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 travelling; 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, with verified places, real opening hours, and local meal times already accounted for.
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.