Embrace modern India in the swanky shops and broad streets of Delhi.
Agra
Visit Agra for the Taj Mahal, then head 40km west to the abandoned 16th Century city of Fatehpur Sikri: a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mumbai
Don’t miss out on a trip to bustling Mumbai, where high and low culture combine to charm and delight visitors.
Leaving the cities
Leave the city if you want to relax. Enjoy a trip on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, one of the world’s most famous train journeys.
Spot some wildlife at the Periyar National Park in Kerala, home to wild elephants and the Bengal tiger. While you’re there, head to Thekkady and visit the spice plantations.
Goa is similarly relaxing: the former Portuguese colony is famous for its beaches, coconut groves, and laid back vibe.
Airports in India
India’s top five international airports are Delhi Airport, Mumbai Airport, Chennai Airport, Bangalore Airport and Hyderabad Airport.
Delhi
India’s busiest airport, Delhi, receives flights from London Heathrow with Jet Airways, Air India, and Virgin Atlantic.
Mumbai
You can fly into Bollywood capital, Mumbai, from London Heathrow with Air India, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Jet Airways.
Goa
Thomson Flights, flythomascook, and Monarch all fly to laid back Goa from Manchester and Gatwick.
British Airways operate flights from Heathrow to Chennai and India’s two IT hubs; Bangalore and Hyderabad.
What You Need to Know
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR) ₹
Visas
UK residents
UK residents need a visa to visit India. Tourist visas can be granted for 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months. If you’re given a long term visa, you can’t stay in India for more than six months during one trip.
Tourist visas for up to 6 months cost £92.10, while tourist visas for up to two years cost £287.
Specific visas
Other visas include
- Business visa for people who are doing business in the country
- Employment visa for people who are moving to India to work
- Student visafor those studying in India
- Journalist visa
You can visit your local Indian Embassy to find out more, or apply online.
Laws
The rupee can’t legally be imported, so convert your money when you arrive in India and get rid of it before you leave.
Alcohol is illegal in Gujarat, Lakshwadeep, Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram (although local wine, Zawlaidi, is legal).
Best Time to Visit
Indian weather is split into three seasons: winter (November to February), summer (March to May), and monsoon (June to October).
Winter
Winter is the best time to visit most of the country, particularly Goa and Rajasthan, as the heat in summer can be particularly sweltering. The ski resorts in the Himalayas come to life in winter.
Summer
India starts heating up in February, and by April temperatures can reach 40°C. The south can be a little cooler during summer, but it is more humid. Summer is a good time to visit if you want to go trekking in the mountains, or if you’re planning on spotting some wildlife.Monsoon season
It doesn’t rain all the time during monsoon season, but the rains can be very heavy. There are a few destinations that benefit from the rain, such as the Valley of Flowers National Park in Uttarakhand.