you flat; oral rehydration sachets are cheap insurance and pack flat. Find on Amazon →
- Small first-aid & medicine kit. Your usual over-the-counter basics plus plasters, hand sanitiser and any personal prescriptions in their original packaging. Find on Amazon →
- High-SPF sunscreen. Easier and often cheaper to bring your preferred brand from home than to hunt for it locally. Find on Amazon →
4. Bags & handy extras
- Lightweight daypack. For water, sunscreen, a scarf and your camera on temple days and day trips to Mahabalipuram or Pondicherry. Find on Amazon →
- Packing cubes. They keep a hot-climate wardrobe of many light layers organised, and make living out of a bag on a multi-city trip painless. Find on Amazon →
- Quick-dry travel towel. Compact, dries fast in the humidity, and handy for beaches, guesthouses and long train journeys. Find on Amazon →
What you can leave at home
You don't need a voltage converter (your chargers handle 230V), heavy jackets, or a big first-aid pharmacy — India's chemists are excellent and cheap for anything you run out of. Toiletries, snacks and clothes are all easy and inexpensive to buy locally, so pack light and leave room for the silks, spices and crafts you'll want to bring home.