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InternationalTravel.ai > India

India

Coastal Beaches

Best Season to Visit: Winter

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: September

Famous For: Taj Mahal, Himalayan trekking, Temple architecture, Spice markets

Train Access: Yes (indian railways, relatively safe)

Bus Service: Yes (State Road Transport Corporations (SRTCs), private operators, relatively safe)

Tourist Visa: Most Western passport holders receive a 60-day tourist e-visa online or a 180-day tourist visa through Indian embassies. The e-visa process takes 4-5 business days and costs approximately $25-50 USD. Visa-free entry is not available for most nationalities; arrival visas are not issued at Indian airports.

India spans the Deccan Plateau, Himalayan ranges, coastal Kerala backwaters, and Rajasthani deserts. Travelers visit the Taj Mahal in Agra, trek through Himachal Pradesh's valleys, explore Tamil Nadu's temple complexes, and navigate Mumbai's colonial architecture. The Ganges River in Varanasi draws pilgrims and visitors for ritual bathing. Regional cuisines vary dramatically: South Indian dosas and sambar, North Indian tandoori and dal, Bengali fish curries, and Goan seafood. Experiences include wildlife safaris in Ranthambore and Kaziranga, houseboat journeys through Kerala's lagoons, camel treks in Jaisalmer, and meditation retreats in Rishikesh. Markets in Delhi, Jaipur, and Bangalore pulse with textiles, spices, and handicrafts.

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Podcasts

Episode 8: Jake Barber - The Expat Finance Expert Returns

Jake Barber, the Founder and CEO of SJB Global, is a life-long expat and an expert in expat finance. Over the course of Expat Exchange's nearly 30 years online, there are few people we have met with as much lived experience and professional acumen as Jake. We were thrilled to welcome him back to the show and look forward to having him on again!

Episode 6: Jake Barber - Expat Finance Expert and Lifelong Expat

Jake Barber is an expat finance expert and the founder and principal of SJB Global. A lifelong expat currently living in Marbella, Spain, Jake has vast experience helping expats from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries manage their finances while living abroad. Get a primer on what you need to know both before and after you move abroad!

Planning Your Trip to India

Weather: India experiences three main seasons: a hot summer (March-May) with temperatures often exceeding 40°C (104°F), a monsoon season (June-September) bringing heavy rainfall particularly to coastal and western regions, and a cooler winter (October-February) with mild temperatures in most areas. Northern regions experience more pronounced seasonal variation with cold winters, while southern and coastal areas remain warm year-round. The monsoon season is critical for agriculture but can cause flooding in some areas. Humidity levels are generally high, especially during and after the monsoon season.

Festivals: Diwali, Holi, Durga Puja, Pushkar Camel Fair

Best Destinations for Kids: The Jaipur City Palace and Hawa Mahal in Rajasthan engage children with interactive history; Kerala's backwater houseboat cruises near Alleppey provide calm water experiences. Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand offers elephant safaris and wildlife viewing suitable for families.

Hidden Gem: Meghalaya in Northeast India receives fewer international visitors despite its living root bridges in Cherrapunji, lush tea gardens, and distinct Khasi culture. The region's monsoon landscapes and tribal villages offer experiences absent from mainstream tourist circuits.

Budget-Friendly Advice: Budget guesthouses in smaller towns cost ₹300-600 per night; mid-range hotels in major cities ₹1,500-3,000. Street meals and dhabas serve meals for ₹100-300; restaurant dinners ₹400-1,000. Overnight trains and buses between regions cost ₹500-2,000 depending on distance and class. Domestic flights on budget carriers like IndiGo and SpiceJet range ₹2,000-6,000. A daily budget of $20-40 sustains basic travel; $50-80 allows comfort.

Accessibility: Major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore have improved metro systems with some accessible stations, though elevators frequently malfunction. Accessible taxis and ride-sharing apps operate in metropolitan areas. Rural regions, temple complexes, and heritage sites often lack ramps, accessible toilets, and level pathways; stairs dominate historical monuments.

For the Solo Traveler: Solo travel in India is feasible with planning; major cities and tourist routes have established solo traveler networks and guesthouses. Women solo travelers should exercise caution in certain regions and avoid traveling alone late at night; Northern India and major cities are generally safer than remote areas. Men face fewer restrictions. Trains and buses connect regions efficiently, enabling independent movement. Rajasthan, Kerala, and Goa attract solo travelers with established infrastructure

Planning a 1 Week Stay: A seven-day itinerary covers Delhi's Old City and museums (2 days), Agra's Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri (2 days), and Jaipur's City Palace and Amber Fort (2 days). This Golden Triangle route connects by train or car. Alternatively, spend time in Kerala's backwaters near Kochi and Alleppey for a contrasting landscape.

Planning a 1 Month Stay: A 30-day journey begins in Delhi and Agra (5 days), continues to Jaipur and Rajasthan's desert towns like Jodhpur and Jaisalmer (7 days), descends to Mumbai (3 days), then flies to Kerala for backwater exploration (7 days). Add Varanasi (4 days) for spiritual immersion or Himachal Pradesh's Shimla and Manali (4 days) for mountain trekking. This pacing avoids exhaustion and incorporates North, West, and South India.

Delving into the Culture

Movies Set: Slumdog Millionaire, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Eat Pray Love, Lion

Popular Foods: Indian cuisine is known for its rich flavors and diverse range of dishes. Some of the most popular foods include biryani, a mixed rice dish with spices and meat or vegetables; butter chicken, a creamy tomato-based curry; and dosas, thin crepes made from fermented rice and lentil batter. Popular desserts include gulab jamun, deep-fried dough balls soaked in sweet syrup, and jalebi, a sweet that is made by deep-frying maida flour batter in pretzel or circular shapes, which are then soaked in sugar syrup.

Unusual Eats: Fried insects such as grasshoppers and crickets are sometimes consumed in certain regions of India and can be off-putting to visitors.

Popular Sports: cricket, field hockey, badminton, football, kabaddi

Popular Teams: Mumbai Indians (cricket), Chennai Super Kings (cricket), Bengaluru FC (football), Kolkata Knight Riders (cricket)

Cultural Faux Pas to Avoid: It is considered disrespectful to touch someone with your feet or to point your feet at someone, as feet are seen as unclean. Additionally, public displays of affection are frowned upon in many parts of India, and it's important to dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites.