Travel tips for India: Travel Guide and curiosities

After spending three weeks traveling around India, I’ve written this article to share some general information about the country and a bunch of useful tips for backpackers, especially if this is your first trip to India.

India is a destination that leaves no one indifferent. Whether you end up loving it or not, it’s one of those places you simply have to see and experience. A world of its own, full of contrasts, colors, chaos, and spirituality.

If you’re planning to travel to India independently, you’re probably asking yourself lots of questions: Where should I go? What are the must-see places? How much time do I need? Is it safe to travel there? Don’t worry, this article will help clear up many of those doubts and give you practical tips for an unforgettable journey.

Travel tips for India: What do you have to know before preparing a trip to India?

1. Travel tips for India: General information

• Population: With over 1.3 billion people, India is the second most populated country in the world, after China.
• Size: It’s the seventh-largest country in the world, following Russia, Canada, the U.S., China, Brazil, and Australia.
• Currency: The official currency is the Indian rupee. Currently, 100 rupees equal about €1.10.
• Capital: New Delhi.
• Languages: The official languages are Hindi and English, although more than 1,600 other languages and dialects are spoken across the country.
• Sacred animals: Cows are considered sacred and cannot be slaughtered.
• Sacred river: The Ganges is considered a holy river. In cities like Varanasi, Rishikesh, or Haridwar, you might see Hindus cremating their loved ones by the river and scattering the ashes into it.
• Dalai Lama: He has lived in exile in McLeod Ganj, in northern India, since the 1950s.
• Holi Festival: A Hindu festival that marks the arrival of spring, usually celebrated in February or March — famous for its colorful powder fights.
• Golden Temple in Amritsar: This is the holiest site for Sikhs and the most visited place in India, receiving over 100,000 visitors daily — even more than the Taj Mahal.

2. Vaccines for Traveling to India: What You Really Need

One of the first concerns when planning a trip to India is which vaccines are required or recommended. Here’s a summary to help you travel safely and worry-free:

• Mandatory Vaccines:
  • Yellow Fever: Only mandatory if you’re coming from a country where the disease is endemic (some parts of South America or Africa). If you’re coming from Europe or a non-endemic country, you don’t need it.
• Recommended Vaccines:
  • Hepatitis A & B: Highly recommended. Hep A is transmitted through contaminated food or water, and Hep B through blood or sexual contact.
  • Typhoid: Recommended if you plan to eat street food (which is likely if you’re traveling on a budget).
  • Tetanus-Diphtheria: A good idea for any international travel, not just India.
  • Rabies: Only necessary in special cases — for example, if you’ll be in rural areas or around animals. There are many stray dogs and monkeys in India.
  • Cholera: Not essential, but some doctors recommend it if you’re heading to rural areas or traveling during monsoon season.
• What about Malaria and Dengue?
  • There’s no vaccine for these. Your best defense is mosquito prevention:
    • Use repellents with DEET
    • Wear long sleeves at dusk
    • Sleep under a mosquito net in rural areas

Visit your local International Vaccination Center at least 4–6 weeks before your trip. They’ll give you personalized recommendations based on your route and travel duration.

3. Must-Visit Places in India

North India:

• Delhi – Chaotic but fascinating. Check out Jama Masjid, Red Fort, and Lotus Temple.
• Agra – Home to the iconic Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Itimad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb.
• Jaipur – The Pink City. Visit the Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, and lively local markets.
• Varanasi – The sacred city on the Ganges, perfect for experiencing India’s spiritual side.
• Rishikesh & Haridwar – Ganges-side towns ideal for yoga, meditation, and sacred ceremonies.
• Amritsar – The incredible Golden Temple, spiritual center of Sikhism.
• Pushkar – A peaceful village with a holy lake, great for relaxing.
• Jodhpur – The Blue City with its stunning Mehrangarh Fort.

South India:

• Kerala – Famous for backwaters, beaches, and lush nature.
• Hampi – Magical ruins among surreal rock landscapes, great for adventurous travelers.
• Goa – Beaches, laid-back vibes, and lively nightlife.
• Mysore – Elegant and less chaotic city known for its palace and markets.
• Pondicherry – A charming mix of French influence and spirituality (Auroville is nearby).
• Madurai – Famous for its vibrant Meenakshi Temple.
• Gokarna – A more relaxed, bohemian alternative to Goa’s beaches.

Special Regions:

• Rajasthan – Perfect for a backpacking route full of palaces, deserts, and colorful cities like Bikaner and Jaisalmer.
• Ladakh – Himalayan adventure with Buddhist monasteries and stunning lunar landscapes.
• Spiti Valley & Dharamsala – Ideal for nature lovers and exploring Tibetan culture

4. Travel tips for India: Religion in India

• Hinduism is the main religion in India, the third largest in the world after Christianity and Islam.
• Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism all originated in India.
• Islam is the second-largest religion in the country, with around 150 million followers (15% of the population).
• Other major religions include Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
• Every 12 years, India hosts the Kumbh Mela, a Hindu festival that brings together over 60 million people.

Tips for Sacred Sites:

• Be respectful in sacred places like temples, rivers, and lakes.
• If you want to donate, agree on a price beforehand to avoid scams.
• India is full of fascinating temples from different religions, often side by side — including minimalist modern temples.
• Notable temples:
  • Lotus Temple (New Delhi)
  • Golden Temple (Amritsar)
  • Karni Mata Temple (Bikaner) – The temple of the rats.

5. Travel tips for India: Things to keep in mind

• Always carry enough cash, many ATMs don’t work.
• Try to withdraw the maximum amount possible when you find a working ATM. We usually withdrew 8,000 rupees at a time.
• Try to get some rupees before you arrive in India — airport ATMs often don’t work, and exchange fees are steep.
• Fun fact: Indians make a unique head bobble gesture to say “yes”, you’ll get used to it!
• Indians are generally friendly and sharp, sometimes with a bit of a cocky attitude, so take it with humor.
• Traveling by train is a must-have experience, but tickets usually need to be booked 1–2 days in advance.
• We mostly traveled by night buses with beds, since we didn’t plan ahead much.
• Use the Ola app (like Uber) to get around cities — it works great and allows cash payment.
• You’ll also find tuk-tuks everywhere — perfect for short rides.
• If you’re short on time, hire a tuk-tuk or private taxi to do a full city tour. Many drivers act as informal guides in exchange for a good tip — around 1,000 rupees total.

6. Travel tips for India: The art of bargaining in India

• After 5 years in Asia I thought I had seen it all in the art of bargaining, but by far the Indians are the best traders I have ever seen.
• They make you feel bad if you go into their store and don’t buy anything. In the end, you stop going into stores and save yourself a lot of trouble.
• Many of these guides will offer you a visit to tea houses or textile houses with the excuse of learning something new about India. Everything is a small strategy for you to end up buying some souvenirs.
• Here’s their favorite technique:
  • They invite you in “just to have a look.”
  • Offer you something to drink and start explaining the materials and craftsmanship.
  • Insist there’s no pressure to buy.
  • Then, they start showing everything they’ve got, opening bags and unfolding dozens of items.
  • Once you show interest in anything, it’s game over, they won’t stop until you buy or walk out.
  • And if you don’t buy, don’t be surprised if they get angry.

7. Indian food: Prices and customs

• Indians usually eat with their hands, but everywhere they’ll give you cover if you need it.
• Even so, I advise you to try eating with your hand someday, who knows, maybe you’ll get hooked.
• In the street you can eat for 40 rupees. And in the restaurants a little fancier for 150 to 400 rupees.
• In restaurants it is very common to order Thali, a large tray with several types of dishes that combine with each other. Its price is usually around 100 rupees in humbler places or up to 700 rupees in more expensive places.
• Chai is the hot milk tea that Indians usually drink. A glass of chai costs 2 rupees.
• Although many blogs advise you not to drink it for reasons of hygiene, for me, you don’t taste India if you haven’t tried chai. We hooked up and drank a few every day.

Travel tips for India: Typical Dishes y recommendations

Here is a list of our favorite dishes and a link with more extensive information about Indian gastronomy:

• Samosa (Indian Empanada)
• Momo (Indian Dumplings)
• Kati Roll (Indian Kebap)
• Dhal (Lentils)
• Chana Masala (Chickpeas with spices)
• Palak Paneer (My favorite dish)
• Chapati/Roti (Indian breads)
• Tandoori Chicken (Spicy Roast Chicken)
• Chicken Tikka Masala (Cooked chicken with spices)

Personal Opinion about India:

India, more than a place to spend a vacation, is a place to live an adventure. Every day you see things that surprise you, every hour that passes you learn something new and every minute you want to stop to take a picture.

I hope these travel tips for India and these curiosities are useful for your trip. And yes, it is confirmed, you will like India or not, but it will not leave you indifferent.

Leave your opinion and if you found the post useful and interesting, I encourage you to share it and value it. Thank you! If you want to see more about India, check out our 3-week Northern India itinerary!

Most smiles start with another smile.

– Jennifer Middleton –