Loading...
Explore itineraries grouped by geographic area
Planning a trip to India? Here you'll find our 2 day-by-day itineraries (Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur), Rajasthan, Varanasi and the Ganges, Kerala, South India, Mumbai and Goa), plus all the practical info to organise your journey: currency, visa, e-SIM, health, plugs and useful numbers.
The climate is tropical, with pre-monsoon heat that can reach 48 degrees. The monsoon brings heavy rain from June to September (with flooding and disruption). The best period for almost the whole country is October to March, with pleasant temperatures. In winter, though, New Delhi suffers from very severe air pollution: an anti-smog mask is useful.
Updated: June 2026
You need a passport with at least 6 months' validity and 2 blank pages. A visa is MANDATORY: for tourism you apply for the e-Visa online (official site indianvisaonline.gov.in, at least 4 days ahead; it allows entry only by air, from the main airports). In addition, before arrival, the e-Arrival Card must be filled in online (within the 72 hours before). A return ticket and sufficient funds are also required. Entering without a valid visa is a serious offence.
The currency is the Indian rupee (INR), which is NOT convertible outside India and may not be exported: change or spend it all before leaving. Cards are accepted in city hotels, restaurants and shops, and ATMs are widespread, but you always need cash for markets, tips, rickshaws and small purchases. India remains very cheap.
The official languages are Hindi and English (23 languages are spoken in all). English is very widespread in tourism, hotels, transport and the cities: communicating is generally easy. Learning a few words and a smile open many doors in a hospitable country.
No mandatory vaccines (yellow fever only if arriving from a risk country, not from Europe). However, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tetanus-diphtheria and antimalarials (for long rural stays in the monsoon) are recommended - to discuss with your doctor. Dengue, malaria and chikungunya are endemic (south and east, monsoon season). Health insurance with repatriation is essential: public healthcare is poor, but the big cities have excellent private hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, Max).
Tap water is NOT drinkable: drink only sealed bottled water, no ice, avoid raw vegetables and fruit you can't peel, and eat food well cooked and served hot (even in big hotels). Traveller's tummy ('Delhi belly') is very common: bring probiotics and basic medicines. Indian cuisine is among the richest in the world, and a paradise for vegetarians.
A travel eSIM (e.g. Airalo) is the most convenient way to have internet and maps straight away. Local SIMs (Airtel, Jio, Vi) cost very little but require a passport, a photo and activation time. Roaming from Europe is expensive. Note: in Kashmir local prepaid SIMs do not work and the network is limited.
Power is 230V / 50Hz, with type C, D and M sockets (type D is the large three-round-pin plug typical of India). Standard European plugs (type C) fit many sockets, but a universal adapter is strongly recommended to be sure you can charge anywhere.
India has a single time zone for the whole country: UTC+5:30. There is no daylight saving time, so the offset from Europe shifts by an hour between summer and winter.
Two bans many ignore that can cost you arrest: in India it is FORBIDDEN to bring, use or sell e-cigarettes and vaping products (a fine and up to a year in prison); and it is FORBIDDEN to bring in or use satellite phones and satellite/GPS devices (confiscation, penalties and arrest - foreigners have been put on trial). Leave both at home.
💡 Sort the visa first: online tourist e-Visa (at least 4 days ahead, air entry only) PLUS the e-Arrival Card within 72 hours, with a passport valid 6 months and 2 blank pages. Drink only bottled water (never ice), use a car with driver rather than driving yourself, and do NOT bring an e-cigarette or satellite phone: they are banned in India. Best time to go: October to March.
