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One of the oldest civilisations in the world, India is a mosaic of multicultural experiences. With a rich heritage and myriad attractions, the country is among the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It covers an area of 32, 87,263 sq. km, extending from the snow-covered Himalayan heights to the tropical rain forests of the south. As the 7th largest country in the world, India stands apart from the rest of Asia, marked off as it is by mountains and the sea, which give the country a distinct geographical entity.

Fringed by the Great Himalayas in the north, it stretches southwards and at the Tropic of Cancer, tapers off into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. As you travel the expanse of the country, you are greeted by diverse nuances of cuisines, faiths, arts, crafts, music, nature, lands, tribes, history and adventure sports. India has a mesmeric conflation of the old and the new. As the bustling old bazaars rub shoulders with swanky shopping malls, and majestic monuments accompany luxurious heritage hotels, the quintessential traveller can get the best of both worlds. Head to the mountains, enjoy a beach retreat or cruise through the golden Thar, India has options galore for all.

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9 Things You Should Know Before You Go to India

When you need to use your visa, how to get around on public and private transportation and what to think about all that tantalizing street food.

By Lucas Peterson

India is one of the most vibrant, colorful, exciting places to visit in the world. The diversity of people, culture and cuisine make it a worthwhile destination for any traveler. Here are nine tips to ensure your next (or first) trip to India goes as smoothly as possible.

1. Print your visa. No, the other visa.

A double-entry tourist visa to India, with a four-month window to make your first entry, is fairly easy to obtain through a website run by the Indian government . However, when you receive the confirmation email that your visa has been approved, there’s some confusion as to what you actually need to print out and present to the authorities.

As it turns out, you aren’t actually emailed the document you’ll need to print out in order to enter the country — and to board the plane to India. At least 10 people on my flight to New Delhi were pulled out of line during boarding and hustled to a small side office at Newark Liberty International Airport to print out the proper Electronic Travel Authorization form needed to enter India. They had a printout of the email confirming their visa — that is not what you need.

I happened to have a printout of the proper document, but I found it purely by chance. When you’ve been approved, go back to the visa application site and click “visa status.” After entering your information, click “print status” at the bottom of the screen, and the proper form should start to download. It should have your photo and a bar code on it — if it doesn’t, it’s not the right document.

2. Take your credit cards

In general, you should make it a habit to take printouts of all itineraries, be they for flights or hotels. But also remember to take the credit card with which you purchased the reservation. For flights it’s particularly important — in the fine print on some airlines, you’ll notice that it’s actually a requirement. And while my credit card was not checked the majority of the time, on one occasion it was. Don’t find yourself in an awkward situation: Make sure you have it with you.

3. Stay in touch, but don’t overpay

If you’re going to spend more than a brief time in India, you should invest in a local SIM card. The AT&T Passport plan charges a flat fee of $60 for up to 30 days, and gets you a measly one gigabyte of data — you can also pay $120 for three gigabytes. And if you go over, prepare to fork over $50 per extra gigabyte of data.

Upon landing in India, I headed to the Airtel kiosk and paid 999 rupees for a local SIM card, including all taxes and fees (a little more than $14). The card, good for 84 days, included 1.4 gigabytes of data per day, 100 SMS , or text messages, per day and unlimited local calls. That’s just an incredible deal, and worth taking advantage of no matter how long your stay.

If you’re country-hopping, you might want a more flexible option. A data-only AIS travel SIM card came in handy when I hopped a flight to Sri Lanka and my Indian SIM card no longer worked. An AIS card provides four gigabytes of data over a period of eight consecutive days and claims to work in 18 different countries (I can only vouch for Sri Lanka and India, however).

4. Stay mobile, but exercise patience

You’ll get to know ride-share apps well in India — they’re convenient and inexpensive, and it beats having to bargain with drivers. Prepare to exercise a bit of patience, however. Uber and Ola Cabs , the two ride-share apps I used in India, worked well enough, generally speaking. But I found myself frequently having to cancel or reorder, as drivers frequently just didn’t show up or got stuck in horrendous traffic. If you’re on a tiny side street, consider walking to the nearest large thoroughfare — it will be easier to get a car.

Additionally, make sure the credit card you’re using to pay for your rides doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee. If you have a credit card attached to your Uber account that does charge a foreign transaction fee, you may find yourself paying extra when you use Uber overseas. The Citi Premier Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve are two examples of cards that do not impose foreign transaction fees.

Sometimes it’s quicker and more convenient, however, to take a tuk-tuk, or auto rickshaw. In that event, prepare to bargain. Also be aware that tuk-tuks can’t take you everywhere — when I hailed one to drop me at the airport in Delhi, it was an unpleasant surprise when the driver wouldn’t take me right to the terminal and I had to take a separate shuttle — tuk-tuks, he said, were not allowed to drop you off at the actual terminal.

5. Get change

I found exchange rates to be decent in airports, and one advantage of exchanging in person as opposed to an A.T.M. is that you can ask for small bills. You don’t want to be walking around with a fistful of purple 2,000 rupee notes. Whenever you can make change, do it. Fast food restaurants are particularly good for this. You’ll need small bills when you’re buying a cup of tea on the street, or taking a tuk-tuk ride — do not expect your driver to be able to make change.

6. Stay active

There are plenty of opportunities to attend movies, events and concerts in India. The website Book My Show is quite useful for this, and is widely used throughout the country — I booked a concert in Mumbai with no issues. For tours and guides when in a new city, I tried to book directly with a company whenever possible , but also used larger aggregator sites like Viator and Klook simply for the convenience.

There are also plenty of opportunities to find tour guides on the ground in a new city. In Mumbai, for example, there are quite a few on the street right outside the Gateway of India. A trusted home stay is also a fantastic way to get suggestions for things to do and places to go — I had a lot of luck with this when I rented a room through Airbnb during my stay in Kolkata.

7. Stay safe

I had no safety issues while traveling in India — I avoided conspicuously displaying money, didn’t walk around too late at night and generally used common sense. But I understand that the experience for female travelers, particularly women traveling alone, might be quite different. Much has been written on the topic, including this National Geographic piece by Neha Dara and this piece by Candace Rardon. I recommend reading personal accounts of women who have traveled to India, or speaking with friends who have gone, if possible, and then making your own assessment. Travel should be an adventure, but it shouldn’t make anyone feel unsafe or compromised.

8. Let’s make a deal

Haggling is an art form. And while some people truly don’t like doing it (I don’t particularly, either), it’s worth trying to get in the spirit of it, especially if you’re planning to do any shopping. In general, decide what the particular thing — a shirt, or a handbag — is worth to you. Set a mental ceiling on what you’re willing to pay. The first price the seller will throw at you, particularly if you’re visibly foreign, will likely be very high. Come back with half of that price, or possibly even less, depending on the circumstances. The seller will dramatically dismiss your reply and come back with a slightly smaller number.

From there, it’s just a question of how much you want the item. Don’t focus on getting to the absolute lowest price a vendor will go — if it’s between paying 500 or 600 rupees for something, don’t make a federal case over that last 100 rupees, which is less than two dollars, and possibly lose the sale. Remember: Objectively, you’re still probably getting a good deal, and that money likely means more to them than it does to you.

9. To eat or not to eat?

I am an unabashed proponent of street food. I love the flavors, the environment and the fact that it is, by its nature, quite frugal. But street food obviously has potential risks. When I traveled to China earlier this year , some street dumplings gave me some major stomach issues. In India, I had better luck — and that’s what it is, really: luck. If you eat enough street food, you’re going to get sick. It’s just a matter of time. For me, the payoff is worth the risk. And if it’s something you’re going to try, there are ways to reduce the chances you’ll get sick.

First, don’t drink the water. This sounds obvious, but it extends to other activities: Be careful when brushing your teeth with tap water (use bottled if possible) or opening your mouth while showering. I also avoid buying drinks with ice on the street — while the fruit juice you order might be perfectly safe, the ice may not.

I’ll pass on fresh produce, unless it’s something that can be peeled. Generally, I look for hot foods, and street stalls that have a lot of turnover. If they’re serving a lot of food, there’s a greater chance the food is fresh. And things like the wonderfully spiced, milky tea, which is kept at a rolling boil at the many street-side tea stands, are likely to be safer than raw items.

Follow NY Times Travel on Twitter , Instagram and Facebook . Get weekly updates from our Travel Dispatch newsletter, with tips on traveling smarter, destination coverage and photos from all over the world.

Lucas Peterson is the Frugal Traveler columnist. He has written for GQ, Lucky Peach, Eater, LA Weekly and Food Republic. His video series for Eater, "Dining on a Dime," is now in its 11th season. More about Lucas Peterson

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Your Essential Packing List

Suggested Packing List for India

What to Bring and What to Leave Behind

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India is a developing country with conservative dress standards. Therefore it's important that you take time to consider what to bring to India. Here are some suggestions for your packing list. If you'll be visiting India during the monsoon season , check out this special monsoon season packing list for India as well.

Read more about nine essential items to include on your India packing list.

The type of luggage best suited for travel to India really depends on your itinerary. If you only plan to visit major cities and don't intend to do much walking, a suitcase is fine. However, roads and pavements are often dirty and in poor condition. Also keep in mind that the lanes in some cities, such as Jodhpur and Varanasi, are so narrow that vehicles can't fit down them. Therefore, if you intend to travel a lot on foot and go off the beaten path, a backpack is better. For sightseeing during the day, it's a good idea to carry a daypack, or other sturdy bag that can't be easily opened or accessed by pickpockets. Make sure it's big enough to fit in all your essentials, including water.

Visitors often prefer to shop for clothes in India, as they like to adopt a more local way of dressing and clothes can be purchased very cheaply. Major cities such as Mumbai and Delhi are fast becoming very westernized though and you'll see people wearing jeans, t-shirts, and even short skirts. In smaller cities and villages, people still dress conservatively.

In general, the most important rule for both ladies and men is to keep your legs and shoulders covered. However, it's okay for women to show shoulders and for men to wear shorts in large cities and beach locations such as Goa. In nightclubs, western dress standards of jeans and a top (or dress) for girls, and jeans and a t-shirt or shirt for guys, apply.

For ladies, bring long skirts, long dresses, long pants, and jeans. Wearing an Indian top such as a kurta over jeans is an easy, fuss-free combination for travel. Unless you're heading to Goa or plan on hitting the clubs, leave items such as strapless tops, spaghetti strap tops, and crop tops behind. Yes, you will see Indian women's bellies on display when they're dressed in saris but that's traditional attire. It's very different. Avoid wearing tight tops and wear a scarf or shawl to cover your breasts.

For men, short-sleeved shirts are more respectful than t-shirts, although t-shirts are fine.

Does it really matter what you wear in India? If you don't follow conservative dress standards, it's likely that no one will say anything. It comes down to how much you want to be respected though. Indian men are much more likely to harass and photograph women who are not appropriately covered up, as they perceive them to be of loose or immoral character.

Footwear is another thing that can be bought very cheaply in India. Markets abound with shoes in all different colors and designs. You get what you pay for though, so make sure you bring a sturdy and comfortable pair of walking shoes, sneakers or sandals. If you intend to go out in the evenings, bring a pair of dress shoes as well. The rest you can easily get along the way.

Should you wear open or closed-toed shoes? It largely depends on personal preference. Some people favor closed-toed shoes because they don't want to expose their feet to unsanitary conditions . However, if the weather will be hot, your feet may get uncomfortable and sweaty. In addition, you will be required to remove your footwear often in India. Wearing shoes without laces will reduce the hassle.

Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities and tourist attractions in India. ATM machines can also be found in most places, including in small towns and airports. You can simply withdraw rupees from an ATM in the airport terminal when you arrive. However, when using ATMs, be aware that many do charge service fees additional to any fees charged by your bank. Tickets at many tourist sites can be paid for in US dollars if you have the exact change, so do carry some US currency with you in small denominations.

Medicines for specific ailments, with similar active ingredients to what are found overseas, are available in India. The problem is figuring out the brand names and making the pharmacist understand what you're after. Therefore, you should bring an adequate supply of whatever medicines you usually need. Common items such as Vitamin C and acetaminophen (a standard pain killer) are not difficult to purchase from a pharmacy. However, problems may still be encountered as, for example, acetaminophen is known as paracetamol in India. Therefore it also helps if you describe your symptoms, such as headache or stomach ache, to the pharmacist. Indian pharmacies will supply antibiotics and many other drugs without a prescription. This is no longer the case for sleeping tablets or sedatives though. Pharmacists in some areas, such as south India, are also becoming stricter about the types of drugs they'll issue without a prescription. Hence, it's a good idea to bring your prescriptions with you.

Personal Care Items

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Shampoo, conditioner, moisturizers, razors, deodorant, condoms, and sanitary napkins and pads are all readily available in India. You'll have to search to get roll-on antiperspirant and tampons outside major cities, but they can be found. The tampons don't usually come with applicators through. Bring mosquito repellent with you, as western brands tend to be stronger and more effective than the Indian ones. It's also a good idea to pack sunscreen and your favorite hair products. The range of gels and hair sprays is limited, and hair wax is virtually non-existent, outside major cities.

Other Useful Items

Anti-bacterial and wet wipes are extremely useful for many situations. A torch or flashlight, sunglasses, hat, padlock and chain (to secure your luggage on trains), toilet paper, earplugs, and sleeping bag liner also come in handy. If you wish to use any electronic devices from the United States, you may need a voltage converter and plug adapter. People coming from countries with 230V currency, such as Australia and the UK, only require a plug adapter for their appliances. In addition, it's highly recommended that you bring a couple of books. You'll find yourself waiting around a lot in India (the concept of time and punctuality is much different to the west) and reading material is invaluable. Many guesthouses also have a collection of books and will allow swapping. A good India guidebook can be helpful too.

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Is India Safe to Travel? (Expert Tips for Your Concerns 2024)

As most say, traveling to India can be an adventure . You might have heard of bad hygiene, floating dead bodies in Varanasi, or sexual harassment in India. So, is India safe to travel?

As a traveler, yes , with the right behavior , India is safe to travel in most tourist cities . In this article, you can find some tips to make your trip safer and more worry-free.

• Is India Safe Now?
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The Safety of Popular Cities in India

Is india safe to travel right now.

Yes, you can travel safely to major tourist cities, such as New Delhi , Agra , and Goa . But northern borders or conflict areas like Kashmir and Jammu are currently not recommended due to occasional terrorist attacks.

Muggings and kidnappings rarely happen in tourist areas, so if you just visit the attractions, you should be perfectly safe. By strictly following general safety rules , you can avoid pickpockets and tourist scammers .

Is India Safe to Travel for Solo and Women Travelers?

Like any other country on the planet, India shares certain problems for solo and women travelers. But some precautions are helpful to minimize the potential danger.

Plan Your Tour Well Before You Go

Uncertainty will increase the risks of being targeted during your travel. Preparing well also makes your tour less stressful : design your routes well, search for reputable hotels, and find high-quality restaurants. More tips about How to Plan a Trip to India >>>

Travel with a Local Guide

Booking a guide is another way to stay safe. Local guides know very well how the local society operates, and can therefore be a great help in avoiding potential troubles . An experienced guide can also offer deep insights into local culture, use the tricks of the trade to avoid crowds , and save you the hassle of asking directions and struggling with communication.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family 's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

Avoid the Late Hours

Indian cities now have some great nightlife. From concept restaurants and themed bars to a line-up of acclaimed arts performances, evening options are in abundance. However, a solo night out in India is with risks .

Besides, try to avoid late-night flights or trains . If your schedule is not flexible, you'd be best to pre-book a private transfer from your hotel or contact us for worry-free transport.

Don't Go Too Far off the Beaten Path

Having exploratory adventures might also put you in danger. In remote areas, you would hardly find any help due to the language barrier. A phone signal might be not available either. If possible, travel with trusted (local) friends or contact us for a customized tour if you would like to explore areas away from the beaten path.

Use Flights and Private Transfers as Much as Possible

When travelling around India, booking a flight is the safest and most comfortable way to travel between cities.

When you choose other public transportation, you'd better stay alert and protect your valuables. Local buses are not suggested , even if you are a seasoned traveler. It would be hard for you to keep track of where you are, as there are no English signs or arrival announcements. check more transportation info in India>>>

Keep Yourself Covered Up

In India, women are conservative, and they are expected to stay covered up. Wearing tight-fitting clothing or shorts could be regarded as sexual seduction . To prevent potential problems, you're suggested to wear ankle-length skirts and tops covering the shoulders. Wearing Indian clothing allows you to blend in better and stay covered as well.

Keep Your Distance from Men

Locals are friendly and hospitable. As foreigners, you will receive plenty of attention because of their curiosity .

To avoid misunderstandings or unwanted attention, you should not be too friendly with men who approach you at tourist sites or with hotel staff. Instead, strike up conversations with the women. Even on trains, it is rare to see an Indian woman talk to a strange man unless she is with her husband.

Is India Safe to Travel for Families and Kids?

Yes, India is a safe country to spend some quality family time in. Besides planning your tour well, here are some extra tips for you.

Carefully Select Where to Eat

Food safety is a frequent problem when traveling in India, especially for the elderly and children with weaker stomachs, as hygiene is sometimes quite obviously not as good as in developed countries.

You're suggested to choose well-reviewed restaurants , try to eat hot freshly-cooked food , and drink bottled water with a sealed top . For salads and fruits, just stick to those washed or peeled by yourself.

Be Cautious about Stray Dogs and Wild Monkeys

In India, stray dogs and wild monkeys are commonly seen in the streets, attractions, and temples. Some of them might be aggressive or carry diseases . It is better to keep your kids away from them.

If your kids are interested in wildlife, you can read more about the best places to spot tigers in India.

Pack Some Common Medicine from Home

If you get ill or injured in India, you can easily get treatment in major cities . Common drugs can be found in local pharmacies in the big metropolises. Carrying some medicine from home is helpful too to deal with some emergencies .

Most popular tourist cities are fairly safe to travel to, such as Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan, Kerala, Goa, Mumbai, etc.

Is Delhi Safe to Travel?

Delhi does have a high crime rate like most other highly-populated cities in the world. But it is safe to travel in most tourist areas .

As the capital of India, Delhi houses many important national government offices, and so it has strict security checks and maintains a heavy police presence . You can travel freely, but you must follow some safety precautions that are now common in high terrorism risk areas, like not leaving belongings unattended.

When visiting crowded train stations or bustling markets , like Chandni Chowk, you'd better keep your valuables out of sight and out of easy reach to deter pickpockets.

Local traffic is quite chaotic , so please take care when you cross the road.

Although Delhi has a vibrant nightlife that many travelers like to enjoy, do avoid walking around the city in the late hours as much as possible. Staying in central Delhi and south Delhi is safer and more comfortable, and most travelers choose these areas. The backpacker areas like Paharganj, however, are not recommended .

See how to plan your Delhi trip safely >>>

Is Mumbai Safe to Travel?

Mumbai has a reputation for being one of the most unsafe cities in India. Petty crime is more frequent in this densely-populated city. However, most tourist areas in Mumbai are safe for foreign visitors if you follow the general safety principles talked about here.

During your visit, you should travel with caution in crowded places and when crossing the roads. For first-timers , Colaba, Churchgate Fort, and Marine Drive in South Mumbai are much safer places to stay.

Is Kerala Safe to Travel?

Being 'God's Own Country', Kerala is one of the safest places in India. And Cochin is one of the safest places to go in Kerala. Roads are well-maintained and people are friendly and well-educated. If you visit, stay at Fort Kochi and Wellington Island for the best conditions.

As one of the cleanest states in India, Kerala has better hygiene. However, street food in a wet market and tap water never deserve a try, especially for older travelers, young kids, and anyone with a vulnerable stomach.

Is Goa Safe to Travel?

Goa is known as a paradise of night parties and beaches. You can travel safely and freely, but it's still not suggested that you hang out past midnight, especially if you are a woman traveler. Meanwhile, a one-piece or tankini is better on public beaches due to the local culture. Bikinis are more suitable on private beaches.

If you're travelling with young kids, South Goa is safer for beach activities because of calmer waters and quieter beaches.

Travel Safely with Us

Safety is the basic ingredient for an enjoyable trip! Book with us to create a trouble-free India tour, tailor-made to reduce risk and to suit your needs. You will be escorted by careful and wise local guides with private transport. An Asia Highlights travel expert will always be on call for 24/7 live support.

Here are some sample itineraries for your reference:

• 11-Day India Highlights and Goa Honeymoon Trip
• 12-Day Family Holiday in India
• 14-Day Classic Rajasthan Tour

Why Asia Highlights (10,000+ reviews & 98.8% 5-star rating)

• Save Your Time:
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18 Essential Trip Planning Tips for India

Last Updated on October 21, 2023 by Christine Kaaloa

Traveling to India soon? Is it your first time?…

Traveling India can feel challenging for a first timer. Poverty, dirt, begging… are things you hear travelers warn others of.And it is true, but the pros can outweigh the cons and India is definitely an adventure that most do not regret. So here’s 18 Essential Things to Know Before Planning your Trip to India.

Planning a Trip to India | Things you should know

Table of Contents: 18 Essential Trip Planning Tips for India

• 1.1 1. India is large; know what experience you seek
• 1.2 2.  The language of India
• 1.3.1 4. Avoid over stuffing your itinerary with many cities.
• 1.3.2 5. Plan your itinerary in easy point-to-point chunks or regions.
• 1.3.3 6. Mix in day tours or multi-day tours
• 1.4 7. Best Travel  Website for India
• 1.5 8.  Rideshare Apps
• 1.6 9.  Booking Trains in India
• 1.7 10.  Booking Onward Travel in India
• 1.8 11. Getting around in India
• 1.9.1 13. Communication in India
• 1.10 14. Food Safety & Health in India
• 1.11.1 Eat the yogurt
• 1.11.2 Indian Hospitals
• 1.11.3 Indian Pharmacies
• 1.11.4 Ayurvedic Medicine
• 1.11.5 16. Get Travel Insurance for India
• 1.12 17. Toilets in India
• 1.13.1 Accommodations
• 1.13.2 Long Distance Transportation
• 1.13.3 Food
• 1.13.4 Clothes and accessories
• 1.14 Traveling India for Solo Travelers (playlist) City Guides and India Travel Tips

1. India is large; know what experience you seek

India has a population of 1.2 billion people, with  29 states and 7 union territories .   You can travel the country and you’ll always find something a little different, from mountains, deserts, beaches, rivers, etc.. you can find all types of terrain there and landscapes will look drastically different. This is why you’ll come across many Indian travelers  traveling their own country, embracing some culture shock and feeling a little lost like you. 

Tip: Know what experience you seek in India. This will help you narrow down your itinerary. Are you seeking spirituality, history and culture, wildlife, yoga, beaches, etc…?

2.  The language of India

Language wise, Hindi and English are the main languages and they are generally spoken in large modern cities like Delhi, Mumbai.

But keep in mind, there are 21 official other languages and they can change by region. Not everyone in India speaks  English.. or even Hindi! So on some occasions, even Indians may not fully understand the language of their brothers. Also, India doesn’t just have one cinema industry (Bollywood), but something like eleven! For a traveler going outside of the big cities, finding your way may involve more culture shock. You might go down south and English words on buses change to the local script language. What to do?

Tip: Always ask help from locals. You may have to ask a few to get the right answer. If you ask someone a question and they tell you something but do a head wobble with their eyes glazed over, go to the next person who looks like they might know English or look educated. Millenial generations are usually good to ask as their schooling may involve the English language.

3. Plan at least a day for city to city travel.

Plan at the very least one day’s worth of travel time when going from city to city. You’ll want to pad your travel time as sometimes, transportation can break down. The only way you can plan a tight schedule is by hiring a driver/car or taking a tour.

4. Avoid over stuffing your itinerary with many cities.

India is huge so you don’t want to stuff your itinerary with too many cities. For instance trying to fit 4 to 5 cities into a week is asking for a meltdown. Travel takes time and even if it is train travel, it can feel exhausting. By the time you reach the city, you’ll want a bit of recovery time to relax and settle in. Also as mentioned above, you want to give your transit time a day at the very least. Whether it’s a 6 hour train ride or a 14 hour one, plan a day’s worth, because you never know if your train or bus will break down or if you’ll be too exhausted to do anything after you arrive into the city.

5. Plan your itinerary in easy point-to-point chunks or regions.

It’s best and easiest to plan your itinerary chunks or cover one region at a time. Going across the country will take you a couple of days if by train or a couple of hours by airplane. It’s doable if you have a good deal of time, but if you have a short amount of time, you might want to stay within the central region you’re in. Each region in India has a lot to see and several cities to explore, each with a different theme or experiences.

If it’s your first time to India, one popular route many start with is The Golden Triangle , due to the fact your route will look like a triangle, starting and ending in Delhi (Agra and Rajasthan).

Tip: Check out this Guided 4 day Golden Triangle Tour

Another common route for backpackers who want to visit the beach is drop into Mumbai and ride the coast south towards Kerala, while stopping off in Goa , Kochin, Alleypey . There’s actually smaller towns to stop by in (such as Hampi or Gokarna ), so it’s really up to you.  Read planning your first India trip for more.

Read Is it safe taking a local bus in India?

6. Mix in day tours or multi-day tours

Day tours and multi-tours to help alleviate your overwhelm. Why not plan your route and then fill in the blanks with day and multi-day tour itineraries where the guide whisks you off on a pre-made itinerary? I like to use GetyourGuide .

You can find inexpensive tours, like tour Jaipur in a day from Delhi or do a 5 private day tour of the Golden Triangle starting from Delhi. Maybe you just want to have a pre-made itinerary for Jaipur or a one day trip from Jaipur to experience a Rathambore tiger safari .

The reason I like day tours is that you have a guide and I feel it is essential for information and better appreciation of what you’re looking at. Also, they take you exactly to the points of interest.

Additionally, some have an all-inclusive guide/entrance fee.  Most popular government sites in India only allow certified guides to guide the attraction. That guide might only be certified for one site. Then you’d need to go to another site and hire another guide there. The tour might include a guide with all the certifications.

7. Best Travel  Website for India

  India Mike . is a travel forum which offers a lot of good information by fellow travelers but also by a lot of local Indians traveling their country.  In terms of female solo travel blogs, the best resources I’ve com across are HIppie in Heels and Global Gallivanting . 

8.  Rideshare Apps

 Uber and Olacabs .  You’ll be getting around a lot and you want safety and peace of mind. Uber and Olacabs are rideshare apps that operate like standard rideshare apps with the exception that you need to pay in cash. It’s easy and inexpensive.

9.  Booking Trains in India

Traveling by Indian train can be a fun and comfortable adventure. Whether you’re taking a sleeper train or booking a foreign tourist quota ticket at the last minute when a train is sold out. Read more about the types of Indian train seating

As of May 2016, the Indian Railways (aka IRCTC ) allowed foreigners to book train tickets in advance online. However, there’s always been a bit of a snag in the past.  In the past, the workaround was to open an account on the IRTC website and then open an account on either, MakemyTrip.com or Cleartrip.com and then attempt to merge the two together. Both sites are frequently used by Indians to book travel; they show you the bus, airplane and train schedules.

10.  Booking Onward Travel in India

Booking Onward Travel is easier when you’re already in India. Local tourist agents are easy and inexpensive to use to book point to point travel, such as a train or VIP bus. I use tourist agents to book my onward travel a lot. If they can’t get me a seat on a full train, it’s because they can’t and then they’ll advise me of my options.  Travel agents are business people with a reputation as well; they know India well and often the commission fees you’re paying are equivalent to an online credit card fee. Just as your guesthouse or hotel for a reputable one and use your gut instinct.

11. Getting around in India

For long distance or city-to-city travel, your options are airplane, train, VIP bus, local bus, government bus or hire a driver/car.

International/Domestic Air Carriers: India Airlines, Indigo, SpiceJet, Jet Airways, Air Asia 

Train & Overnight Train :  India Railways

Best Train Seats/Class:  Most travelers reserved anything from 1st class to 3AC (ceiling fan and open air).  Overnight trains can run at irregular hours, leaving or arriving at either late at night or early in the morning.  Depending upon the class you may arrive late to your berth to find someone sleeping in it. In that case, you would need to wake them up and tell them to move. Most Indians are good about that.  If you’re booking an overnight Indian train , avoid the bottom berth if you want to go to bed early or sleep until late. This is the seat/berth that everyone sits on and your sleeping times will be determined by other passengers who either want to stay up late or wake up early.  However, usually by around 10am, the overnight train has few passengers as many have gotten off on stops in the morning.

Read my  Travel Survival Guide for Indian Trains  for information about seat bookings.

Train Bathrooms: Keep in mind most train bathrooms will have a squat and if there’s a western, you might still prefer to use the squat toilet.  There’s also seldom any running water for flushing or washing hands. There’s no toilet paper. Tip: Take baby wipes, toilet paper and your hand sanitizer.

Takal | Foreign tourist quota tickets: With train travel, it’s best to book tickets in advance especially for travel during holiday/ festival times. You’re competing with 1.2 billion people.  Train seats can get filled quickly. If you need to travel and seats are all sold out, foreign tourists have the opportunity to get a foreign tourist quota ticket (or takal ).  Each train has a few reserved seats for foreign travelers. You might pay a little more, but if you can get a takal, then it’s worthwhile if you are cutting your schedule tight.  You would need to go to the train station and the office for International or foreign travelers.  There is no guarantee you will get it, but it’s chance worth taking if you urgently need to get to your next destination.  My video and resource guide is here .

Long distance bus, VIP bus, government bus

Of the three options, the one that gets my least recommendation is VIP bus, which offers options of a sleeper berth or reclining chair. I found this bus the least comfortable.  I recommend the government bus if you’re on a budget and have time.  I found it a fun way to get around India. The drawback is that your only bathroom stops will be in passing when you stop at a hub bus stations to pick up more passengers. During these stops, vendors with either jump on the bus or hang out outside to sell you snacks for your journey.

Read my Is taking the local bus safe in India? 

12. Getting an Indian SIM Cards

India isn’t quite up to par with free public WiFi yet and your guesthouse WiFi (if they have one) might be a little spotty. I highly recommend getting an Indian SIM with a data plan. If you want to surf the internet, you can always change your mobile SIM into  a mobile hotspot  . That is how I write posts like these from an Indian train. These days the mobile internet speeds are pretty good and quicker than an internet cafe.

If you have an e-SIM compatible phone than even better. I love using Airalo e-SIM . They are easy to use, inexpensive and it shaves time and frustration off hunting for a SIM shop and filling out applications with visa photos, etc.. If you’re traveling many countries, you can get a global eSIM so you don’t need to switch lines but it’s a tad more costly. If you’re only traveling India, you can purchase an Airalo India eSIM and activate it all from your mobile app (you need an internet connection or use the airport WiFi) when you touchdown in India. I’ve used mine in India and Pakistan. So far i”ve only experienced a lag in certain cities like Jawai and Udaipur where internet was pretty weak all around.

13. Communication in India

Internet cafes still exist and are a good backup when your Indian SIM goes wonky or there’s no top-off shop in sight. But the internet speeds in the cafe can be slow and they usually charge per minute. By no means will it break your bank, and you can always print out your flight tickets and reservations there.

14. Food Safety & Health in India

A lot of travelers fear experiencing Delhi Belly.  This can happen. Due to the fact drinking water is considered unclean in India and is to be avoided, you have to practice care in your water and food choices. Avoid ice at restaurants. Only drink filtered, boiled or bottled water (although you have to be safe about bottled water as well; if you’re not reusing your plastic bottle, always crush it so as to keep folks from reuse and resealing it).   No raw salads or fruits and veggies which have been exposed to or washed with water. Only take fruits that you can peel.

In India, men hold most jobs and cooking is one of them. Some joints don’t always practice sanitary habits. Only take food that is served hot and fresh. Avoid anything that’s been sitting out too long or has flies.

R ead Safety Tips for Eating Street Food

15. What to do if you get sick in India?

Eat the yogurt.

Yogurt is commonly sold in India. You can order it in restaurants that have it or get it from a local shop.  Eat it. Yogurt has good probiotics and bacteria which will help you fight viruses. In the case you have to take medicine like Cipro, which will strip your stomach of good bacteria that helps aid digestion, you can start putting it back in with the local yogurt.   The good one is actually the local one you’ll see being prepared and sitting outside shops.

Indian Hospitals

India is a country known for its medical tourism , so medical facilities in urban/metropolitan cities can be decent to good. Small towns/villages and hill stations might have less facilities, than a big city hospital. However, they are often certain to have a doctor and pharmacies.

  Read   Getting Sick in India

Indian Pharmacies

Pharmacies in India are pretty good. The carry anything from mosquito repellent to cold and flu medicines, first aid and you can get medicines that you might normally need prescriptions for in the country you’re from. Additionally, many small towns I’ve been to, they’ve had at least one or two if not more.  They can be abundant.

Read Getting into an Accident in India

Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurvedic Medicine is a science and practice that originated in India hundreds of years ago.  It can cure some things that western medicine can’t. I met a Japanese yogi with a skin ailment. She tried many treatments in Japan and it could not be cured. But she researched Ayurvedic options and was able to find a practitioner who was able to find her a cure for her skin. Today, she’s still happy with the results.

16. Get Travel Insurance for India

Travel Insurance gives travelers peace of mind and is recommended for India.  I use World Nomads insurance . It’s  less costly insurance designed for travelers and will cover at risk activities ( mountain climbing, skiing, etc. ..) that many insurances don’t cover.  Another insurance site tool to use is Travel Insurance Master . They help you find an insurance plan that fits your budget.

Read more about travel insurance .

17. Toilets in India

If there’s one country I haven’t mastered the art of finding a good toilet, India is it.  India is one country where the public toilets don’t smell too fresh. You’ll find them disregarded often. Nice shopping malls and hotels are best places to find them. You can also find them at train stations.  Public toilets might be available but might not be maintained well. I opt for paid public toilets, where there is an attendant outside. Generally toilets can be a little cleaner.

When in India, expect the Asian Squat Toilet . A lot. I have a guide on how to use one  here. By the end of your trip, you will be a pro.

For squeamish female travelers or travelers with bad knees: Check out my post on  Feminine Urinary Devices . It’s the alternative solution to dealing with squat toilets.

Tip: Take baby wipes, hand sanitizer and toilet paper.  There will probably not be toilet paper or a working wash basin. .

18. Costs and prices in India

Accommodations.

Accommodation prices and standards range but this will be one of your more prominent travel costs, next to transportation.

For budget backpackers visiting metropolitan cities like Mumbai and Delhi , expect to pay roughly $15-25 for a decent room in a guesthouse or budget hotel.  Outside of the cities you’ll find cheaper accommodations. They can range starting at 100 rupees. Keep in mind, those accommodations might be older, not always in the greatest areas and lack a fresh coat of paint.  I like to research Booking.com , travel blogs and TripAdvisor . India is probably one country I wouldn’t couch surf as a woman.

Read Finding Budget Accommodations in India

Long Distance Transportation

Domestic flight costs can range from $30-100+ . Indian Trains and VIP/Overnight buses can occasionally cost around the same. Government buses will be the cheapest.

Indian Food can be cheap to moderate, depending upon what type of experience you want. Street food is usually under a dollar. A local Indian cafe can get you a thali meal for under $3. If you’re paying more than $3, then it usually means you’re dining at a restaurant or a western/ tourist  cafe.  A bottled sprite can cost around 50 cents, but you can also get a local soda (you’ll have to drink it there and return the glass bottle) for around 10 cents.

Clothes and accessories

Scarves can ballpark around $5 or less if you’re buying many (of which you can ask for a discount). Pajama pants (westerners just called it that because it looks like pajama pants)  usually run around $4-6 on the streets. They’re super comfortable and lightweight. See what I bought here.

Traveling India soon and planning your trip to India? What are things you’d like to know?

Traveling india for solo travelers (playlist) city guides and india travel tips.

As a female solo traveler and YouTuber, I take you inside Indian trains, how I got a foreign tourist quota, how to get your Sim card and how to navigate Indian transportation, food and cities.  These are all filmed as I travel through India alone, so you can see the degree of difficulty or not.   I love India but I am certainly not invulnerable to trip difficulties, worry or culture shock.

   My Travel Survival Cheat Sheet

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Can I travel to India from the United Kingdom?

Most visitors from the United Kingdom, regardless of vaccination status, can enter India.

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Fully vaccinated visitors from the United Kingdom can enter India without restrictions.

Can I travel to India without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United Kingdom can enter India without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter India?

Visitors from the United Kingdom are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering India.

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Travellers from the United Kingdom are not required to quarantine.

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UK to India travel restrictions: entry requirements explained

The e-visa has now been reinstated for uk passport holders travelling to india.

T he beaches of Goa, palaces of Rajasthan and slopes of the Himalayas reopened to foreign travellers in winter 2021. But for British travellers, the reopening hasn’t been smooth. The e-visa system introduced in 2014 was paused during the pandemic, and while it was reinstated when borders reopened, UK passport holders were not eligible to use it. Instead, travellers had to provide and present a paper visa. Fortunately, as of December 5, India’s visa policy has changed to allow UK nationals to use the e-visa service for travelling to India as well. Here’s what you need to know.

Main photo: Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan (Getty Images)

Can I travel to India now?

Yes. However, any visas issued before October 2021 are no longer valid, so you’ll need to apply for a new one. For UK passport holders, the process of applying for a tourist visa has at least been simplified as it is now possible to apply for an e-visa again (see below).

Additionally, British citizens of Pakistani origin must apply for an Indian visa on a Pakistan passport, or prove that this has been renounced or cancelled. The process may take seven or eight weeks more.

If you’re a OCI or PIO cardholder, you don’t need a visa to enter India.

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How do I apply for an Indian e-visa?

Applications for the Indian e-visa must be submitted online using the Indian government’s dedicated website .

For the tourist visa, you’ll need to apply at least four days and up to 120 days before you travel. Visas are valid for 30 days, a year or five years.

The application form will require details such as your level of education, religion, and your parents’ nationality.

You’ll also need to submit a passport-style photo with a maximum file size of 1MB, as well as a scan of your passport.

How much does an e-visa cost?

The cost of the e-visa for tourists depends on the country you’re travelling from and varies depending on the time of year you’re planning to travel to India.

For the 30-day e-visa, the fee is US$10 for entry from April to June and US$25 for entry from July to March. The one-year and five-year e-visas cost US$40 and US$80 respectively.

How long does it take to get an e-visa?

The e-visa takes up to 72 hours to process, although you may receive it more quickly than that. If you haven’t received your e-visa after 72 hours, you’re advised to contact the visa service.

What are the travel restrictions?

India has scrapped the requirement for incoming travellers to show proof of vaccination or PCR test results on arrival. However, you will have to go through thermal screening on arrival and, if symptomatic, you may be isolated and taken to a medical facility. You will also need to follow local advice when on the ground.

Most states in India are loosening restrictions related to Covid, though you should still expect to wear face masks in public places.

Is it safe to travel to India?

For most parts of India, there is no UK Foreign Office advice to avoid travel — the only areas to which all travel is advised against are the majority of contested Jammu and Kashmir, and right by the border with Pakistan, except the crossing at Wagah with its popular daily closing ceremony. It also currently advises against all but essential travel to the state of Manipur, except the state capital Imphal and the Meiti Valley areas.

The FCDO has given countrywide warnings about the risk of terrorism; for context, the threat level described for India is the same as that for France . India is a large and complex country, so the list of safety advice is a long one. It’s worth reading up on the specific regions you plan to travel to and being aware of any political disturbances.

• Do I have to wear a face mask on a plane?

Where should I go when I’m there?

Trying to take in a cross-section of India in one trip is a real challenge: the country is almost 2,000 miles from the north to its southern tip, from high-altitude glaciers to swaying coconut palms. Most visitors prefer to focus on one of a number of traditional circuits, or combine two on a longer itinerary of two or three weeks. The most popular route is a loop of Delhi, Agra (home to the Taj Mahal) and cities in Rajasthan such as Jaipur and Udaipur on a more culturally focused tour. If beaches and lusher landscapes are holiday essentials, Kerala is the star of southern India.

Other popular regions and themes to focus on include spotting tigers and other wildlife in central Madhya Pradesh, or riding mountain railways and sipping tea in the foothills of the Himalayas. You don’t have to journey to remote regions to get off the well-furrowed track: though cinematic Mumbai and spiritual Varanasi are tourism mainstays, even a city with the heritage of Kolkata is somewhat overlooked by non-Indians, as are significant states such as Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. If you’re prepared to travel away from major hubs, you’ll get to places that tug at notions of what “India” is: Nagaland with its tribal cultures, Sikkim on the borders of Tibet, and the distant and jungle-clad Andaman Islands.

• The best festivals in India • The best places to visit in India

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Inspired to visit India but yet to book your trip? Here are the best packages from Tui * and B A holidays * . These are the best tours of India from our trusted partners* .

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All you need to know about visa, documents, and travel tips.

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Updated guide to Indian Tourist Visa with top 4 tips

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Traveling to India? Updated Indian Tourist Visa news and application tips 

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• Indian Visa Online — official government site.
• India Ministry of Health — latest government guidelines for travel to India
• New Delhi airport information

UPDATED November 23, 2023 : India has restored e-Visa services for Canadians, including the Tourist Visa.

Guidelines for tourists arriving in India: Access the latest Guidelines for International Arrivals here . The New Delhi Airport website also has updated information for travellers. And you should also check with your airline on their requirements.

In March 2022, India announced it has restored all currently valid five year e-tourist visa given to citizens of 156 countries and regular paper visa to nationals of all countries with immediate effect (two years after their suspension following the COVID-19 outbreak).

Officials also said all currently valid old long duration (10 years) regular tourist visa given to nationals of the US and Japan have been restored. Fresh long duration (10 year) tourist visa will also be issued to the US and Japanese nationals. For more details visit this page .

VISA FEES: There is no fee other than the processing fee for e-Visa application and it is non-refundable. Fees are country-specific. Check Indian Visa Online — official government site.

FRAUD ALERT, BE AWARE! There are numerous fake e-visa websites operating on the internet, some even mimicking the government of India’s official site. There is only one official site! It is Indian Visa Online

NEW RULE: As of this year, 2023, foreign nationals who are in India on a tourist visa can only stay a maximum of 180 days in the country in a calendar year.

NEW VISA: Announced on August 11, 2023: The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced the creation of a new visa category,  Ayush Visa , for foreign nationals, who are keen to visit the country for medical treatment including therapeutic care, wellness and yoga in India. The introduction of this special visa will meet the purpose of introducing a special visa scheme for foreigners visiting India for treatment across different streams.

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Tips for getting an Indian tourist Visa

If you are from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and many other countries, you need a passport and a Visa to visit India, even as a tourist. However, getting a Visa for India is much easier than ever, and the Indian Visa application process now includes the option to apply for an India Visa online (the e-Visa).

NOTE: Most nationalities can use the e-visa service with a few exceptions. To find out if your nationality is on the list for the e-Visa, click here: Indian Visa Online

Tip 1: Decide which type of Indian Visa you want

Regular Visa: To apply for a regular Visa, such as the 10 year tourist Visa, you need to apply at an Indian mission. You have to apply online first, print the form and bring it to your local consulate or the outsourcing company. There is a three step Indian Visa application process . You can read the detailed instructions here .

There will be many very specific rules, such as the exact dimensions of the photos you need to bring. If you don’t follow the guidelines precisely, and to the letter, they will not accept your application. Likewise if there are any mistakes, such as a name misspelled.

e-Visa: To apply for the e-Visa, you can apply online on this page: Indian Visa Online . See below for more details. To get detailed information about the e-Visa, read this page .

TIP: Make sure your passport has more than six month’s validity from your date of travel.

Tip 2: Contacting your Indian mission for a regular Visa

You need to contact the Indian mission in your country to begin the process of getting a regular Indian Visa and filling out the Visa application form. Often, you will be directed to a company they outsource for processing Visas, such as BLS Services in Canada. So be prepared to have all your information, documents, and passport ready so that you can apply for an India Visa. 

• If you are from Canada, visit the Consulate General of India, Toronto website or the High Commission of India in Ottawa website.
• In Canada, you can visit the BLS Services website. This is the company that the Consulate General of India in Canada outsources its Visa processing to.
• If you are from USA, start here at Embassy of India .
• If you are from Britain, start here at the High Commission of India website.
• If you are from Australia, start here at the Consulate General of India, Sydney website.

Tip 3: Everything you need to know about the Indian eVisa 

To apply for the e-Visa, you can apply online on this page: Indian Visa Online . To get detailed information about the e-Visa, read this page . And to find out about all the Indian Visa categories click here .

Please note: After you receive an email announcing that your e-Visa was granted, you need to log back into the India Visa Online website and download the Visa certificate. Print it, and bring it with you when you travel.

• Be aware that you still need to print a copy of your Indian e-Visa and bring it with you when you travel to India. When you arrive in India, you will have to wait in line at the immigration counter to have your Visa stamped.
• The new e-Visa also allows double entry — you are now able to leave India and re-enter with one Visa.
• You need to apply at least four days in advance of your arrival, and not more than 30 days. TIP: Do not apply exactly 30 days before your date of departure; wait a couple of days in case of plane delays.
• You can apply twice a year for the e-Visa.
• e-Visa is available for e-Tourist Visa, e-Business Visa, e-Conference Visa, e-Medical Visa, and e-Medical Attendant Visa.
• For e-Tourist Visas of 30 days, the validity would be 30 days from the date of your first arrival in India. Double entries will be granted within the e-Visa validity period stamped on your Passport. Your first arrival must be between the date of issue and expiry of ETA.
• The e-Tourist Visa is for “International Travellers whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight seeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment, or casual business visit” according to the Indian government website.
• Visitors to India on a Tourist Visa can stay a maximum of 180 days per calendar year in the country.

The e-Visa scheme can be accessed at 24 airports in India including: Delhi , Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai , Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Jaipur, Amritsar, Gaya, Lucknow, Trichy, Varanasi and Ahmedabad. Also there are some ports where e-Visa can also be used. But please double check to make sure your arrival airport is on the current list, as it has changed.

Tip 4: All about Visas for Yoga study in India, education, volunteering,  journalism, and doing business in India

Yoga : If you are attending a short-term program (less than six months) to study Yoga in India , you can get a Tourist Visa.

Education : If you are attending a recognized educational institution in India, you need an education Visa. 

Journalism : If you are working full-time on staff for a professional publication or media outlet, and writing professional travel stories about India or taking photographs for publication, you need a journalist Visa.

Bloggers : Many travel bloggers are hobby bloggers, and a Tourist Visa will probably be just fine. Just make sure you mark down that you are in India for tourism, not for work. And never say you are a journalist unless that is your full-time, professional job and you are working for a media outlet.

NOTE : It’s not a good idea to say that you are a writer as this implies you are a journalist. Many writers are actually working in marketing or corporate communications — I did this for years — so probably better to say you work in marketing or in the industry that you do corporate communications for.

Volunteers : If you are volunteering in India, you need a volunteer Visa.

Business Visa : If you are planning to do business while in India, you need a Business Visa.

Other types of Visa include conference, medical, transit, and research Visa. You can see a list of all the categories of Indian Visas here .

TIP: The most difficult part about applying for an Indian Visa is getting all the details right. If you make a mistake, you could be denied.

For detailed instructions on the Indian Visa application process,  visit this page .

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Professional travel writer Mariellen Ward is the founder of award-winning Breathedreamgo. Mariellen has a BA in Journalism and has been travel writing and blogging since 2005. She has won many awards, including a National Tourism Award from Incredible India Tourism, and writes for some of the world’s leading publications including BBC Travel and NatGeo Traveller India.

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To make your holiday as enjoyable and safe as possible it is important to gain the most up to date information about where you are travelling.

Latest Travel Advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provide the latest travel advice by country including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings, health & vaccinations as well as local laws and customs which you need to be aware of. For the latest FCDO advice please refer to www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Current travel health information can be found by visiting  www.travelhealthpro.org.uk which has been set up by the Department of Health. This advice is often updated, particularly in relation to coronavirus so please check regularly for updates.

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We strongly advise you take out comprehensive travel insurance for your holiday, which as a minimum covers:

• The cost of terminating the contract
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• Loss of personal effects

For more advice about insurance please follow this link www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-travel-insurance

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Foreign travel checklist

A checklist from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to help British people prepare for travelling and staying safe abroad.

Research your destination

• check FCDO travel advice for the country you’re visiting

Get insured before you go

get appropriate travel insurance as soon as you book. Check that it covers the places you will visit, the duration of your visit and any planned activities such as adventure sports

tell your insurance company about any medical conditions, including undiagnosed conditions which are being investigated, and check that your policy will cover these

Check your documents for travel

sign your passport and complete the emergency contacts page

ensure that your passport meets the entry requirements for the country you are visiting (for example, it may need to be valid for a set period after your trip ends)

get the correct visa for your destination

take an extra form of photo ID with you, other than your passport

if you are travelling with children check whether you need extra documentation

if you plan to drive abroad check whether you need an International Driving Permit (IDP)

Consider your health

check the healthcare advice for all countries you’re visiting

check what vaccinations you need and what health precautions you should take at least 8 weeks before you travel

check the rules on taking your medicine abroad

if you are travelling to an EU country or Switzerland, apply for a new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), if your GHIC (or EHIC) has expired. An EHIC or GHIC may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs. It is not a substitute for travel insurance

Prepare for the unexpected

have a backup plan for accessing key information such as your accommodation details, flight details, passport details, contact numbers and insurance policy (for example, in case you lose your phone). Share it with friends or family or store online using a secure data storage platform

avoid getting in to financial difficulties abroad by ensuring you can access enough money to pay for unexpected costs or if your main payment method fails (for example, because you have lost your phone and cannot complete two-factor authentication)

make a note of how to contact the nearest British embassy, high commission, or consulate

read support for British nationals abroad for guidance on staying safe abroad, and the help the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can provide

read about how the FCDO can help you if you are affected by a crisis abroad such as a large-scale terrorist attack, natural disaster, or political unrest

stay up to date before and during travel by following FCDO Travel Advice on Facebook and Twitter . Sign up for email alerts on GOV.UK

Contact the FCDO

You can contact the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate , or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London 24 hours a day on 020 7008 5000 for advice. You should also read the privacy notice to see how the FCDO will process your data.

We welcome your views on the support we provide, to help us to identify what we do well and what we could do better. Contact us using our  feedback contact form .

Alternatively write to us:

Consular Feedback Team Consular Directorate Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH

Or telephone +44 (0)20 7008 5000

Our foreign travel checklist aims to help you plan for a trouble-free trip. It is not exhaustive. No foreign travel can be guaranteed as safe, and you take personal responsibility for your own travel. You can read the disclaimer relating to this guidance.

Updated Foreign Travel Checklist

Checklist has been reviewed and updated.

Passports and visas section updated on passport validity.

Updated checklist including travel information on COVID-19 and changes following the end of the UK-EU transition period.

update to guidance on Heath section

Added advice on phone IMEI number

Revised checklist

First published.

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Ministry of Health (MOH) Public Health Advisory

Travellers should refer to the  ICA website  for the latest information on travelling to/from or transiting through Singapore. Residents of Singapore intending to depart Singapore are strongly advised to check the latest  MOH Travel Advisory  for outbound travel. For the latest updates on Singapore's COVID-19 situation, please refer to the MOH website at  https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19 .   

Travel Requirements to India

All travellers should preferably be fully vaccinated as per the approved primary schedule of vaccination against COVID-19 in their country .  Given that travel guidelines can change regularly, and there may be additional state-level requirements imposed, travellers to India are advised to refer to the official website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, at   https://www.mohfw.gov.in .

You may wish to refer to the official website of the India Ministry of Home Affairs at https://www.mha.gov.in for detailed information on COVID-19 restrictions in different states in India. You may also wish to refer to the official website of the Indian Bureau of Immigration at https://boi.gov.in/ . 

Entry and Exit

Singaporeans are required to obtain a visa before travelling to India. There should be at least six months' validity on your passport on the expected date of departure from India. As visa requirements often change at short notice, we advise you to contact your travel agency, or the High Commission of India in Singapore for up-to-date information.

e-Visa Facility for Entry into India – The Indian e-Visa is valid for entry through 284 designated airports and 5 designated seaports. However, Indian e-Visa holders can exit from any of the authorised Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) in India.  This Indian e-Visa is an addition to the existing Visa services.  Singaporeans need to apply for the electronic Visa (e-Visa) prior to arrival, i.e. submit your Indian visa forms online and secure the necessary approval before departing for India. Upon arrival in India, travellers on the e-Visa would need to proceed to a “Visa on Arrival” counter at the airport to get their visa stamped on their passport. Please refer to the Indian Visa Online website for more information, and beware of fake websites that claim to offer visa services.

There are several types of visas issued for travel to India, such as Tourist, Business, and Medical visas.  The validity of all visas commences from the date of issue of the visa and not the date of arrival in India.  You should ensure that you obtain the right visa for your travel purposes. 

Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders:  OCI cardholders do not require a visa to enter India, and only need to present a valid passport and OCI card.

If your passport is lost or stolen in India, you will need to do the following:

• Lodge a police report with the Indian authorities.
• Report a lost passport online with ICA or contact the Singapore High Commission in New Delhi or Consulates in Mumbai or Chennai.
• Depending on your location, the nearest Overseas Mission will contact you for the collection once your passport or Document of Identity (DOI) is ready.
• One (for DOI application) or two (for passport applications) passport-sized photographs. Instant photographs are acceptable.
• A copy of your police report.
• Documentary proof of your Singapore Citizenship (such as your Singapore Identification Card or Driving License) to verify your identity.
• Relevant fees for the application.
• Travellers can refer to ICA's website for more information on loss of passports overseas.
• For DOI holders, you will need an exit permit from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) . You will need to provide proof of address in Delhi and one passport-sized colour photograph. Please note that exit permits are not issued on weekends or Indian Public Holidays. The contact details for the FRRO in New Delhi are:

Foreigners Regional Registration Office

Block 8, Sector 1

Telephone: 91-11-2671-1348, 2671-1384

Fax : 91-11-2671-1348 

Safety and Security

Crime and motor accidents:  The rate of crime and motor accidents in India are high.  Travellers should pay close attention to their personal security at all times and monitor the local news on information regarding security risks.  Precautions that travellers can take include:

• Avoid isolated or unlit areas, including city streets, village lanes and beaches.
• Do not accept food or drinks from strangers or leave drinks unattended.
• Do not leave your belongings unattended at all times, and pay close attention particularly in crowded areas.
• Travel in well-maintained vehicles with seatbelts.
• Avoid travelling alone on public transport, autos, taxis and rickshaws, particularly at night.

Travel for women in India:  Women should exercise caution when travelling in India.  Women tend to receive unwanted attention in the form of verbal and physical harassment by individuals or groups of men.  There have been sexual assaults on female visitors in tourist areas. Women travellers should respect local dress codes and customs.  Avoid travelling alone, even in major cities and at tourist sites.  Choose safe modes of transport, and arrange airport transfers before arrival.   

Terrorism and civil unrest: In November 2008, terrorists attacked a number of sites in Mumbai, including luxury hotels, a railway station and a restaurant.  Over 160 people were killed and scores wounded. A Singapore citizen was also killed.  Terrorist attacks in India can happen with little or no warning.  Terrorists have targeted popular tourist areas.  In addition, violent protests and demonstrations occur sporadically and often spontaneously.  Travellers should exercise vigilance and minimise risks:

• Monitor the news for new or emerging threats.
• Heed official warnings seriously and avoid areas identified as possible areas of attack.
• Stay clear of all demonstrations, political event rallies, processions and large-scale public gatherings.
• Be particularly vigilant in the period around days of national significance, such as Republic day (26 January) and Independence Day (15 August).

Gold, Silver & Jewellery: There are strict regulations governing the carriage of gold, silver and jewellery into India by International travellers. Please refer to the guide for travellers published by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India at https://old.cbic.gov.in/htdocs-cbec/ guide_for_travellers/guide- for-travellers  for information on customs requirements and restrictions. 

Satellite phones: Travellers are advised to ensure that they do not carry satellite phones to India. Satellite phones carried by travellers to India will be detained/confiscated and the traveller may be penalised under the relevant sections of Indian Telegraph Act. Satellite phones are also not permitted to be imported except with a license issued by the WPC wing of Department of Telecommunications. Refer to  https://dot.gov.in/spectrum- management/2457   for details.  For information on customs requirements and restrictions as well as a comprehensive list of dutiable and duty-free goods allowed into India, refer to  https://www.cbic.gov.in/ resources/htdocs-cbec/baggage- rules.pdf .

Alcohol: The laws governing alcohol consumption vary from state to state, and it is prohibited in some.  Travellers should seek advice from your local travel agent, hotel or the local authorities before visiting such places.   

Currency: The withdrawal of the old 500 and 1000-Indian banknotes was announced by the Indian government in November 2016.  It is no longer possible for non-Indian nationals to exchange these old notes.  Travellers can refer to the Reserve Bank of India for more information and advice. 

Travel restrictions around designated tribal areas:  The movement of tourists around designated Restricted or Protected Areas requires permission from the Indian authorities.  The list of areas can be obtained from the Bureau of Immigration .  Travellers should seek advice from the High Commission of India to Singapore when planning to visit these areas.      

Additional Information

Natural disasters: India is susceptible to natural disasters like monsoons, cyclones and earthquakes.  There can be widespread disruptions to services when they occur.  Travellers can monitor the media and the India Meteorological Department website  for updates.    

Mosquito-borne diseases:  Malaria is a risk in parts of India, including in major cities.  Dengue fever and Chikungunya fever are quite prevalent.  Travellers should take precaution against mosquito-borne illnesses:

• Make sure that your accommodation is mosquito-proof, such as through the presence of mosquito nets or screen doors.
• Take measures to avoid insect bites.  Use insect repellent and wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing.  Avoid outdoors at dawn and dusk.
• Discuss your travel plans and vaccination needs with your doctor prior to travel.

Travellers may refer to this guide for more information on protection against mosquitos.

General Travel Advice

Overseas Travel – Be Informed & Be Safe [Updated on 5 February 2024]

Singaporeans planning overseas travel are reminded to take the necessary precautions, including being prepared to deal with accidents, natural disasters or terrorist attacks. Singaporeans are also reminded to be familiar with your destination’s local laws, customs, and COVID-19 regulations.

Demonstrations do occur in major cities across the world. Such demonstrations can sometimes escalate into violence. It is important for Singaporeans to keep abreast of local news, avoid any protests or demonstrations and heed the advice of the local authorities.

When participating in outdoor leisure activities overseas, Singaporeans should be mindful that certain sporting activities, especially in open seas, may carry risks. Besides ensuring that one has the physical competencies and appropriate condition to undertake the activity, every effort should be made to ascertain if the trip organiser or guide is reliable and competent, and that appropriate safety and contingency plans are in place. When in doubt, Singaporeans should consult the relevant professional bodies or sporting associations for specific advice.

For those planning to travel, here are some tips:

Before travelling

• Familiarise yourself with our network of overseas missions.
• Purchase comprehensive travel insurance and be familiar with the terms and coverage.
• Equip yourself with research about your destination’s entry requirements, current situation, local laws and customs.
• eRegister with us on our website ( www.mfa.gov.sg ) so that we may reach out to you during an emergency.

While travelling

• Always take care of your personal safety, remain vigilant and monitor local weather news, advisories, and security developments.
• Exercise caution around large gatherings and avoid locations known for demonstrations or disturbances.
• Be prepared for possible delays and last-minute changes in travel plans especially during unforeseen events such as natural disasters, social unrest or terror attacks.
• Stay connected with your friends and family. Inform them of your whereabouts and provide them with your overseas contact details.
• In the event that you require consular assistance, please contact the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission or call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duty Office at +65 6379 8800/+65 6379 8855.

Advisory: Email Scams

There have been reports of individuals receiving scam emails/messages purportedly sent from friends in distress overseas. These emails/messages typically originate from an email address/social media known to the receiver bearing claims of the sender getting into trouble overseas and urgently requesting financial assistance. The sender would also claim to have approached a Singapore Embassy/Consulate and the local Police for help to no avail.

MFA takes the safety of all Singaporeans very seriously.  Singaporeans in distress approaching our Overseas Missions for assistance will be rendered with all necessary consular assistance.  If you receive such emails/messages from purported friends seeking funds transfers, we strongly advise you to call them first to verify the authenticity of the emails/messages before responding to their request.  It is also not advisable to give out any personal information such as NRIC/passport numbers, address, telephone number, etc.  Any form of reply, even one of non-interest, could result in more unsolicited emails.  Members of the public who suspect that they have fallen prey to such scams should report the matter to the Police immediately.  Should Singaporeans abroad require consular assistance, they can contact the nearest Singapore Overseas  Mission  or call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24-hr Duty Office at +65 6379 8800/+65 6379 8855.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for conducting and managing diplomatic relations between Singapore and other countries and regions.

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