India

India Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

India is a country of superlatives—1.4+ billion people, dozens of languages, more history than you can absorb in a single trip, and landscapes that stretch from the Himalayas to palm-fringed beaches. For travelers, it is endlessly rewarding: Mughal architecture in Delhi and Agra, desert forts in Rajasthan, backwaters in Kerala, tea plantations in the south, tiger reserves, spiritual centers like Varanasi and Rishikesh, and techy, modern megacities. India can also feel intense—busy, loud, colorful, and sometimes confusing—so arriving with realistic expectations and the right information makes all the difference. This guide is written for first-time tourists who want a practical, SEO-friendly overview: where to go, what to watch out for, how much to budget, how to get a SIM, and how to stay healthy and safe while enjoying everything from street snacks to palaces.

Cities, Towns & Attractions Popular with Tourists

Delhi (New & Old): Usual entry point in North India. Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, India Gate, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Lodhi Garden.
Agra: The Taj Mahal (sunrise/sunset), Agra Fort, nearby Fatehpur Sikri—often done as a day trip or part of the Golden Triangle.
Jaipur (Rajasthan): “Pink City” with Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, bazaars. Combine with Delhi and Agra for the classic Golden Triangle.
Udaipur / Jodhpur / Jaisalmer: Lake palaces, blue old towns, and Thar Desert experiences.
Varanasi: Spiritual city on the Ganges, sunrise boat rides, evening aarti ceremonies.
Mumbai (Bombay): India Gate (Gateway of India), colonial architecture, bazaars, top restaurants, Bollywood vibe.
Goa: Beaches, Portuguese heritage, parties and yoga; calm vs busy beaches vary by region.
Kerala: Backwaters around Alleppey/Kumarakom, Kochi (Fort Kochi), Munnar tea hills, Ayurveda, houseboat stays.
Rishikesh & Haridwar: Ganges towns for yoga, rafting, and Himalayan foothills.
Himachal / Uttarakhand / Kashmir: Hill stations and mountain scenery—Manali, Dharamshala, Shimla, Gulmarg, Sonamarg (check season and security updates).
National parks: Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh, Kanha, and others for tiger safaris (advance booking needed).

Good to Know

Best time to visit: Nov–Mar is generally the most pleasant for North India (cool and dry). April–June gets very hot. Monsoon is roughly June–Sept, heavier on the west coast and in the northeast. Kerala is popular in winter and shoulder seasons.
Dress & culture: India is diverse, but modest dress (shoulders/knees covered) is appreciated in temples and rural areas. Carry a scarf for religious sites.
Food & water: Eat where it’s busy and fresh; avoid untreated tap water—drink bottled, filtered, or boiled water. Many travelers bring basic stomach meds.
Public holidays & festivals: Diwali, Holi, Eid, Durga Puja, and local festivals can mean crowds or closures—can be amazing to experience, just book early.
Cash still useful: Digital payments (UPI, QR codes) are everywhere for locals, but as a tourist you should still carry some cash for tuk-tuks, tips, and small shops.

Currency & Budget

Currency: Indian Rupee (INR).

Exchange rate: In 2025, 1 USD often sits roughly in the INR 80–90 band, 1 EUR roughly INR 85–100, but the rupee moves—check a live rate before you fly.

Average daily budget (approx.):

Backpacker: 25–45 USD/day – budget guesthouses/hostels, trains/buses, local thalis and street food, a couple of attractions.
Midrange: 55–110 USD/day – nice 2–3 star hotels or heritage guesthouses, domestic flights, guided day tours, better restaurants.
Luxury: 150–350+ USD/day – palace/boutique hotels, private driver, domestic flights in peak season, spa/Ayurveda.

Tipping: Not always mandatory but appreciated: in restaurants 5–10% if service charge is not already included; for drivers/guides tip daily; hotel staff/porters expect small tips.

Credit card acceptance: Good in midrange and upscale hotels, malls, airlines, and many restaurants in big cities and tourist hubs. Smaller shops, tuk-tuks, and rural areas are cash-first, though many will accept Indian mobile payments from locals. As a foreigner, you may not always be able to use UPI directly, so card + cash is the safest combo.

ATMs: Widely available in cities and large towns. Some ATMs have per-withdrawal limits—use a low-fee or no-fee card and withdraw a bit more to reduce charges. Always withdraw in secure, well-lit locations (inside banks or malls).

Best way to get local cash: Bring at least two cards, withdraw INR from bank ATMs on arrival (airport or city), and carry small notes (₹10–₹100) for transport and tips. Avoid unofficial money-changers.

Language & Communication

Official languages: Hindi and English are official at the Union level; individual states have their own languages (Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, and many more).
English: Widely spoken in major cities, hotels, tourist sites, and by younger people—this is a big advantage for first-time visitors.
Useful phrases: Namaste (hello), dhanyavaad/shukriya (thank you), kitna? (how much?), haan/nahin (yes/no).

SIM cards / eSIM

Main operators: Jio, Airtel, and Vi (Vodafone Idea).
Where to buy: Airport kiosks, official operator stores, and sometimes at larger hotels. You will need your passport and a photo—SIM activation can take a few hours.
Tourist eSIM: Increasingly available and easier than finding a kiosk on arrival.
Coverage: Very good in cities and most towns; weaker in remote Himalayan areas and some rural regions—download offline maps.

Power Plugs & Voltage

Voltage: 230V, 50 Hz.
Plugs: Mostly Type C, D, and sometimes M. A universal travel adapter with surge protection is best, especially if you are visiting older guesthouses.

Getting Around

Domestic flights: Often the fastest way to cross long distances (Delhi–Goa, Mumbai–Kerala, Delhi–Northeast). India has many low-cost carriers—book early for good fares.
Trains: Iconic and extensive. Book through IRCTC or reliable agents/apps; popular routes and AC classes sell out. Overnight trains are a budget-friendly way to move between cities.
Buses: Government and private “Volvo”/AC buses connect cities and hill stations—quality varies by state and company.
Within cities: Use app cabs (Ola, Uber) where available. In Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, metro systems are expanding and are clean and affordable. Auto-rickshaws/tuk-tuks are everywhere—insist on the meter or agree the fare beforehand.
Private car with driver: Very common for Rajasthan and Golden Triangle itineraries—great for comfort and flexibility.

Safety

Overall: Millions visit India safely every year. Most incidents are minor and related to traffic, food, or petty theft.
Traffic: The biggest real risk. Always wear seatbelts, avoid night road travel when possible, and use reputable drivers.
Health: Eat cooked, hot food; be cautious with salads/ice from unknown places; stay hydrated (bottled/filtered). Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Women travelers: Dress modestly, avoid isolated areas at night, use app taxis, and tell your hotel/tour operator about late arrivals.
Documents & money: Keep your passport, extra cards, and main cash locked in your hotel safe; carry only what you need for the day.

Common Tourist Scams & Annoyances

“Closed” attraction or hotel scam: A tuk-tuk driver says your hotel or a monument is “closed” and takes you to his friend’s shop/hotel. Call your hotel or check online—do not believe unsolicited info.
Commission shopping stops: Very cheap tours include many souvenir/handicraft stops. If you do not want shopping, state it clearly or hire a private driver.
Fake ticket offices/travel agents: Only use official counters or well-reviewed agencies. Double-check dates on train/bus tickets.
Taxi/auto overcharging: Always ask for the meter or agree a price first; use rideshare apps in cities.
ATM card skimming/pickpockets in crowded places: Use ATMs inside banks and keep bags zipped on metros, trains, and markets.

Start with the Golden Triangle (Delhi–Agra–Jaipur), add Varanasi or Kerala, travel a bit slower than you think you need to, and India will go from overwhelming to unforgettable.