馃悩 India

Official government travel advice

Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.

Recent disaster alerts (UN/EU GDACS)

Updated 4 Nov 2026. Alerts change quickly: check GDACS and your government's advice before you travel.

Costs

Prices here are about 23% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.

Practical information

Entry

For most visitors a visa is required. Through the official portal of the Government of India, many nationalities can apply online for the e-Visa. On the portal, eligibility, the permitted stay and the fee should be verified (guides give conflicting figures for the number of days). Submit the form several days ahead of travelling, attaching a passport scan and a clear photo. Passports generally need blank pages and a validity of 6 months or more. Arrival must be through a designated airport or seaport for e-Visa holders. The Bureau of Immigration is where to check for arrival forms that may apply. Steer clear of copycat 'visa' websites, which charge extra.

Culture and practical - take note

Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered; plenty of temples and mosques insist on this). Gurdwaras, temples, mosques and many homes call for shoes to be taken off, and for the head to be covered where asked. The right hand is for eating, giving and receiving. Feet should not be pointed toward people or sacred images. 'Namaste', said with palms together, is the greeting. Hindus regard the cow as sacred; many states ban beef, and many people are vegetarian, so ask before ordering. Showing affection in public is frowned upon. Haggle in markets and with rickshaws, which is normal, but settle the price first. Choose bottled or filtered water to drink, and food that has been freshly cooked. Some states, and some days, bring a ban or restriction on alcohol. Official or app-based taxis are the ones to use; look out for scams around tourist sites and train stations. A drone requires permission. The monsoon, June-September, can disrupt travel. In the Muslim areas of big cities, halal meals are easy to find.

Emergency

112 is the national emergency number (old numbers 100 police, 101 fire, 102 ambulance may also work).

Good to know

Rupees, ATMs and card fraud

The currency is the Indian rupee. Canadian advice says non-residents may not import or export rupees, and that foreign currency above a set amount must be declared to customs on entering or leaving. Card and ATM fraud occurs, so unusual card readers should be avoided and ATMs in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business used. Carrying large sums of money is discouraged.

Local laws and customs

Alcohol, vapes and satellite devices

Alcohol rules in India differ by state, and UK advice says drinking in public places is illegal, sales are often banned around festivals and elections, and alcohol is prohibited in Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram, Nagaland and Lakshadweep. Vapes are banned, and unlicensed satellite phones or GPS devices are illegal even in transit. Canadian advice says to dress conservatively, remove footwear at places of worship, and that several states ban beef.

Taxis and scams

Taxis and autos in India

Where you pick up a taxi matters, says Canada's travel advice: a reputable hotel, an official taxi stand or a trusted ride-sharing app. At airports it points to officially marked taxis or prepaid transport services. Because overcharging is possible, it suggests settling the fare beforehand or asking for the meter, and not riding alone at night or with strangers. UK advice adds that seatbelts are uncommon in autos and in the rear seats of taxis.

Taxi apps in India

Taxis booked through apps such as Uber and Ola are widely available across India, and in every airport terminal building, according to UK travel advice. Ordering a cab online usually lets you share trip details with contacts so they can follow your location. The same advice says that if a hotel driver is picking you up at the airport, make sure they properly identify themselves before you leave.

Jewel export and tour offers

Foreigners in tourist areas and at airports are particular targets for scammers, Canada's travel advice warns. In one reported scam, taxi drivers offer money to export jewels, gemstones, carpets or other goods; the advice is to refuse no matter how convincing it sounds. Also flagged are offers of cheap transport or accommodation, extended taxi rides and unsolicited guided tours. UK advice adds that people offering tickets and tours at railway stations may be scammers.

Who can help

local government

Ministry of Tourism tourist helpline (Government of India)

Helps with: National tourist helpline of the Ministry of Tourism. It gives travel and tourism information and advises callers in distress while travelling in India, alerting authorities if needed.

Who qualifies: Domestic and international tourists in India.

Phone: 1800111363

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

ngo

Indian Red Cross Society, National Headquarters

Helps with: India's national Red Cross society. The national headquarters in New Delhi lists a main phone line and email, and runs a blood centre with its own enquiry line.

Who qualifies: People in India seeking Red Cross services or information.

Phone: +91-11 23716441

Email: [email protected]

Address: 1 Red Cross Road, New Delhi 110001

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

un agency

International Organization for Migration (IOM) India

Helps with: The UN migration agency, working in India since 2001. Its work covers labour migration, counter-trafficking, assisted voluntary return and reintegration, and support for migrants.

Who qualifies: Migrants and people affected by trafficking or labour migration issues. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.

Phone: +91 11 24100026

Email: [email protected]

Address: UNESCO House, Ground Floor, 1 San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

embassy

Diplomatic missions in India (Ministry of External Affairs)

Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy or high commission. The Ministry's homepage links to a Diplomatic Missions in India section under Foreign Relations.

Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own country's embassy or high commission.

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Tourist Police Station, Agra

Helps with: Tourist police station for Agra, listed on the Uttar Pradesh tourism department site next to the foreigners registration office and district police numbers.

Who qualifies: Tourists visiting Agra who need police help.

Phone: 9454402764

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Delhi Tourism

Helps with: Delhi government's tourism body. Its website lists an office address, phone numbers and an email for tourist enquiries about Delhi.

Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Delhi or planning a trip there.

Phone: +91-11-23365358

Address: 18-A, D.D.A. SCO Complex, Defence Colony, New Delhi 110024

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Emergency number 112 (police, ambulance and fire)

Helps with: Reaches the police, ambulance and fire services in India, with support in English, Hindi and other languages. The number comes from UK government travel advice.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.

Phone: 112

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

Cities and places

Delhi DelhiRich street food, busy bazaars, the Qutub Minar and Mughal monuments are all in India's capital, which is also the main entry point.Photo: Ronakshah1990, CC BY-SA 4.0 Agra AgraMost visits to Agra, home of Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal, take place on the Golden Triangle route linking it with Delhi and Jaipur.Photo: Yann (talk), CC BY-SA 4.0 Mumbai MumbaiMumbai, the financial and film capital of India, is known for colonial-era buildings, the Gateway of India and the Marine Drive seafront.Photo: Rutiknatekar, CC BY-SA 4.0 Jaipur JaipurCraft markets full of colour, the Hawa Mahal, royal palaces and the hilltop Amber Fort bring visitors to Jaipur, Rajasthan's Pink City.Photo: Chainwit., CC BY-SA 4.0 Goa GoaGoa, a coastal state, is known for its lively nightlife, fresh seafood, Portuguese-era churches and relaxed beaches.Photo: Tanya Dedyukhina, CC BY 3.0 Kerala KeralaGreen tropical scenery, Ayurvedic treatments, Munnar's tea hills and houseboat trips through the backwaters make up Kerala's reputation.Photo: Saad Faruque from Bangalore, India, CC BY-SA 2.0

City selection based on: India Tourism Data Compendium (Ministry of Tourism), Delhi Economic Survey, monument visitor statistics

Festivals and events

festival

Diwali (festival of lights)

6-10 Nov 2026 路 Delhi

One of the biggest events the country hosts each year; prices rise and hotels fill up, so plan early.

culture

Pushkar Camel Fair

around Nov 2026 路 Pushkar

The holy lake draws camels, traders and pilgrims in their thousands.

culture

Jaipur Literature Festival

around Jan-Feb 2027 路 Jaipur

Among free literature festivals, none anywhere is larger.

culture

Republic Day parade (26 January)

26 Jan 2027 路 Delhi

A parade with both military and cultural elements is held on Kartavya Path.

festival

Goa Carnival

around Feb 2027 路 Goa

Lent is preceded by music and parades.

festival

Holi (festival of colours)

21-22 Mar 2027 路 Jaipur

Hotels fill up, prices rise and the country sees one of its biggest events of the year, so planning early is advisable.

religious

Ganesh Chaturthi

around Aug-Sep 2027 路 Mumbai

Mumbai's biggest festival lasts ten days and is filled with processions for Ganesh.

culture

Onam and snake-boat races

around Aug-Sep 2027 路 Kochi (Kerala)

This harvest festival of Kerala includes races of long snake boats.

religious

Durga Puja

around Sep-Oct 2027 路 Kolkata

Across the city, artistic pandals appear; these are temporary temples.

festival

Diwali (festival of lights)

27-31 Oct 2027 路 Delhi

One of the biggest events the country hosts each year; prices rise and hotels fill up, so plan early.

culture

Pushkar Camel Fair

around Nov 2027 路 Pushkar

The holy lake draws camels, traders and pilgrims in their thousands.

culture

Jaipur Literature Festival

around Jan-Feb 2028 路 Jaipur

Among free literature festivals, none anywhere is larger.

culture

Republic Day parade (26 January)

26 Jan 2028 路 Delhi

A parade with both military and cultural elements is held on Kartavya Path.