India first-time traveller guide
e-Tourist Visa (ETA) — apply 4 days before arrival, $25 USD (30 days), or more for longer stays. Cash is king; carry small rupee notes for every transaction.
🛬Entry & e-Tourist Visa
Most Western passports eligible for e-Tourist Visa (ETA) — apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in, $25 USD for 30 days, $80 for 1 year, $120 for 5 years. Process 4-7 business days. Print and carry the PDF.
🏛️Must-visit highlights
Golden Triangle (7-10 days, most popular first trip):
Delhi (2-3 days): Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple (free), Chandni Chowk market, day trip to Agra or Jaipur.
Agra (2 days): Taj Mahal (book online $12 USD, arrive at sunrise — 5am), Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri ghost town.
Jaipur (2 days): Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar observatory, Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). Kerala (5 days, south India alternative): Backwater houseboat cruise ($150-300/day for 2 people), Munnar tea plantations, Kovalam beach, Varkala cliff walk. Goa (3-5 days): Beaches (Palolem, Baga), Portuguese old town, waterfalls, cheap seafood. Varanasi (3 days): Ganges river ghats, evening aarti ceremony, day trip to Sarnath (Buddhist site). Best for first-timers: Golden Triangle 7 days + Goa 3 days = 10 days total.
🍜Must-try foods
Butter Chicken: Creamy tomato curry with chicken. ₹250-500 ($3-6). Every restaurant has it.
Chana Masala: Chickpea curry. ₹150-300 ($2-3.50). Cheap and delicious.
Biryani: Layered rice with meat. ₹300-600 ($3.50-7). Hyderabadi is the most famous.
Samosa: Fried pastry with potato filling. ₹20-50 ($0.25-0.60) each. Every street corner.
Chai: Sweet spiced milk tea. ₹10-20 ($0.12-0.25) per cup. At every tea stall.
Thali: Plate with rice, 2-3 curries, dal, papad, pickle, dessert. ₹200-400 ($2.50-5). Best for variety.
Dosa: South Indian crepe with potato filling. ₹100-200 ($1.25-2.50). Served with chutney and sambar.
Lassi: Yogurt drink. Sweet or salty. ₹50-100 ($0.60-1.25). Mango lassi is seasonal summer special.
🚇Getting around
Intercity: Trains are the most common way between major cities. Book online at irctc.co.in or ClearTrip. First class (AC1) is comfortable, ₹1500-3000 ($18-35) for Delhi→Agra. Second class sleeper ₹500-1000 ($6-12).
💰Money-saving tips
Get a UnionPay card — some ATMs and shops accept it. Otherwise, cash exchange at authorised money changers in city centres (better rates than airports).
⚠️Common pitfalls
Scams: Overcharging, "closed attraction" diversion scams, fake art scams, commission shops. If a "helpful" person approaches you in tourist areas — be wary. Agree on prices BEFORE entering any shop.
Water: NEVER drink tap water. Only drink bottled water (Bisleri is standard ₹20 per 1L bottle). Ice in restaurants is usually safe if the restaurant is decent.
Delhi Belly: Bring anti-diarrhea medicine. Eat cooked food, avoid raw vegetables at tourist restaurants, peel fruit yourself.
Photography fees: Many monuments charge ₹25-100 for camera use. Keep small bills handy.
Dress modestly: Cover shoulders and knees for temples, mosques, gurdwaras. Women should consider carrying a scarf to cover heads.
Haggling: Expected everywhere except fixed-price shops. Start at 50% of asking price, settle around 60-70%. Smile and walk away if they don't budge.
Pickpockets: Be careful in crowded trains, markets, and tourist buses. Keep valuables in a hidden body pouch.
🛍️Shopping tips
Delhi: Dilli Haat (open-air crafts bazaar, government-run — fixed prices, no haggling, best for first-time buys), Connaught Place for chains, Chandni Chowk for spices and silver, Khan Market for middle-class shopping. Janpath market for cheap souvenirs and pashmina (beware of fake wool).
🏨Where to stay
Delhi: Paharganj for backpacker budget (₹300-800/bed), Connaught Place/CP for mid-range convenience (₹2,000-4,000/night), South Delhi (Greater Kailash, Hauz Khas) for upscale and quieter sleeps. Avoid Old Delhi for sleeping — too chaotic.
🎉Festivals & events
Diwali (Oct/Nov, dates vary by Hindu calendar): Festival of lights — fireworks, diyas (oil lamps), sweets exchange, and puja. Varanasi and Jaipur are spectacular; Delhi gets very smoggy from fireworks. Book trains and hotels 2+ months ahead.
📚Content sources
This guide was curated by editors from the sources below, then condensed after AI cross-verification. Each source keeps its original link and author attribution.
- OfficialIndian Ministry of External Affairs·2026-08-24
"e-Tourist Visa application portal."
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in - Redditr/IndiaTravel·2026-08-16
"First-timer tips: scams, food safety, Golden Triangle itinerary."
https://www.reddit.com/r/IndiaTravel/
Last verified: 2026-09-02
Sources may have changed; please verify independently.
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