- e-Visa required for most Western nationalities — apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in at least 4 days before travel, costs USD 25–80 depending on passport
- Extremely affordable by Western standards — budget travellers can manage €25–40/day; even luxury train journeys and palace hotels are priced well below Western equivalents
- Indian Railways covers 14,000 stations — book Rajdhani and Shatabdi express trains on irctc.co.in up to 60 days ahead; tourist quota exists for foreigners
- October–March is the best travel window for most of India; avoid April–June heat (45°C+) and July–September monsoon for most regions
India is not a destination — it's a world. The scale, diversity, and intensity of the subcontinent make any trip feel both overwhelming and transformative. The Taj Mahal is genuinely as extraordinary as its reputation; Varanasi's burning ghats on the Ganges at dawn are unlike anything in human civilisation; Rajasthan's palaces and desert forts form one of the world's great architectural landscapes; Kerala's backwaters move at a pace that re-calibrates your sense of time. The food alone — fiercely regional, technically complex, and available at every price point from a ₹40 thali to a ₹4,000 tasting menu — justifies coming. India rewards preparation, patience, and the willingness to let the country work on its own terms.
Cost of Living
India is one of the world's most affordable destinations for Western visitors. A full thali meal at a local restaurant: ₹80–200 (€0.90–2.30). A restaurant meal for two in a mid-range Indian restaurant: ₹600–1,500 (€7–17). Budget guesthouses: ₹600–1,500/night (€7–17). Heritage palace hotels in Rajasthan (Taj Hotels, Oberoi group, Amanbagh): ₹15,000–80,000/night (€170–900) — expensive by Indian standards but competitive with equivalent European luxury. A first-class train ticket from Delhi to Jaipur (4h30): ₹1,200 (€14). Budget travellers can manage €25–40/day; comfortable mid-range travel (AC hotels, restaurant meals) runs €60–120/day.
Housing
India's accommodation range is extraordinary. Delhi's budget guesthouses in Paharganj: ₹800–2,000/night (€9–23). Delhi's mid-range hotels in Connaught Place or Aerocity: ₹3,000–8,000/night (€34–91). Rajasthan's heritage havelis and palace hotels (Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur): ₹5,000–40,000/night (€57–455) — architecturally extraordinary. Kerala's backwater houseboats (kettuvallam): ₹12,000–25,000/night (€136–284) for a private houseboat including crew and meals. Goa beach hotels: ₹3,000–15,000/night (€34–170) depending on location and season.
Visa & Entry
Most Western nationalities including EU, US, UK, Canadian, and Australian passport holders can apply for an Indian e-Visa online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. The e-Tourist Visa costs USD 25–80 depending on passport nationality and is valid for 30 days (single entry) or 1 year (multiple entry, 90-day stay limit per visit). Apply at least 4 days before travel — processing typically takes 1–3 business days. Print the e-Visa confirmation to show at immigration. Ensure your passport has 6+ months validity and two blank pages.
Expat Life
Mumbai and Bangalore have large Western expat communities linked to finance, tech, and film. Delhi's diplomatic community is significant. English is an official language and widely spoken in educated urban circles. India's expat visa system requires a business or employment visa for work — tourist visa extensions are limited. India is an extremely rewarding long-stay destination for those who engage with it on its own terms.
India is ideal for travellers who want a transformative cultural experience rather than a comfortable holiday — the distinction matters. It suits history and architecture lovers who want Mughal palaces and Rajput forts, food enthusiasts who want to trace Indian cuisine across its regional variations (north Indian, South Indian, Goan, Bengali), spiritual travellers drawn to Varanasi, Rishikesh, or Buddhist pilgrimage sites, and wildlife photographers targeting Bengal tigers in Ranthambore or Jim Corbett.
India requires more preparation than most destinations. Stomach illness from food and water is a near-universal experience for first-timers — manage it rather than trying to avoid India. The tourist infrastructure in popular areas (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) includes persistent touts, rickshaw drivers who 'helpfully' redirect you to commission shops, and false 'closed today' notices at major monuments. The rule: ignore all unsolicited approaches and book tickets directly at official portals. Air pollution in Delhi and major North Indian cities is severe November–February — masks and air purifiers are advisable.
Practical Tips
- Book Indian Railways tickets on the IRCTC website (irctc.co.in) — create an account before travel. The Tatkal (last-minute) quota and Foreign Tourist Quota exist for foreigners who can't book the standard 60-day-ahead window. Rajdhani Express (Delhi–Mumbai: 16h), Shatabdi (Delhi–Agra: 2h), and Duronto trains are the fastest and most comfortable.
- Use Ola or Uber for all city rides — preset fares eliminate bargaining and the meter disputes common with auto-rickshaws in tourist areas. In smaller towns, pre-negotiate all auto-rickshaw fares before getting in. The fare should be roughly ₹15–25/km as a baseline.
- The Agra–Delhi corridor: visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise (gates open 6am, crowds are minimal before 9am). Book the fast Gatimaan Express from Delhi Hazrat Nizamuddin (1h40) rather than driving. The entry ticket (₹1,100 for foreigners) includes the main mausoleum and must be bought online at asi.payumoney.com.
- Rajasthan Golden Circuit (Jaipur–Jodhpur–Udaipur–Jaisalmer): allow 10–14 days to do it properly. Hire a private driver for the Rajasthan leg rather than relying on train connections — roads are good and the flexibility to stop at forts and villages en route is worth the cost (₹2,500–4,000/day for car and driver).
- Stomach illness is common for first-time India visitors — drink only bottled or filtered water, avoid raw salads and street food in the first 3–4 days to let your system adjust. Carry Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and loperamide. Most large cities have excellent private hospitals (Max, Fortis, Apollo) with English-speaking doctors.
- Kerala's backwaters (Alleppey/Alappuzha): a houseboat (kettuvallam) overnight is the quintessential Kerala experience — book through Kerala Tourism or KTDC for regulated pricing. The 8–9 hour day cruise through the canals of Kumarakom and Kuttanad is extraordinary. February–March and September–October are the best months to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for India?
Yes — an e-Visa is required for most Western nationalities. Apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in at least 4 days before travel. The e-Tourist Visa costs USD 25–80 depending on nationality and is valid for 30 days (single entry) or 1 year (multiple entry, 90 days per visit). Ensure 6+ months passport validity and two blank pages.
When is the best time to visit India?
October–March is the main travel season — cool enough (15–28°C in the north, 25–32°C in the south) for comfortable sightseeing. April–June is extremely hot across northern India (40–46°C). July–September brings the monsoon — southern India and Kerala are beautiful in this season but the north is disrupted. Goa is best November–February; Kerala backwaters best February–March and September–October.
What is the Golden Triangle?
The Golden Triangle is the standard first-time India circuit: Delhi (2–3 days) → Agra (1–2 days, Taj Mahal) → Jaipur (2–3 days, Amber Fort, City Palace). All three are connected by Rajdhani/Shatabdi express trains. The circuit takes 7–10 days and is the most visited route in India. Extending to Udaipur, Jodhpur, or Varanasi adds another week and significantly deeper experience.
Is India safe for tourists?
India is safe for most tourists with appropriate precautions. The main risks are petty theft in tourist areas, stomach illness, and — particularly for solo women — unwanted male attention in some northern cities. South India and Kerala are generally considered more comfortable for solo female travel than parts of Rajasthan or Delhi. Emergency number: 112. Tourist police stations operate at major heritage sites.
Official Resources
Updated 2026-04-12