India

Most visitors need a visa before they travel to India — you generally cannot simply arrive without one. India runs an official online e-Visa system covering many nationalities; the most relevant type for tourists is the tourist e-Visa, applied for online before departure (generally at least about four days ahead). The single official portal is indianvisaonline.gov.in.

Visa rules depend entirely on your nationality — eligibility, fees, permitted stay, and whether you need a regular consular visa instead of an e-Visa all vary. Verify the requirements for your specific passport with India's official immigration sources before booking flights. Your passport should be valid at least six months beyond arrival with two blank pages.

Two cautions: many unofficial third-party sites mimic the official portal and charge inflated fees — apply only through indianvisaonline.gov.in. And recent rules require arriving travellers to complete an online e-Arrival Card shortly before departure, separate from the visa — confirm the current requirement on the official portal.

The currency is the Indian rupee (₹). India is increasingly cashless, but keep a small cash buffer. International cards (Visa, Mastercard) work well at hotels, airports and larger restaurants but not at smaller shops and rural vendors. ATMs are widely available in cities and towns; withdraw from machines attached to major banks.

The dominant payment method is UPI — a mobile QR-code system used everywhere. Tourists can now use it via UPI One World, a prepaid wallet activated with your passport and visa and topped up with a card. Still, carry a few thousand rupees in cash for rural areas, small purchases and tips.

Tipping is customary and known as 'baksheesh' — appreciated but rarely mandatory. Rough norms: restaurants 5–10% (check first, as many add a service charge); hotel porters ₹50–100 per bag; a full-day driver ₹100–300; a tour guide ₹200–500.

The traditional greeting is 'namaste' — palms pressed together at chest height with a slight bow — respectful in any setting and a welcome alternative to a handshake, particularly with women and older people. A few local words go a long way; Hindi and English are widely understood, but India has dozens of major languages.

Remove your shoes before entering homes, temples, mosques and many shops. The right hand is used for eating and for giving and receiving items; the left is traditionally considered unclean. Dress modestly — covering shoulders and knees is a sensible default and reduces unwanted attention — and religious sites have stricter dress codes, so carry a scarf.

Ask before photographing people, religious ceremonies, or military and government sites; avoid public displays of affection; and show particular respect at religious sites and around cows, which are sacred to many Hindus. A calm, friendly demeanour goes a long way.

India's major international gateways include Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Domestic flights are cheap, plentiful and the fastest way to cover the country's long distances.

The railway network is vast and a wonderful way to see the country. Trains have multiple classes — from private AC First Class compartments down to budget Sleeper Class — and you book through IRCTC, the official portal, well in advance for popular routes.

Within cities, several have modern metro systems (Delhi's is extensive and tourist-friendly). Auto-rickshaws and taxis are everywhere — agree the fare first or insist on the meter. For predictable pricing, use ride-hailing apps Ola and Uber, which offer fixed fares and GPS tracking and remove the haggling.

A local SIM gives the cheapest data, but getting one as a foreigner can be bureaucratic — you'll need your passport, visa, a photo and a local address, plus a verification step that can take hours to a couple of days. Airtel generally has the smoothest process for tourists and a presence at international airport arrivals.

To skip the paperwork, a travel eSIM is the easiest route if your phone supports it — international providers run on India's networks but are bought online before you travel and activate in minutes, with no local verification.

Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés and airports, though speed varies. International roaming from your home carrier works but is usually expensive — for most travellers an eSIM, or an Airtel tourist SIM plus hotel Wi-Fi, covers everything.

India is broadly safe for most tourists, and millions visit each year without serious problems, but stay alert. Government advisories place India at an 'exercise increased caution'-style level overall, with higher-level warnings for specific regions — notably Jammu and Kashmir, areas near the India–Pakistan border, and Manipur — so check your government's current advisory and avoid flagged areas. Common issues are petty crime and scams: pickpocketing, taxi and rickshaw overcharging, and 'helpful' strangers steering you to particular shops.

Food and water safety is the single most important health issue. Do not drink tap water — stick to sealed bottled water and avoid ice unless you know it's safe. Traveller's diarrhoea ('Delhi belly') is very common — eat freshly cooked, hot food from busy, reputable places, and be cautious with raw salads and peeled fruit. See a travel-health clinic or doctor four to six weeks before you go to discuss vaccinations and mosquito-borne illness — this guide cannot replace medical advice.

The all-in-one emergency number is 112. Pharmacies are widespread, but bring a supply of any prescription medication with a copy of the prescription. Private hospitals in major cities offer good care but expect upfront payment — comprehensive travel insurance covering medical treatment and evacuation is essential. Solo women travellers should take extra precautions: dress modestly, avoid isolated areas and travel after dark, and use women-only train carriages and queues where available.

Power: India uses 230V at 50Hz, with socket types C, D and M (round pins). Bring a universal adapter; most modern chargers are dual-voltage. Power cuts can occur, so keep devices charged.

Languages: India has no single national language. Hindi is the most widely spoken, and English is very widely used in tourism, business, signage and transport — you can get by comfortably with English in most traveller-facing situations.

Best time to visit: the most comfortable season is the cool, dry window of roughly October to March. April to June brings extreme heat across the plains, and the southwest monsoon (roughly June to September) brings heavy rain. India is huge with varied climates — check conditions for your specific regions.

Time zone: all of India uses a single time zone — India Standard Time (UTC+5:30). The half-hour offset is easy to miscalculate; India does not observe daylight saving.