India Travel Guide
October–March is the main season for most of the country. April–June is very hot and the monsoon runs roughly June–September.
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India at a glance
Best time to visit India
October–March is the main season for most of the country. April–June is very hot and the monsoon runs roughly June–September.
Peak: Late December–early January, Diwali (Oct/Nov) and Holi — flights and trains fill weeks ahead.
Shoulder season: October and February–March: warm, dry, and less crowded than the Christmas window.
Visa and entry
e-Visa required for most nationalities; apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in at least 4 days in advance.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change frequently. Always confirm with an official embassy or consulate source before booking.
Money and tipping
India uses the INR (₹).
Common in tourist areas. 10% at restaurants; 50–100 INR per bag for porters; auto-rickshaw fares rounded up.
Getting around
Delhi Metro fares are about ₹10–60 on a smart card. A Delhi Metro tourist card is ₹200 for 1 day or ₹500 for 3 days, plus a ₹50 refundable deposit.
When a pass pays off: The 1-day tourist card pays off above about 5 metro rides; otherwise a stored-value card skips the queue without the premium.
Local etiquette
Do
- Remove shoes before entering temples and most homes; cover your head at Sikh gurdwaras.
- Use your right hand for eating and for passing things.
- Carry small notes — change is often genuinely unavailable.
Avoid
- Don't drink tap water or take ice from unknown sources.
- Don't show public affection in conservative areas.
- Don't photograph military sites, airports or border areas.
Common scams and tourist traps
- “Your hotel is closed / has burned down” from an arrival driver — call the hotel yourself and insist on the booked address.
- Meters that are “broken” outside prepaid taxi counters; use the official prepaid desk, Ola or Uber.
- Government-emporium and gem “export deal” shops that pay driver commission — buy only where you'd independently choose to.
Health
Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for India, with malaria prophylaxis and dengue precautions worth discussing for rural or lower-altitude itineraries. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
When locals eat
Meal windows shift by country, and eating on the local clock is the difference between a full restaurant and a closed kitchen.
| Meal | Early riser | Typical | Night owl |
|---|---|---|---|
| breakfast | 7:30 AM | 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM |
| lunch | 12:30 PM | 1:30 PM | 2:30 PM |
| dinner | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM |
Useful Hindi and English (link languages; 22 scheduled languages) phrases
English is widely used in cities, business and signage. Hindi dominates the north but not the south, where regional languages plus English are used.
- Hello
- नमस्ते (Namaste)(na-mas-tay)
- Thank you
- धन्यवाद (Dhanyavaad)(dhun-ya-vaad)
- Excuse me
- माफ़ कीजिए (Maaf kijiye)(maaf kee-jee-ay)
- How much is this?
- कितने का है? (Kitne ka hai?)(kit-nay ka hai)
Staying connected
eSIM providers that cover India: Airalo, Holafly. Buying an eSIM before you fly avoids airport queues and roaming charges.
India travel FAQ
- When is the best time to visit India?
- October–March is the main season for most of the country. April–June is very hot and the monsoon runs roughly June–September.
- Do I need a visa to visit India?
- e-Visa required for most nationalities; apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in at least 4 days in advance. Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — confirm with an official consulate or embassy source before booking.
- Do you tip in India?
- Common in tourist areas. 10% at restaurants; 50–100 INR per bag for porters; auto-rickshaw fares rounded up.
- What currency is used in India?
- India uses the INR (₹).
- What power plug and voltage does India use?
- India uses Type C and Type D and Type M sockets at 230V / 50 Hz. Check your device's rated input before traveling; most modern laptop and phone chargers handle both 110V and 220V.
- What is the emergency number in India?
- In India, call 100 (police) / 108 (ambulance) / 101 (fire).
- What time zone is India in?
- India is in the Asia/Kolkata time zone (UTC+05:30).
- What language is spoken in India?
- The main language is Hindi and English (link languages; 22 scheduled languages). English is widely used in cities, business and signage. Hindi dominates the north but not the south, where regional languages plus English are used.
- Is public transport worth buying a pass for in India?
- Delhi Metro fares are about ₹10–60 on a smart card. A Delhi Metro tourist card is ₹200 for 1 day or ₹500 for 3 days, plus a ₹50 refundable deposit. The 1-day tourist card pays off above about 5 metro rides; otherwise a stored-value card skips the queue without the premium.
- What health precautions should I take in India?
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for India, with malaria prophylaxis and dengue precautions worth discussing for rural or lower-altitude itineraries. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
Plan a India trip around how you actually travel
Travaio builds a day-by-day plan from your travel style, matches each stop against Google Maps for hours where a match exists, and accounts for local meal times.
Plan my India tripThis guide is general travel information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Visa, health, and safety requirements change — verify anything time-sensitive with an official source before you travel.