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India
The complete guide

India

Everything you need to plan a great trip — from the Taj Mahal to Goa's beaches — without the guesswork or the generic advice.

Flight time 8–16h depending on originFrom $600–1,400 round-tripVisa e-Visa required for most nationalities — apply online in advanceTime zone IST (GMT+5:30)

India rewards 10 days minimum, 2–3 weeks ideal. The classic route is the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur — 6–8 days), extended with Mumbai, Goa, Rajasthan, or Kerala depending on your interests and how much time you have. Best season is October–March across most of the country (peak: November–February). Nearly all foreign visitors need an e-Visa, applied for online before flying — there's no visa-free entry for tourism. Budget from $30/day backpacking, $70–140/day mid-range.

India isn't a destination you ease into — it's a destination you land in, and within an hour of leaving the airport you'll have seen more color, chaos, and genuine hospitality than most countries show you in a week. It's not always comfortable. It's rarely predictable. And it's one of the most rewarding places on Earth to actually travel, rather than just visit.

This guide covers everything: where to go, how many days, when to fly, what it actually costs in USD, and the e-Visa process by nationality — not a vague, one-size-fits-all answer to a country that genuinely varies region by region. Written to be honest about the hard parts (the traffic, the scams, the sensory overload) as much as the incredible parts, and updated through the season.

Destinations

All Destinations ←
Delhi
Destinations

Delhi

2–3 nights, gateway to the Golden Triangle — take the metro, skip the traffic.

Jaipur
Destinations

Jaipur

2 days, Amber Fort, the Pink City — the most photogenic stop on the Golden Triangle.

Mumbai
Destinations

Mumbai

2–3 days, India's coastal, cosmopolitan financial and film capital.

Beaches & Coast

All Beaches & Coast ←
Goa
Beaches & Coast

Goa

India's beach capital — Portuguese churches, seafood, and two very different coastlines.

Attractions

All Attractions ←
The Taj Mahal and India's Best Attractions
Attractions

The Taj Mahal and India's Best Attractions

Four completely different must-sees — and the etiquette that keeps each one respectful.

Food

All Food ←
Indian Food: What to Eat and What It Costs
Food

Indian Food: What to Eat and What It Costs

It's not one cuisine — here's what changes by region, and what it costs.

Practical Info

All Practical Info ←
India e-Visa & Entry Requirements (2026)
Practical Info

India e-Visa & Entry Requirements (2026)

Almost everyone needs one — here's exactly how to apply, and for how much.

Money, Safety, Health & eSIM in India
Practical Info

Money, Safety, Health & eSIM in India

Cash, vaccines, real safety risks, and staying connected.

Articles & Comparisons

All Articles & Comparisons ←
Rajasthan or Kerala: Which Region Is Right for You?
Articles & Comparisons

Rajasthan or Kerala: Which Region Is Right for You?

Desert forts vs. tropical backwaters — an honest head-to-head.

Best Time to Visit India: Monsoon Timing by Region
Articles & Comparisons

Best Time to Visit India: Monsoon Timing by Region

The monsoon doesn't hit the whole country at once — here's the real regional breakdown.

Questions people actually ask

How many days do I need in India?
10 days is a reasonable minimum for the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) plus a short beach or backwater add-on. 14–16 days lets you comfortably combine the Golden Triangle with either Mumbai or Goa. Three weeks or more opens up a second full region — Rajasthan in depth, Kerala, or the Himalayan north.
When is the best time to visit India?
October through March is the best overall window — cool, dry, and comfortable for most of the country, with November–February as peak season. The picture changes by region though: Kerala and Goa's monsoon (roughly June–September) is heavy and disruptive, while Rajasthan and Delhi's summer rain is lighter and more erratic. See our full monsoon-timing guide for the region-by-region breakdown.
Do I need a visa for India?
Yes — almost every foreign visitor needs a visa, and there's no broad visa-free entry for tourism the way there is for some other popular destinations. Most nationalities apply online for the e-Tourist Visa before flying; see our full visa & entry guide for the exact process and cost.
Is India safe to visit?
Yes, for the great majority of travelers, though it takes more everyday situational awareness than a lot of destinations — traffic, petty scams near tourist sites, and (for solo women in particular) extra precautions are genuinely worth planning around. See our full safety guide for the honest specifics.
How much does a trip to India cost?
Backpacker budget: from $30/day (guesthouses, street food, trains). Mid-range comfort: $70–140/day (3–4 star hotels, restaurant meals, a hired driver for day trips). A two-week trip for two people, flights included, typically runs $2,500–4,500 mid-range — among the best value major destinations anywhere in the world.
What vaccinations do I need for India?
None are typically mandatory to enter (unless arriving from a yellow-fever-risk country). Typhoid and hepatitis A are commonly recommended for all travelers — see a travel clinic 4–6 weeks before you fly to plan around your specific itinerary.
Delhi or Mumbai — which should I visit first?
Most itineraries start in Delhi, since it connects directly to Agra and Jaipur for the Golden Triangle. Mumbai works better as a separate leg — a short flight away, with a genuinely different, coastal, more modern character. See our full Delhi vs. Mumbai-style comparison in the destinations section for more.
Is India good for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, genuinely one of the best countries in the world for it — vegetarian food is the default in huge parts of the country, not an afterthought, and 'pure veg' restaurants are everywhere. Vegans just need to watch for ghee and dairy, which appear by default in a lot of dishes.