India Travel Essentials
Verified travel facts for India, sourced from official government portals including the UK FCDO, US State Department, ASI, and Indian government agencies. Updated regularly.
48 verified facts · Last updated
Travel Advisories & Regulations
| Fact | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|
| India travel advisory (March 2026): all four major Western governments (UK, US, Canada, Australia) rate India at Level 2 of 4 — "exercise increased caution". This is the same level as Turkey, Mexico, and Egypt, countries that receive millions of tourists annually. | FCDO, US State Dept, Canada GAC, Australia DFAT | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India safety context: Level 2 means "be aware of heightened risks" — not "avoid travel". Level 1 is normal precautions (e.g. France, Spain). Level 3 is "reconsider travel" and Level 4 is "do not travel". Most of India, including all major tourist cities, is Level 2. | FCDO, US State Dept, Canada GAC, Australia DFAT | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India regions to avoid (all four governments agree): Jammu & Kashmir (except Ladakh), within 10km of the India-Pakistan border, Manipur, and Naxalite-affected rural areas in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. None of India’s major tourist destinations fall within these restricted zones. | FCDO, US State Dept, Canada GAC, Australia DFAT | 12 Mar 2026 |
| US State Dept rates India’s northeast states (Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura) at Level 3 — "reconsider travel". The UK FCDO is less restrictive on the northeast. Standard tourist routes (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Rajasthan, Kerala, Goa) are not affected. | US State Department | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India drug laws: possession of any illegal drug carries a minimum 6-month prison sentence. Larger quantities can mean 10+ years. India’s prisons are overcrowded and conditions are harsh. The FCDO and all governments warn that drug offences are treated very seriously. | UK FCDO | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India alcohol ban states: alcohol is illegal in Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Lakshadweep — with penalties including 5–10 years imprisonment. Gujarat (home to the Rann of Kutch) is the one most likely to affect tourists. Foreign nationals can apply for a drinking permit in Gujarat. | UK FCDO | 12 Mar 2026 |
| Terrorism risk in India: all four governments note a general terrorism threat, as in most countries. High-profile targets include transport hubs, hotels, and religious sites. The risk is not unique to India — the same advisory applies across most of South and Southeast Asia. | FCDO, US State Dept, Canada GAC, Australia DFAT | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India requires a visa for most foreign nationals. The easiest option is an e-Visa, applied online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Visa-on-arrival is NOT available for UK, US, Canadian, or Australian passport holders — you must apply before travel. | Government of India e-Visa Portal | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India e-Tourist Visa comes in three durations: 30-day (double entry), 1-year (multiple entry), and 5-year (multiple entry). The 30-day visa must be used within 30 days of the approved arrival date. | Government of India e-Visa Portal | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India e-Visa requirements: passport valid 6+ months with 2 blank pages, recent passport-size photo (2×2 inch, white background, JPEG format), return/onward ticket, and accommodation details. Passport must be ordinary (not diplomatic/official for e-visa). | Government of India e-Visa Portal | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India e-Arrival Card: since 2025, all international travellers must complete a digital arrival card online up to 72 hours before arrival. This replaces the paper immigration form previously filled on the plane. | FCDO / Government of India | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India e-Visa is valid for entry at 31 designated airports (including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Kochi, Goa, Jaipur, Varanasi, Amritsar) and 5 seaports. It is NOT valid for entry at land border crossings. | Government of India e-Visa Portal | 12 Mar 2026 |
| Overstaying an India visa is a serious offence. An exit permit is required, which can take up to 90 days to process. Always check your visa validity and stay duration — they are not the same thing. | US State Department / FCDO | 12 Mar 2026 |
| Satellite phones and standalone GPS devices are illegal to bring into India without prior government approval. Penalties include fines up to $200,000 or 3 years imprisonment. Regular smartphones with GPS are fine. | US State Department | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India customs: you must declare cash over $5,000 USD (or equivalent) on arrival. Indian rupees cannot be brought into or taken out of India. Foreign currency has no limit but must be declared above the threshold. | FCDO | 12 Mar 2026 |
Practical Travel Tips
| Fact | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|
| India emergency numbers: 112 (national emergency, works from any mobile), 100 (police), 101 (fire), 102 or 108 (ambulance), 1091 (women’s helpline). Save 112 before you travel — it connects to all services like 999/911. | FCDO, US State Dept, Canada GAC, Australia DFAT | 12 Mar 2026 |
| Women’s safety in India: the US State Dept and FCDO both flag sexual harassment and assault as risks, including at tourist sites. Practical precautions: avoid isolated areas after dark, use pre-booked transport (not hailed taxis), share live location with someone, and trust your instincts. | US State Department | 12 Mar 2026 |
| Solo female travel in India: millions of women visit India safely each year. Choose reputable hotels, use ride-hailing apps (Uber/Ola) over street taxis, keep phones charged, and dress modestly at religious sites. The women’s helpline is 1091. | UK FCDO | 12 Mar 2026 |
| Common tourist scams in India: "your hotel is closed/burned down" taxi trick (insist on your booking), fake tourist office near New Delhi station (the real one is inside the station), gem/carpet export scams (you’ll never see profits), and unofficial tour guides at monuments. | UK FCDO | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India drink safety: the FCDO warns about drink and food spiking, including with methanol in counterfeit alcohol. Stick to sealed bottles from reputable shops. Methanol poisoning from bootleg spirits causes deaths every year — avoid homemade or suspiciously cheap alcohol. | UK FCDO | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India road safety: India has one of the world’s highest road accident death rates. All four governments warn against night driving. Hire a local driver rather than self-driving — traffic rules are loosely followed, vehicles often drive without lights at night, and livestock wanders onto roads. | FCDO, US State Dept, Canada GAC, Australia DFAT | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India health precautions: all four governments recommend vaccinations for Hepatitis A and Typhoid before travel. Depending on your itinerary, Hepatitis B, Rabies, and Japanese Encephalitis may also be advised. Consult a travel health clinic at least 4–6 weeks before departure. | FCDO, US State Dept, Canada GAC, Australia DFAT | 12 Mar 2026 |
| Malaria risk in India varies by region and season. Cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur have low risk. Rural areas, Goa during monsoon, and northeast India have higher risk. Consult your GP about antimalarials — the recommended type depends on your specific itinerary. | US State Department | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India food and water safety: drink only bottled or purified water (check the seal is intact). Avoid ice in drinks from street vendors. Eat freshly cooked hot food. "Delhi belly" is common — carry oral rehydration salts and Imodium. Most cases resolve in 24–48 hours. | FCDO, US State Dept, Canada GAC, Australia DFAT | 12 Mar 2026 |
| Travel insurance for India: all four governments strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation cover. Indian hospitals typically require upfront cash payment before treatment. Standard UK/US health insurance is usually not accepted. Budget £30–50 for a 2-week policy with £5m medical cover. | FCDO, US State Dept, Canada GAC, Australia DFAT | 12 Mar 2026 |
| Jaipur to Delhi: 280km, 5hr by road. The Ajmer Shatabdi Express (train 12016) does it in 4hr 25min, departing Jaipur afternoon, arriving New Delhi evening. Flights take 1hr but add airport time. Most travellers take the morning Shatabdi or a private car. | Indian Railways / Google Maps | 12 Mar 2026 |
| Golden Triangle recommended durations: 4 days (rushed — 1 night each city), 5 days (standard — 2 nights Delhi, 1 Agra, 1 Jaipur), 7 days (comfortable — adds Ranthambore tiger safari or Pushkar). Most first-time visitors to India start with the Golden Triangle. | General knowledge | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India currency: the Indian Rupee (₹/INR). ATMs are widespread in cities (SBI, HDFC, ICICI are reliable). Notify your bank before travel. Carry small denominations (₹10–100) for autorickshaws and tips. ₹500 notes are common; some small vendors struggle with change for ₹2,000 notes. | Reserve Bank of India / General knowledge | 12 Mar 2026 |
| Tipping in India: 10% at restaurants (check if service charge is already added). Hotels: ₹50–100 per bag for porters, ₹200–500/day for housekeeping. Guides: ₹500–1,000/day. Drivers: ₹200–300/day. Not expected at street food stalls or for autorickshaws. Round up taxi fares. | General knowledge | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India SIM cards: tourist SIMs available at airport Airtel/Jio counters for ₹500–700 (includes data + calls). Requires passport copy and photo — bring spares. Activation takes 4–24 hours. Jio and Airtel have the best nationwide 4G/5G coverage. Free WiFi is unreliable except in upmarket hotels. | TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India power supply: 230V, 50Hz. Socket types C (European 2-pin), D (old British 3-pin round), and M (large 3-pin round). UK 3-pin rectangular plugs need an adapter. Most mid-range and upmarket hotels have universal sockets. Power cuts happen in smaller cities — carry a portable charger. | Bureau of Indian Standards | 12 Mar 2026 |
| Bargaining in India: expected at street markets, for autorickshaws (unless metered), and with taxi drivers. Not appropriate in shops with price tags, malls, restaurants, or for train/bus tickets. Start at 40–50% of the asking price and work up. Stay friendly — bargaining is social, not confrontational. | General knowledge | 12 Mar 2026 |
| Photography rules in India: no photography inside many religious sites (ask first). ASI monuments allow phone cameras free; DSLR/video cameras may incur an extra ₹25 fee. Drone photography requires DGCA approval and is banned at all ASI monuments and military areas. Always ask before photographing people. | ASI / General knowledge | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India time zone: IST (UTC+5:30) — a single time zone for the entire country. 5.5 hours ahead of GMT (4.5 during British Summer Time), 10.5 hours ahead of US Eastern Time. India does not observe daylight saving time. "IST" is jokingly called "Indian Stretchable Time" — schedules run flexible outside trains and flights. | IST / Government of India | 12 Mar 2026 |
| Getting around Indian cities: Uber and Ola (India’s local equivalent) work in all major cities and are the safest, most reliable option for tourists. Fares are metered and paid by app. Autorickshaws are cheaper but insist on the meter or agree a fare before riding. Metro systems operate in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Kochi, and Jaipur. | Uber India / Ola | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India e-Visa processing: apply at least 4 days before travel. Most applications are processed within 72 hours. Apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in — avoid third-party sites that charge markup fees. | Government of India e-Visa Portal | 12 Mar 2026 |
| India peak tourist season: October to March for North India (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi, Rajasthan). November to February for South India (Kerala, Goa). Hotel prices are 30–50% lower in shoulder season (April–June, September) but heat and humidity are significant. | Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (ERA5) | 12 Mar 2026 |