India
Discover India
India is home to more than 1.4 billion people across 28 states and 8 union territories. Its landscapes run from the snow-capped Himalaya in the north to quiet, palm-fringed beaches in the south, and every region has its own food, festivals and traditions.
With hundreds of languages and centuries-old heritage sites, India is a living mosaic of cultures and communities. Travelling here is less about ticking off places and more about stepping into a blend of customs, faiths and celebrations.
- Currency
- Best time
- Visa
- Time zone
- Plugs
- Emergency
“Athithi Daivo Bhava, the guest is God.”India · Ultimate Travel Handbook
India, the way we saw it
Seasons and where they shine
India is big enough that somewhere is always in season. Use this as a starting point, then check the state guides below.
Winter · Nov to Feb
Cool, dry days across the plains. Best for Rajasthan and Gujarat, Goa and the Konkan coast, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Summer · Mar to Jun
Head for the hills while the plains heat up: Himachal and Uttarakhand, Sikkim and North Bengal, Kashmir and Ladakh.
Monsoon · Jul to Sep
The Western Ghats turn green. Think Goa, Coorg and Munnar, misty tea hills and waterfalls at full flow.
Post-monsoon · Oct
Fresh green landscapes and the start of festival season. A good time for sightseeing almost anywhere.
Plan it step by step
Pick a theme
Palaces and food in Rajasthan and Delhi, mountains and monasteries in the Himalaya, coasts and coffee in Goa, Kerala and Karnataka, wildlife in Madhya Pradesh, or a festival.
Pace it
Plan two to three bases for every 10 to 12 days. India rewards slow travel, and long road or rail days add up quickly.
Book smart
Train tickets open 60 days ahead and popular routes sell out. Book boutique stays and festival dates early in high season.
Land ready
The main gateways are Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Kochi and Goa. Most have good onward flights and trains.
SIM and eSIM
Pick one up at airport kiosks or city stores. Carry passport photos and ID copies for the paperwork.
Travel insurance
Get cover for health, delays and accidents, especially if you plan to ride a scooter or trek.
Festival calendar
Holi in March, Onam in Aug or Sep, Durga Puja in October, Diwali in Oct or Nov, Pushkar in November and Hornbill in December.
What a trip costs
Pick a travel style and adjust the sliders for a rough trip total in rupees.
Paying your way
UPI and digital payments
UPI payments work almost everywhere in cities and towns, and cards are accepted in most places. In smaller towns and villages, cash is still king.
Cash and ATMs
Withdraw moderate amounts, keep small notes handy and avoid isolated ATMs late at night.
Staying safe with payments
Check the name on a UPI QR code before you pay, and keep a backup card and some emergency cash.
Tipping
Around 10% in restaurants when service isn't included. Round up for drivers and guides.
What will it cost?
Drag the sliders, pick a travel style, and get a live ballpark for your India trip.
Paying your way
UPI and digital payments
UPI payments work almost everywhere in cities and towns, and cards are accepted in most places. In smaller towns and villages, cash is still king.
Cash and ATMs
Withdraw moderate amounts, keep small notes handy and avoid isolated ATMs late at night.
Staying safe with payments
Check the name on a UPI QR code before you pay, and keep a backup card and some emergency cash.
Tipping
Around 10% in restaurants when service isn't included. Round up for drivers and guides.
Trains, tuk-tuks and everything in between
Trains
Book on the official IRCTC app. Classes run SL, 3A, 2A and 1A. Overnight trains save a hotel night, so lock your bags. Try Vande Bharat where it runs.
AC buses
Government and private Volvo or Scania coaches. Choose a reputable operator and check the drop point and arrival time.
Car and driver
Great for Rajasthan and rural loops. Use a reputed agency and confirm tolls, parking and the driver's allowance up front.
Metros and cabs
Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata all have metros. Uber and Ola also offer autos and bike taxis in many cities.
Autos and e-rickshaws
Ask for the meter or agree the fare before you get in. A little friendly bargaining is normal.
Scooters and bikes
Popular in Goa, Himachal, Sikkim and coastal Karnataka. Always wear a helmet and check permits for high passes.
Boats and ferries
Kerala's backwaters, the Andamans and the Brahmaputra. Check schedules and safety gear in the monsoon.
Domestic flights
Fast and often cheap for long hops, like Delhi to Kochi or Kolkata to the Northeast. Book a few weeks ahead.
India on a plate
- North · kebabs, chole bhature, parathas, lassi
- West · Goan seafood, Gujarati thali, Parsi classics, misal
- South · dosa, idli, Chettinad, Malabar biryani, filter coffee
- East · mustard fish, mishti doi, litti chokha
- Northeast · smoked meats, bamboo shoots, black rice
Vegetarian food is everywhere, and Jain and vegan dishes are easy to find. Ask for less spice if you need it, and stick to bottled or filtered water.
Come for the monuments, stay for the meals.
Food & drink, region by region
Vegetarian, Jain and vegan options are abundant everywhere. Just ask for “less spicy” and stick to bottled or filtered water.
“Come for the monuments, stay for the meals. A street-side chai can be a story.”
Explore the states
Find a state by region or season
Find a state by region or season
All 28 states and 8 union territories, filtered by region, best season or type.Open finderClose
Andhra Pradesh
Best in winter. Tirupati, Konaseema.
Arunachal Pradesh
Best in summer. Tawang monastery, Ziro Valley.
Assam
Best in winter. Kaziranga rhinos, Majuli island.
Bihar
Best in winter. Bodh Gaya, Nalanda ruins.
Chhattisgarh
Best in winter. Chitrakote falls, tribal art.
Goa
Best in winter. Beaches, Latin quarters, Konkan food.
Gujarat
Best in winter. Kutch salt flats, Gir lions, stepwells.
Haryana
Best in winter. Sultanpur birding, heritage near Delhi.
Himachal Pradesh
Best in summer. Dharamshala, Spiti, Tirthan.
Jharkhand
Best in winter. Betla forests, waterfalls.
Karnataka
Best in post-monsoon. Hampi, Badami, Coorg, Chikmagalur.
Kerala
Best in winter. Backwaters, Munnar tea.
Madhya Pradesh
Best in winter. Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Khajuraho.
Maharashtra
Best in post-monsoon. Mumbai, Ajanta and Ellora, Konkan.
Manipur
Best in winter. Loktak lake, dance traditions.
Meghalaya
Best in monsoon. Living root bridges, caves, waterfalls.
Mizoram
Best in winter. Blue mountains, handwoven textiles.
Nagaland
Best in winter. Hornbill Festival, village culture.
Odisha
Best in winter. Puri, Konark, Chilika lagoon.
Punjab
Best in winter. Golden Temple, food trails.
Rajasthan
Best in winter. Forts, palaces, desert bazaars.
Sikkim
Best in summer. Monasteries, lakes, rhododendron trails.
Tamil Nadu
Best in winter. Chola temples, Ooty, the coast.
Telangana
Best in winter. Hyderabad food and heritage, Warangal.
Tripura
Best in winter. Ujjayanta Palace, Neermahal.
Uttar Pradesh
Best in winter. Varanasi ghats, Taj Mahal.
Uttarakhand
Best in summer. Rishikesh, Valley of Flowers.
West Bengal
Best in winter. Kolkata, Sundarbans, Darjeeling.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Best in winter. Reef dives, wartime history.
Chandigarh
Best in winter. Le Corbusier city plan, Sukhna Lake.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
Best in winter. Diu beaches, green Silvassa.
Delhi
Best in winter. Museums, markets, street food.
Jammu and Kashmir
Best in summer. Kashmir valleys, saffron fields.
Ladakh
Best in summer. High passes, desert lakes, stars.
Lakshadweep
Best in winter. Turquoise lagoons, eco stays (permit needed).
Puducherry
Best in winter. French quarter, quiet beaches.
Before you go
Do I need a visa for India?
Most nationalities can apply online for an e-Visa before travel. Apply well ahead of your flight and carry a printout.
Is India good for first-time visitors?
Yes. Start with a classic route such as Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan, or Kerala. Book reputable stays and use app cabs in the cities.
How many days do I need?
Ten to fourteen days covers two or three regions at a comfortable pace. Add a buffer day if you are combining north and south.
What should I wear at temples?
Cover your shoulders and knees, and expect to take off your shoes. A light scarf is handy for covering your head where asked.
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September 13, 2025
