India (Hindi: भारत Bhārat), the largest country in South Asia, has many of the world's highest mountains, most populated cities, and longest rivers. As one of the great civilisations of the ancient world, once revered as 'the golden bird', India's heritage and culture are a rich amalgam of the past and present. This vast rapidly developing country, the most populous in the world, offers the traveller a view of fascinating religions and ethnic groups, a smorgasbord of languages, diverse food, and architectural masterpieces that were built millennia ago and remain intact today. As the nation opens up to a globalised world, India still has a depth of history and intensity of culture that awe and fascinate the many who visit there.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about India.
Cards and cash
RuPay debit and credit cards are also available, but require an Indian bank account.
Tipping
In India there has traditionally been little or no tipping, and today tipping is unusual outside of fancier restaurants where up to 10% is appropriate.
English, Hindi, Tamil
Although based largely on British English, Indian English has acquired a unique flavour with a strong accent, unique vocabulary and even a distinct numbering system, making it tricky for other English dialects to…
Since providers are state-specific, you need to activate roaming, so you can stay connected with the same provider if being in a different state than from where you got the SIM card.
Mobile networks
Tap water is normally not safe for drinking.
For medical emergency, dial the general helpline at 112, or the medical helpline at 102 or 108. You can also go (or be taken to) the emergency department of the nearest hospital.
Most Indians follow the naming convention of a given name and then family name.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital of India and the heart of Northern India
the beautiful garden city, once the sleepy home of pensioners, now transformed into a hub for high-technology companies and sprouting pubs.
the main port in Southern India, cultural centre, automobile capital of India
known for pearl and diamond trading, and for the classic Indian rice dish biryani, now with major manufacturing and financial institutions
the Pink City, a major exhibit of the Hindu Rajput culture of medieval India
the cultural capital of India, known as the City of Joy, and home to numerous colonial buildings
the financial capital of India, the city that never sleeps, home of "Bollywood", the Hindi film industry
capital of Himachal Pradesh, perched high on the Himalayas, more than 2 km above sea level
the main temple complex, which includes the Mahabodhi temple, is the place where the Buddha Sakyamuni attained enlightenment
spectacular rock-cut cave monasteries and temples, holy places for the Buddhists, Jains and Hindus
Sikh holy site in Amritsar
the awesome ruins of the empire of Vijayanagara
temple complexes famed for their erotic sculptures
Sun Temple, a unique example of Kalingan architecture, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site
a spectacular Hindu temple in Madurai
the incomparable marble tomb in Agra, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World
Places in India on the World Heritage List.
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Mountainous and beautiful, a tourist destination for the adventurous and the spiritual. This region contains some of India's most visited hill stations and religious places.
The plains, India's breadbasket, are watered by the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and their tributaries. The region also features the country's capital New Delhi, Agra of Taj Mahal fame, and the holy cities of Mathura, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Bodh Gaya and Amritsar. Many of the events that shaped India's history took place in this region.
Home to the vast Thar Desert; the colourful palaces, forts and cities of Rajasthan; the country's most vibrant city and financial capital, Mumbai; the mesmerising rock-cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora in Maharashtra; pristine forests; the wonderful beaches of Goa; the only wild Asiatic lions; and the rapidly developing cities of Ahmedabad, Surat, Jaipur and Pune.
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
Breathtaking and vibrant, a landlocked region that offers everything from rolling hills, dramatic waterfalls and abundant wildlife, to classical architecture, tribal heritage and modern steel industry. Home to the Vindhya and Satpura mountains; the Chitrakote Falls; the prehistoric Bhimbetka caves; the erotic sculptures of Khajuraho; and the Bhilai-Durg industrial area.
Economically less developed, but culturally rich and perhaps the most welcoming to outsiders. Features Kolkata, once the capital of British India, and the temple cities of Puri, Bhubaneswar and Konark. The region stretches from the mountains to the coast, resulting in fascinating variations in climate. It is also the mineral storehouse of India, having the country's largest and richest mines.
Insular and relatively virgin, this is the country's tribal corner, with lush, beautiful landscapes, endemic flora and fauna of the Indo-Malayan group and famed tea gardens. Consists of seven states popularly known as the "Seven Sisters". The world's oldest polo ground, the world's only floating national park, the world's only women-run market and the world's tallest topiary plant can be seen in Manipur. The state of Meghalaya is depicted as the "Scotland of India" because of its mesmerising environment.
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura
Features famous and historical temples, tropical forests, backwaters, beaches, hill stations, and the big cities of Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad. The city of Mysore is renowned for its palaces, especially the Mysore Palace. The island groups of Andaman and Nicobar on the east and Lakshadweep on the west, included in this region for convenience, are far from the mainland, have their unique characteristics, are known for beautiful beaches and are off-the-beaten-path tourist getaways.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, Telangana
Public transport and paid services in India.
By train
India boasts one of the biggest rail networks in the world, and the rail system is very efficient, if rarely on schedule.
By bus
While you cannot take a bus journey across India, buses are the second most-popular way of travelling across states and the only cheap way of reaching many places not on the broad-gauge rail network,…
By metro
Metro services are available in most major cities, relatively safe and well policed, with CCTV cameras on trains and stations, and well-trained staff.
By boat
There are ferries that link the mainland to offshore islands, for example the Andaman Islands from Chennai, Lakshadweep from Kochi, Elephanta from South Mumbai, and the Sagar Island from Kakdwip.
By plane
India's large size and uncertain roads make flying a viable option, especially as prices have tumbled in the last few years.S and China.
By taxi
Regular metered taxis are common and can usually be hailed on the street.
By auto-rickshaw
Auto-rickshaws or autos are the most common means of hired transport in India.
By cycle rickshaw
Cycle rickshaws are the non-motorised counterpart of auto-rickshaws where two people sit on an elevated seat at the back and a person pedals from the front.
By hired car
Other than taxi service, it's quite easy and common to rent a car with a driver in India. If you travel in summer, it is recommended to take a car with air-conditioning.
By car
Unlike parts of Asia, India drives on the left — at least most of the time.
By motorcycle
Some people argue that the best way to experience India is on a motorbike; riding a motorbike to travel across India will get you a closer look and feel of the country along with all the smells and…
By scooter
A scooter in India is similar to a motorcycle but with an underbone or step-through frame, a seat and a platform for the rider's feet.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in India.
Finding apps for India…
Other ways to travel:AddressesInner Line PermitBy thumb
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
New Delhi · International · DEL
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in New Delhi
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 21° | 26° | 32° | 39° | 43° | 42° | 37° | 34° | 33° | 32° | 28° | 23° |
| Avg. low | 6° | 9° | 15° | 22° | 27° | 30° | 28° | 26° | 23° | 18° | 13° | 8° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 16 | 22 | 18 | 15 | 33 | 80 | 217 | 203 | 121 | 13 | 4 | 8 |
| Humidity | 44% | 41% | 33% | 24% | 23% | 36% | 63% | 75% | 69% | 51% | 43% | 42% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$30
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$75
Per person, per day
Luxury
$195
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $15 | $45 | $115 |
| Food and drink | $5 | $15 | $30 |
| Local transport | $5 | $5 | $15 |
| Activities | $5 | $10 | $35 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin India due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Violent crime and terrorism occur in India. Rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crimes, including sexual assault, happen at tourist sites and other locations. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target: Tourist locations Transportation hubs Markets and shopping malls Government facilities The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in rural areas. These areas stretch from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal. Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in India must obtain special authorization to travel to these areas.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel India-Pakistan border area FCDO advises against all travel within 10km of the India-Pakistan border. The Wagah-Attari border crossing is closed except for the daily border retreat ceremony. Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir FCDO advises against all travel to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (including Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, the city of Srinagar and the Jammu-Srinagar national highway), except for: travel by air to and from the city of Jammu travel within the city of Jammu Manipur FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the state of Manipur including the capital, Imphal. Curfews and restrictions continue in parts of Manipur following ongoing ethnic violence since May 2023. Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel to these regions. Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel: check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator review your travel insurance policy for coverage monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts If you have been impacted by travel…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in India.
InspirationThe premier first-time India travel guide covering Delhi monuments, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Jaipur royal forts, sacred Varanasi, and Kerala backwaters.
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Travel tipsRealistic 10-day India travel budget breakdown covering hotels, trains, private drivers, food, and monument tickets across budget and mid-range tiers.
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Travel tipsEssential guide to visiting the Taj Mahal in Agra, including sunrise entry advice, seasonal weather considerations, ticket queues, and photography spots.
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Travel tipsWhat a comfortable day really costs in Vietnam, northern Thailand, Nepal, Colombia and India, with private rooms, good food and local transport.
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Travel tipsThe rail network of India is the third largest in the world, and the rail system is efficient, if not always on schedule.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyAs the birthplace of several world religions, South Asia, also known as the Indian Subcontinent, is home to countless sacred and holy sites.
Wikivoyage
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