India Travel Quick Guide: e-Visa, Best Seasons, Budget Reference & Etiquette Taboos
Get clear on these key points—e-visa, best travel seasons, budget estimates, and local etiquette taboos—before you go, and you’ll avoid 90% of the common pitfalls on a self-guided trip to India, making your journey much smoother.
Visa & Entry
Most foreign visitors need a visa to travel to India. The most convenient option is the Indian e-Visa (electronic visa): apply online via the official website, upload a photo and your passport details. The tourist e-Visa usually allows a 30-day stay and requires entry through a designated international airport or seaport. Alternatively, you can apply for a paper tourist visa through the Indian embassy or consulate in your own country. Required documents typically include your passport, a photo, an employment certificate, and a travel itinerary. Processing may take 2–4 weeks.
On arrival, you’ll need to fill out an immigration card. Customs regulations require declaration of cash and electronic devices. Cash equivalent to more than USD 5,000 must be declared upon entry. Some Indian entry points may require proof of yellow fever vaccination for travellers arriving from affected areas—check the latest requirements before you travel.
Best Seasons
- Cool Season (October – March): Dry and pleasant across the country, ideal for visiting the Golden Triangle and Rajasthan in the north.
- Hot Season (March – June): Extremely hot on the northern plains; consider heading to southern coastal areas or the foothills of the Himalayas instead.
- Monsoon Season (June – September): Heavy rainfall nationwide. Southern regions like Kerala enter the monsoon earliest, and mountainous areas are prone to landslides.
Budget Reference (Per Person)
| Category | Daily (Excluding Flights) | Description |
|---|
| Budget | $35–$56 | Hostels or budget hotels, street food, train sleeper berths |
| Comfortable | $85–$140 | 3-star hotels, sit-down restaurants, private or air-conditioned car hire |
| High-end | $255 and above | Heritage hotels, private guides and cars, domestic flights |
Etiquette & Taboos
- Most Hindu temples require visitors to remove their shoes. Avoid wearing leather items, and dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees.
- Cows are considered sacred in Hinduism. Do not disturb street cows or take playful photos of them.
- Use your right hand to pass objects or eat; the left hand is considered unclean. Avoid using it to touch others.
- Always ask for permission before taking photos of locals, especially women and monks. Follow posted restrictions against photography inside temples.
- The head is considered sacred. Do not touch anyone’s head, including children’s, without permission.