1.820.3345.33

India Travel FAQs

Traveling to India without any preparations would not seem to be a smooth ride considering the vastness of the country. The below section of the most solicited India Travel FAQs will surely prove to be handy to travelers who have long desired to visit the vibrant nation. This write-up responds to all the small as well as significant concerns that are related with your travel plans in India. It will definitely help you plan and organize a perfect trip of your lifetime without causing much stress and annoyance.

Frequently Asked Questions

All foreign visitors to India need a visa except for nationals of the neighboring nations of Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal unless they are entering from mainland China. Citizens of Japan and South Korea can obtain visa on arrival while everyone else has to apply for a visa before arriving in India. There is also a facility for citizens of more than 150 countries to apply for a 60-day stress-free e-Visa. This e-Visa is also sometimes known as ‘visa on arrival’ though you need to apply for it before you actually arrive in India. The e-Visa allows arrival through the 28 designated airports and 5 seaports while it allows exit from India from any lawful immigration checkpoints.

Depending on the type and validity of your visa, the visa fee for India differs. The fee also differs depending on which country you belong to. Not all country citizens pay the same visa fees. There are some countries like Argentina, Indonesia, Mauritius, Myanmar, South Africa, Uruguay and many more that are exempted from the Indian visa fees. The current visa fee for US nationals is US$150 for a period of up to 10 years with an additional processing fee of US$ 19.90. In general terms, the Indian visa fee is as follows (with the exception of some countries):
• e-tourist visa for 30 days (April to June) is $10, double entry
• e-tourist visa for 30 days (Remaining months) is $25, double entry
• e-tourist visa for 1 year is $40, multiple entry
• e-tourist visa for 5 years is $80, multiple entry
• e-business visa for 1 year is $80, multiple entry
• e-conference visa for 30 days is $80, single entry
• e-medical visa for 60 days is $80, triple entry
• e-medical attendant visa for 60 days is $80, triple entry

Please visit for more information.
https://travelvisabookings.com/india-visa-fees/

Citizens from more than 150 countries are eligible to apply for an e-Visa. You should check if you are eligible for the same as not all country citizens can apply for an online e-Visa. For more details check the following:

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

https://travelvisabookings.com/india-visa-fees/

Normally, the weather in India is classified as summer, winter and monsoon. The best time to travel to India would be during the coolest and driest months between October and early April. These months are regarded ideal for taking in the highlights and the countless veiled jewels of the vast country. In the northern part of the country, the skies remain clear while southern zone will always be a bit warmer with calm shoreline beach weather. December through March in the north are relatively much cooler with fog-filled mornings and the Himalayan regions on the extreme north tend to be very cold, but astonishing mountain views.

Following winter comes the awful summer with increase in temperatures beginning from mid-April until early June. Summers are hot and dry and temperatures in the south can become intensely hot. This time of the year is an excellent time to head towards the extreme north or the north-eastern parts of the country like Ladakh, Shimla or Darjeeling. May indicates the beginning of monsoon and goes until early September. Lowland regions can experience flooding during the monsoon time. However, an advantage for traveling during monsoon is that the backdrop transmutes into plentiful greenery and rushing rivers showcasing beautiful landscapes and perfect opportunity for cruising in the Kerala Backwaters

The price that you pay for your India tour includes all airport and hotel transfers, domestic flights, ground transportation, hotels on twin sharing basis with breakfast, entrance fees for monuments, tour guide, train fares (if any), sightseeing, all leisure activities like rickshaw rides, elephant rides, and boat rides, and all government and local taxes. Additionally, safari tours in the national parks and trekking tours in Ladakh are all-inclusive packages.

India is a massive country with limitless cultural experiences, vibrant festivals, eclectic culinary delights, historical landmarks, natural landscapes, and plenty of adventure activities.  India is an extremely attractive and architecturally affluent country filled with historical monuments, timeless mosques, elaborate palaces, striking forts, and numerous prehistoric ruins. Some of the most fascinating reasons why you must visit India are as follows:

  • To interact with the local people of India, mostly in the rural areas, who are some of the nicest and most generous people
  • To immerse in the exquisite beauty of Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world
  • To taste the delicious food preparations
  • To explore Varanasi, the oldest city of India on the banks of the Ganges River, the holiest river in the world
  • To visit the majestic forts and opulent palaces of Rajasthan
  • To ideally escape away in the palm-fringed golden beaches
  • To witness the religious commotions and spirituality
  • To visit the numerous rock sculptures, archaeological sites and monolith statues
  • To tour around the incredible wildlife
  • To hike or trek in the Indian Himalayas

Normally speaking, India is mostly safe for tourists. You will find a lot of people ready to help foreigners especially at major tourist destinations. Intense crime isn’t common in this country, at least not with foreign tourists. Pickpockets and bag snatchers can be found in crowded places such as bus depot or train stations, so we highly advise to look after your belongings if you are in a public crowded place. Some people may try and scam you or extort money from you on various accounts. Although armed or violent robberies aren’t widespread, you should always remain cautious and plan ahead so that you don’t need to walk the streets alone at night. Female travelers should wear decent clothing such as ankle-length skirts and tops to avoid revealing portions of their skin. It may tempt an offender to commit misconduct if you are showing too much of your skin.

Although India is a relatively safe country, there are some threats a first-time traveler should be aware of. India is a tremendously large country and not all parts of the India are the same in terms of crime and safety. There are several places in the country that are free from crime and it is even safe to roam around the town at night.

Not everyone in India speaks English. After independence from the British rule in 1947, India continued adopting English and it remained the official language for quite a long time and in the present day, it is still considered as one of the official languages. In the present context, about 15-20% of the Indian population claim to speak English especially in big cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai and others. Despite owning so many different native languages, India still harbors a place for English. There are many different flavors and intonations to the English language that is spoken depending on which part of country the speaker belongs to.

India is a very huge country, in fact the 7th largest nation in the world, in terms of area. It has one of the richest and intense histories and cultural inheritance. India is best known for its myriad of cultures and for its unity in diversity pledge. The nation is famous for its hospitability and Bollywood, the Hindi film industry. It is renowned for its spices and diverse culinary delights, vibrant festivals, religious celebrations and spiritual connection. India is also known for its large population, an old exceptional railway network, deep spirituality and a great value destination.

From across the hundreds of things, India is most popular in the following:

  • Taj Mahal – one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
  • Thousands of different cultures followed in the entire country.
  • Celebration of festivals of all religions with full enthusiasm.
  • One of the spiritual hotspots of the world.
  • World’s second most populated country.
  • Each state of the country has its signature recipes of ethnic cuisine.
  • India’s contribution to Math – Zero was found by an Indian mathematician.
  • The sport of cricket, although hockey is the national game.
  • Motorcycle touring in Ladakh and Manali.
  • Remarkable forts and palaces of Rajasthan, Hyderabad, Delhi & Mysore.
  • Grand temples of Amritsar, Khajuraho, Ajanta, Odisha & Tamil Nadu.
  • Ancient ruins of Hampi, Nalanda, Fatehpur Sikri and Maharashtra.
  • Sophisticated cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
  • Old-fashioned Bazaars of Old Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.
  • Stunning coastlines of Kerala, Goa, Andaman Island, Gokarna and Puri.
  • Glorious hill-stations of Shimla, Darjeeling, Nainital, and Munnar.
  • Kayak and row-boat tours in Assam, Kerala, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Mountains of Ladakh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Wildlife Safari tours in Assam, Gujarat, Karnataka, Spiti and Kerala.
  • Spiritual Pursuits in Bihar, Rishikesh, Puducherry, Kerala and Mysore.

Of course there are. In fact, there are plenteously scattered ATMs of the numerous banks of India in every street, every section, highways, shopping malls, and everywhere. Currently, India has an approximated number of about 238,000 ATMs in the entire country.

With an approximate 10 million visitors from foreign countries each year, the security in India for tourists, on the whole, is considered mostly safe. There are a few risks yet awareness is what is considered key when traveling not just in India but in most Asian countries. You will find some of the most populated cities of the world in India obvious making it more vulnerable to small-time crimes such as pickpocketing, bag-snatching, scams, counterfeiting documents and tickets, and spiking food and drinks to rob a person.  Women traveling to India may be frowned upon if you don’t dress modestly and reveal your body skin parts just a little too much. To avoid any harassment, it advised to avoid walking alone at night time. Also, women should prefer sitting with other women if using public transport, and keep the doors of your hotel rooms locked from inside, if alone.

Although India remains safe for female travelers, the worst experience that may come across to you is an unwelcome attention from men. By being heedful of the probable threats, you can always dodge away from the harassment or other serious mishaps.

Yes, of course it is worth visiting India. As one of the world’s oldest civilizations, India is such a huge and diverse country that you can’t see the whole of India even in a full month. The oldest Hindu culture, superbly amazing Indian foods, the ancient art and architectural designs are worth the visit. A visitor can find almost anything he or she wants in India and it is very cheap to travel to India. The historical palaces of Rajasthan and the snowfall at Himachal Pradesh along with Kerala Backwaters is a fulfilling experience. What more could you ask apart from exploring the spirituality and marveling at the history and architecture of India? It is definitely worth visiting India and to prove it right, you need to experience it yourself by visiting at least once in your lifetime.

India is generally safe for foreign tourists. Although crimes may be reported in the country, intense criminality is quite unheard of. It is to be noted that not all places in India are unsafe – there are safe places too. Foreigners are especially safe while petty thefts like pickpocketing or bag-snatching is quite common at touristic areas. There may have been reports in the past of bad incidents, but such incidents happen everywhere else in the world. It doesn’t mean that the entire country is indulged in such criminal activities. Yes, you should take care and extra precaution while traveling. Keep all your valuables with you at all times or leave them in your hotel safe and don’t ever expose a large sum of money when purchasing at roadside shops. For more information, you can click the following links:

India Travel Advisory – Travel.gov – US Department of State
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/india-travel-advisory.html

India travel advice – GOV.UK
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india

India Travel Advice & Safety | Smartraveller
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/india

Travel advice and advisories for India
Travel.gc.catravel.gc.ca
https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/india

Since India is a very vast country, it has many different climates and microclimates. So, if you are planning to travel to India, make sure that you checkthe weather conditions of your destination in India. The climate of India can be categorized as hot tropical with exceptions to some of the northern states that have a relatively cooler and a more continental influenced climate. Summer is extremely hot in most of the parts of India except as mentioned above. It starts from April and continues till the end of September. Temperatures in the northern plains and west rises to a maximum of 45ºC (113ºF) and sometime even higher in the month of June. It is also the month when monsoons hit the majority portions of the country. The northern plains have a cold wave in winters and the minimum temperature dips below 5ºC (41ºF). While in the northern high altitudes, it snows through the winter and the summer months are just slightly warm.

India is an intoxicatingly attractive destination comprising diverse topography. The vast nation features dense steamy jungles, soaring mountain peaks, tropical coastlines, and arid desert lands to guarantee an unforgettable experience to every adventurer and culture lover. India is such a vast country that you cannot explore it on your single visit. Listed below are some of the most prominent destinations and popular places to visit in India that will surely help you choose and plan a perfect getaway:

  • Agra – home to the wonderful Taj Mahal
  • Delhi – massive capital city with bountiful Mughal architectures
  • Pondicherry – boulevards, endless coastlines and massive gothic churches
  • Amritsar – home to the popular Golden Temple, the epicenter of Sikhism
  • Andaman & Nicobar Islands – exceptional diving possibilities
  • Rajasthan – the Pink City and land of the expansive Thar Desert
  • Kashmir – undoubtedly the Switzerland of India
  • Varanasi – the spiritual capital of India, city with the holiest river on earth
  • Sunderbans – for its mysterious wasteland
  • Sikkim – take delight in the awe-inspiring natural vistas
  • Aurangabad – the home to spectacular Ajanta and Ellora caves
  • Goa – lots of water activities for beach lovers
  • Jaisalmer – oasis of splendid old architectures
  • Kerala – calm and winding backwaters
  • Darjeeling – rolling tea fields and World Heritage toy train
  • Meghalaya – the abode of clouds and world’s wettest place
  • Rann of Kutch – world’s largest salt desert
  • Hampi – for backpackers and seasoned travelers

The short answer to this question is, no! In India, tap water is not considered fit for drinking purposes as they can be full of all kinds of pollutions that are extremely unsafe. Restaurants will provide treated drinking water, but we recommend drinking the best brands bottled water. Branded companies have the highest standards maintained during filtration and bottling of the water. Branded mineral water bottles may not be available everywhere, so make sure to check the seal because some manipulative shopkeepers may refill the bottle with tap water and seal it unprofessionally indicating adulteration.

Even if India is not the most recognizable family holiday choice, it would definitely be more staggering for children. Time and again, the fascinating India and its spectacles, noises and fragrances have proved to be a magical and an eye-opening destination providing unforgettable adventure to the kid group. The best regions for the kids would be in Rajasthan, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh. These locations are filled with unbelievable sights, beautiful landscapes, fun activities, and fanciful food. Other fun places for the kids are:

  • Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
  • Udaipur, Rajasthan
  • Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
  • Havelock, Andaman Islands
  • Houseboat, kayak or canoe in Allepey, Kerala
  • Toy train in Darjeeling, West Bengal
  • Goa – to see the dolphins
  • Gujarat – lions
  • Kerala – Elephants
  • Madhya Pradesh – the land of Kipling’s Jungle Book.

Traveling solo as a female requires taking certain precautions as well as renounce small liberties depending on your destination in India. Not all places are safe and not all places in India are unsafe. Actually, traveling solo as a female to India is much trendier than you might think. Northern India is regarded safer for solo women travelers than in the southern region. The only mantra to keep your journey safe and exciting is to dress up conservatively, covering your shoulders and legs regardless of where you wish to travel. You need to be polite as well as confident with the people you encounter during your trip. A bad experience on your journey is not necessarily the shortcoming of the country and if a person has had an awful experience in the past, it does not mean that every person will have the same.  Despite all the forewarnings and dismal media reports, India is actually, in some ways, a very good destination for solo female travelers. It’s worth it!

You will probably find tens of hundreds of packing list on the internet, but for orthodox India you need to be specific while packing your stuff. Another important aspect of your packing list depends on the specific region in India where you will be traveling. Listed below are the quintessential items you need to include while packing for an Indian journey, in general:

  • Luggage, carryon suitcase or a comfortable backpack
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Walking sandals
  • Flip-flops
  • Loose fitting and breathable clothing (long skirts, loose-fitting pants, comfortable T-shirts), khaki pants, long sleeve cotton shirts, several pairs of undergarments, socks, hoodie or light weight sweater, bathing suit, shorts, scarf, swim-suit)
  • Small bag of toiletries, toilet paper, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer
  • Personal care items (shampoo, conditioner, moisturizers, razor, deodorant, condoms, sanitary napkins and pads)
  • Portable charger and extra camera batteries
  • Torch or flashlight
  • Sunglasses, hat, padlock and chain
  • Medicines
  • Water bottle
  • Money/Credit cards
  • Guide book, pen and journals

The Indian gastronomy has never had a setback although the large metropolis areas are filled with McDonalds, Pizza Hut, KFC, Burger King, Barista, Domino’s Pizza, Starbucks, and many Italian and such other restaurants. As India is a diverse country, the variation in the cuisine delights is not a bit less. As a traveler in India, we recommend you to try the following irresistible food items:

  • Naan/Paratha
  • Indian Thali
  • Malai Kofta
  • Dal Makhani
  • Butter Chicken/Butter Paneer
  • Hyderabadi Biryani
  • Tandoori meat and vegetables
  • Masala Dosa
  • Samosa and Kachori
  • Chaat Masala
  • Fish Curry
  • Uttapam
  • Dahi Vaada
  • Chicken or Mutton Kebabs
  • Dhokla
  • Chhole Bhature
  • Idly Sambar
  • Sweetmeats like Rasmalai, Jalebi, Rasgulla, Gulab Jamun, Barfi and Rabdi

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) recommend the following vaccines for India travel: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, and influenza.

Japanese Encephalitis is a severe threat in India. Dengue is also quite common in India during monsoon and summer seasons. Although vaccination is not required, mosquito repellants and netting can help protect against both Japanese encephalitis and dengue.  A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by all travelers coming from an infected country. Meningitis is a periodic risk, so vaccination is advised. Rabies is also present in India. So, those visitors who are at high risk, it is safe if you consider vaccination before coming to India. For more details on vaccination requirement, you may visit the CDC website:

 

A vast arrangement of hotels and guesthouses are available throughout India catering to both Indian travelers as well as foreign tourists. Overall, accommodation provides good value for money to all travelers depending on their budget. The metropolitan cities of India have some of the fanciest 7 star hotels as well as budgeted hotels, youth hostels, motels, and guesthouses. The luxury establishments usually have international price tags and provide western-style comforts and amenities.

While there are numerous options of accommodations while traveling in India, our standard tour package in India includes a 3 star hotel accommodation. It is up to you to choose where to stay depending on your budget and spending knack.

Family vacations in India have their own element of fun and amusement with its countless attractions, experiences, and hospitality. Whether India is a good family destination or not can only be justified when you and your family have a really good time at a particular destination in the country. If you and your family are beach lovers, but are only seeing the city life of India, then you won’t probably have a nice time and may jump to conclude that India is not a good family destination. You really need to go to the coastline and visit the golden beaches and spend some time to validate whether India is a good family destination or not.

With plenty of hill stations, ideal beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, backwaters, several other tourist attractions, and many exhilarating options there are so much you can choose for your entire family to make an unforgettable holiday in India.

Here are some of the safety measures you should take while traveling to India:

  • If you are a female solo traveler traveling locally in trains, consider entering the women’s compartment.
  • Be aware when you are in a very crowded place and keep your belongings very close to you.
  • Don’t go out alone at night.
  • Don’t ever trust strangers, not even the youngsters.
  • Don’t travel carrying a lot of cash with you.
  • Make backup copies of all you important documents and keep it safely and separately, away from the original copies.
  • Learn to say ‘no’ firmly, without being rude – it is the easiest way to get out of unwanted situations.
  • Note down the emergency phone numbers, in case you need them.
  • Be mindful of local sentiments – Indians get offended too easily.
  • Be careful on the roads – people are impatient and always in a hurry while drivers are infamous for the lack of traffic sense.
  • Watch what you eat – it is important to take care of your health as well.

Dating back to thousands of years, India has a rich and varied history and for the same reason, the country has several tourist attractions with historical importance. The following are some of the most extravagant tourist attractions in India that possess their own history and significance:

  • Taj Mahal, Agra
  • Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Maharashtra
  • Varanasi & the Holy Ganges River
  • The Golden City of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
  • Golden Temple, Amritsar
  • The Red Fort, New Delhi
  • Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad
  • Gateway of India, Mumbai
  • The Beaches in Goa
  • Amber Fort, Jaipur
  • Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
  • Agra Fort, Agra
  • Mysore Palace, Mysore
  • Pangong Lake, Ladakh
  • Hampi, Karnataka
  • Backwaters of Kerala
  • Jama Masjid, Delhi
  • Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Madurai
  • Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya
  • Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
  • Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
  • Victoria Memorial, Kolkata
  • Jallianwala Bagh – Amritsar
  • Great Rann of Kutch – Kutch
  • Nalanda – Bihar
  • Hawa Mahal – Jaipur
  • Elephanta Caves – Mumbai
  • Bara Imambara – Lucknow
  • Fatehpur Sikri – Agra
  • Sanchi Stupa – Sanchi
  • Junagarh Fort – Bikaner

Planning a Trip?

We have a pool of travel experts working in this industry for more than a decade. Consult to get started.

Book a Call Back