Travel Guide to India 2026: The Golden Triangle, Taj Mahal, Rajasthan & Kerala
Planning to visit India? This travel guide to India covers everything for a first trip: where India is, the best time to go by region, the e-Visa and new e-Arrival Card, the 10 best places to visit, a 7-day Golden Triangle itinerary, realistic costs, health and safety tips and the best hotels and universities. From the Taj Mahal in Agra and the pink city of Jaipur to the ghats of Varanasi, the lake palaces of Udaipur and the backwaters of Kerala, India is colourful, intense and unforgettable.
Last updated: October 2026 · Entry rules and taxes in this travel guide to India were checked against official sources
📊 Quick Facts for Your Travel guide to India
- Capital: New Delhi💡 Part of the Delhi metro area of about 34 million
- Currency: Indian rupee (INR)💡 UPI apps and cards are common in cities. Check today's rate
- Languages: Hindi and English (official)💡 22 scheduled languages
- Population: About 1.46 billion💡 The most populous country in the world
- Area: About 3.29 million km²💡 The 7th-largest country
- Time zone: UTC+5:30💡 India Standard Time. Convert times
- UNESCO sites: 45💡 Including the Taj Mahal, Hampi and Sarnath (2026)
- Power: 230 V, plug types C, D and M💡 Bring a universal adapter
ℹ️ Figures in this travel guide to India are 2026 estimates from official and international sources.
📍 Where Is India?
India occupies most of the Indian subcontinent in South Asia. It borders Pakistan to the north-west, China, Nepal and Bhutan to the north along the Himalayas, and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. The peninsula is washed by the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal, with Sri Lanka just off the south-east coast and the Andaman and Lakshadweep islands offshore.
India is huge: Delhi to Kerala is a 3-hour flight. Domestic flights and the rail network make getting around easy. Check the distance from your city with our distance calculator.
📅 Best Time to Visit India
The best time to visit India is October to March, when most of the country is dry and comfortable: perfect for Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan, Varanasi, Goa and Kerala. April to June is very hot on the plains (often 40 °C+), but it is the season for the Himalayas, Ladakh and hill stations. The monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rain and green landscapes, and is a good-value time for Kerala's Ayurveda retreats. Look out for Diwali (October or November) and Holi (March).
Pleasant days and the Holi festival of colours.
Very hot plains; the Himalayas and hill stations.
Rain and green landscapes; Ayurveda season in Kerala.
Peak season, Diwali and mild weather.
📅 Use the seasons in this travel guide to India to match your trip to the weather, festivals and prices you want.
🛂 India Visa & Entry Requirements (e-Visa & e-Arrival Card)
e-Visa for most visitors: citizens of the USA, UK, EU countries, Canada, Australia and about 170 other countries need a visa, and the easiest option is the e-Visa, applied for online. The 30-day e-Tourist Visa costs US$25 (July to March) and US$10 (April to June) for many nationalities; 1-year and 5-year multiple-entry e-Visas are also available, with fees that vary by nationality. You can apply up to 120 days before arrival, and at least 4 days before. Nepal and Bhutan citizens do not need a visa.
- PassportValid at least 6 months from arrival, with two blank pages.
- e-Arrival CardFill in the free online e-Arrival Card before you fly; it has replaced the paper arrival form.
- ArrivalShow your e-Visa approval (ETA) at a designated airport or seaport; fingerprints and a photo are taken.
- Main airportsDelhi (DEL), with the Airport Express metro to the city, and Mumbai (BOM).
🔗 Official sources: Indian e-Visa (official) · Bureau of Immigration India. Entry rules change, so always confirm before booking and avoid paid look-alike sites.
🛂 Entry rules in this travel guide to India were last checked in October 2026.
🕌 10 Best Places to Visit in India
These are the places we recommend most in this travel guide to India, with the best months to see each one.
The Taj Mahal at sunrise, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.
💡 Best time: Oct–MarOld Delhi's Chandni Chowk, the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar.
💡 Best time: Oct–MarThe pink city: Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal and the City Palace.
💡 Best time: Oct–MarSunrise boats on the Ganges, the evening aarti, and Buddhist Sarnath.
💡 Best time: Oct–MarThe city of lakes, with palaces on Lake Pichola.
💡 Best time: Sep–MarThe blue city's Mehrangarh Fort and desert camps in the Thar.
💡 Best time: Nov–FebHouseboats on the Alleppey backwaters, tea in Munnar and Fort Kochi.
💡 Best time: Oct–MarBeaches, Portuguese churches (UNESCO) and laid-back cafés.
💡 Best time: Nov–MarThe yoga capital on the Ganges, at the foot of the Himalayas.
💡 Best time: Sep–Nov, Feb–AprTiger safaris among the ruins of a fort.
💡 Best time: Oct–Jun🗺️ 7-Day India Itinerary: The Golden Triangle
The classic first trip: the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, by train and car. Hire a driver for the Agra–Jaipur leg.
Follow this route from our travel guide to India day by day, or shorten it to fit your trip.
- Delhi: arrive; Humayun's Tomb and India Gate.
- Delhi: Old Delhi by rickshaw, the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Qutub Minar.
- Agra: Gatimaan Express or a drive (2–3.5 hours); Agra Fort and the Taj at sunset from Mehtab Bagh.
- Agra: the Taj Mahal at sunrise (closed Fridays), then Fatehpur Sikri on the way to Jaipur.
- Jaipur: Amber Fort, Panna Meena Ka Kund stepwell and the bazaars.
- Jaipur: the City Palace, Jantar Mantar (UNESCO) and Hawa Mahal.
- Depart: fly home from Jaipur, or back via Delhi.
➕ With more time: add Varanasi and Sarnath, Udaipur and Jodhpur, a Ranthambore tiger safari, or fly south to Kerala and Goa.
💵 How Much Does a Trip to India Cost?
India is very good value, though luxury palace hotels are world-class (and priced to match). These are approximate daily costs per person in 2026, excluding flights. Use our currency converter to see them in your own currency.
| Travel style | Per day (approx.) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹2,500–4,000 | Guesthouses, thalis and street food, trains and buses |
| Mid-range | ₹7,000–14,000 | Boutique hotels, restaurants, a car and driver, and guides |
| Luxury | ₹30,000 + | Palace hotels, private tours and fine dining |
💡 All prices in this travel guide to India are per person, per day, and change with the season and exchange rates.
🎟️ Foreigners pay more at monuments: the Taj Mahal is about ₹1,100 (plus ₹200 for the main mausoleum). Book trains on the official IRCTC site or a trusted app, and use Uber, Ola or prepaid taxis from airports.
💡 Safety & Travel Tips for Your Travel guide to India
India is generally safe for travellers, but busy and full of touts. Agree prices before rides, use registered taxis or ride apps, and ignore anyone claiming your hotel is "closed". Women travellers should dress modestly and avoid isolated places at night. For health: drink bottled or filtered water, eat freshly cooked food, and check the vaccines you need (typhoid, hepatitis A) with a travel clinic. Air pollution in Delhi can be very high from November to January.
Cover shoulders and knees, especially at temples.
Before entering temples and homes.
And avoid ice and raw salads at first.
Popular routes sell out weeks ahead.
For rickshaws, guides and shopping.
"Namaste" (hello) and "Dhanyavaad" (thank you).
🏨 Best Hotels in India: 8 Top Picks
India is famous for its palace hotels: once-in-a-lifetime stays that are often better value than equivalent hotels in Europe.
Every room looks at the Taj Mahal.
Check prices on Booking.com →The former residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur.
Check prices on Booking.com →A white marble palace floating on Lake Pichola.
Check prices on Booking.com →One of the world's largest private residences.
Check prices on Booking.com →A 1931 colonial-era landmark with an art collection.
Check prices on Booking.com →Mumbai's 1903 icon facing the Gateway of India.
Check prices on Booking.com →Heritage villas on Vembanad Lake.
Check prices on Booking.com →Mediterranean-style villas on a south Goa beach.
Check prices on Booking.com →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to India: hotels are picked for location, reputation and a spread of regions and styles. Prices and availability change daily, so the buttons open live Booking.com results for each property.
🤝 Affiliate disclosure: hotel buttons are affiliate links. If you book through them, AtlasWise may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which hotels we list.
🎓 Top Universities in India
India has world-famous engineering and science institutes and a growing number of programmes for international students.
| University | City | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Technology Bombay | Mumbai | Public |
| Indian Institute of Technology Delhi | New Delhi | Public |
| Indian Institute of Science | Bengaluru | Public |
| University of Delhi | New Delhi | Public |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University | New Delhi | Public |
One of India's top engineering institutes.
Visit website →A leading IIT for engineering and technology.
Visit website →India's premier research institute for science.
Visit website →A large, historic university with many colleges.
Visit website →Known for social sciences and international studies.
Visit website →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to India: the leading universities in India by reputation and research. Last checked: October 2026.
🪔 Indian Culture & Food
India is a land of many religions, languages and traditions. Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism and Christianity all have deep roots here, and festivals are celebrated with huge energy: Diwali (the festival of lights), Holi (colours), Eid, Durga Puja and the giant Kumbh Mela. Cricket and Bollywood are national passions.
Indian food changes every few hundred kilometres: try butter chicken and biryani in the north, dal baati in Rajasthan, dosa and idli in the south, Kerala fish curry, Goan vindaloo, Mumbai's vada pav, sweet masala chai and a cooling lassi.
❓ Travel Guide to India: FAQ
Do I need a visa for India?
Yes, most visitors need a visa; US, UK, EU, Canadian and Australian citizens can apply online for an e-Visa.
How much is the India e-Visa?
The 30-day e-Tourist Visa costs US$25 from July to March and US$10 from April to June for many nationalities.
What is the India e-Arrival Card?
A free online arrival form that replaced the paper card; fill it in before you fly.
What is the best time to visit India?
October to March for most regions; April to June for the Himalayas.
Is the Taj Mahal open every day?
No, it is closed on Fridays. Go at sunrise for the best light and fewer crowds.
How many days do you need in India?
Seven days covers the Golden Triangle; two to three weeks lets you add Rajasthan, Varanasi or Kerala.
Is India safe for tourists?
Generally yes, with common-sense care about touts, food, water and late-night travel.
What currency does India use?
The Indian rupee (INR).
📚 Trusted Resources for Your Travel guide to India
- Incredible IndiaOfficial tourism board
- IRCTCOfficial Indian Railways tickets
- UNESCO: IndiaWorld Heritage Sites in India
Finished this travel guide to India? 🌍 More Asia guides: Sri Lanka · Maldives · Thailand · China · All of Asia
⚖️ Compare India with other countries in Compare Countries.
🏛️ Planning a bucket list? See the 20 best World Heritage Sites to visit.
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