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India Practical Travel Info

e-Visa rules, health prep, money, safety, and getting connected.

Almost every visitor needs a visa for India — most nationalities apply for the e-Visa online before flying, not on arrival. Budget for recommended (not usually mandatory) vaccinations like typhoid and hepatitis A, carry the local currency (INR) for cash-heavy transactions, and take the same everyday precautions you would in any big, crowded, unevenly regulated destination. None of it is complicated once you know the actual steps — it's just more upfront planning than a visa-free beach destination.

This is the section that quietly makes or breaks the trip: whether your e-Visa application is filled out correctly, whether you've had the shots a travel doctor would actually recommend, and how much cash to carry so you're not stuck at a roadside dhaba with only a credit card. None of it is hard — it's just genuinely more involved than most destinations, and worth getting right before you fly.

Questions people actually ask

Do I need a visa for India?
Yes, in almost all cases — see our full e-Visa guide for the exact process by nationality. Most Western passport holders apply for the e-Visa online before departure; a small number of nationalities aren't eligible and need to apply at an Indian mission instead.
What vaccinations do I need for India?
None are typically mandatory just to enter (unless you're arriving from a yellow-fever-endemic country, in which case proof of yellow fever vaccination is required). Typhoid and hepatitis A are commonly recommended for all travelers; talk to a travel clinic 4–6 weeks before you fly about your specific itinerary.
Is India safe to visit?
Yes, for the vast majority of travelers, though it takes more everyday awareness than a lot of destinations — petty scams, traffic, and (for solo women in particular) extra precautions are worth planning around. See our full money, safety & eSIM guide for the honest specifics.