What to Pack for Bali: A Light, Carry-On Only List
What to pack for Bali in the dry and wet season, what to wear at temples, and the 7 kg cabin bag limit that catches many travelers flying around Asia.
Bali is warm all year, so packing is mostly about staying cool, dealing with rain showers and dressing right for temples. The real trap is the bag itself: many airlines in Asia and Australia allow only 7 kg in the cabin. Here's how to pack for Bali and stay under it.
Bali weather by month
Bali is hot and humid all year. Around Ubud, in the green hills, average highs stay close to 84°F (29°C) in every month. What changes is the rain. The wet season runs from about November to March, with around 12.5 in (317 mm) of rain in January. The drier months are May to September, with about 4.6 in (118 mm) in August.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 84°F (29°C) | 73°F (23°C) | 12.5 in (317 mm) |
| February | 84°F (29°C) | 73°F (23°C) | 12.6 in (319 mm) |
| March | 84°F (29°C) | 73°F (23°C) | 9.9 in (252 mm) |
| April | 84°F (29°C) | 73°F (23°C) | 7.1 in (180 mm) |
| May | 84°F (29°C) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in (99 mm) |
| June | 82°F (28°C) | 71°F (22°C) | 4.1 in (104 mm) |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 70°F (21°C) | 5.2 in (133 mm) |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 70°F (21°C) | 4.6 in (118 mm) |
| September | 82°F (28°C) | 70°F (21°C) | 4.1 in (104 mm) |
| October | 85°F (29°C) | 72°F (22°C) | 5.4 in (137 mm) |
| November | 85°F (29°C) | 73°F (23°C) | 9.8 in (249 mm) |
| December | 84°F (29°C) | 73°F (23°C) | 12.9 in (328 mm) |
Monthly averages near Ubud, Bali, from Open-Meteo historical weather API (ERA5 reanalysis), 2015-2024. Model averages: real weather varies by town and height.
What that means for packing:
- Dry season (May to September): sunny and a bit less humid. Light clothes, swimwear and sun protection.
- Wet season (November to March): short, heavy downpours, often in the afternoon. Add a light rain jacket and quick-dry clothes. Leave anything that takes days to dry at home.
- The beach is warmer than the hills. Ubud evenings can feel fresh, so bring one long-sleeved layer.
The carry-on packing list
For 7 to 10 days, aiming to stay under 7 kg:
Clothes
- 5 to 6 light tops in cotton or linen
- 2 pairs of shorts
- 1 pair of light, loose trousers (useful for temples and for mosquitoes at night)
- 1 dress or shirt for a nice dinner
- 1 thin long-sleeved layer
- 2 swimsuits
- 1 sarong. It works as a beach towel, a cover-up and temple wear.
- Underwear (laundry is cheap and easy to find in Bali)
Shoes
- Flip-flops or sandals for every day
- Light sneakers or trail shoes if you plan to hike, such as a sunrise walk up Mount Batur
Health and sun
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen and after-sun
- A small first-aid kit with plasters and stomach medicine
- Liquids in your carry-on must be 100 ml (3.4 oz) or less each, so buy big bottles of sunscreen there
Gear
- Quick-dry towel
- Light rain jacket or poncho in the wet season
- Dry bag for boat trips to the Nusa islands
- Phone power bank and a plug adapter for Indonesia (type C / F)
What to wear at temples
Bali's temples ask visitors to cover their legs with a sarong and wear a sash around the waist. Many big temples lend or rent them at the entrance, but having your own sarong saves time. Cover your shoulders too.
- Uluwatu Temple: on a cliff above the ocean. Watch your sunglasses and phone: the monkeys here are famous for grabbing them.
- Tanah Lot: a temple on a rock in the sea. Paths can be wet, so wear sandals with grip.
- Tegallalang rice terraces: steep, muddy paths after rain. Sneakers or sandals with straps, not flip-flops.
Will your bag fit the flight?
This is where many Bali trips go wrong. Lots of people fly in through Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Australia, and many airlines on those routes allow only 7 kg (15 lb) in the cabin, including Singapore Airlines, AirAsia, Jetstar and Qantas on its standard rules. A normal carry-on can weigh 3 kg empty, which leaves only 4 kg for your things.
- Use a light bag. Soft bags and backpacks often weigh half as much as hard cases.
- Wear your heaviest shoes and layers on the plane.
- A bag of **55 x 36 x 23 cm (21.7 x 14.2 x 9.1 in)** fits every Asian airline we track.
Check your bag against all airlines with the bag size checker, or see the Asia carry-on rules and weight limits by airline.
Quick tips
- Pack half of what you think you need. You'll wear swimwear and one outfit most days.
- Use the laundry services. They're everywhere and inexpensive.
- Bring a small dry bag. Rain and boat rides come without warning.
