South Asia
India
Huge, varied and cheap: Himalayan treks, desert forts, Kerala backwaters and Goa beaches. Rewarding alone if you can handle crowds, noise, touts and slow logistics; Rajasthan and Kerala are easy starts.
- US travel advisoryLevel 2Exercise increased cautionDetails
- Visa3 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyINRUS$1 ≈ ₹96.37Details
- Price level23%of US prices (World Bank PPP)Details
- English3/5Common in tourist areasDetails
- PlugsType C, D, M230 V, 50 HzDetails
- Emergency112Police 100 · Ambulance 108 · Fire 101 · Tourist police 1363 · All emergencies 112
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or RO-filtered water; many hotels and cafés offer refills.Details
- LGBTQ+LegalDecriminalised in 2018.Details
- Internet64 MbpsMedian fixed broadband · mobile 128 MbpsDetails
- DrivingOn the leftIDP plus home licence required; scooters are rented in Goa and the Himalaya; most visitors hire a car with driver.
Where to go in India
47 places with full guides. Comfortable monthly budget for one person, rent included.
| Place | Safety | Month, comfortable | Best months | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DelhiCapital city | 3/5 | $778–1,350 | Feb–Mar, Oct–Nov | 52/100 |
| GoaRegion | 3/5 | $726–1,250 | Nov–Feb | 76/100 |
| MumbaiCity | 3/5 | $934–1,660 | Nov–Feb | 35/100 |
| JaipurCity | 3/5 | $571–986 | Oct–Mar | 74/100 |
| AgraCity | 3/5 | $467–830 | Feb–Mar, Oct–Nov | 79/100 |
| VaranasiCity | 3/5 | $394–674 | Oct–Mar | 92/100 |
| RishikeshTown | 4/5 | $415–726 | Feb–Apr, Sep–Nov | 95/100 |
| BangaloreCity | 3/5 | $778–1,350 | Nov–Mar | 71/100 |
| UdaipurCity | 3/5 | $498–882 | Oct–Mar | 84/100 |
| KochiCity | 4/5 | $571–986 | Nov–Mar | 90/100 |
| KolkataCity | 4/5 | $519–934 | Nov–Feb | 91/100 |
| HyderabadCity | 4/5 | $674–1,140 | Oct–Feb | 82/100 |
| ManaliMountain town | 3/5 | $415–726 | Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct | 96/100 |
| DharamshalaMountain town | 4/5 | $394–674 | Mar–May, Sep–Nov | 99/100 |
| LehMountain town | 4/5 | $415–674 | Jun–Sep | 96/100 |
| ChennaiCity | 4/5 | $571–934 | Nov–Feb | 91/100 |
| PondicherryCity | 4/5 | $415–674 | Nov–Feb | 99/100 |
| VarkalaBeach town | 4/5 | $394–623 | Nov–Mar | 96/100 |
| HampiTown | 4/5 | $291–467 | Oct–Feb | 100/100 |
| AmritsarCity | 4/5 | $363–571 | Feb–Mar, Oct–Nov | 98/100 |
| JodhpurCity | 4/5 | $363–571 | Oct–Feb | 97/100 |
| JaisalmerTown | 4/5 | $311–519 | Nov–Feb | 99/100 |
| PushkarTown | 4/5 | $311–498 | Oct–Feb | 99/100 |
| PalolemBeach town | 4/5 | $519–830 | Nov–Mar | 92/100 |
| AnjunaBeach town | 3/5 | $571–934 | Nov–Mar | 81/100 |
| DarjeelingMountain town | 4/5 | $332–519 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 100/100 |
| MunnarMountain town | 4/5 | $332–519 | Oct–Feb | 99/100 |
| AlleppeyTown | 4/5 | $342–540 | Nov–Feb | 98/100 |
| Andaman IslandsIslands | 4/5 | $623–1,040 | Nov–Apr | 80/100 |
| ShimlaMountain town | 4/5 | $467–726 | Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct | 97/100 |
| SrinagarCity | 3/5 | $519–882 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 84/100 |
| MysoreCity | 4/5 | $363–571 | Oct–Feb | 100/100 |
| GokarnaBeach town | 4/5 | $363–571 | Nov–Mar | 98/100 |
| ArambolBeach town | 4/5 | $519–830 | Nov–Mar | 93/100 |
| KasolMountain town | 4/5 | $311–519 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 99/100 |
| PuneCity | 4/5 | $519–830 | Oct–Feb | 92/100 |
| Spiti ValleyRegion | 3/5 | $415–674 | Jun–Sep | 89/100 |
| OotyMountain town | 4/5 | $363–571 | Mar–May, Sep–Oct | 98/100 |
| GangtokMountain town | 5/5 | $363–571 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 100/100 |
| Bir BillingMountain town | 4/5 | $311–519 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 99/100 |
| KhajurahoTown | 4/5 | $259–415 | Oct–Mar | 100/100 |
| GurgaonCity | 3/5 | $726–1,140 | Feb–Mar, Oct–Nov | 62/100 |
| AhmedabadCity | 4/5 | $467–778 | Nov–Feb | 93/100 |
| Bodh GayaTown | 3/5 | $311–519 | Nov–Feb | 96/100 |
| KovalamBeach town | 4/5 | $415–726 | Nov–Mar | 96/100 |
| MaduraiCity | 4/5 | $311–519 | Nov–Feb | 100/100 |
| RanthamboreRegion | 4/5 | $415–778 | Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov | 94/100 |
When to visit India
October–March for most of India; April–June is very hot and June–September brings the monsoon. Ladakh and Spiti are best June–September; Goa and Kerala November–March.
Good to know
Entry
- Most visitors need an e-Visa from indianvisaonline.gov.in; apply at least four days before arrival and avoid look-alike agent sites.
- Since April 2026 foreigners must file the free e-Arrival Card online or in the Su-Swagatam app within 72 hours before landing.
- Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and parts of Ladakh need Protected or Restricted Area Permits, arranged locally or through registered agencies.
Laws visitors break by accident
- Satellite phones and satellite messengers like Garmin inReach are illegal without a licence; travelers have been arrested at airports.
- Alcohol is prohibited in Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland and Mizoram; beef is illegal in many states.
- Drones need registration and permission; photographing military sites, airports and bridges can lead to detention.
Etiquette
- Remove shoes before entering temples, mosques and homes
- Eat and pass things with your right hand
- Cover shoulders and knees at religious sites; cover hair in gurdwaras
- Ask before photographing people, especially women
Tipping
Not obligatory. Leave about 10% in sit-down restaurants without a service charge, ₹50–100 for porters and hotel staff, and tip drivers and guides.
Neighbouring countries
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Indian Visa Online (e-Visa and e-Arrival Card)
- Bureau of Immigration, India
- Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism)
- Speedtest Global Index: India
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.