India Travel Guide

• Golden Triangle: Visit Mughal monuments and bazaars in Delhi, sunrise at the Taj Mahal in Agra, shop Jaipur’s bazaars and see Amber Fort.
• Rajasthan: Explore city palaces in Udaipur, fort-hopping in Jodhpur, camel treks and desert camps around Jaisalmer.
• South India: Cruise Kerala’s backwaters, sunbathe in Goa, visit Tamil Nadu’s temple towns and enjoy Bengaluru’s cafes and nightlife.
• The Himalayas: Trekking and high-pass drives, Buddhist monasteries, yoga and river-rituals at Varanasi and hill-station escapes.
• The East & Northeast: Tea-estate visits in Assam and Sikkim, colonial culture in Kolkata and wildlife in national parks.
• Coasts and Islands: Scuba and snorkel around Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, relax on Goa’s beaches and sample coastal seafood.

Major international gateways are Indira Gandhi International, New Delhi (DEL), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International, Mumbai (BOM), Kempegowda International, Bengaluru (BLR) and Chennai (MAA). Many travellers fly into one of these hubs and then continue domestically by air or rail to other regions. Land crossings exist with neighbouring countries (Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan) but require checking border status and permits.

Typical daily spend is $25-70; big cities and tourist resorts are the priciest, small towns and rural areas are much cheaper.

• Hostel dorm bed: ₹300-800
• Budget private room: ₹800-2,000
• Mid-range hotel (double): ₹2,000-6,000
• Upscale hotel: from ₹6,000
• Market or street-stall meal: ₹50-250
• Bottle of local beer (330ml): ₹120-250
• Organised tour or activity: ₹50-1,500
• Short autorickshaw ride: ₹20-150

For current prices on hundreds of everyday items, see Numbeo’s India cost of living, a crowd-sourced database that is updated often.

Ways to save

• Use trains and buses: Long-distance trains and state buses are much cheaper than flights and give you a local experience.
• Eat street food wisely: Choose busy stalls with turnover for the freshest food at very low prices.
• Use UPI and local apps: UPI payments and local ride-hail apps (Ola, local options) avoid cash fees and often offer discounts.

Full trip budgets are in India Itineraries.

Currency is the Indian rupee (INR). Cash remains important for small vendors and in rural areas, but cards are widely accepted in cities and larger businesses; UPI mobile payments are extensively used. ATMs are common in towns and cities though there can be limits or occasional shortages in some places.

• Tipping: Tipping is modest in India. Around 5-10% is normal at sit-down restaurants, with small tips for hotel porters, guides and a hired driver at the end of a trip. A “service charge” on a restaurant bill is voluntary by law, so you can ask for it to be removed and tip directly instead.
• Cards & Cash: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants and larger shops; American Express is accepted at many but not all locations. Small shops, taxis and street vendors often prefer cash or UPI payments.
• ATMs & Mobile Payments: ATMs are abundant in urban areas but less so in remote regions and may impose withdrawal limits or bank fees. UPI apps (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm and others) are widely used for instant payments and transfers.
• Banknotes: ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹200, ₹500. The ₹2000 note was withdrawn from circulation in 2023, so do not accept one as change.
• Coins: ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10, ₹20

Modesty at religious sites, removing shoes and using the right hand for eating or passing items are the most important customs. Locals are generally forgiving of genuine mistakes if you are respectful and follow simple local cues.

India has strong mobile coverage in cities with growing 5G rollouts; average mobile speeds often fall in the 40-60 Mbps range in urban centres, with fixed broadband frequently faster in metro areas. Rural broadband and mobile quality remain uneven.

• Electricity: 230V, 50 Hz; plug types C, D, M.
• Tourist helpline: 1363 (multilingual, toll-free within India). Women in distress can also call 181.

Mostly safe for travellers who use common-sense precautions; the biggest risks are road traffic, occasional terrorism/unrest and petty crime.

Staying healthy is straightforward with basic precautions; the main issues are food and water hygiene, mosquito-borne disease, air pollution and heat or altitude depending on region.

India is a plural, multilingual society with pronounced regional variety in language, food and customs; religion, festivals and family life strongly shape daily experience. Travelers will notice a layering of ancient traditions, colonial-era institutions and rapid modern urban growth.

Food in India changes every few hundred kilometres, and eating well is one of the easiest pleasures of a trip here.

• What you’ll find: roadside dhabas on the highways, cheap local “hotels” (in India that word often means a canteen), sweet shops, and city restaurants of every level. A thali, a set plate of rice or bread with several curries, dal and pickle that is usually refilled for free, is the best-value meal almost anywhere, typically ₹100-250.
• Veg and non-veg: India has the largest vegetarian population in the world, so meat-free eating is easy. Packaged food carries a green dot for vegetarian and a brown or red one for non-vegetarian. Some restaurants, especially in pilgrimage towns, serve no meat or eggs at all. Vegans should ask about ghee, paneer and curd, which are used widely.
• Eating with your hands: this is normal, particularly in the south where meals may come on a banana leaf. Use only your right hand, wash before and after, and don’t put your fingers into shared serving dishes. Cutlery is always available if you ask.
• Meal times: lunch is usually 1-3pm and dinner late, often 8-10pm in cities. Breakfast in the south means dosa, idli and filter coffee; in the north, parathas or poha.
• Spice: if you’re not used to chilli, say “less spicy” when ordering, and expect the kitchen’s idea of mild to be hotter than yours.
• Hygiene: pick busy places where food is cooked to order and served hot, and drink bottled or filtered water. Swiggy and Zomato deliver food in almost every city.
• Regional dishes to look for: Mughlai kebabs and biryani in Lucknow and Hyderabad, Punjabi dishes and the langar at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, seafood and appam in Kerala, vindaloo and xacuti in Goa, vada pav and pav bhaji in Mumbai, fish and sweets in Kolkata, and South Indian “meals” in Chennai.

India’s dense cultural and ecological landscapes call for careful behaviour at temples, monuments and protected areas - responsible choices help protect heritage and wildlife while supporting local livelihoods.

• Temple & Monument Etiquette: At sites like the Taj Mahal, Varanasi ghats and major temples remove shoes and dress modestly, follow dress and photography rules set by temple authorities, and hire licensed guides from the Archaeological Survey of India where applicable.
• Responsible Wildlife Viewing: On tiger safaris in Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh and Jim Corbett follow park rules, stay in authorised vehicles, and use accredited guides to minimise disturbance to wildlife and avoid off‑track driving.
• Reduce Plastic & Water Use: Many Indian cities and pilgrimage sites face plastic and water stress - carry a refillable bottle, use hotel water filtration when available, and refuse single‑use plastics in markets and temples.
• Support Artisans & Ethical Souvenirs: Buy textiles, handloom and handicrafts directly from recognized cooperatives and government emporia or certified Fair Trade sellers to ensure artisans receive fair payment and avoid counterfeit cultural goods.
• Be Sensitive at Memorials & Conflict Sites: When visiting war memorials, partitioned cities, or sites of communal conflict, show respect for local memories and narratives; follow local signage and guidance from licensed local guides.

Long-term living in India ranges from fast-paced metros to tranquil hill stations and beach towns. People move here for career opportunities in tech and business, cultural variety, and lower living costs outside major cities.

Long-Term Visas: OCI provides lifelong residence for qualifying persons of Indian origin; employment, business and student visas available.

Working There: Foreign nationals need a sponsored employment visa to work locally; freelancing remotely often requires careful visa choice.

Cost of Living: Big-city budgets typically INR 60,000-150,000/month; smaller cities often INR 20,000-60,000/month for comfortable living.

Health & Wellness: Private clinics and hospitals are widely available and affordable; carry international/private insurance for best access.

Banking & Finance: Open banking system, PAN often needed for financial accounts, local bank accounts require ID and proof of address.

Taxes: Tax resident if in India ~182+ days in a fiscal year; progressive income tax rates apply to residents.

Popular Places to Live in India

The choice comes down to whether you want big-city opportunity, beach life, or cultural heritage. Metros offer jobs and infrastructure; beaches and smaller cities trade lower cost and slower pace.

• Mumbai - Financial hub, nonstop energy, best for careers and travel connections, very high housing costs
• Delhi - Political and cultural center, extensive transit and amenities, congested and pollution-prone in places
• Bengaluru - Tech and startup hub, abundant coworking and networking, pleasant climate but growing traffic
• Goa - Beach lifestyle, expat and nomad communities, seasonal crowds and limited high-end services off-season
• Jaipur - Historic city, lower rents, growing creative scene, ideal for culture-focused long stays

India’s remote-work scene centers on Bengaluru’s tech ecosystem and Goa’s beach communities. Expect strong coworking options in metros, lively local meetups, and widely available mobile internet but limited official nomad visa options.

Nomad Visa: No dedicated digital-nomad visa; common workarounds include tourist, business, or employment visas depending on activity.

Long Term Rentals: Long-term rentals common on 6-12 month leases; furnished short-term apartments and Airbnbs widely available in cities.

Internet: Good urban internet: fiber and 5G in major cities, typical urban speeds 50-300 Mbps; rural speeds lower.

Monthly Cost: Monthly budget varies: INR 30,000-150,000 depending on city and lifestyle, housing largest variable.

Coworking: Numerous coworking chains and independent spaces in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, and Goa.

Fitness & Wellness: Yoga studios, gyms, ayurvedic and wellness clinics widely available, prices lower than Western markets.

Community: Active tech and expat communities in Bengaluru, Goa, Mumbai; meetup culture strong at coworking spaces.

Time Zone: India Standard Time (IST), UTC+5:30.

Popular Nomad Hubs in India

Nomads choose between startup-heavy cities, beach towns, and cultural hubs. Cities give better infrastructure and communities, beaches offer slower life and lower costs.

• Bengaluru - Startup capital, strong tech community, coworking abundance, higher living costs compared to smaller cities
• Goa - Beaches and digital-nomad social scene, seasonal crowds, quieter off-season lifestyle
• Mumbai - Business and travel hub, fast-paced, expensive housing and lively urban amenities
• Pune - Student and IT town, calmer than Mumbai, good cafes and coworking options
• Jaipur - Heritage city, lower rents, growing creative scene, fewer direct international flights