Many people are asking themselves: is it safe to visit Bombay now?

In light of recent terrorist attacks and bombings in Bombay (Mumbai) that have taken place over the last several years, it is an important question to ask before visiting India.

While there is no definite answer, a safe visit to Bombay is everyone’s goal when traveling. To make sure your visit is as safe as possible, try to avoid areas that are known targets or potential ones. Be on the lookout for suspicious activity, and make sure to be aware of your surroundings at all times.

There are no guarantees when traveling anywhere in the world, but a safe visit to Bombay is a probable thing if you are careful and remain alert and attentive.

Trains from Varanasi to Delhi depart all throughout the day from Varanasi Jn train station. They arrive at New Delhi train station in the capital.

Many trains have summer hours and winter hours, and timetables are always subject to change. Make sure to confirm times before making a booking.

Fares for tickets for trains from Varanasi to Delhi depend on what class you travel. A First Class A/C ticket starts around Rs. 1,900.

The best trains to take from Varanasi to Delhi are those that have the least number of stops, and thus the shortest travel times.

While some trains from Varanasi to Delhi take 12h15m, others can take up to 16h30m.

Whatever you choose for your train from Varanasi to Delhi, be sure to leave yourself plenty of time if you have a connection when you arrive in Delhi. Trains are often subject to delays. See the India Train Guide for more information and tips on train travel in India.

Aloft Hotel Chennai
Address: 102, Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Sholinganallur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600 119, India
Phone: (91)(44) 4592 5500

The Aloft Hotel in Chennai is true to the Aloft brand with its chic decor and trendy atmosphere.

The hotel is located in the heart of the IT business district in Chennai on the “OMR”.

The Aloft Hotel in Chennai features spacious guest rooms with free Wi-Fi and comfortable beds and furniture.

Common areas at the Aloft include the signature XYZ bar and lounge as well as a 24/7 pantry and re:mix lobby.

Room rates at the Aloft Hotel in Chennai start at 5,499 INR per night.

Udaipur is one of the best cities to visit in India’s Rajasthan region. Full of history and rich with beautiful landscapes and ornate palaces, Udaipur is a beautiful city and well worth a visit.

The top sightseeing in Udaipur includes the City Palace, the Monsoon Palace, the Lake Palace (book a meal if you’re not staying there, as that’s the only way to get in), the Jagdish Temple, a boat ride around Lake Pichola, and the Udaipur rose gardens and zoo.

Udaipur is easy to get to from Delhi and Jaipur by train, and is also an easy domestic flight from either city.

Udaipur has a wide variety of hotels that range from the luxury hotel of the Lake Palace Hotel to mid-range accommodations like the Mewar Haveli and Tiger Hotel.

Udaipur has a variety of restaurants to choose from and many hotels have roof terraces where you can eat and enjoy the views over Lake Pichola. Many westerners enjoy breakfast or a pastry at the popular Cafe Edelweiss as well.

There are a number of differences between Northern and Southern India.

For the visitor, the main differences between these parts of India have to do with climate and weather.

The difference between Northern and Southern India in the climactic sense is great.

While Northern India tends to be cooler throughout the year and can be covered in snow in the far north and the Himalayas, Southern India tends to be much warmer.

During the monsoon season in India, Southern India is best avoided, as the extreme heat makes visiting India very uncomfortable during that time.

Keep in mind that the differences between Northern and Southern India are generalizations.

Each region of India has its own distinct climate, identity, and culture.

It is worth visiting a number of different regions of India to get a better idea of the variations.

Tiger safaris are a popular activity for people visiting India.

There are several national parks in India that are great for tiger safaris, including Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan, Jim Corbett National Park in Uttar Pradesh, Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Kaziranga National Park in Assam, and Panna National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

When planning your tiger safari in India, check to see what months of the year the national park you wish to visit is open.

Many national parks in India close to tiger safaris during the summer months due to the extreme heat and monsoons.

Some tiger safaris in India are possible to book through tour agencies, while others are easy to do independently.

For example, many hotels in Ranthambore National Park will book your game drives for you, so you don’t need to book through a separate tour operator.

Whatever national park you choose for your tiger safari in India, make sure you are prepared to be patient, as tiger sightings are rare!

Google has free maps of India inside of Google Maps.

These include road and street maps of major and minor cities, towns, and rural areas of India.

Check out Google maps of India below.

View Larger Map

Every major guidebook company from Lonely Planet to Let’s Go makes at least one India guidebook.

Most guidebook companies make many more than one book on India, as the country’s vast territory and diversity of places to visit make for enough material for several.

If you’re planning on visiting India, getting a specific guidebook for the region you will visit is a good idea. For example, Lonely Planet’s book on Rajasthan gives good in-depth coverage of that region of India and will save you from lugging around a huge book as you travel.

If you’ll be visiting lots of places in India, getting a larger guidebook like The Rough Guide to India is a good idea. If you’re handy with scissors, you can cut out the chapters you need and leave the rest at home to save room as you pack your bags.

Once you know what size guidebook you need, shop around for an India guidebook that fits your travel style. If you’re backpacking, Lonely Planet, Let’s Go, and the Rough Guide are some of the best guidebooks. If you’re going upscale, look into guides that offer more high-end suggestions for hotels, restaurants, and shopping.

On a budget? A lot of the best deals on India guidebooks can be found on websites where travelers that have just returned from India are selling their books. If you’re lucky you can get a copy with good notes and suggestions written in!

One last tip on finding the best India guidebooks: check the date the guidebook was published. If it is more than a few years old, don’t buy it. Things change so quickly in India that an old guidebook will be of little use to you today.

Whether you’re looking to browse through a bustling market or shop in style at an upscale boutique, Delhi has some of the best shopping in India. Here are some of my favorite places to shop in Delhi:

Dilli Haat
Aurbindo Marg, New Delhi

This open-air market costs 100 rupees to get into, but that’s mostly just to keep the touts out. Once inside, you’ll find yourself in a bustling market full of stalls selling everything from colorful bangles to silk saris. The food court is large and you can find everything from traditional northern Indian food to Chinese.

Khan Market
Near Lodi Gardens, New Delhi

An upscale shopping market in central Delhi, Khan Market is home to shops selling high-end clothing, jewelry, and home wares. There are also restaurants at Khan Market that serve up good Western food. Try Choko La for food, Amrapali for clothes, and Good Earth for home goods.

Sundar Nagar Market
Mathura Road, Delhi

Another upscale shopping destination in Delhi, Sundar Nagar Market offers an array of clothing, jewelry, and food shops. Among them is Baci, which serves up delicious Italian food that travelers weary of Indian food can indulge in.

Emporio Shopping Mall
Nelson Mandela Marg, New Delhi

Like the name suggests, the Emporio Shopping Mall in Delhi caters to the well heeled traveler in India. With a Cartier boutique and other upscale shops, this is the mall to visit if you are looking for Western luxury stores in India.

Opened in January 2009, the Taj Group’s Banjaar Tola safari lodge is all the luxury you could ask for while on safari in India’s Kanha National Park.

Situated on the bank of Madhya Pradesh’s Banjaar River, the Banjaar Tola is a luxury camp that allows guests to be at one with nature while still retaining the normal luxury associated with Taj hotels.

Each of the two camps at the Banjaar Tola features nine suites and a tented sitting area.

Suites are decorated with bamboo panels and floors, furniture made of local wood, and textiles made of organic cotton and silk.

When you’re not enjoying the luxury of your Banjaar Tola camp, the lodge offers two safari game drives a day in Kanha National Park.

The lucky few will spot a tiger or two!

The Banjaar Tola also has naturalist on hand to answer your questions about the flora and fauna and to point out various endemic species to you along the way.

Double rooms at the Banjaar Tola start at 60,000 INR, and the lodge is all-inclusive.

The Leela Kempinski Goa
Address: Cavelossim, Mobor, Salcette, Goa 403 731 India
Phone: +91 832 287 1234

The Leela Kempinski hotel in Goa, India is one of the area’s top hotels. The Leela is loved by guests for its excellent service, beautiful rooms, great restaurants, and beautiful beach.

The check-in staff at The Leela Goa are very welcoming, giving each guest a flower lei and a fresh coconut to drink from upon arrival.

Rooms at The Leela Goa are comfortable and offer great views of the many koi ponds and beautiful flowers around the grounds. Rooms have balconies and offer all five-star amenities and in-room dining.

Restaurants at the Leela vary from high-end Indian food to casual beach seafood restaurants. There are several bars that serve a range of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

The Leela has a small golf course right by the beach, and offers beach activities such as parasailing and jet skiing. Yoga is also available.

The Leela offers airport pick-up and drop-off services from Goa airport, which is approximately one hour from the hotel.

Trains from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer, India depart twice a day from Jodhpur Jn train station and arrive at Jaisalmer train station.

Train tickets from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer vary in cost based on what class you travel.

A Second Class A/C ticket on the morning train starts around Rs. 590, while a Third Class A/C ticket on either train starts at Rs. 439.

Note that there is no First Class A/C on either train and no Second Class A/C on the night train from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer.

The trains from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer are:

Dli Jsm Express (4059) Dep: 06:00 Arr: 12:45 Time: 6h 45m
Ju Jsm Express (4810) Dep: 23:00 Arr: 05:00 Time: 6h 00m

Note that some trains have different hours for summer and winter, and schedules are subject to change. Make sure to confirm times before you purchase your tickets.

NB: It is best to arrange a hotel pick up from the train station in Jaisalmer, as tuk-tuk drivers often try to take you to other hotels or tell you that your hotel has shut down.

See the India Train Guide for more information and tips on train travel in India.

The daily train from Delhi to Jaisalmer, India departs from Delhi train station at 17:40 and arrives at Jaisalmer train station at 12:45 the next day.

The train is called the Dli Jsm Express (4059).

Train tickets from Delhi to Jaisalmer on the Dli Jsm Express train vary in cost based on what class you travel.

A Second Class A/C ticket starts around Rs. 1,264 (there is no AC First Class on this train).

NB: It is best to arrange a hotel pick up from the train station in Jaisalmer, as tuk-tuk drivers often try to take you to other hotels or tell you that your hotel has shut down.

See the India Train Guide for more information and tips on train travel in India.

The daily train from Delhi to Jodhpur, India departs from Delhi train station at 20:45 and arrives at Jodhpur Jn train station at 08:00.

The train is called the Mandor Express (2461).

Train tickets from Delhi to Jodhpur on the Mandor Express train vary in cost based on what class you travel.

A First Class A/C ticket starts around Rs. 1,680.

NB: It is best to arrange a hotel pick up from the train station in Jodhpur, as tuk-tuk drivers often try to take you to other hotels or tell you that your hotel has shut down.

See the India Train Guide for more information and tips on train travel in India.

The daily train from Jaipur to Udaipur, India departs from Jaipur train station at 22:40 and arrives at Udaipur City train station at 06:10.

The train is called the Gwl Udz Sup Exp (2965).

Train tickets from Jaipur to Udaipur on the Gwl Udz Sup Exp train vary in cost based on what class you travel.

A First Class A/C ticket starts around Rs. 1,295.

NB: It is best to arrange a hotel pick up from the train station in Udaipur.

Tuk-tuk drivers and touts often try to take you to other hotels or tell you that your hotel has shut down.

See the India Train Guide for more information and tips on train travel in India.

The daily train from Delhi to Udaipur, India departs from Delhi H Nizamuddin train station at 19:00 and arrives at Udaipur City train station at 07:00.

The train is called the Mewar Express (2963).

Train tickets from Delhi to Udaipur on the Mewar Express train vary in cost based on what class you travel.

A First Class A/C ticket starts around Rs. 1,908.

NB: It is best to arrange a hotel pick up from the train station in Udaipur.

Tuk-tuk and taxi drivers will usually try to take you to other hotels or try to convince you that your hotel has shut down.

See the India Train Guide for more information and tips on train travel in India.

Trains from Delhi to Varanasi, India depart regularly throughout the day from New Delhi train station and arrive at Varanasi Jn train station.

Train tickets from Delhi to Varanasi vary in cost based on what class you travel. A First Class A/C ticket starts around Rs. 1,900.

The best trains to take from Delhi to Varanasi are the ones with the fewest stops (and therefore the shortest journey times). While some trains from Delhi to Varanasi take 12h15m, others can take as long as 16h20m.

Trains from Delhi to Varanasi include, but are not limited to:

Shramjevi N Exp (2392) Dep: 13:15 Arr: 2:30 Time: 13h 15m
Kashi V Express (4258) Dep: 13:30 Arr: 5:50 Time: 16h 20m
Poorva Express (2382) Dep: 16:20 Arr: 5:20 Time: 13h 0m
Shiv Ganga Exp (2560) Dep: 18:30 Arr: 7:30 Time: 13h 0m
Swatantrta S Ex (2562) Dep: 20:35 Arr: 8:50 Time: 12h 15m

Note that some trains have different hours for summer and winter, and schedules are subject to change. Make sure to confirm times before you purchase your tickets.

It is best to arrange a hotel pick up from the train station in Varanasi, as tuk-tuk drivers often try to take you to other hotels or tell you that your hotel has shut down.

Many trains in India have seasonal time changes.

This means that during the summer they run slightly later than during the winter.

When you look at timetables for Indian trains in your guidebook or online, make sure you know which season you are looking at.

In some cases, the train could leave over an hour earlier or later than you think it will, causing you to miss your train or have a long wait at the station.

Some train timetables are posted in the train stations and aren’t adjusted for seasonal departure time changes, so make sure to ask for confirmation of the departure time before you book a ticket.

Train stations in India can be very chaotic places, and train platform and carriage numbers can be difficult to determine.

Usually crowded with people and noisy with overhead announcements in multiple languages, it can be confusing to figure out which platform your train leaves from and which carriage your seat is on.

Train stations usually have a large board inside the main station that has a sign with each train name listed as well as its arrival time, departure time, and platform number.

If your train is not listed or if there is no board, try asking a staff member at the tourist information office.

Your taxi driver or hotel will usually know as well.

There are often last-minute platform changes for trains in India, so make sure to listen for announcements while you are waiting for your train.

To find your carriage, go to the board that is posted along the platform. It should have your name, carriage number, and seat number on it.

Above the platform there are often digital signs showing which carriage will arrive underneath it when the train pulls up.

As trains are often unimaginably long, these signs can save you from running down the platform to find your carriage when the train arrives.

The following is a general guide to the various classes of seats on trains in India:

AC First Class – Air conditioned cabin with locking door, lower bunk and upper bunk on each side, table attached to the wall, food and chai available, toilets (western and Indian) in carriages, linens (sheet, blanket, pillow) provided.

AC Second Class – Similar to AC First Class except that there are curtains instead of locking doors.

AC Third Class – Similar to AC First and Second Class except that there are no curtains or locking doors.

Sleeper – Very basic accommodation with bunks for sleeping.

NB: When traveling in India, keep in mind that the class of carriage you book will not necessarily be what you’re used to in the west.

See the India Train Guide for more information and tips on train travel in India.

There are a few common booking problems for Indian trains.

One is the annoyance of not being able to book a short-haul trip on a long-haul train when booking Indian train tickets online.

For example, many people try to book trains from Jaipur to Sawai Madhopur, which is a very short leg on the long train from Jaipur to Mumbai.

Because it is such a short distance, Indian booking systems won’t let you book it online.

Instead, you can try booking a ticket to the next large station on the line.

In the previous example, that would mean booking a train ticket from Jaipur to Kota and getting off one stop early at Sawai Madhopur.

See the India Train Guide for more information and tips on train travel in India.

Booking trains in India can be confusing, especially when you book a train that you’re wait listed for.

The way the wait lists work on Indian trains is that you are put in a queue when you book your ticket and a wait list number is assigned to you.

As people cancel their tickets, your original wait list number won’t change, but a subsequent wait list number will be assigned to you.

That number shows where you are in the queue and how close you are to getting a seat on your desired train.

For example, if you book a ticket and it says WL – 16, that means that you are 16th on the wait list for that train.

If two days before the train leaves you are WL – 16 – 2, that means that while you were originally number 16 on the wait list, you are now number 2.

Make sure to check your status (online or at a train station in India) before your train departs to see whether or not you got off the wait list.

If your original wait list number is high and you don’t want to risk not getting a train that day, try booking a second ticket on a later train.

You can cancel it and recoup most of your money if you end up making it onto the train for which you were wait listed.

The best way to book trains in India is to do it online in advance of traveling.

Websites like Indian Railways and Cleartrip (my favorite) make it easy to book trains and choose seats.

If you book online, make sure you have a printer, as you must print your reservation and show a copy to the ticket checker on board the train.

In lieu of booking online, you can book train tickets in India at the train station.

Make sure you buy your tickets only from the official ticket booth. Don’t get sidetracked by touts trying to tell you that the booth is closed or has changed locations.

Some hotels will book trains for you.

Make sure to give them all the information they will need, including which class you prefer to travel, before they make a booking.

Also make sure to ask if the hotel charges a fee for the booking, as most hotels do.

In many cases trains in India book up well in advance of the departure date, so book your seat as early as possible to avoid getting wait listed or, even worse, not getting a seat at all.

India is a vast country made up of many ethnic, cultural, and linguistic groups.

There are over a hundred languages spoken throughout India, but official language of India is Hindi, and its subsidiary official language is English.

That said, if you visit India you will hear many different languages depending on where you travel.

These include Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri, Maithili, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, and many others.

A good idea for those traveling to India is to get a phrasebook or a guidebook with a small phrasebook in the back.

Depending on which part of India you visit, you can get a phrasebook in the local language. Being able to say a few words to the locals in their native tongue goes a long way.

The Tiger Hotel in Udaipur
Address: 33,Gangaur Ghat, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
Phone: (91) 0294 – 2420430

The Tiger Deluxe Guest House, Spa, and Restaurant in Udaipur is one of Udaipur’s best kept secrets, and is surely one of the chicest hotels in the city.

The hip interior of the Tiger hotel is decorated with animal prints, dark wood, and Indian antiques.

The 19 guest rooms, spa, top floor restaurant, and roof terrace are all decorated in contemporary international style with local Indian accents.

With room rates ranging from 58-78 USD, the Tiger hotel offers good value for money in Udaipur, particularly given its great location near Lake Pichola, the Jagdish Temple, and the City Palace.

The Tiger hotel is part of the group that runs neighboring Cafe Edelweiss, a popular German bakery in Udaipur, and Savage Garden, another hotel and restaurant serving up great food.

Pakwan Restaurant, Le Meridian Hotel, Delhi

The culinary highlight of any trip to Delhi is a trip to Pakwan restaurant in Le Meridian hotel.

Serving up mouth-watering northwestern Indian cuisine and offering an international wine list with pours from places like California and France as well as domestic Indian wines, Pakwan is not to be missed.

Pakwan’s plush, low-lit ambiance, live music, and semi-open kitchen make for a pleasant and entertaining environment.

The food is top-notch as well; don’t miss the Lazeez Gucchi Mutter Korma.

The dish is made with morel mushrooms that only grow in India’s disputed Kashmir region.

It was one of the most amazing meals I’ve had in India.

Address: Windsor Place, New Delhi, India
Phone: (91)(11) 23710101

Le Meridian hotel in Delhi, India is one of the city’s top hotels.

Le Meridian is lauded by guests for its superb service, spacious rooms, excellent restaurants and bar, and top spa.

The check-in staff at Le Meridian are very welcoming.

As opposed to other five-star hotels I’ve been to in Delhi, I found the staff to be incredibly helpful and not out to cheat or take advantage of guests.

Rooms at Le Meridian are comfortable and offer great views of Delhi.

In addition to all the usual five-star amenities, rooms come complete with personalized lighting controls and in-room WI-FI.

SPG rooms at Le Meridian often come with a complimentary bottle of wine.

Most room rates at Le Meridian hotel in Delhi offer complimentary airport pick up and drop off as well as a boxed breakfast service for guests leaving on early morning flights.

The culinary highlight of Le Meridian hotel in Delhi is its Indian restaurant, Pakwan.

The lobby bar is also a nice place for a pre-dinner drink or afternoon tea from the pastry counter.

Malaria Risk Zone in India

The entire Indian sub-continent is a malaria risk area except for areas above 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Kashmir, and Sikkim.

Malaria risk in India includes all major cities, and is particularly acute in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) and Goa.

Malaria Pills for India

In order to protect yourself against malaria while you are visiting India, you should visit a travel clinic before you travel to get antimalarial pills (often called ‘malaria pills’) and any vaccinations you need. Do not buy malaria pills in India, as they are not always reliable or safe.

The most common type of malaria pill is Malarone, but others are available as well. Do not take chloroquine as an antimalarial in India, as it is not effective in preventing malaria there.

Other Ways to Prevent Malaria in India

Malaria is carried by mosquitoes that come out at night. In order to protect yourself against mosquito bites, make sure to wear plenty of insect repellent when traveling in India.

Wear light-colored long-sleeved shirts, trousers, and closed-toed shoes with socks at night if you will be outdoors or in a building that has mosquitoes inside.

Pack a mosquito net to hang over your bed if you are staying in a hostel or hotel that has mosquitoes in the rooms.  Some hotels offer incense for anti-mosquito purposes, so check with the front desk if you are worried about mosquitoes in your room or outside in the evenings.

While there are no vaccinations required for entry to India, there are a number of vaccinations that are highly recommended.

Vaccinations Recommended for India

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Typhoid
MMR
Teatnus
DPT
Chickenpox
Polio
Japanese encephalitis (if traveling to rural farming areas)

Rabies
Malaria (pills to take prior to, during, and after your trip to India)

To have the maximum benefit, go to a travel clinic at least four to six weeks prior to traveling to allow time for your vaccines to take effect.

An alternative to using ATMs in India is using a money exchange at an airport, local outlet, or hotel.

Most airports operate money exchange booths near or just outside of baggage claim. They don’t always give the best price, so it may be worth waiting until you get into a city if you don’t need cash right away.

Most hotels in India offer money exchange services. If your hotel does not have the official government rates posted near the front desk or concierge, make sure to verify that the rate they are offering is good.

Retail outlets in Indian cities offer money exchange as well. Make sure you go to a government-authorized one or else you will risk getting a bad rate. Check the bills for counterfeits, double count the money, and make sure to get a receipt.

Before you travel to India you can get Indian money at most foreign exchange businesses. However, keep in mind that while the rule is loosely enforced, taking hard currency rupees into or out of India is prohibited.

You can withdraw Indian rupees from ATMs in India in all big cities across the country.

In major cities you will find ATMs for most global banks, including Citi and HSBC.

In smaller cities around India you will find mostly local bank ATMs.

If you go to an ATM in a major city that is attached to a retail bank outlet, consider changing some of your larger bills for smaller ones.

Many shops, restaurants, and taxi drivers will not have change for any bills over Rs 100.

In addition to using ATMs in India, it’s always a good idea to carry some extra cash (USD, GBP, and EUR are best) in case you find yourself in need of money in a small town with no ATM.

In that case, you can use a money exchange.

The following is a list of airlines that fly to India.

Aerocondor
Aeroflot
Aerosvit Airlines
Air Arabia
Air Asia
Air Canada
Air China
Air France
Air India
Air Mauritius
Air Slovakia BJW
All Nippon Airways
American Airlines
Asiana Airlines
Austrian Airlines
Bangkok Airways
Biman Bangladesh Airlines
British Airways
Brussels Airlines
Cathay Pacific
China Airlines
China Eastern
China Southern
Condor
Continental Airlines
Delta
Dragonair
Druk Air
EgyptAir
EL AL Israel Airlines
Emirates
Ethiopian Airlines
Etihad Airways
Finnair
flythomascook.com
Galaxy Air
GMG Airlines
Gulf Air
Hong Kong Dragon Airlines
Indian Airlines
IranAir
JALways
Japan Airlines
Jazeera Airways
Kam Air
Kenya Airways
Kingfisher
KLM
Korean Air
Kuwait Airways
Lufthansa
Malaysia Airlines
Monarch
Northwest Airlines
Oman Air
PIA
Qantas
Qatar Airways
RAK Airways
Royal Jordanian Airlines
Royal Nepal Airlines
Sama
SAS
Saudi Arabian Airlines
SilkAir
Singapore Airlines
South African Airways
SriLankan Airlines
SWISS
Thai Airways
Thomson
Tiger Airways
Transaero Airlines
Turkish Airlines
Turkmenistan Airlines
United
United Airways Bangladesh
US Airways
Uzbekistan Airways
Virgin Atlantic
Yemenia

For a list and description of all domestic Indian airlines that fly within India, click here.

Many people visiting India choose to fly from place to place instead of taking overnight trains or long bus rides. Below is a list of Indian airlines that fly within India.

As you’ll notice, the quality of the airlines vary from excellent to rather poor, so make sure to do some reserach before you book your flights.

One Week Itinerary for India: The Northern Route
Cities Visited: Delhi, Varanasi, Kolkata

Fly into Delhi and spend your first two days seeing India Gate, Hanuman’s Tomb, art and cultural museums, the Red Fort, the Baha’i Temple, and the city’s many markets.

On your third day (or second night if you’re taking an overnight train), move on to Varanasi. This city on the River Ganges one of the oldest in the world and is famous for its ghats, where Hindus come from all over to perform ritual ablutions. Spend two days exploring the ghats and the Old City, taking care not to miss the beautiful temples and Ramnagar Fort.

On your fifth day (or fourth night if you’re taking an overnight train), head to Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). There you can visit the Victoria Memorial, Eden Gardens, Indian Museum, Park Street, Maidan & Fort William, Rabindra Sadan, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Mother Teresa’s homes.

After two days in Kolkata, either take the long-haul train back to Delhi or take a flight to Delhi’s domestic airport to catch your connecting flight at the nearby international airport.

It’s easy to get a SIM card for your mobile phone when you get to India, and having one makes your trip a lot easier.

How to Get a SIM Card for Your Mobile Phone in India

Most international airports have Airtel or Vodafone booths in the arrivals area. You can buy a pre-paid SIM card at the desk and top it up there, at your hotel, or at an Airtel or Vodafone outlet in any city. NB: You’ll need a passport-sized photo and a copy of your passport for the forms.

Airtel SIM cards cost Rs.420 at the airport and you can top up the card in denominations of Rs. 100.

You can also purchase a SIM card at any mobile phone retail outlet in most Indian cities.

Getting Data on Your Indian Mobile Phone SIM Card

If you want to get data on your phone in addition to calls, you can set it up at the airport or by calling customer service.

If you have a Blackberry, customer service will tell you that you have to get a post-paid SIM card in order to get data, but this isn’t true. See below for information on how to get data on your Blackberry.

How to Get Data on a Pre-Paid Airtel SIM Card on Your Blackberry in India

Go into the Options icon on your Blackberry

Choose “Advanced Options”
Choose “TCP”
Under “APN” enter “airtelgprs.com”
Leave the other two fields blank
Save these changes

After this you should have full data (including email and browser access) on your pre-paid Airtel SIM card in India.

The Indian currency is the Indian rupee.

For currency exchange purposes, the Indian rupee’s code is INR, while prices in most places use the symbol Rs.

The Indian rupee is divided into 100 paise, the singular for which is paisa.

Indian rupee bills come in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, and 5 rupees.

Indian rupee coins come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 25, and 50 paise as well as 1, 2, and 5 rupees.

If you are not a citizen of India, Bhutan, or Nepal, you need both a passport and a visa to visit India. You will need to obtain your India visa in advance of travel to India, so make sure to plan ahead.

Cost of India Visa

Single-entry tourist visas cost 30 GBP.

India Visa and Passport Requirements for Specific Countries

India Visa and Passport Requirements for U.S. Citizens:
Passport required for U.S. citizens traveling to India. Visa required for U.S. citizens traveling to India. Passport must be valid for a minimum of 190 days and have at least two blank pages.

India Visa and Passport Requirements for Australian Citizens:
Passport required for Australian citizens traveling to India. Visa required for Australian citizens traveling to India. Passport must be valid for a minimum of 190 days and have at least two blank pages.

India Visa and Passport Requirements for Canadian Citizens:
Passport required for Canadian citizens traveling to India. Visa required for Canadian citizens traveling to India. Passport must be valid for a minimum of 190 days and have at least two blank pages.

India Visa and Passport Requirements for EU Citizens:
Passport required for EU citizens traveling to India. Visa required for EU citizens traveling to India. Passport must be valid for a minimum of 190 days and have at least two blank pages.

India Visa and Passport Requirements for New Zealand Citizens:
Passport required for New Zealand citizens traveling to India. Visa required for New Zealand citizens traveling to India. New Zealand citizens can obtain a visa on arrival in India.  Passport must be valid for a minimum of 190 days and have at least two blank pages.

India Visa and Passport Requirements for South African Citizens:
Passport required for South African citizens traveling to India. Visa required for South African citizens traveling to India. Passport must be valid for a minimum of 190 days and have at least two blank pages.

India Visa and Passport Requirements for UK Citizens:
Passport required for UK citizens traveling to India. Visa required for UK citizens traveling to India. Passport must be valid for a minimum of 190 days and have at least two blank pages.

Note: Requirements are subject to change, so be sure to check the website of your country’s embassy or consulate before you travel.