Loading…
What to know before your first trip to India: entry requirements, when to go, where to stay, how to get around, how much things cost, and cultural basics that will make you a more welcome guest.
Red Fort, India Gate, Humayun's Tomb, Chandni Chowk street food
Most international flights land here. The natural starting point for the Golden Triangle.
Taj Mahal at sunrise, Agra Fort, Mehtab Bagh viewpoint
A fast train from Delhi takes around 2 hours. Most first-timers visit as a day trip or overnight stop.
Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, bazaars for textiles and jewellery
The "Pink City" completes the classic Golden Triangle with Delhi and Agra.
Beaches, Portuguese-era churches and forts, nightlife, laid-back cafés
Best November–February. North Goa is livelier, South Goa quieter and more upscale.
Ganges ghats, sunrise boat rides, evening Ganga Aarti ceremony
One of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities — an intense, memorable experience.
Houseboat cruises on the backwaters, Kochi's old town, Munnar tea plantations
Known as "God's Own Country." Best September–March; avoid the monsoon (June–August).
Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Bollywood energy, street food tours
India's financial and entertainment capital. A good add-on before an international flight home.
🏨 Dorm or budget guesthouse
🍜 Street food, local thalis
🚌 Sleeper trains, buses, shared autos
🏨 3-star hotel, boutique guesthouse
🍜 Mix of local and tourist-facing restaurants
🚌 AC trains, Ola/Uber, some domestic flights
🏨 Heritage hotel, resort, 4–5 star property
🍜 Upscale dining, hotel restaurants
🚌 Private drivers, domestic flights
Budget figures are approximate and vary by destination — Goa and Mumbai run higher than smaller cities for most categories.
Dress modestly at religious sites
Cover shoulders and knees at temples, mosques, and gurdwaras. Some require a head covering, and shoes always come off before entering.
Greet with "Namaste"
Press palms together at chest height with a slight bow or nod. Widely appreciated, especially outside the big cities.
Use your right hand
The left hand is traditionally considered unclean for eating, giving, or receiving items — use your right hand, or both hands together.
Bargaining is normal
Expected at markets, bazaars, and with autorickshaws that lack a working meter. Not expected in malls, restaurants with printed menus, or fixed-price shops. Stay friendly when negotiating.
Public displays of affection
Holding hands is generally fine. Kissing or overt affection in public is frowned upon, especially in smaller towns and near religious sites.
Ask before photographing
Always ask before photographing people, and check signage at shrines and ceremonies — some forbid photos entirely.
Food and water safety
Stick to bottled or filtered water, avoid ice from unknown sources, and choose busy stalls with high turnover when trying street food.
India eSIM — data from day one
Buy before you board. Activates automatically when you land in India. From $4.50 for 1 GB / 7 days.
Travel insurance for India
Medical, trip cancellation, and adventure sports covered. Plans from $1.5/day.
Airport transfer — fixed price
Pre-book your airport transfer in India. Driver waits for you at arrivals even if your flight is late.
Yes — nearly all foreign nationals need a visa to enter India. The simplest route for tourism is the e-Visa, applied for online in advance and typically processed within a few business days. It covers most Western nationalities plus dozens of others, with options for 30-day, 1-year, or 5-year validity. Apply only through the official Indian government e-Visa portal — plenty of look-alike third-party sites charge extra fees, so double-check the URL before paying.
October to March is the classic season across most of the country: cooler, drier, and comfortable for sightseeing, including the Golden Triangle (Delhi–Agra–Jaipur) and Rajasthan. April to June gets very hot across the plains, especially in the north and centre. The monsoon runs roughly June to September across much of the country, with heavy rain on the west coast (Goa, Kerala) — though Kerala's backwaters are lush and green during this time. Hill stations like Manali, Shimla, and Darjeeling are at their best in summer, when the plains are too hot to enjoy.
India is generally safe and welcomes huge numbers of solo travellers every year, including solo women. Sensible precautions help: use app-based cabs (Ola, Uber) rather than unmarked taxis, agree on an autorickshaw fare before the ride or insist on the meter, avoid walking alone late at night in unfamiliar areas, and be wary of unsolicited "guides" or overly persistent offers of help near major sights. Petty scams around big attractions do happen, but serious crime against tourists is rare.
Domestic flights are fastest for long distances (Delhi–Goa or Delhi–Kochi, around 2.5–3 hours). Trains are the classic way to travel, ranging from basic sleeper class to air-conditioned 2AC/3AC coaches and premium Vande Bharat or Rajdhani services — book through IRCTC or a booking app well in advance, especially in peak season. Within cities, app-based cabs (Ola, Uber) cover most major metros, and autorickshaws ("autos") are everywhere — insist on the meter or agree a fare upfront.
No — tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in India, even in nice hotels. Stick to sealed bottled water (check the seal is intact) or water that has been boiled or passed through a filter/UV purifier. Most hotels provide a kettle or a filtered water dispenser. Avoid ice from unknown sources, and be cautious with raw salads or fruit at street stalls that may have been rinsed in tap water.
The Indian Rupee (INR, ₹). UPI-based digital payments and cards are widely accepted in cities, malls, and mid-range-to-upscale restaurants, but many street vendors, small shops, autorickshaws, and rural areas are cash-only — carry some rupees at all times. ATMs are common in cities and usually charge a foreign-transaction fee (often ₹200–300 per withdrawal) on top of your home bank's fee; a fee-free travel card such as Wise or Revolut can cut costs. Let your bank know your travel dates in advance to avoid a blocked card.
Next steps: browse India tours, eSIM guide, things to do in Agra, elephant sanctuary guide, and get a personalised itinerary.