Please ensure you have a valid passport with at least six months validity by the time you return home. Many destinations do require a visa which must be in place before travelling. It is essential to have travel insurance in place from time of booking.
Vast, diverse, deeply spiritual and utterly unforgettable, India is unlike anywhere else on earth – a melting pot of ethnicities and religions, a treasure trove of history and culture, and a curious mixture of chaos and serenity. Stretching across more than three million square kilometres, it encompasses a staggering array of landscapes, vistas and environs, and offers unparalled travel experiences – from the beautiful beaches of Goa, to the compelling craziness of Kolkata, the sacred Ganges river banks of Varanasi, the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas in Kashmir and the ancient, exquisitely crafted temples dotted across the entire country. Not to mention the vibrant, friendly people, and the incredible cuisine.
Entry Requirements
Passport validity requirements
To avoid problems at immigration, make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into India.
Your passport must also:
- be machine-readable
- have 2 blank pages for your visa
Visa requirements
YOU MUST HAVE A VISA BEFORE ENTERING INDIA!!
All non-residents require visas for India, which must be obtained prior to departure.
You can apply for an E-visas up to 120 days in advance of your intended arrival subject to vias category and nationality eligibility.
The offical website is https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
Once granted you must take a printout of the Electronic Travel Authorizarion (ETA) with you as confirmation of the evisa. Please also take with you a printout of the visa granted email received from the Indian authorities.
On arrival at your first point of entry within India the immigration will want to see your documentation. The immigration officer will stamp your passport with an arrival stamp and an evisa stamp with the appropriate evisa number handwritten in. Please check your passport before leaving immigration. You will also receive a departure stamp on exit.
Full Visa
You can still apply for a full visa to be issued in your passport beforehand they are usually valid up to 3 months from the date of issue. Passports must have at least 2 blank pages and be valid for 6 months after your return from India Two passport photographs are also required at the time of application. In case you are travelling to neighbouring country and are coming back to India after that visit again, ensure you have double entry visas.
Please keep in mind that if you are travelling to a restricted area in India an evisa may not be valid and you will require a full visa. Please always check the areas you are visiting and ensure you have the right documentation in place beforehand.
Arrival card
With effect from 1st October 2025, you will now be required to complete an arrival card.
It can be completed on arrival, however we highly recommend completing this in advance to streamline your arrival process either via;
1. The official Indian visa website up to 72 hours prior to arrival in India https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/
2. The “Indian Visa Su-Swagatam” mobile app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.nic.ivfrt.visitindia&hl=en_GB
Banking and Currency
Currency
Local currency: Indian Rupee
Symbol: ₹
ISO code: INR
Subunit: The Indian Rupee is divided into 100 paise, but since 2011, only the 50-paise coin is still accepted as valid currency.
Banknotes: ₹5, ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹200, ₹500
Coins: ₹0.50 (50 paise), ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10,₹20
₹500 and ₹1000 banknotes of Mahatma Gandhi series issued up to November 08, 2016, have ceased to be Legal Tender with effect from the midnight of November 8, 2016.
Banking
Card Transactions: Yes
ATMs: Yes
Mastercard: Yes
Visa: Yes
American Express: Limited acceptance
Diner’s club: Limited acceptance
Banking Hours:
Weekdays: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Weekends: Limited hours or closed, check with local banks.
Public Holidays: Yes (Varies, typically reduced hours)
Foreign exchange services: Yes
Travel, Transport and Getting Around
Air:
Main airlines: Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara
International Airports: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), and others
Domestic Airports: Numerous, including Jaipur, Lucknow, Guwahati, and Patna.
Road:
Driving on the: Left
Tar roads: Yes
Gravel roads: Limited
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes
Car hire available: Yes
Taxis: Yes
E-hailing services: Yes
Bus:
Inter-city bus services: Yes
Local city bus networks: Yes
Rail:
Railway system: Extensive
Subway System: Limited (in select cities)
Water:
Ferries: Limited
Water taxis: Limited
Leisure cruises: Limited
Safety Notices
Please check on the following website for recommended immunisations
http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/asia-(east)/india.aspx#immunisations
Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice
Food and water safety:
Can you drink the tap water: No
Fresh fruit and veg: Wash thoroughly or peel
Ice: Use commercially produced ice
Meat: Ensure it's well-cooked
Street food: Yes
Local cuisine: Indian cuisine is diverse and varies greatly by region. Highlights include dishes like biryani, curry, dosa, chaat, and tandoori specialties. Vegetarian options are plentiful.
Drinks: Chai, lassi, sugarcane juice, and various regional beverages like coconut water. Alcoholic beverages are available, with beer and whiskey being popular choices.
Tipping: Generally 5-10% in restaurants; tipping for other services is discretionary.
Climate and Weather
Annual rainfall: Varies greatly by region, 500 mm-4,000 mm
Average temperature: Varies greatly by region, 15°C-30°C
Summer:
Average highs: 25-45°C
Average lows: 20-30°C
Winter:
Average highs: 10-25°C
Average lows: 5-15°C
Best time to visit: The best time to visit India depends on the region and your preferences. Generally, the winter months from October to March offer milder temperatures and are ideal for exploring most parts of the country.
Clothing and Dress Recommendations
Spring and Summer
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes
Lightweight warm clothes: No
Winter and Autumn
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No
General
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: No
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes
Walking shoes: Yes
Casual: Yes
Smart-casual attire: Yes
Internet Availability
Internet cafes: Limited, mobile data or Wi-Fi in accommodations and cafes available.
Accommodation options: Yes
Restaurants: Yes
Cafes: Yes
Shopping malls: Yes
Public parks: Limited
Libraries: Limited
Electricity and Plug Standards
Plug Type: Type C, Type D, Type M
Voltage (V): 230
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50
*Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances.
