Everything you need before you go.

Most non-Indian nationals need a visa to enter India. The e-Visa portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in) is the fastest route — tourist, business, medical and conference categories are typically approved in 3–5 business days.

e-Tourist visas are available for 60+ nationalities and are valid for 30 days, 1 year or 5 years with multiple entries. Print your ETA and carry it — airline check-in staff will ask for it. On arrival you receive a biometrics scan and a stamped physical visa sticker at any of the 29 designated airports.

Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders do not need a visa — carry the OCI card + your foreign passport together. Passport must have at least 6 months validity and 2 blank pages.

The Indian Rupee (₹, INR) is a partial-convertibility currency — you cannot legally take rupees in or out. Change money at the airport arrivals hall (Thomas Cook, Centrum, bank counters) for a fair rate, or use a Visa/Mastercard debit card at any ATM.

UPI (Unified Payments Interface) has swallowed cash in India. Small shops, autos, chaiwalas — everyone uses QR codes via Paytm, PhonePe or Google Pay. Foreign visitors can now use UPI too via international UPI apps or a domestic mobile eSIM linked to a temporary account.

Credit cards work at hotels, restaurants and larger stores; smaller merchants may add 2–3% surcharge. Cash of ₹200 and ₹500 notes is still handy for markets, small dhabas and tips.

Buy an Airtel, Jio or Vi tourist SIM at the airport arrivals hall (all majors have kiosks) — you need your passport, visa, one photo and about ₹500–1000 for a 28-day plan with 1.5–2 GB/day + calls.

eSIM options from Airalo, Nomad or Holafly are available from your home country and activate instantly on landing — typically pricier per GB but no queue.

Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafes and airports. Book a VPN app before you land — some content is geo-restricted.

India is one of the great food destinations of the world. Eat fresh, hot, cooked food at busy places — turnover matters more than fanciness. Follow the golden rule: cooked / peeled / bottled.

Never drink tap water. Buy sealed bottled water (₹20–40 per litre), check the seal is unbroken, or refill from a hotel filter. Ice cubes at nice restaurants are usually made from filtered water, but ask.

Vegetarian food is everywhere — restaurants signpost "Pure Veg" with a green dot vs "Non-Veg" with a red/brown dot. Halal restaurants are common in Muslim-majority neighbourhoods. Jain, gluten-free and vegan options are increasingly available in cities.

Domestic flights on IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, Akasa and SpiceJet connect every major city typically for ₹3,000–10,000 booked 2–3 weeks out. Airport ride-shares (Uber, Ola) work at all major airports.

Indian Railways is the great cultural experience — book AC 2-tier or AC 3-tier via irctc.co.in (registration required) or through a partner like ConfirmTkt/MakeMyTrip. Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Vande Bharat trains are fast and reliable.

For local transport: metros in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi and Jaipur are excellent and cheap. Autorickshaws and Uber/Ola cover the rest. Never take an "unmetered" airport taxi.

For itineraries of 3–10 days across multiple cities, a private car + driver is the most stress-free option (₹3,500–7,000/day inclusive) — book through your hotel or a travel operator.

India is more culturally conservative than many Western countries in terms of clothing. In cities and beach areas, most casual clothes are fine. At temples, mosques, gurdwaras and churches, cover shoulders and knees. Some Hindu temples require you to remove leather items.

Bring a light scarf/shawl (“dupatta”): useful for sun, temple covering and modesty when needed. Comfortable sandals that slip off easily save time — you’ll remove your shoes many times.

Use your right hand for eating, giving and receiving — the left is traditionally considered unclean. When entering a home, remove your shoes. Public displays of affection are unusual outside metros.

Consult your travel doctor 6–8 weeks before travel. Recommended vaccinations typically include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Japanese Encephalitis (rural/monsoon travellers). Yellow Fever certificate is required if arriving from a Yellow-Fever country.

Anti-malarials may be recommended for certain regions and seasons; check with your doctor. Carry a small kit with ORS sachets, Imodium, paracetamol, antihistamines and any personal prescriptions in original packaging with copies.

Travel insurance covering medical evacuation is strongly recommended. Private hospitals in major cities are excellent — Apollo, Fortis and Max networks have international-standard care.

India is broadly safe for tourists but common-sense precautions apply. Keep photocopies of your passport and visa in your bag and cloud. Register with your embassy on arrival if you’re staying more than 2 weeks.

Women travellers: pre-book airport transfers, use women’s coaches on Delhi/Mumbai metros, stick to well-lit areas after dark. Solo women’s trips to Kerala, Rajasthan and Himachal are increasingly popular — join a small-group tour if you want extra confidence.

Scams are usually mild but common at tourist hotspots: "free" temple guides, closed hotel scams, taxi meter tricks. Say "no thanks" firmly and walk away.

Universal emergency: 112 (police, ambulance and fire from one number)

Tourist helpline (multilingual, 24/7): 1363

Women’s safety helpline: 1091

Ambulance: 108 or 102 (state variations)