🇮🇳 India travel essentials
Everything you need to plan a trip to India — climate, currency, packing essentials, public holidays, voltage and plug types, and what locals actually wear.
Top cities in India
Local style + dress code
Mumbai: modest dress for women preferred. Cover shoulders + knees at religious sites. Linen + breathable cotton — heat AND humidity demand it.
Dress code: conservative
Public holidays in India
Plan around national holidays — many businesses close, transport gets busier, and prices for flights/hotels can spike.
Money & currency
The Indian Rupee (INR, symbol ₹) is the official currency. Live exchange rates are updated daily.
Cost of living & travel — Delhi
Estimated daily budgets per person across three travel tiers. Lodging assumes single occupancy or shared dorm; food covers 3 meals + a coffee/drink; transit covers metro and short rides; activities cover one paid attraction per day.
| Per person per day | 🎒 Budget | 🏨 Mid-range | 🥂 Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging | $18 | $70 | $215 |
| Food | $9 | $25 | $85 |
| Transit | $3 | $6 | $25 |
| Activities | $10 | $25 | $65 |
| Daily total | $40 | $126 | $390 |
Estimates as of 2025-2026, in USD per person. Actual spend varies with season, neighborhood, and trip style.
Visas & entry rules
Top-passport entry rules for India — quick reference, but always confirm with the destination's official consulate before booking flights:
| Passport | Rule | Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 US passport | e-Visa (online) | up to 30 days | India e-Visa online ($25 for 30-day, more for 1-yr/5-yr). |
| 🇬🇧 UK passport | e-Visa (online) | up to 30 days | — |
| 🇪🇺 EU passport | e-Visa (online) | up to 30 days | — |
| 🇨🇦 Canadian passport | e-Visa (online) | up to 30 days | — |
| 🇦🇺 Australian passport | e-Visa (online) | up to 30 days | — |
Last reviewed 2025-2026. Visa rules change with little notice; this table is informational and not legal advice.
Plan a trip to India
Use one of our planning tools to figure out exactly when and how to go:
What to pack
Each city has month-by-month packing lists computed from local climate data — temperatures, rainfall, peak hazard seasons, and India's dress code.