A complete India travel guide: Everything you wanted to ask about travel in India.

I’ll never forget my first time visiting India.  I had questions before travelling to India and I thought I’d researched and that I was ready.  Looking back now I guess I was technically ready… 

But there is something special about India.

There is something unique that gives it a quintessential allure that others destinations simply do not have. And there are some parts of India that cannot be truly understood until you are right there.

Right amongst the chaos and the colours. And truly feeling what it is that travellers have craved in adventure and history and all that is truly just INDIA.

How can you explain the roller coaster ride of taking a taxi through the streets of Old Delhi?  Or share the exhilaration of riding a rickshaw past the pink palaces of Jaipur? Seeing the Taj Mahal in person?  Or having the colours of holi surround you on the streets of a town that has no other description but feels more ‘alive’ than there are surely words for? 

That is India. 

Sure there are the crowds. There are the perplexing traditions and more than the odd bullock cart and cow crossing the street right in front of you.

There is a bewildering culture shock like nowhere else. And a traffic of pedestrian and otherwise of mind-boggling complexity.

But that is India.  And those are challenges that make it exciting and oh-so-rewarding as a destination. 

The following is everything I can think of that we wanted to know before we went to India for the first time.  So that you too can feel a little bit prepared and a bit more ready to experience the marvellous adventure of India. 

• What to expect
• Travel in India
• Getting visas
• Language
• Money, ATM’s and currency
• Where to go
  – Kochi
  – Varanasi
  – Jaisalmer
  – New Delhi
  – Kolkata
  – Mumbai
  – Agra
  – Jaipur
  – Jodhpur
  – Amritsar
• Budget for travel in India
• Food in India
• Health
• What to wear in India
• Transportation
• Booking trains
• Wifi, SIM cards and communication
• Accommodation options
• Where we stayed

Quickly, about India

• Capital: New Delhi
• Largest city: Mumbai
• Main languages: Hindi and English
• Religion: 79.8% Hinduism 14.2% Islam 2.3% Christianity 1.7% Sikhism 
• Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)
• Population: 1.353 billion
• Time Zone: UTC (GMT+5:30)
• Calling Code: +91
• Drives On: Left
• Credit Cards: Visa/MC/AmEx accepted
• Emergency Number: 112
• Outlets: Types C, D and M (230V 50Hz)

What to expect when planning for travel in India 

Where else do you have cows walking amidst one billion vehicle horns honking? A kaleidoscopic colour of sari’s at every turn? And a staring that just never ends? 

There is the constant back-of-mind fear of the looming ‘Delhi-belly’ for every meal that you consume… And on top of that you know you are but one amongst one billion others!

We know from experience it takes us 24 hours to find our feet in a new place and India is certainly no exception. 

I did wonder while looking out our hotel window on arrival as four jet lagged travellers HOW on earth we were going to navigate India… 

But I needn’t have worried.

India is different.  And India is exceptional. 

I think in hindsight the build-up to the chaos we were anticipating had given us low expectations for navigating India.  And in truth though, we absolutely loved it!

It’s definitely somewhere you need to ’embrace the chaos’; otherwise you will miss out on all that India is about!  

So our advice?  Take it easy.  Start slow. 

And embrace the rush of chaos that is so incredible – and so India…

Visas for India

Getting a visa for India is pretty straightforward.

• Tip: An e-visa is easy to get online from the government website. (Easy aside from having to list the countries you have visited in the last 10 years). 

There are options for tourist visas for different lengths of time and the six pages(!) of forms are easy to fill out online.

For the final page you need to upload a passport photo to complete your application.

One challenge I found in applying for the visa was that you could only apply within one month of arrival. 

However a month gave us enough time to plan for India and also to confirm and book flights. And we were able to fill in the visa application stating which would be our ‘port of arrival’ anyway.

• Read our guide to the India eVisa here.

Language in India

Did you know that India has 22 official languages? But in fact the most widely spoken language in India is Hindi.

English is also one of the national languages and you will find (especially in the cities) that to some degree a lot of people speak some level of English.

Other common phrases that will help you on your travels in India (and that you will get used to hearing a lot): 

• Hello: Namaste
• How are you? Aap kayse hai?
• Good: Acchha
• What is your name? Aapka naam kya hai?
• My name is _ : I mera naam _
• Thank you: Danyavaad! / Shukhriya! 
• Yes: Jee hang
• No: Jee na’heeng
• Chai: Tea
• Pani: Water
• How much is this? Kitne kaa hai?

And every conversation or interaction ends with the famous head wobble (you may need to get some practice in before arriving as it could mean one of many things!). 

Money and currency

The Indian rupee (code: INR) is the official currency of India. 

The rupee is subdivided into 100 paise (singular: paisa) though as of 2019 coins of 1 rupee are the lowest value in use.

You can exchange USD (or almost whatever your home currency is) into INR at the airport or even at your hotel.  But the exchange rate will be higher than stated online.  

I recommend just using an ATM to withdraw money on arrival to India.  This is the simplest way and omits the potential hassle of figuring the exchange rate and worries of finding a reputable exchange office to do so. 

If you are already in India and have currency with you that you want to change; in the cities it’s easy to get a driver to take you to an official money changer where the charges might not be so high.  But ideally, I suggest just finding an ATM.

Note that you officially cannot take rupees out of India so spend them all before you leave.  You can exchange any leftover rupees back into foreign currency at the airport on departure.  

(Or you can do like we did – though don’t recommend – and exchange USD with some shady backstreet black-market trader to buy an emergency SIM card before attempting to depart the country in a pandemic!).  

• Read our guide to money, currency and ATMs in India here.

Our route of travel in India 

In 2020 on our first trip to India we had just over three weeks (cut short by the pandemic). But in three weeks we saw a diverse landscape and culture between the different regions of Kerela in South India, Uttar Pradesh and Jaisalmer in the desert state of Rajasthan. 

And in three weeks we fell in love with India. 

But India is enormous. And there are more sights than can be seen on that (or even longer!) length of vacation…

If you have 2 to 3 weeks it’s possible to see the cultural triangle of Rajasthan; the most popular choice for travellers to India. 

And if you have longer you are in luck. You can try the different mega cities traveling from New Delhi to Kolkata, Mumbai and Kochi. Or you can train-hop your way across Rajasthan as we have done (and include the megacities too!). 

But if we go back again We knew the next time we went back that our original planned itinerary of covering the desert cities would be our first point of call.

Those trains across the desert were part of a dream route of desert culture with golden, pink and blue cities…

And now four trips to India later(!) we can’t wait to tell you all about it.

Kochi, Kerala 

Kochi in the South of the country is a great choice for an introduction to this enormous subcontinent.

If I was to recommend a starting place for travel in India with kids, the south of India would be my suggestion.

Things to do in Kochi

• Backwaters of Kerala: You can go for a two-hour boat ride or hire a houseboat for the night.
• Port Kochi: One of the most iconic parts of Old Kochi. Walk down to the individual jetties and meet the fisherman – have a turn to raise and lower the nets by hand! 
• Dhoby Khana Laundry: A historic 300-year-old public laundry built by the Portuguese and still in full swing today run by descendants of the original families. 
• Mattancherry: The old area in Fort Kochi recognisable with colourful colonial buildings that represent the eclectic and multicultural history.
• Jain Temple: Aside from the ornate building, the main attraction is a midday prayer and pigeon feeding. Would you feed a hundred pigeons by hand?!
• Visit a Spice Market: There are plenty in Old Kochi that have been operating in the spice trade for literally hundreds of years…

Delhi

Between old and new Delhi the sights (and smells) on a first visit are as assaulting as the crowds.  It’s a seriously huge and sprawling city. 

You have to embrace the chaos and jump right in.  There is plenty to see, do and eat in India’s capital city. 

Things to do in Delhi

• Jama Masjid: Largest mosque in India built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. 
• Chandni Chowk: One of Delhi’s oldest market places and a haven for street food, jalebi and kulfi (plus many, many rickshaw-hawkers).
• India Gate: War memorial dedicated to the 82,000 soldiers, both Indian and British, who died during war.  
• Humayan’s Tomb: Final resting place of Mughal Emperor Humayan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
• Lotus Temple: One of seven Baha’I House of Worship present around the world. 
• Red Fort: Constructed in 1639 as a result of a capital shift from Agra to Delhi. 

Varanasi

Taking a boat ride down the River Ganges is one of those moments in travel that leaves you a bit lost for words.

We hadn’t quite realised the significance of the city of Varanasi. It’s a powerful place to experience.

(And Varanasi is definitely doable with kids!).

Things to do in Varanasi

• Take a walking tour: The best way to hear the stories to match the incredible sights, sounds and smells of Varanasi.
• See the burning ghats: One of those moments in travel that takes your breath away. This is what Varanasi is most famous for, and it has to be seen to understand.
• Sunrise on the ghats: This has got to be one of the most eye-opening and interesting places to be/see. Locals go about their morning rituals and routines, but it’s not like you might imagine…
• Take a boat ride: The ultimate way to experience and see Varanasi in all her glory. The best views of life and happenings on the bank of the River Ganges is from our on the water. 
• Find the best chai in Varanasi: A personal challenge to you – and a good one! Get lost in the alleyways and listen out for the call of chai wallah… 

Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer quickly became our favourite place in India. Small, easy to get around, friendly – and with the happiest musical rubbish truck I have ever heard.

We chose Jaisalmer because we wanted to get out into the desert. We had heard about a camel safari where you can overnight and sleep under the stars…

And that, is exactly what we did.

Jaisalmer is not on the usual route in the cultural triangle of Rajasthan, but if you have the time to add it to your destination list I highly recommend it. 

Things to do in Jaisalmer

• Camel Safari: This is the most popular attraction for the golden city! 
• Jaisalmer Fort: One of the biggest forts in India. Get lost wandering around the maze of bazaars, shops, hotels and tiny lanes within the fort. 
• Gadisar Lake: A man-made water reservoir, the Gadisar Lake was once the only source of water in Jaisalmer. Constructed by the first ruler of Jaisalmer, Raja Rawal Jaisal, it is surrounded by temples and ghats – amazing for wandering! 
• Visit the Maharaja’s Palace: Situated within the Jaisalmer Fort, the palace is small but with plenty to see and panoramic views over the entire city from the top. 
• Go shopping at the markets: The central market place in Jaisalmer spans out across several of the town squares and there is lots to see. (Even if you don’t need to go shopping; go and soak up all the incredible colours and atmosphere!). 

Kolkata

Kolkata is a bustling and busy city in the east of India.

Coming from a month in Bangladesh I can’t explain enough how modern and vibrant Kolkata seemed by comparison. But I do know some things are more about perspective…

Kolkata – formerly Calcutta – has a long history as an important trading city and capital of Bengal.

From 1912 to India’s Independence in 1947, it was the capital of all of Bengal. After Independence, Calcutta remained the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal.

Today it is a vibrant and proudly cosmopolitan city with much to see and do. 

Things to do in Kolkata

• Victoria Memorial Palace: Beautiful grounds to wander surrounding the enormous palace. Cost is 20Rs to enter the grounds only; 500Rs per person to the museum.
• Mother Teresa’s House: Her place of residence and serving from 1950. Mother Teresa’s tomb, preserved room and a small exhibit are on display.
• Dakshineswar and Kalighat Temple: Two prominent Hindu temples in Kolkata. 
• Princep Ghat: Watch the sun go down on the banks of Hooghly River on one of the oldest ghats built under the British Raj. 
• Ride an Ambassador taxi: Kolkata’s fleet of yellow cabs is comprised of iconic bulky Hindustan Motors’ Ambassador cars (first manufactured in the 1950s). 

Mumbai 

Previously known as Bombay, Mumbai is the most populous and biggest city of Maharashtra and the largest city of India. As the financial and entertainment capital of the country it is fondly called the city of dreams…

If you want to know and experience diversity in India; visit Mumbai. 

Things to do in Mumbai

• The Gateway of India: Take a wander at sunset (with the crowds) and take in the atmosphere. 
• Haji Ali Daragh: Seek your blessings with the backdrop of the Arabian Sea at one of the most prominent religious landmarks in Mumbai. 
• Marine Drive: Just take a walk.
• Colaba Causeway: A busy street  bustling with roadside markets and stalls selling trinkets, clothes, souvenirs and more. 
• Eat at Leopold’s Café: Have you read the book Shantaram? 

Agra 

Agra is famous all over the world as home to one of the worlds most-recognised buildings; the Taj Mahal.

The emperor Shah Jahan was the mind behind the grand design of the Taj Mahal in order to enshrine his favourite (of three) wife.

The best time to see the Taj Mahal is in the early morning (get there before sunrise) before the crowds arrive and watch the sun rise over the palace creating a beautiful golden glow. 

Things to do in Agra

• Taj Mahal: This mausoleum is one of the seven Wonders of World and most-recognised buildings in the world.  
• Agra Fort: Beautiful historical red fort built during 1565-1573 for Mughal Emperor Akbar. 
• The ‘Baby Taj’: Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb boasts a similarly picturesque setting to the more well-known Taj Mahal and is likewise constructed entirely of marble. 
• Mehtab Bagh: Garden on the banks of the Yamuna River lying opposite to the Taj Mahal. 

Transportation from Agra

• Train to New Delhi: 2.5 hours
• Train to Jaipur: 3.5 hours
• Taxi to New Delhi: 4 hours

Jodhpur

Aside from being recognised as the iconic Blue City of India, Jodhpur is also known as the Gateway to the Thar Desert.

There are lots of iconic sights to see in the Old City or simply just wander and take in all of the blue…

Things to do in Jodhpur

• Mehrangarh Fort: One of the largest forts in India rising impressively above the blue city. 
• Old City Markets: Check out the small old sweet factories still operating in the middle of the markets. 
• Walk through the Old City: This is the centre of town and is the part of Jodhpur that is so iconic (and bright) blue. 
• Gulab Sagar Lake: This 18th-century lake played an essential role in Jodhpur’s traditional water management system.
• Marvel at Umaid Bhawan Palace: One of India’s last grand palaces to be built (completed in 1944). The royal family of Jodhpur still occupies a section of it.

Jaipur 

Jaipur is the capital of India’s Rajasthan state and is a city that’s full of life (and easily recognisable) known as the Pink City.

Things to do in Jaipur

• Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace): Constructed in 1799 as an extension of the women’s quarters of the City Palace to enable royal women to look out without being observed. 
• Amber Fort: A seriously impressive hilltop fort overlooking Maota Lake about 30 minutes north of the city centre. 
• Jal Mahal (Water Palace):  Looks like it could be floating on Man Sagar Lake (near Amber Fort). 
• Phool Mandi: Wholesale flower market just inside the Old City’s Chandi ki Taksal Gate.  Opens (and best visited) at sunrise. 
• Lassi Wallah 312: THIS is a must-do (and must-try) in Jaipur! Ask a rickshaw driver to take you to shop 312 on M.I. Road, Jaipur…

Transportation from Jaipur

• Taxi to Jodphur: 6 – 7 hours
• Train to Jodphur: 5 hours
• Train to Agra: 4.5 hours
• Train to New Delhi: 5 hours

Amritsar

The city of Amritsar is located in the state of Punjab and is considered the spiritual and cultural centre for Sikhism religion. 

Things to do in Amritsar

• Golden Temple: Visit the incredible Golden Temple known to Sikhs as Harmandir Sahib. The Guru Granth Sahib (holy book of Sikhs) is taken to the temple every morning and returned to the Akal Takht, also in the complex, every night. 
• Wagah Border Crossing: An amazing display of energy and patriotism all in one go! The flags of each country are lowered every evening with a parade of soldiers (and huge crowd). It’s worth a visit!
• Hall Bazaar: The busiest shopping centre in Amritsar.

Budgeting for travel in India

I feel like I’ve written this before; but I want to start this topic for travel in India with the catch…

You expect backpacking in India (with kids) to be cheap. Dirt cheap. But it’s not quiiiite like that.

It’s not bad; but it isn’t like you’ll get by with a few rupees and your kids in tow… 

I’m sure once upon a time it was just a few rupees to get a bed in a dorm room and ride a train in India. (Probably very doable pre-kids if we’re honest!).

But times have changed and although India is fairly cheap, it’s not quite as comparatively low as you might be anticipating for a travel destination.

As a guide for travel on a budget in India; here are some of the costs we found: 

• Lassi (drink): 70 INR 
• Cup of chai: 20 INR 
• Bottle of water: 30 INR
• Roti (roadside vendor): 10 INR
• Basic restaurant meal: 180 INR
• McDonalds combo meal: 350 INR 
• Beer: 150 INR
• Boat ride in Varanasi: 500 INR
• Autorickshaw (2km): 100 INR
• Entry to Taj Mahal: 1300 INR 
• Camel safari: 2000 INR
• SpiceJet flight Mumbai to Delhi: 3000 INR

Food in India

I love Indian food. It has been a favourite of mine since discovering naan and butter chicken as a teenager (becoming more refined after my first trip to India in 2012 when I discovered Thali).

But considering travel to India there is (unfortunately) always that looming concern of what the food in India is really like. And what you are going to (safely) eat once you arrive…

India has a reputation for being the land of spices. (Just the sound of ‘curries’ conjures up a limited cuisine and thoughts are far worse).

But be seriously assured; India has such an incredibly vast cuisine that you won’t leave India without finding a new type of Indian food you hadn’t heard of before that will become your ‘go-to’ Indian favourite.

The first stop on our original big trip was Fiji. We’ve stayed twice now with the same Fijian Indian family who love to cook different Indian style dishes. 

The kids love what they make and it turned out to be the perfect introduction to Indian food that they needed.

They made dahl one night especially in preparation for our trip to India and called it ‘baby dahl‘. (Essentially a spice-free version of dahl and rice that had the boys convinced they too liked Indian food). Perfect!

Finding places to eat in India 

In bigger towns and cities most guest-houses and hotels will have a menu with western food options on. Here I admit the boys sometimes eat toasted sandwiches and/or pizza if the option is available.

Take it easy. You are in India and you do need some time to adjust. (In other words; don’t feel bad if you do need a break from Indian food and/or you want some familiar food once in a while).

However, I do have to put a few words in here to remind you that this is a once in a lifetime trip and you do want to try some new things! 

Some smaller restaurants or roadside stops when en-route by taxi or tuk tuk don’t have much choice. Simple snacks like dosa, dahl and samosas became our go-to choices for kid-friendly or easy to eat meals on these kind of occasions. 

Breads are always a safe bet and there is always some kind of bread on the menu. We have written an entire post about Indian breads to try here. 

And we all quickly found a liking for Indian chai. (We had talked this up before arriving and it was our first mission out on foot in Kochi!).

We stick to mainly vegetarian options in attempt to lessen the risk of food poisoning via meat.

This is easier in South India as a lot of options are vegetarian but truly India has a huge proportion of vegetarians for economic and religious reasons so it is always easy to find something basic and likely vegetarian if you do feel less confident.

Otherwise, make sensible food-decisions and enjoy the incredible food in India!

Drinking water in India

The short answer to whether it is ever safe to drink the tap water in India is ‘no’. 

Tap water in India is not safe for drinking. And certainly not if you are a traveller to India and only there for a few weeks. It does not give your body a fighting chance to develop any kind of immunity to various water-borne illnesses. 

It is tempting to consider boiling water; for environmental and financial reasons. But the reality is that it’s hard to keep up (a family needs a lot of water each day). And there often aren’t facilities for this. 

Avoid salad and fruit that is already peeled and could have been washed with tap water. Roadside stalls selling peeled pineapple and mango is tempting, but if you are unsure don’t risk it. 

You do need to drink a lot to stay hydrated in the heat – but don’t panic. It is not often you will be far from a shop selling bottled water and drinks.

And if you are not in that position, try a coconut – or a cup of Indian chai!

What to wear for travel in India

To sum it up; dress modestly. 

Indian culture values modesty and so it is fitting to follow that in considering what to wear in India as a traveller. The best way to do this is to copy the locals. 

For women, this is a salwar kameez and light loose trousers, or a basic kurta top and leggings. 

For men, a kurta is also practical and long trousers are recommended. Trousers are hotter but you will not see locals in shorts. 

Our kids wear a combination of t-shirts, shorts and long trousers. They are used to roaming the world in shorts, but we quickly realised they were the only boys around in Varanasi not wearing long pants. (Trousers and a kurta are a good choice in Varansai, even for kids). 

In rural areas and villages you need to dress more conservatively. We felt this most strongly in Jaisalmer where the ladies often cover their face entirely with a scarf when a man is walking past. 

It is not expected for a tourist to cover your hair or face but certainly conservative dress is respected.

And ladies; carry a light scarf to cover your hair at holy sites.

Getting sick in India

The reality of travel in India is that most travellers are likely to get food poisoning at some point. The standards of hygiene and sanitation are different (read: very low). 

Food poisoning is a reality of all travel, but it does seem to be heightened for travel in India…

There are some things you can do to prevent food poisoning (and some is luck). We stick to vegetarian food if we are unsure and stay away from salads and fruits washed with water. 

For the kids, we are extra protective with travel in India and find ourselves buying packaged snacks where in other places we wouldn’t. 

And I don’t know if it helped or not, but we try to all eat yoghurt or curd to keep up with probiotics we hope adds to gut health. 

A packaged snack for the kids; chai for us. 

We also try to remember the golden rule of eating where it is busy and where the locals are eating and the turnover is high. 

It does sound a bit doom and gloom but we found as soon as we mentioned to friends back home that we were going to India they immediately piped up with warnings of “Delhi belly”. Not technically helpful, but at least it aided to set out with expectations that were low. 

In actual fact, we didn’t do too badly in India on either trip! It is constantly on our minds in travel and we are grateful to have so far travelled well health-wise. 

Carry sanitiser, wash your hands often and only drink bottled water with a sealed top. 

Vaccinations for travel in India

One of the other questions we get asked most about travel in India is whether we needed to get any vaccinations before travelling. 

Albeit travelling with kids adds the pressure of being responsible to make the best decisions for little people in your care as well… 

But aside from the ever-changing Covid regulations, there are no other vaccinations required for entry in to India (unless you are arriving from a country at risk of Yellow Fever Virus transmission). 

[Note – do not take the following as medical advice. This is our experience considering standard vaccinations for travel in India!]. 

It is confusing, and can be stressful making a decision about vaccinations for travel.

Do your research and at the end of the day, be sure to make a decision that is right for you and your family.

Getting around India 

THIS is definitely a huge part of the Indian travel adventure! 

We organised a pickup from the airport on first arrival in India which made that part straightforward for us (our driver even came in to help purchase SIM cards before setting off on our way to the city). 

We used Uber occasionally for getting around in Kochi and Kolkata.

And although this technically is a cheap and straightforward way of getting a ride organised to somewhere – definitely don’t expect the suggested timing of the pickup schedule to match… Nor the location beacon for where you want to specifically be picked up from!

Getting around by auto rickshaw (or CNG)

Auto rickshaws are a common means of public transportation in India.

It’s easy to wave down a passing rickshaw (likely you will be spotted and asked if you need one first) to take you a short-medium distance around town.

For a 2km distance it costs around 100-150 rupees (USD $1.30).

Just be sure to negotiate and confirm the price before you climb in.

Getting around by cycle rickshaw

One of the most traditional methods of transport inside the old cities of India.

It only costs a few rupee for a short distance by cycle rickshaw (just not so easy for us as a family of four – we need to get two as I feel too guilty for the driver!).

Getting around India by train

This is the quintessential experience for travel in India.  And don’t panic; it’s totally doable.  

We love train travel in India and highly recommend you take a train just for the experience.  

Trains travel in all directions (you can virtually get between any two destinations in India by rail).

There are 8 different classes to travel by train so there is a range of seats, berths and accommodation to suit whatever your budget.

• Read our complete guide to train travel in India here.

Getting around India by bus

Bus travel is a cheap way to move between cities.

There’s no need to pre-book buses in India very far in advance as there are squillions hundreds of buses departing frequently in any given direction.

However, having ridden overnight buses in North India (pre-kids) I would suggest bus travel as a last resort and would much rather recommend travel by train in India. 

Booking trains in India

The railways of India… An adventure in itself that warrants attention and planning. (I don’t think there’s a traveller out there that on hearing ‘train in India’ doesn’t conjure up images in their mind of this challenge!). 

In actual fact the trains are fairly easy to book and can be done online.

The trick though is to book ahead, as tickets are open for reservation up to 90 days prior to travel. (And in a country with one billion people, they do book out).

We used 12Go Asia and the IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Co) website while we were in Sri Lanka to book ahead and reserve our train tickets for Rajasthan.

On arriving in India we also discovered the IXIGO Trains app which made booking and schedules even easier.

• Read our complete guide to train travel in India here. 

Phone and internet access in India

Wifi, 3G and 4G is readily available around the tourist trail in India. At guesthouses and hotels wifi is usually free (albeit slow and unreliable). 

We found data to be reasonably and comparatively cheap and were able to use our phones to hotspot data to our laptop if wifi wasn’t available. 

Once you have your SIM card sorted (see below) it’s easy to recharge at small shops and convenience stores all over the place. (Just say the word ‘recharge’ and someone will point you in the right direction). 

Useful apps to download

Tripadvisor and WhatsApp are popular communication apps in India.

I was slightly wary knowing Tripadvisor is different from booking.com in that technically anyone can log in upload a review but it still gives you a baseline.

We found a really good tour in Kochi and booked that ahead of arriving.

In Varanasi we used TripAdvisor to connect with a local guide. We contacted him through WhatsApp to book a walking tour that turned out to be the highlight of our stay.

SIM cards

Don’t make our mistakes! Do some research before you go.

We first landed in Kochi and chose a SIM card from the provider ‘Idea’. It worked well in the south but we found out in the last days of our trip that Idea doesn’t work in New Delhi (it has recently been bought out by Vodafone).

Unsurprisingly (given its size) India has some of the most competitive rates for telecommunications in the world. 

The process for getting a SIM card wasn’t as bad as expected in Kochi.

However on our second trip to India with kids we landed in Kolkata and the airport didn’t have phone shops open (June 2022) late at night.

We found an Airtel store the next day and (seriously) the process took over an hour…

Needless to say we only bought one at that rate. (Gavin later bought a SIM card from a tiny hole-in-the-wall type phone shop on the street). You do need to register your passport to buy a SIM.

Most international flights in and out of New Delhi operate from Terminal 3 at Indira Gandhi Airport. It’s easy to find the Airtel Store there located between Exit 4 and 5 and next to Costa Coffee. 

And if you arrive in New Delhi and need to buy a SIM on the street there are phone shops scattered around Main Bazaar.

I even managed to buy and set one up in under and hour with the rising pressures of the pandemic beginning. (Concern for being stuck in Delhi without communications was not a good option at that point!).

Choosing accommodation in India

India offers a ridiculously wide range of accommodations.

One search on Booking.com and you’ll be offered heritage properties (former Raj guesthouses, royal palaces and forts), modern city-centre hotels, backpacker-hostels, guesthouses and homestays.

It’s all available in India. 

We book ahead online and found a mixture of small hotels and guesthouses.  

Read the reviews of each place to check for feedback or issues (you can alter the filters to search for specific feedback from family travellers on Booking.com).  

We generally look ahead and select a property that offers breakfast included in the price (that saves the headache of searching for a meal with kids first thing in the morning). 

Where we stayed in India

• Kochi: Hotel Abad Plaza [good location next to mall with supermarket. Multiple restaurants on site; huge buffet breakfast. Swimming pool. Note this hotel is not in the old city of Kochi]. 
• Varanasi: Hotel Temple on Ganges [great location; basic rooms and restaurant. Close to Assi Ghat – good location to explore Varanasi from]. 
• Jaisalmer: The Wanderlust Guesthouse [AMAZING guest-house! We loved staying here and can highly recommend. Great rooms; rooftop restaurant overlooking the fort; awesome camel safaris!
• New Delhi Airport: Taurus Sarovar Portico [beautiful hotel only a few km’s from Delhi International Airport. A great first stop arriving in India with buffet breakfast included and a restaurant onsite.
• New Delhi: Hotel Hari Piorko [good location in the heart of the Main Bazaar, Delhi; close to restaurants and train station. No view from rooms]. 

• Kolkata: Hotel Golden Palace [close to New Market with very friendly service and a great in-house room service restaurant]. 
• Mumbai: Gulf Hotel [good location in Colaba few mins walk to Gateway of India. Basic rooms (and very old elevator) and very basic breakfast included. Also lots of (questionably so?) mirrors]. 
• Jodhpur: Raj Mandir Boutique Homestay [good location in Blue City, spacious room with small balcony inside Haveli style home. Tiny little doors, lots of unique decor and artefacts].
• Jaipur: Jaipur Haveli [incredible old haveli home in heart of Jaipur. Highly recommend; beautiful rooms; great attention to detail and very friendly staff and owners]. 
• Agra: Aman Homestay [very friendly family-run homestay with rooftop views of The Taj Mahal. Great rickshaw driver service and home cooked meals].
• Delhi: Smyle Inn [extremely basic hotel in small back alley. Very friendly, helpful staff and simple breakfast included. Just off Main Bazaar]. 

What else can we say about India?

We LOVE India and can only highly, highly recommend you embrace the chaos; embrace India; and get ready for what can truly only be described as the adventure of a lifetime…

More about travel planning for India and beyond…

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

• Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally. 
• Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.  
• GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
• SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country. 
• World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). 

Read more about India

• Train travel in India: A complete guide.
• Five days in Kerala: The best introduction to India.
• The Sacred River Ganges: Two days in Varanasi with kids.
• A desert camel safari in Jaisalmer: Not once (but twice).
• Celebrating Holi in India with kids.
• A bread bucket-list: 12 Indian breads you need to try.