30 Essential
India Travel Tips
Everything we wish someone had told us before our first train pulled out of the station — money, food, trains, temples, and the small stuff that makes the trip.
| Destination | Platform | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Before You Land | 01 | On time |
| Money Matters | 02 | On time |
| Getting Around | 03 | Boarding |
| Street Food & Health | 04 | On time |
| Culture & Etiquette | 05 | Boarding |
| Staying Safe & Smart | 06 | On time |
6 platforms · 30 tips · scroll to begin boarding
Before You Land
The paperwork and packing decisions that are much easier to sort out from your own sofa.
Sort your e-Visa early
Apply online at least four days before travel — most nationalities qualify for the 30-day e-Tourist visa.
Time it around the monsoon
October to March brings cooler, drier weather across most of the country; April to June gets brutally hot.
Pack layers, not just cotton
Nights in Rajasthan and the Himalayan foothills drop sharply even when the days are scorching.
Get insurance that covers hospitals
Private care is excellent but out-of-pocket costs add up fast without coverage.
Check vaccine and malaria guidance
Talk to a travel clinic about typhoid, hepatitis A, and malaria prophylaxis for your specific route.
Money Matters
How cash, cards, and change actually work on the ground.
Download a UPI-friendly payment app
Google Pay and PhonePe work almost everywhere — many stalls no longer bother with cash change.
Carry small notes
Rickshaw drivers and street vendors rarely have change for a ₹500 note.
Bargain gently, not aggressively
Haggling is normal in markets — aim for a fair price, not the lowest possible one.
Skip the airport currency counters
Rates improve once you’re in the city — withdraw from a bank-branded ATM instead.
Tip in cash, small amounts
₹20–50 for porters and drivers, around 10% at sit-down restaurants if service isn’t already added.
Getting Around
Trains, rickshaws, and the art of building slack into every plan.
Book trains on IRCTC before you land
Popular routes sell out weeks ahead, especially sleeper and AC classes.
Use ride apps for fixed fares
Ola and Uber remove the fare negotiation that comes with hailing a rickshaw on the street.
Confirm the meter or agree the fare upfront
If a driver won’t use the meter, settle the price before you get in.
Add a buffer to every journey
Traffic, festivals, and weather can double a trip’s estimated time without warning.
Domestic flights are cheap and fast
For long distances, a ₹3,000 flight can save an entire day over the train.
Street Food & Health
Eating well, staying well, and not letting caution ruin the best part of the trip.
Drink sealed or filtered water only
Check the cap seal on bottled water, or carry a filter bottle to cut down on plastic waste.
Eat where the queue is
Busy stalls turn over food fast, which usually means fresher and safer.
Ease into the spice
Ask for “less spicy” the first few days while your palate and stomach adjust.
Pack rehydration salts
A mild stomach upset is common — oral rehydration sachets fix it faster than plain water alone.
Try one thali per region
Each state’s set meal is a crash course in local flavor, from Gujarati sweet to Keralan coconut.
Culture & Etiquette
Small habits that go a long way toward being a welcome guest.
Dress modestly at religious sites
Shoulders and knees covered is the safe default for temples, mosques, and gurdwaras.
Remove shoes before entering
Homes, temples, and some shops expect bare or socked feet — watch for the shoe pile at the door.
Ask before photographing people
A smile and a gesture toward your camera goes a long way. Some people will say no, and that’s fine.
Use your right hand
For eating, giving, and receiving, the right hand is customary — the left is considered unclean.
Namaste works everywhere
A palms-together greeting is a warm, universally understood alternative to a handshake.
Staying Safe & Smart
The judgment calls that keep a trip running smoothly.
Keep emergency numbers saved
112 is the national emergency number — also save your hotel’s address written in the local script.
Solo women travelers should book verified stays
Look for female-only hostel floors and read recent reviews before booking anywhere.
Politely decline unsolicited “guides”
Near major sights, a firm “no thank you” and continuing to walk works better than explaining.
Register with your embassy for long stays
It costs nothing and speeds up help if you lose documents or need assistance.
Say yes to detours
Some of the best experiences come from a delayed train, a closed road, or a stranger’s recommendation.
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