Practical Travel Tips for India

Everything you need to know before you go -- from money matters to cultural etiquette. Be prepared and travel with confidence.

Quick Reference

Currency

Indian Rupee (INR)

Language

Hindi & English

Power Plug

Type C / D / M

Voltage

230V, 50Hz

Emergency

112 (unified)

Time Zone

IST (UTC +5:30)

Currency & Money

The Indian Rupee (INR)

India's currency is the Indian Rupee, written as INR or the symbol ₹. Notes come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 2000 (being phased out). Coins are available in 1, 2, 5, and 10 rupee denominations.

As a rough guide: 1 USD is approximately 83 -- 85 INR. A budget meal costs 100 -- 200 INR ($1.20 -- $2.40), a mid-range restaurant meal 400 -- 800 INR ($5 -- $10).

Paying in India

  • Cash -- Still king for small purchases, street food, auto-rickshaws. ATMs are widespread.
  • UPI / Digital Payments -- India runs on UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm). Accepted almost everywhere, even tiny shops.
  • Credit/Debit Cards -- Accepted at hotels, restaurants, and larger shops. Visa and Mastercard are most common.
  • ATMs -- Available in all cities and towns. SBI, HDFC, ICICI ATMs are most reliable. Withdrawal limit typically 10,000 -- 20,000 INR per transaction.

Tipping Guide

Tipping (called "baksheesh" in India) is not mandatory but is appreciated and expected in many service situations. India does not have a tipping culture as strong as the US, but service workers often rely on tips to supplement low wages.

Restaurant

10% of bill or round up

Check if service charge is included

Hotel Porter

50 -- 100 INR per bag

More at luxury hotels

Taxi / Rickshaw

Round up the fare

Not expected for metered rides

Tour Guide

200 -- 500 INR per day

More for private guides

Hotel Housekeeping

50 -- 100 INR per day

Leave on pillow at checkout

Spa / Salon

10 -- 15% of bill

Standard practice

Safety Tips

General Safety

  • India is generally safe for tourists, but use common sense as you would anywhere
  • Petty theft can occur in crowded areas -- use a money belt or hidden pouch
  • Be cautious of common scams: fake tour guides, inflated taxi prices, gem scams, "my shop is just around the corner"
  • Avoid isolated areas after dark, especially in unfamiliar cities
  • Keep digital copies of your passport, visa, and important documents
  • Register with your embassy before traveling to remote areas

For Solo Female Travelers

  • India can be challenging but is very rewarding for solo female travelers
  • Dress conservatively (shoulders and knees covered) in most areas
  • Use ride-hailing apps instead of hailing random taxis at night
  • Women-only compartments are available on trains and metro
  • Trust your instincts -- if a situation feels uncomfortable, leave
  • Popular tourist areas (Rajasthan, Kerala, Goa) are well-traveled and comfortable

Health & Hygiene

Water Safety

Do not drink tap water in India. This is the single most important health rule for travelers. "Delhi Belly" is real and usually caused by contaminated water.

  • Drink only bottled water (check the seal is intact -- brand "Bisleri" or "Kinley" are reliable)
  • Avoid ice in drinks unless at upscale restaurants
  • Use bottled water for brushing teeth
  • Carry a LifeStraw or SteriPen as a backup
  • Avoid raw salads and cut fruits from street vendors

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Hepatitis A and B (strongly recommended)
  • Typhoid (strongly recommended)
  • Tetanus-Diphtheria booster
  • Malaria prophylaxis (for rural/tropical areas)
  • Japanese Encephalitis (if visiting rural areas during monsoon)
  • Rabies (recommended for long stays or rural travel)
  • Consult your travel doctor 6 -- 8 weeks before departure

Travel Medical Kit

  • Anti-diarrheal medicine (Imodium)
  • Oral rehydration salts (ORS)
  • Broad-spectrum antibiotic (consult your doctor)
  • Insect repellent (DEET-based)
  • Sunscreen SPF 50+
  • Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
  • Basic first aid supplies
  • Prescription medications with documentation

SIM Cards & Internet

Getting a local SIM card in India has become much easier for tourists. You can also use eSIM services if your phone supports them. Mobile data is extremely cheap in India.

Local SIM Options

  • Jio -- Best 4G/5G coverage, cheapest data plans (~$3/month for 1.5GB/day)
  • Airtel -- Excellent coverage, good for tourists, stores at airports
  • Vi (Vodafone Idea) -- Decent coverage in urban areas
  • Requires: passport, passport photo, Indian reference address
  • Activation takes 2 -- 24 hours after purchase

eSIM Alternative

  • No paperwork, instant activation
  • Airalo, Holafly, Nomad -- popular providers
  • 1GB from $4.50, 10GB from $15
  • Data-only (no local number for calls)
  • See our eSIM guide for details

Power Plugs & Electricity

Plug Types

India uses three types of power plugs, which can be confusing. The voltage is 230V at 50Hz.

  • Type C (Europlug) -- Two round pins. Works in most Indian sockets.
  • Type D (Old British) -- Three large round pins in a triangle. The traditional Indian plug.
  • Type M -- Three large round pins (like Type D but bigger). Used for high-power appliances.

What to Bring

  • A universal travel adapter is your best bet -- get one that handles Type C and D
  • Most modern hotels have multi-socket outlets that accept various plug types
  • Power outages are common in smaller towns -- carry a power bank
  • US/Japan travelers (110V): your devices must support 230V (most modern chargers do -- check the label)
  • Budget hotels may have limited outlets -- bring a small power strip

Temple & Cultural Etiquette

Dress Code

  • Cover shoulders and knees at temples, mosques, and gurudwaras
  • Remove shoes before entering any place of worship
  • Some temples require men to remove shirts (South Indian temples)
  • Head covering required at Sikh gurudwaras (scarves provided)
  • Leather items may need to be removed at Jain temples
  • Carry a lightweight scarf or shawl -- useful everywhere

Cultural Customs

  • Use your right hand for eating, giving, and receiving items
  • Pointing at people with your finger is considered rude -- use an open hand
  • "Namaste" (palms together) is the universal greeting
  • Ask permission before photographing people, especially in rural areas
  • Do not touch someone's head -- it is considered sacred
  • Feet are considered unclean -- do not point them at people or religious items

The Art of Bargaining

Bargaining is a way of life in Indian markets, street stalls, and with auto-rickshaw drivers. It is expected and part of the cultural experience. However, know when to bargain and when not to.

Where to Bargain

  • Street markets and bazaars
  • Auto-rickshaw fares (where no meter)
  • Souvenir shops and handicraft stores
  • Non-metered taxi rides
  • Some smaller hotels (off-season)

Where NOT to Bargain

  • Restaurants and cafes
  • Government emporiums (fixed price)
  • Supermarkets and chain stores
  • Metered transport (Uber, Ola, metered autos)
  • Entry fees to attractions

Bargaining Tips

  • Start at 40 -- 50% of the initial asking price and work up
  • Be friendly and smile -- it is a social interaction, not a confrontation
  • Walk away if the price is not right -- they will often call you back
  • Compare prices at multiple stalls before buying
  • Do not bargain too aggressively -- the difference of 50 rupees ($0.60) may mean a lot to the seller