India Travel Guide 2026: Highlights & Tips

India is not a holiday. India is an experience. One that challenges you, overwhelms you, fascinates you, and sometimes pushes you to your limits — often all on the same day. No other country in the world has this density of colors, sounds, cultures, and contrasts. Those who’ve been either never come back — or always do.

Which Route Is Best for a First Visit to India?

The Golden Triangle (Delhi–Agra–Jaipur) is the classic entry point. In 7 to 10 days you see the most important highlights without rushing.

Golden Triangle (7–10 days):

Delhi: Red Fort, Qutb Minar, India Gate, Chandni Chowk market (3 days)
Agra: Taj Mahal at sunrise, Agra Fort (1–2 days)
Jaipur: Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Blue City Jodhpur (as add-on) (3 days)

Southern extension (14–21 days, for experienced travelers):

Goa: beaches, Portuguese colonial architecture, relaxed atmosphere
Kerala: houseboat tour on the Backwaters, Munnar tea plantations, Kovalam Beach
Mumbai: Gateway of India, Dharavi tour, Bollywood, Elephanta Caves (day trip)

How Much Does India Cost?

India is extraordinarily affordable for Western travelers. Budget travelers get by on €30–50/day. Comfort travelers spend €80–150/day.

Cost breakdown:

Accommodation: €10–60/night (guesthouse to mid-range hotel)
Food: €3–20/day (street food from €0.50, good restaurant €5–15)
Domestic flights: €30–80 (IndiGo, Air India Express)
Entry fees: Taj Mahal €13 for foreigners (still worth every cent)
Tuk-tuk: €1–5 for short trips (always negotiate the price first)

The value for money at luxury hotels is exceptional: five-star hotels in Jaipur or Rajasthan palace hotels for €80–120/night that would cost three times as much in Europe.

When Is the Best Time to Visit India?

October to March: Best for northern India (Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra). Pleasant temperatures (15–28°C), dry, clear skies. The Taj Mahal in winter fog: mystically beautiful.

November to February: Perfect for southern India (Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu). Dry and warm, but not brutally hot.

Monsoon (June–September): Intense and cheap. Kerala during the monsoon has its own kind of magic. Most sights stay open, prices drop significantly. Highly recommended for experienced travelers.

Avoid: April–May in northern India (40–48°C, barely survivable). Summer in Rajasthan is brutal.

What Are India’s Absolute Highlights?

Taj Mahal (Agra): Standing before the Taj Mahal for the first time is indescribable. No photo does it justice. Go at sunrise — fewer people, better light. Buy tickets on the official Taj Mahal website in advance.

Amber Fort (Jaipur): Imposing fortress on a hilltop, accessible by foot or elephant (elephant rides are not recommended for animal welfare reasons). The Mirror Room inside is breathtaking.

Kerala Backwaters: Houseboat tour through the waterway network of Alleppey (Alappuzha). One night on a houseboat is magical — completely still water, fishing boats, coconut palms. Book via Booking.com for good houseboat deals.

Varanasi: Hinduism’s holiest city on the Ganges. Morning rituals at the ghats. Nothing in the world is like Varanasi. Intense, sometimes overwhelming, unforgettable.

Practical Tips for India

Visa: Apply for an e-visa online (usually 30 days, multiple entry possible). Apply at least 72 hours before departure. Costs approximately €25–80 depending on your country.

Health: Check travel vaccinations (Hepatitis A, Typhoid, possibly malaria prophylaxis for Goa/Kerala). Don’t drink tap water — sealed bottles only. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is essential in India.

Tuk-tuk vs. taxi: Ola and Uber work reliably in Indian cities with fixed prices — better than tuk-tuks for longer distances. Tuk-tuks for short bazaar trips: always agree on the price first.

Zercy compares flights to Delhi, Mumbai, or Chennai directly. Save your India route in the Zercy Logbook.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should you absolutely try to eat in India?

Butter chicken (the original, not the international version), biryani in Hyderabad, dosa in South India, thali menu everywhere, chai from a street stall (about €0.30), pani puri at the market. Food in India is a religion. Trust the crowded restaurants — they’re crowded for a reason.

How safe is India for solo travelers?

Northern India has a higher intensity of hassle in tourist areas than southern India or Goa. Women should bring conservative clothing (cover shoulders, cover knees at religious sites). Reputable tour groups and well-reviewed accommodation are the best protection. Southern India is generally considered more relaxed.

What vaccinations are recommended for India?

Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended by most travel medicine specialists. Depending on the region: Hepatitis B, malaria prophylaxis (Goa, Kerala), rabies vaccination (for longer stays). Book a travel medicine consultation 6–8 weeks before departure.

What does a Taj Mahal visit cost?

Entry fee for foreign visitors: ₹1,100 (approx. €13). Plus an optional buggy service from the car parks (another €2). Best experience: arrive at sunrise (first entry is about 30 minutes after sunrise). The Friday mosque is closed to non-Muslims.

India Travel Guide: Highlights, Routes and What You Really Need to Know