Travel Guide to India: Everything You Need to Know to for a Great Vacation!

This travel guide to India has everything you need to know for the perfect trip! You’ll learn about popular destinations, times of the year to travel, how to get around, what to pack, how to be safe, and cultural differences to expect!

Are you looking for the perfect travel guide to India? This post has everything you need to know for your vacation!

You’ll learn about popular destinations in India, things you can do there, and what time of the year to visit. I’m also sharing tips on how to get around the country so you can check out as many places that fit your timeline!

This travel guide to India also has information about what to pack, how to get around the country and safety. Learn about cultural differences to expect that will help you fit in.

India is a huge country. With this travel guide to India, you’ll learn general basics to help you plan out the perfect trip and enjoy yourself when you get there!

This post is all about the ultimate travel guide to India.

Travel Guide to India

Top Destinations

Find out where to plan your trip and the best time of the year to visit!

1. New Delhi

Delhi is the capital city of India and offers a blend of historical and modern attractions, including the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, India Gate, and Lotus Temple. The best time to visit is from October to March when the weather is relatively cooler, December-February can get very cold though!

2. Taj Mahal

Of course, one of the seven wonders of the world! The Taj Mahal is in Agra which is pretty near Delhi. It’s famous for its intricate architecture and historical significance. You can enjoy the beauty among its lush gardens. The best time to visit is during the cooler months, from October to March.

3. Rajasthan

Rajasthan is a state in India which is famous for its rich history and vibrant culture. There are many tourist destinations in Rajasthan, including Jaipur (the Pink City), Udaipur (the City of Lakes), Jodhpur (the Blue City), and Jaisalmer (the Golden City). You can spend your entire trip traveling around Rajasthan alone! The best time to visit is October – March when the weather is cooler.

The “Golden Triangle”

A popular route for travelers is called the “Golden Triangle.” This includes Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. The Golden Triangle showcases the rich cultural heritage, including the architectural marvels of the Taj Mahal, the forts and palaces of Jaipur, and the historical monuments of Delhi. It’s best to spend 1.5-2 weeks to experience the places along the Golden Triangle.

4. Goa

Goa is a famous destination in India for its stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, water sports, and Portuguese-influenced architecture. This is one of the least conservative parts of India for tourists. Avoid traveling during June – October as it’s monsoon season, so it will be rainy every day and many things are closed down.

5. Kerala

If you’re looking to surround yourself in breathtaking nature, Kerala is a state famous for its serene backwaters, lush landscapes, and diverse cultural experiences. It’s on the south west coast of India. The best time to visit is from September – March.

6. Himachal Pradesh

Travel up north to the state of Himachal Pradesh for picturesque Himalayan landscapes, adventure sports, trekking trails, and hill stations. The best time to visit is during the summer months from April to June and the early autumn months of September and October when the weather is pleasant and suitable for outdoor activities and sightseeing.

There are so many more worthwhile destinations!

This is by no means a comprehensive list of places you should see in India, there are so many more amazing places! But these are some of the top places for tourists taking a brief trip. If you have the chance to travel to the northeast or explore south India, you will also have an amazing time.

For the sake of sharing some other worthwhile destinations, other popular places include Kashmir, Punjab, Varanasi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, West Bengal, and Karnataka. But like I said, India is huge and diverse, so there are really amazing places also not listed here!

Timing

As mentioned above, there are different times of the year that are better for traveling depending on your destination. Check out the weather before you book your ticket to make sure your trip will fit your needs. Look out for extreme summer heat in regions, monsoons with heavy rainfall, and cold winter weather.

So, how long should you spend in India? Well, India is so diverse it’ll be impossible for you to understand much of the country in just one trip. I would encourage the longer you have to travel, the better your experience!

In reality as many people have jobs and are bound by vacation time, I would suggest a minimum of 1-2 weeks to visit 1-2 areas. If you are traveling from the US, you’ll also need to consider that it will take you at least 24 hours to fly there and you will also have to deal with jet lag.

Safety

Safety is always a top question and concern for tourists, hence I had to include it in this travel guide to India! The country is quite safe for tourists and you don’t need to worry about getting mugged or anything like that. Violence against tourists is very uncommon.

The biggest concern with safety is with women travelers. While in most cases, nothing bad will happen, it’s good to be prepared and not put yourself in an unsafe situation.

Some areas of India are more conservative than others, and there are some places like Goa where it’s very common to see solo female travelers. 

Other places, you may find that men stare a lot or try to talk to you. If you’re a solo female traveler, avoid large congested gatherings with men as groping can happen. I’m not trying to say that these things are inevitable and there are many tourists who face no issues with this, but it’s still something to be aware of.

If you are a woman traveling with a male, you don’t really need to feel too concerned in this regard. I have never personally had any bad experiences while traveling as a female, but I do find the staring to be uncomfortable.

But overall, India is a very safe country for travelers! People are generally kind and helpful if you need anything.

Packing

Of course, you’ll need to know the weather before you pack! Depending on where you are going you’ll want to layer up or dress light.

Overall, India is a more conservative country than the US. You’ll be better off packing pants than shorts. Also, avoid low-cut tops for women. Tank tops are okay, but most people there would cover their shoulders.

There are some places which are less conservative than others. Goa is one exception where it’s such a popular tourist destination that it’s normal to wear shorts and tanks. Bikinis and swimsuits would also be more acceptable in Goa.

When it comes to swimwear, if you’re a woman, prepare to dress modestly or be stared at. Unless you are at a fancy resort, it would be very uncommon to see anyone in a bikini, and even then it’s not a usual sight. A more conservative swimsuit would be best.

Most women would wear regular clothes (pants and shirt) to go swimming in places like rivers, the ocean or lakes. I usually wear yoga exercise pants and a quick drying t-shirt to go swimming (unless I’m in Goa).

Learn more about what to bring with this India packing list with everything you’ll need!

Transportation

It is very cheap to get around in India! You can find cheap domestic flights, buses, and trains for longer distances. Within cities you can get cabs, use apps like Uber or Ola, and take rickshaws (the cheapest way). You can find prepaid cabs from most airports with set prices which I recommend so you don’t get ripped off.

The best airlines for domestic flights are Indigo, Vistara, SpiceJet and Air India. You can also check out Air Asia and Jet Airways, but I’ve always found the other airlines have a lot of fights for relatively cheap.

For buses, I book with Red Bus. There are many overnight bus options. Expect that buses will run late, but you should still show up to your stop on time when boarding in case it’s on time. They are not willing to wait long if you’re not there and sometimes they will call you when they are approaching or if they don’t see you. 

Honestly, don’t ever expect a bus to reach its destination at the time listed. In my experience this has only happened very few times, if ever. If it’s a long bus ride, they will generally stop once for food.

Bathroom stops are limited and you won’t find a bathroom on the bus. Some buses are AC and will have charging ports, but you can check for that when you book your ticket.

The railway system across India is really well developed. You can book train tickets from the Indian Railways company (IRCTC). Trains are usually pretty timely and are a quick and beautiful way to see the landscape. They have bathrooms and you can choose AC or more private rooms on the train depending what you prefer.

Money

Like I said, traveling in India is very cheap, especially compared to the US. The cost of accommodations, food, and overall will be surprising for people traveling from western countries.

Indian currency is called Rupees, and the general rate is about 82-85 INR to $1 USD. Expect to pay with cash for street shopping and rickshaws. Many other places in cities or popular tourist destinations will accept cards and it will be easy to find ATMs. GPay and PayTM are common apps to use for paying as well.

Cultural Tips

• Shoes and feet – There is a big difference about what people do with their shoes and feet in India compared to the US or western countries. In India, you should never wear shoes into a temple or in someone’s house. There are many other situations, like even in some shops, where you’ll need to remove your shoes. You should also avoid touching your shoes or feet to any person or respectable things like books.
• No tipping – Tipping is not expected or required in India. Many restaurants in cities will include a 10% service charge. Otherwise, tipping is not expected and if you do wish to tip, a small amount is appreciated. Generally, don’t leave more than 50 INR as a tip but of course that would depend on your bill. You don’t need to tip any cab drivers or hotel staff.
• Bargaining – Be prepared to bargain for items you buy in markets or on the street. Especially as a tourist, you will probably be given a price that is ridiculous compared to what they would tell locals. My general rule of thumb when I buy from markets is to bargain 50% less than the initial price they give and go from there.

• Staring – It is much more culturally acceptable to stare at people, and especially being a foreigner you will be stared at. It is not considered rude the same way people would think of it in the US, but it can still be uncomfortable if you’re not used to it. People may even ask you for selfies because you’re a foreigner.

This post was all about the ultimate travel guide to India.

It sums up very general information to help you plan your trip and to be prepared! I’d love to hear if you have any questions or any points you think travelers should know when going to India.