Located in South Asia, India is a vast and geographically diverse country that attracts thousands of tourists every single year. With a range of diverse cultural traditions, cuisines, and landscapes, a trip to India will surprise you in ways you would never have thought possible.
Traveling abroad comes with lots of preparation, from the planning to the packing, and so there may be a few things you wish to know before creating an itinerary and heading out to India. In this article, we’ve gathered information on the kind of travel documents you’ll need for a trip to India, when the best time to visit is, how long you should spend in the country, and much more.
Keep reading now to find out more for your trip to India.
A Trip To India: What You’ll Need
As with any international trip, you will need certain travel documents to be granted entry into India, and in
the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may also need documents that attest to your health and
vaccination status.
Below, we’ve summarized all of the documents you will need to visit India.
Travel Documents
To be granted entry into India, you will need a valid passport and a valid form of travel authorization which, in almost every case, is a visa. Nearly all visitors to India will need a visa that covers them for the kind of trip they are taking.
Different kinds of eVisas exist depending on your trip type. For business purposes, you will need a different kind of visa to one for tourism purposes and it is absolutely essential that you have the correct kind for your trip to reduce the chance of any delays upon arrival.
COVID-19
Since the pandemic began, foreign travel has changed a lot. Guidelines vary depending on where you go and some countries may be stricter than others with their COVID-19 restrictions. Below is all of the information we could find regarding the COVID-19 restrictions for foreign travelers into India.
Fully vaccinated travelers can upload proof of vaccination pre-boarding on the ‘Air Suvidha’ portal. If you are not vaccinated, you will need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. There is no longer any requirement to isolate or take a COVID-19 test on arrival in India, instead, you are expected to self-monitor for symptoms. Some travelers may be subject to random COVID-19 tests.
As with all international travel, you should remain vigilant, wear masks when required to do so, and wash your hands more regularly. You should also be aware that rules and regulations can change suddenly so be prepared.
When Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit India?
Most travelers to India find that the winter months are more bearable. The temperature is cooler and you will avoid the monsoon season at the height of the summer.
Traveling between the months of October and April will provide you with hot weather but will let you avoid the humidity and sweltering heat of the summer months.
How Many Days Should I Spend In India?
A trip to India can vary in length. You may only wish to visit one city or region or you may wish to see as much of the country as possible.
If your trip only encompasses one or two destinations, then 1 – 2 weeks will be enough. However, if you aim to see as much of India as possible, you’re going to need to set aside upwards of three weeks to truly get to see it all.
Things I Should Know Before Visiting India
Whether you’ve been to India before or not, there are a few things everyone should know or be reminded of before embarking on a trip to India. Take a look below to find out more.
- India is a very, very big place – Many tourists underestimate the true size of India, and along with its massive size comes a huge amount of diversity. Cultures, geography, and traditions vary vastly from state to state.
- Learning the language isn’t feasible – With 22 official languages and quite a few more unofficial ones, you’re actually best just sticking to English in India. When moving around India, you’ll experience so many different languages that learning a few common phrases probably won’t help you out very much!
- Culture differs a lot across the country – As we have said, India is a vast place and, as such, cultural sensitivities are very different depending on where you go. It is always worth doing some research on the regions you’re visiting to avoid offending anyone while you’re there.
- Enjoy the food – Unlike the offering at your local Indian takeaway, Indian food is varied in flavor, texture, and color. Make sure to try as much as you can in all of the places you visit to experience the true flavors of India.
Conclusion: Traveling To India
A trip to India can open your eyes to the wide variety of cultural and geographical differences in the country. Ensure that you’re prepared with all the correct documentation before you go and stay safe while you’re there to have the best possible trip.
