India
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Key things to know before your trip
Last update October 16, 2023
Online in advance (e-visa)
Official website
30 days = $10/$25 USD (depending on the season)
1 year = $40 USD
5 years = $80 USD
Official website
30 days = $10/$25 USD (depending on the season)
1 year = $40 USD
5 years = $80 USD
Taxi
Taxi apps Uber, Rapido
or you can take a tuk-tuk/taxi on the spot (! always negotiate the price)
or you can take a tuk-tuk/taxi on the spot (! always negotiate the price)
Navigation on-site
Make sure to install the Maps Me app in advance and download the offline map of India for the specific region you'll be visiting
Sim card
- Airtel, Vodafone
- Most convenient to buy a tourist SIM card at Delhi or Mumbai airports
- To buy a SIM card in the city, you should find an official office of a mobile company, but getting a SIM card isn't always straightforward. Often, they may ask you to provide proof that you have acquaintances in India to get a reference. If you don't have any acquaintances, they might refuse, or the agents themselves might act as guarantors (which is unlikely). You can ask hotel managers to help you with a sim card
Currency exchange
- Currency - Indian Rupee (INR)
- The best exchange rates can be found in exchange offices, hotels (always compare them with the official exchange rate)
From the airport to the city
Buses, metro, taxis, tuk-tuks (depending on the specific city)
Where to stay
- Guesthouses - budget-friendly accommodations with the opportunity to interact with the hosts and experience local life. The average price for a room with a private bathroom and a good rating is $15 per day (depending on the city)
- Apartments
- Hotels of various categories
Food
The predominant cuisine is vegetarian, but there are also plenty of options for meat lovers. Popular dishes include Biryani, Paratha, Chapati, Curry, Butter Chicken, Kulcha, Paneer, and Thali (varies from city to city)
Railway and bus transportation is well-developed
- To buy a train ticket, you can purchase it at the railway station. It's advisable to fill out a special form for advance bookings or buy it a few hours before departure at a designated counter, though tickets may not be available at that time
- For city buses, you can buy tickets directly on the bus
- For intercity buses, you can purchase tickets online on the RedBus website using a promo code FIRST by our reference redwty4n to get a discount
Most popular destinations
Chennai, Bangalore, Rajasthan (Jodhpur, Jaipur), Agra, Delhi, Varanasi, Amritsar, Goa
May need while travelling
- Adapter for the socket (they have Type D sockets with three pins)
- Lightweight clothing (preferably covering legs and shoulders)
- Small kettle
Best time to visit coastal resorts
November to March (Goa State)
What to Buy
- Local brand clothing
- Spices
- Jewelry
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More About the Country
personal experiences and impressions
personal experiences and impressions
Sleeper Buses: a Budget Traveler's Lifesaver
If you want to save money on accommodation and need to travel around the country frequently, consider taking a night journey on a sleeper bus. These are typically buses with double-decker berths similar to those in trains, or with lower seats and upper berths. The buses usually have power outlets (though they may not always work) and provide bedding and blankets (this may vary by carrier).
Such buses are popular in India, Vietnam, Pakistan, and China. We recommend getting tickets for the upper berth to avoid anyone climbing over you. Book your seat further away from the driver as they can have loud conversations throughout the journey. However, the lower berth tends to have less motion sickness."
You can check your bags in the luggage compartment, and before the trip, we recommend placing your suitcase/backpack in a protective cover or packing it in a large bag to avoid heavy soiling or getting wet (luggage compartments can be quite dusty).
There are stops for restroom breaks and cafes along the way.
Sometimes, there may be some swaying, depending on the bus and the quality of the roads, but overall, it's not bad.
For intercity buses, you can purchase tickets online on the RedBus website using a promo code FIRST by our reference redwty4n to get a discount or cashback
TURIST_VERON
Such buses are popular in India, Vietnam, Pakistan, and China. We recommend getting tickets for the upper berth to avoid anyone climbing over you. Book your seat further away from the driver as they can have loud conversations throughout the journey. However, the lower berth tends to have less motion sickness."
You can check your bags in the luggage compartment, and before the trip, we recommend placing your suitcase/backpack in a protective cover or packing it in a large bag to avoid heavy soiling or getting wet (luggage compartments can be quite dusty).
There are stops for restroom breaks and cafes along the way.
Sometimes, there may be some swaying, depending on the bus and the quality of the roads, but overall, it's not bad.
For intercity buses, you can purchase tickets online on the RedBus website using a promo code FIRST by our reference redwty4n to get a discount or cashback
TURIST_VERON