Southern Asia
Southern AsiaIndiaTravel guide
- Delhi
- Bengaluru
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Jaipur
- Kolkata
India is a large South Asian country with many languages, religions and regional foods. Travellers can explore busy cities, old buildings, mountains, deserts, forests and coasts.
Why go
Explore busy cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Varanasi.
See the Kashmir Valley and the Himalayan mountains.
Discover Rajasthan's desert landscapes.
Visit Goa's coast or travel through Kerala's backwaters.
Try regional foods that change greatly across the country.
Getting there
By air
- Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru are major international entry points. Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and Ahmedabad also have many long-distance international flights.
- Connections through Middle Eastern airports may help reduce ticket costs. Check the airline's rules for baggage and date changes before buying.
- Carry your flight ticket or boarding pass and identification. Identification is needed to enter airport terminals.
By land
- Overland entry options are limited to routes through Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and China's Lipulekh pass.
- The listed crossings between India and Pakistan are closed indefinitely. It is no longer possible to travel overland from Istanbul to New Delhi.
- Nepal Railways runs trains between Khajuri in Nepal and Jainagar in Bihar. There are no onward rail connections into Nepal.
By sea
- The Nagapattinam–Kankesanthurai ferry links Tamil Nadu with northern Sri Lanka. It usually runs several times a week and takes about four hours.
- Seasonal cruise ships call at ports including Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, Cochin, New Mangalore and Visakhapatnam.
Customs
- All foreign nationals, including Overseas Citizenship of India cardholders, must complete the digital e-Arrival Card within the 72 hours before arrival. Show the confirmation QR code at immigration.
- Customs allowances differ by citizenship, origin and entry route. Check the Central Board of Excise and Customs website for the allowance that applies to you.
- Carry invoices for new packaged items to show their value.
Getting around
Train
Trains are generally cheaper than domestic flights and let you see the countryside. Leave extra time because many services run late. An overnight sleeper can save the cost of a hotel, though crowded routes may make sleep difficult. More expensive trains generally offer reserved seats or beds and air conditioning. Cheaper trains may have crowded, unreserved compartments. Ask railway police for help if needed. Watch for pickpockets on local trains and at stations.
Bus
Public buses reach many places beyond the rail network. Ask local people which bus goes towards your destination. Ordinary buses are cheap but can be very crowded. More expensive express buses offer assured seating when booked ahead. Large bus stations have toilets, but most buses do not. Better buses make occasional food and toilet stops. Night buses are especially hazardous. For long journeys, the source recommends sleeper trains.
Domestic flight
Flights serve offshore islands and remote mountain states as well as major cities. Leave time for long check-in and security queues. Winter fog around Delhi can disrupt flights across the country. Mountain flights, especially to Leh, can also be unreliable.
Car, taxi or auto-rickshaw
India drives on the left. Driving requires a local licence or an International Driving Permit. City traffic can be chaotic and dangerous. Roads outside expressways and newer routes may have potholes. Ask your hotel or a local person what a journey should cost. Agree on the fare before entering a taxi. Call ahead for directions and ask for nearby landmarks. Maps and road signs can be inaccurate.
What to see and do
Kashmir Valley
The valley is one of India's natural highlights, with Himalayan scenery around Dal Lake in Srinagar.
Rajasthan
The landscape becomes desert in the west, offering a very different setting from India's coasts and mountains.
Goa's coast
Goa is known for its rugged coast and has beach-hut accommodation in cheaper areas.
Kangchenjunga
This mountain is among the natural wonders highlighted in the source.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai
Built from 1878 to 1887 as Victoria Terminus, this railway station is a notable example of architecture combining British and Indian styles.
Chandni Chowk, Delhi
Old Delhi's main market is highlighted for jewellery shopping.
Food and drink
Northern flatbreads and gravy dishes
Try roti, chapati, paratha, naan or puri with gravy dishes. Break off bread and dip it into the gravy.
Southern rice meals
Rice may come with sambhar, a thick vegetable and lentil dish, or rasam, a thin peppery soup. Meals may be served on banana leaves.
Kerala and Udupi food
Kerala cooking often uses grated coconut and coconut oil. Udupi is especially known for vegetarian food.
Eastern rice and fish dishes
Eastern Indian cooking makes heavy use of rice and fish.
Indian Chinese food
Try dishes such as chilli chicken or veg manchurian, which consists of fried vegetable balls in a chilli, soy and ginger sauce.
Momo dumplings
Tibetan and Nepali dumplings are found in northern India.
Money
Indian rupee (₹; currency code INR)
- Prices may use ₹, Rs or a form such as 500/-, which means 500 rupees.
- Carry ₹10–20 notes and ₹5–10 coins. Small sellers often cannot change a ₹500 note.
- Some sellers refuse ₹1 and ₹2 coins. Bus conductors and official places can be useful for getting change.
- Reject torn or taped notes and check that notes are valid. Old yellow ₹500 notes and red ₹1000 notes cannot be exchanged.
Tipping: Tipping is unusual outside fancier restaurants, where up to 10% is appropriate. Some restaurants add a service charge of up to 15%, so check the bill.
Typical costs
- A careful budget traveller may manage on about ₹800 a day. Costs vary greatly by place and comfort level.
- Street meals can start at ₹30, and samosas can cost ₹10–20 each. A restaurant meal may cost around ₹100–200.
- Hostel beds are generally ₹300–500, with cheaper options also mentioned in the source.
- Budget hotels and guest houses can cost around ₹300–500. A double room in a popular destination may cost around ₹1,000.
- Mid-range rooms can cost ₹1,000–4,000 per night.
- Overnight buses and trains can cost ₹600–1,000, depending on the route.
- Bus fares can be around ₹1 per kilometre in the plains and ₹2–2.30 per kilometre in mountainous areas.
- Using taxis, better hotels and expensive restaurants can raise daily spending to ₹4,500–10,000 per person.
Language
- Hindi and English are official languages used for communication across language groups.
- English is widely used in cities, higher education and business. It may be limited outside cities.
- Hindi is common across northern and central India but less common in southern and northeastern India.
- Southern languages include Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu.
- Other regional languages include Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Assamese and Odia.
- Indian Sign Language is used by deaf and hard-of-hearing people, with regional variations.
- Out of station
- Out of town.
- Preponed
- Moved to an earlier date or time.
- Doubt
- A question.
- Dickey
- A car's boot or trunk.
- Cent percent
- 100 percent.
- Baksheesh
- Depending on the situation, this can mean a donation, gift, tip, bribe, alms or commission.
Staying safe
- Emergency112
- Emergency108
- Police100
- Fire department101
- Emergency medical services102
- Train or air accident helpline1011
- Leave plenty of extra time before journeys with a fixed deadline, especially your flight home.
- Watch your belongings in crowded railway stations and local trains, where pickpockets may operate.
- Road traffic can be dangerous, and night buses are especially hazardous. Consider a sleeper train for long journeys.
- Do not drink and drive. Penalties can include a fine, imprisonment and licence suspension.
Local customs
Do
- Try learning some of the local language, especially for longer stays. People appreciate the effort.
- Remember that language, food and customs differ greatly between regions.
- Use spoken replies as well as head movements to understand someone. A tilting head movement can mean that the person understands you.
Don't
- Do not assume everyone speaks Hindi or English.
- Do not assume a head movement always has the same meaning. A sideways movement can be interpreted differently in Tamil Nadu.
- Do not assume that experience in one region explains the whole country.
Staying healthy
- Summer heat can be extreme, with lowland temperatures above 50°C in May. Heat waves and hot, dry winds can be dangerous.
- Delhi and Kolkata can experience dangerous winter smog.
- Monsoon rain can be very heavy, especially in northeastern India. Coastal states can experience destructive cyclones between May and November.
- The Himalayas remain cold even in summer, and snow can fall almost year-round.
Phone and internet
- Most airports do not offer SIM card options, according to the source.
- Some airports, including Delhi, offer Wi-Fi access using a passport scan. Most airports do not offer Wi-Fi, according to the source.
- Bed and breakfast accommodation commonly includes free Wi-Fi.
- You can use Google Maps and WhatsApp to ask accommodation providers about prices before arriving.
Where to stay
- Choose accommodation for safety and cleanliness. Local hotel quality varies widely.
- You can walk into hotels and ask prices where there are plenty of options. Foreign visitors may need to bargain, and some hotels do not accept foreigners even with a reservation.
- Bring your passport and valid visa or Overseas Citizenship of India document. Most hotels require these before renting a room.
- Hostels often have clean beds and shared rooms, but noise can disturb sleep. Many have their own restaurant.
Trips to India
Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.
Outdoor adventures in India
India offers Himalayan treks, forest hikes, wildlife watching and adventures along its coasts and islands. You can explore coral reefs, paddle through Kerala’s backwaters or try rafting and paragliding near Manali and Kullu. Check adventure operators carefully before booking.
Valley of Flowers Trek
TrekUttarakhand
Summer to autumn is the main Himalayan trekking season.Follow the Valley of Flowers trek in Uttarakhand.
- Mountain temperatures stay cool even in summer. Snow can fall nearly year-round.
Markha Valley Trek
TrekLadakh
Summer to autumn is the main Himalayan trekking season.Follow the Markha Valley trek in Ladakh.
- Ask your embassy or seek local advice before travelling to Ladakh.
- Ladakh is cold, dry and exposed to wind.
Chadar Trek
TrekLadakh
Follow the Chadar trek in Ladakh.
- Ask your embassy or seek local advice before travelling to Ladakh.
- Ladakh is cold, dry and exposed to wind.
Goecha La Trek
TrekSikkim
Summer to autumn is the main Himalayan trekking season.Follow the Goecha La Trek in Sikkim.
- Mountain temperatures stay cool even in summer. Snow can fall nearly year-round.
Roopkund Trek
TrekUttarakhand
Summer to autumn is the main Himalayan trekking season.Follow the Roopkund trek in Uttarakhand.
- Mountain temperatures stay cool even in summer. Snow can fall nearly year-round.
Ranthambhore Tiger Watching
Wildlife
Visit Ranthambhore National Park to look for wild Bengal tigers.
Bandhavgarh Tiger Watching
Wildlife
Visit Bandhavgarh National Park to look for wild Bengal tigers.
Kaziranga Rhino Watching
WildlifeNorth-Eastern India
Visit Kaziranga National Park to watch one-horned rhinos.
- Ask your embassy or seek local advice before travelling to North-Eastern India.
Gir Forest Lion Watching
WildlifeGujarat
Visit Gir Forest National Park to look for wild Asiatic lions.
Sundarbans Wildlife Watching
Wildlife
Visit Sundarbans National Park to look for Bengal tigers and crocodiles.
Andaman Islands Snorkelling
SnorkellingAndaman Islands
Snorkel in the shallow waters around the Andaman Islands to see coral reefs and tropical fish.
- Coastal areas can experience cyclones between May and November.
Lakshadweep Snorkelling
SnorkellingLakshadweep
Snorkel in shallow water around Lakshadweep to see coral reefs and tropical fish.
- Coastal areas can experience cyclones between May and November.
Netrani Island Snorkelling
SnorkellingWest coast
Snorkel in shallow water around Netrani Island, off India's west coast.
- Coastal areas can experience cyclones between May and November.
Manali–Kullu White-Water Rafting
RaftingHimachal Pradeshnear Manali and Kullu
Arrange a rafting trip with an operator along the road between Manali and Kullu.
- Check the company's reviews and licences before booking.
- Only take part if you fully trust the operator.
Manali–Kullu Paragliding
ParaglidingHimachal Pradeshnear Manali and Kullu
Arrange a flight with a paragliding operator along the road between Manali and Kullu.
- Check the company's reviews and licences before booking.
- Tandem paragliding means flying with an instructor. Poor operator standards can make it dangerous.
Kerala Backwaters Canoe Trips
More to doKerala
Take a canoe trip through Kerala's backwaters.
Munnar Hill Hikes
HikeKeralanear Munnar
Walk in the tea-covered hills around Munnar.
Western Ghats Forest Hikes
HikeWestern Ghats
Explore hiking trails in the forests of the Western Ghats.
Meghalaya Mountain Hikes
HikeMeghalaya
Explore hiking trails in Meghalaya's mountains.
- Ask your embassy or seek local advice before travelling to North-Eastern India.
- North-Eastern India receives very heavy rain during the monsoon.
Tadoba Tiger Watching
Wildlife
Visit Tadoba National Park to look for wild Bengal tigers.
Keibul Lamjao Wildlife Watching
WildlifeManipur
Visit Keibul Lamjao National Park on Loktak Lake to look for sangai deer.
- Ask your embassy or seek local advice before travelling to North-Eastern India.
Marina Beach
BeacheCentral Chennainear Chennai
Visit Marina Beach in Central Chennai.
- Coastal areas can experience cyclones between May and November.
Bengaluru Bicycle Tours
CyclingBengaluru and surroundingsnear Bengaluru
Join a bicycle tour organised by The Art of Bicycle Trips in or around Bengaluru.
Deccan Rock Climbing
ClimbingDeccan
Go rock climbing in the Deccan.
Goa Dolphin Watching
WildlifeGoa
Join a dolphin-watching tour operating from Goa's coast.
- Coastal areas can experience cyclones between May and November.
Airports, metros and trains in India
Airports with scheduled flights
- VTZAlluri Sitarama Raju International Airport (Vizag)VisakhapatnamMain international airport
- IXBBagdogra AirportSiliguriMain international airport
- BBIBiju Patnaik International AirportBhubaneswarMain international airport
- IMFBir Tikendrajit International AirportImphalMain international airport
- CCJCalicut International AirportCalicutMain international airport
- LKOChaudhary Charan Singh International AirportLucknowMain international airport
Metro and subway
- AgraAgra Metro6 stations5.2 kmsince 2024
- AhmedabadAhmedabad Metro53 stations68.23 kmsince 2019
- BengaluruNamma Metro83 stations96.1 kmsince 2011
- BhopalBhopal Metro8 stations6.22 kmsince 2025
- ChennaiChennai Metro51 stations68.74 kmsince 2015
- DelhiDelhi Metro243 stations375.94 kmsince 2002
- GurgaonGurugram Metro11 stations12.854 kmsince 2013
- HyderabadHyderabad Metro57 stations69.2 kmsince 2017
- IndoreIndore Metro16 stations17 kmsince 2025
- JaipurJaipur Metro11 stations11.979 kmsince 2015
- KanpurKanpur Metro14 stations16 kmsince 2021
- KochiKochi Metro25 stations28.125 kmsince 2017
- KolkataKolkata Metro55 stations73.12 kmsince 1984
- LucknowLucknow Metro21 stations22.878 kmsince 2017
- MumbaiMumbai Metro77 stations91.36 kmsince 2014
- MeerutMeerut Metro12 stations23.6 kmsince 2026
- NagpurNagpur Metro37 stations38.215 kmsince 2019
- Navi MumbaiNavi Mumbai Metro11 stations11.1 kmsince 2023
- NoidaNoida Metro21 stations29.168 kmsince 2019
- PatnaPatna Metro5 stations6.2 kmsince 2025
- PunePune Metro44 stations56.3 kmsince 2022
Trains
- Rail network
- 70,271 km
- Electrified
- 70,002 km
People and safety in India
Religion
Most people are Hindu. Mostly one faith.
- Hindu80%
- Muslim14%
- Christian2%
- Other1%
- Buddhist<1%
LGBT+ travellers
Legal
- Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
- Legal gender change is recognised.
- Some laws protect against discrimination.
Women travellers
Ranked #131 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.
68% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.
Who can visit without a visa
Travellers from 6 of 198 countries can visit India easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Visa not required1
- Freedom of movement2
- Visa on arrival3
- eVisa162
- Visa required30
Who can visit easily, by part of the world
For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Asia6 of 49 countries
- Africa0 of 54 countries
- Europe0 of 46 countries
- Americas0 of 35 countries
- Oceania0 of 14 countries
Questions
Can I find a room without booking online?
Yes, where there are plenty of places to stay, you can walk around and ask prices. Bring your passport and entry documents, and check that the hotel accepts foreign guests.
How much should I budget each day?
A careful budget traveller may manage on about ₹800 a day. Taxis, better hotels and expensive restaurants can raise spending to ₹4,500–10,000 per person.
What is a good way to travel long distances?
Trains are generally cheaper than domestic flights, and a sleeper train can save a hotel night. Leave extra time for delays.
Will people understand English?
English is widely used in cities but may be limited outside them. Learning some local words is useful.
Is all Indian food very hot?
No, chilli levels vary greatly between regions and dishes. Ask for less chilli and try unfamiliar foods gradually.
Do I need to tip?
Tipping is unusual outside fancier restaurants, where up to 10% is appropriate. Check whether a service charge has already been added.
Should I bargain when shopping?
Bargain with street sellers, but not in department stores. Check the printed Maximum Retail Price on packaged goods.
What time zone does India use?
India uses Indian Standard Time all year, five and a half hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. Phone settings may call it Asia/Kolkata.
What weather could affect my trip?
Summer can bring extreme heat, monsoon months bring heavy rain, and winter fog can delay flights. Mountain areas stay cold even in summer.
Will public holidays affect travel?
Government offices close on national holidays, and other closures vary by region and festival. Festivals can cause heavy traffic and transport delays.
Reviewed by @snuck