Plan your trip · Essential info
Everything worth knowing before you go — visas, money, getting around, staying safe and travelling respectfully.
India spans snow deserts and the tropics — the best month depends on where you are going.
October–March suits most of the plains, Rajasthan and the south. April–June is for the hills. The monsoon (June–September) is lovely in Kerala and the Western Ghats but brings landslides to the Himalaya. Check our monthly travel guide before booking.
Popular trains open 60 days in advance and sell out within minutes.
Use the official IRCTC site or app. For Diwali, Holi, Christmas and New Year, book hotels and flights 2–3 months ahead.
Rafting, trekking above 4,000 m and skiing are often excluded.
Read the exclusions and choose a policy that covers medical evacuation if you are going to Ladakh, Spiti or on a yatra.
Apply online at least 4 days before arrival on the official Indian visa website.
Tourist e-Visas allow entry through major airports and seaports. Beware of look-alike sites that charge extra.
Inner Line or Protected Area Permits are needed for parts of Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal and the Andamans.
Most can be applied for online or through your hotel or travel agent. Carry several printed copies.
Even small stalls accept UPI, but mountain areas and toll booths may not.
International visitors can use UPI One World wallets at major airports. ATMs are sparse in remote valleys.
Round up for drivers and guides; 5–10% in restaurants if service charge is not added.
For a full-day driver, ₹300–500 a day is customary at the end of the trip.
Auto-rickshaws and some taxis do not use meters.
Use app-based cabs in cities, or ask your hotel for the fair fare before you set off.
Sleeper and AC classes connect almost every corner of the country.
3AC is the sweet spot of comfort and price. Carry a light sheet and a padlock for your luggage.
Mountain roads need local experience — self-driving is not recommended for first-timers.
Union taxis operate fixed routes in Kashmir, Sikkim and parts of Himachal.
Low-cost carriers connect most state capitals.
Check baggage limits — they are usually 15 kg check-in on domestic economy fares.
Refill bottles at hotel RO filters to reduce plastic.
Avoid ice and raw salads from street vendors in your first few days.
Above 3,000 m, rest on the first day and climb slowly.
Headache, nausea and breathlessness are warning signs. Descend if symptoms worsen.
One number for police, fire and ambulance across India.
Tourist police and helplines operate in many states, including the 1363 tourist helpline.
Cover shoulders and knees; remove shoes before entering temples and gurdwaras.
Carry a scarf — it doubles as a head covering at gurdwaras and some mosques.
For eating, giving and receiving, the right hand is polite.
A namaste with palms together is a respectful greeting everywhere.
Most people are happy to be photographed — but ask first, and never at cremation ghats.
Photography is not allowed inside many temples and at some military areas.
Breathable, loose clothing with sleeves keeps the sun off in summer.
A hat, sunglasses and SPF 50 are essential from April to June.
Temperatures swing 15°C between day and night.
A thermal base, fleece and windproof jacket beat one heavy coat.
You need your passport, visa and a photo; activation takes a few hours.
Prepaid SIMs from other states do not work in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh — use postpaid there.
Coverage drops on mountain passes and in national parks.
Download your route in Google Maps or Organic Maps before you leave town.
Several hill states ban single-use plastic.
Himachal, Sikkim and Ladakh fine plastic use; refill stations are growing.
Alpine meadows recover slowly from damage.
Carry your waste back down and use established campsites.
Money spent locally keeps communities in the valleys.
Look for the Verified badge on businesses in our directory.
One email a month: where to go, festival dates, new packages and the best deals.
One email a month. Unsubscribe with one click. We never share your address.
