Namaste! Visiting India?

Before you go

Visa

Most visitors need a visa for India. Many nationalities can apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) online on the Government of India’s official website, indianvisaonline.gov.in. Apply only there, and check the latest rules for your country before you book flights.

Passport

Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the day you arrive, with at least two blank pages.

Money

India’s currency is the rupee (₹). Cards work in hotels, malls and most city restaurants. Carry some cash for markets, small shops and tips. ATMs are easy to find in towns and cities.

Phone and internet

A local SIM card needs your passport and a photo. Many visitors use an eSIM instead. Most hotels have WiFi.

Plugs

India uses 230 volts. Most sockets take round plugs with two or three pins (types C, D and M), so bring a universal adapter.

Travel insurance

We recommend travel insurance that includes medical cover.

When to go

October to March

Cool, dry and sunny across most of India. It is the most popular time for Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan, Kerala and Goa. Nights in the north can be cold in December and January.

April to June

Hot on the plains. A good time for the hills, such as Himachal, Uttarakhand, Kashmir and Sikkim.

July to September

Monsoon rains across most of the country, with green landscapes and fewer visitors. Ladakh, in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, is at its best.

Not sure which trip suits your month? Find your vibe in 4 taps and we’ll suggest trips. Planning around Holi, Onam or the Pushkar Camel Fair? See our festival calendar, or see where to go each month.

Local customs

Namaste 🙏

Press your palms together and say “Namaste”, a warm hello anywhere in India. A handshake is fine too, though some women prefer not to shake hands with men.

Temples, mosques and gurdwaras

Cover your shoulders and knees, take off your shoes at the entrance, and follow any signs about photos. At gurdwaras, cover your head too. Some temples allow only Hindus inside.

Right hand

Use your right hand to eat, and to give or receive things.

Photos of people

Ask first. Most people are happy to be in a photo.

Bargaining

Normal at markets and street stalls, not in shops with fixed prices. Keep it friendly.

In public

Dress modestly and keep affection discreet, especially in small towns and at religious places.

Food and health

Water

Drink bottled or filtered water, and check the seal. Good hotels and restaurants serve filtered water.

Spice

Indian food can be spicy. Ask for “less spicy”. Kitchens are used to it.

Vegetarian food

India is one of the easiest countries in the world for vegetarians. Vegan and Jain food are widely understood too.

Street food

Choose busy stalls where food is cooked fresh in front of you.

Health

Pack your usual medicines, hand sanitiser and mosquito repellent. Ask your doctor about vaccinations a few weeks before you travel.

What to pack

• Light, loose cotton clothes that cover your shoulders and knees
• A scarf or shawl, handy for temples and cool evenings
• Warm layers for the north in winter, and for the mountains all year
• Comfortable shoes that slip on and off easily
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
• A universal plug adapter and a power bank
• Copies of your passport and visa, on paper and on your phone

Common scams

Most people you meet will be kind and helpful. A few tricks aimed at visitors are worth knowing.

Fake visa websites

Some websites look official but charge extra for the eVisa. Apply only on indianvisaonline.gov.in.

“It’s closed today”

A stranger says your hotel, a monument or a shop is closed or has moved, and offers to take you somewhere else. Check for yourself. It is almost always open.

Unofficial tourist offices

Offices near New Delhi Railway Station and Connaught Place that call themselves “government tourist offices” and sell overpriced tours. Book only with a company you have checked.

Taxis and rickshaws

Drivers who “forget” the meter or take the long way round. Use app cabs, or agree the fare before you get in.

Guides at the gate

People at big sights who say they are official guides. Licensed guides carry a government ID card, so ask to see it.

Gem and carpet deals

Offers to buy gems or carpets cheaply so you can “sell them at home for a profit”. It is most likely a trap.

Photo for money

Someone offers a photo with a snake, a costume or a holy man, then asks for money. Agree the amount first, or politely say no.

Cash machines

Use ATMs inside banks, hotels or malls, and cover the keypad when you type your PIN.

Travelling with us? Your drivers and guides are arranged by us, so you never need a stranger’s help. If anything feels wrong, message or call us.

Staying safe, with Zen Vibe Holidays

24/7 emergency line for our travellers

Save it in your phone before you travel.

• Use the transport we arrange, or registered taxis and app cabs
• Keep valuables in the hotel safe and carry a copy of your passport
• India’s emergency number is 112
• Agree prices for rickshaws and markets before you start

24/7 qualified nursing support

Our registered nursing officer is available on call 24/7 throughout your journey, offering professional support and helping coordinate medical care whenever required.

Licensed drivers, GPS-tracked vehicles

Every driver is licensed and every vehicle has GPS tracking, so you’re in safe hands on the road.

Help while you travel

Message or call us if plans change on the road.

Plans built around you

Every itinerary can be changed: hotels, pace, dates and budget.

One team from start to finish

You deal with the same people from your first enquiry to your return, on WhatsApp or phone.

Clear quotes

Your quote lists what’s included and what isn’t, so there are no surprises later.

Good first trips to India

Our tours that work well for a first visit. Every one can be changed to suit your dates and pace.