How Things Work in India
Everything Tourists Need to Know
Tipping is expected but modest — around 10% at restaurants and 50–100 INR for guides and drivers, but not required at street food stalls.
Updated 2025-06
Use Ola or Uber in cities for safe, metered rides, and book train tickets well in advance via IRCTC — Tatkal quota helps for last-minute travel.
Updated 2025-06
Travel insurance is critical — use Apollo, Fortis, or Medanta private hospitals for reliable care, and take malaria and dengue precautions before and during your trip.
Updated 2025-06
Drug laws are extremely strict with mandatory prison sentences even for small quantities — never carry any narcotics, and note that beef is restricted or banned in several states.
Updated 2025-06
Dial 112 for all emergencies — this single universal number (active since 2018) connects to police, ambulance, and fire services nationwide.
Updated 2025-06
Dress conservatively — cover shoulders, knees, and midriff, especially women, and always remove shoes before entering any religious site.
Updated 2025-06
Alcohol rules vary sharply by state — Gujarat, Bihar, and Nagaland are completely dry, and many states enforce dry days on elections and national holidays.
Updated 2025-06
Bargaining is expected and normal at markets, craft stalls, and with auto-rickshaws — start at roughly half the asking price and negotiate from there.
Updated 2025-06
Photography at ASI-protected monuments often requires a paid camera ticket, is prohibited near military or government buildings, and is restricted inside most temple inner sanctums.
Updated 2025-06
Most businesses open 7 days a week, but government offices close on Sundays, banks close on national holidays, and India's many festivals can cause unexpected local closures.
Updated 2025-06
Use Ola or Uber for safe, app-metered rides in all major cities, and always use prepaid taxi booths inside airports rather than touts outside.
Updated 2025-06
Never drink tap water in India — always use sealed bottled water, and be cautious of ice and raw foods washed in local water.
Updated 2025-06
Use ATMs from major banks like SBI, HDFC, ICICI, or AXIS — they reliably accept foreign cards, and always carry cash as many small vendors and rural areas are cash-only.
Updated 2025-06
Get a Jio tourist SIM at the airport on arrival — it offers the best data value and nationwide coverage, and requires your passport for registration.
Updated 2025-06
India uses Type C, D, and M plugs at 230V/50Hz — carry a Type D adapter (the large 3-pin British-style round pin) as it is the most common standard.
Updated 2025-06
India has well-documented tourist scams — the most common are fake ticket offices near monuments, gem investment traps in Jaipur and Agra, and the 'temple is closed today' redirect.
Updated 2025-06
India is generally safe for tourists at major sites but women should exercise significant caution, especially at night, and petty theft is common in crowded areas.
Updated 2025-06
Remove shoes at all religious sites, greet with Namaste, use your right hand for eating and giving, and never point your feet at people or sacred objects.
Updated 2025-06
English is widely spoken in tourism, business, and educated circles across India, making it one of the more accessible countries for English-speaking visitors.
Updated 2025-06
Goa's beaches are world-famous but avoid swimming during monsoon (June–September) when red flags indicate dangerous currents — fatalities occur every year.
Updated 2025-06
India drives on the LEFT, roads are chaotic and conditions vary dramatically — hiring a local driver is strongly recommended over self-driving for most tourists.
Updated 2025-06
Indian cuisine is extraordinarily diverse and delicious — start with cooked, hot foods at busy restaurants, avoid raw foods initially, and explore thali meals for outstanding value.
Updated 2025-06
Remove shoes before entering all religious sites, dress modestly with covered limbs, and follow specific rules for each faith — head covering is required in Sikh gurdwaras.
Updated 2025-06
October to March is the best time to visit most of India — cool and dry — while April–May is extremely hot and June–September brings the monsoon.
Updated 2025-06
Eat at dhabas for exceptional and cheap food, travel by train for long distances, shop at government emporiums for fair-priced crafts, and negotiate hotel rates directly.
Updated 2025-06