India Travel Guide 2026: Tips, Itineraries & Planning

The first time I landed in Delhi, I stood at the arrivals gate for ten minutes doing nothing, because every sense I owned was busy. The smell of diesel and frying dough, the horns, the bright saris, a boy selling marigold garlands, and a heat that felt like a hand on my back. I had planned for three weeks and was still not ready. If you are reading this from Singapore, a flight of about five hours to Delhi or Chennai separates you from the same overload, and I want you to arrive better prepared than I was.

This is the guide I wish I had owned. It is not a list of every monument in the country, because no honest list could be that short or that long. It is a working plan: when to go, how to handle the visa, which routes make sense for a first trip, what things really cost, how to move around, what to eat, how to stay online, and the small habits that make the difference between a stressful holiday and a wonderful one. Where HolidaySG sells something useful for the trip, I mention it plainly, and where it does not, I say so.

The short version. Go between October and March for the most comfortable weather. Apply for your e-visa at least two weeks before departure. Choose one or two regions rather than the whole country. Budget roughly S$60 to S$90 a day for comfortable mid-range travel, outside the big-ticket hotels. Take the train for at least one journey. Eat at busy places. Carry a working data connection from the moment you land.

Why India rewards a little homework

India is not one destination. It is closer to thirty, stitched together by railways and a shared love of tea. The language changes every few hundred kilometres, the food changes faster, and the climate swings from alpine snow to coastal humidity within a single flight. A traveller who arrives with a vague plan to see India usually comes home having seen a lot of airports and one very tired version of Delhi.

The upside of that scale is that you can build almost any holiday you like. Want palaces and desert forts? Rajasthan. Houseboats and spice gardens? Kerala. Beaches with a Portuguese accent? Goa. Mountain air and monasteries? The Himalayan foothills. Rivers, rituals and the oldest living city you are likely to visit? Varanasi. The trick is picking a lane, and this guide is organised to help you do that.

For Singapore travellers there is a practical bonus. Direct flights connect us to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Hyderabad, and the time difference is only two and a half hours. You lose very little to jet lag, and a long weekend can stretch into a proper week without much planning fuss.

When to go: reading India's seasons

Indian weather follows three broad seasons, but the country is so large that the same week can be perfect in one state and miserable in another. The mistake I see most often is booking Rajasthan in May because the flights were cheap. It is not a mistake you make twice. Daytime temperatures in the desert can pass 42 degrees, and the forts become ovens by ten in the morning.

Winter, October to March: the easy season

This is the season most first-timers should choose. The monsoon has cleared, skies are blue, and north India settles into mild days and cool evenings. December and January bring chilly mornings and occasional fog in Delhi, Agra and Varanasi, which can delay trains and flights, so build a spare day into any tight connection. February and March are my personal favourite window: warm, bright, flowers everywhere, and fewer crowds than the Christmas peak.

Summer, April to June: heat and hill stations

The plains are punishing. If you must travel now, head up. Shimla, Manali, Darjeeling, Munnar and Ooty all sit high enough to stay pleasant, and the Himalayan passes begin to open for the trekking season. Plan indoor sightseeing for the afternoon and start monuments at opening time.

Monsoon, July to September: green, wet and quieter

The rains transform the south and west coast. Kerala turns an almost unreal green, waterfalls run full, and Ayurvedic centres promote their monsoon treatment packages with good reason. The trade-off is disruption: flooded roads, cancelled ferries and muddy trails. Goa largely closes its beach shacks. If you go, keep your schedule loose and your insurance current.

One more calendar note. Festivals reshape travel. Diwali in autumn and Holi in spring are spectacular, but trains sell out weeks ahead, hotel prices climb, and many shops close for a day or two. If you are flexible, either plan around them deliberately or avoid them. Do not stumble into them by accident.

Visas and paperwork: the part you cannot improvise

Most Singapore passport holders and many other nationalities apply for an Indian e-visa online rather than visiting an embassy. The common option is the e-Tourist Visa, which comes in different validity lengths depending on how often you plan to return. Our records, last checked in late September 2026, show a typical processing time of three to five business days, a maximum stay of up to 90 days per visit on the longer-validity versions, and fees that vary by nationality and season. Those details do change, so always confirm the current figures on the official Indian e-visa portal before you pay anyone.

My routine is simple. I apply about two to three weeks before departure, not two days. I upload a clear passport scan and a recent photo that meets the stated size rules, and I print the approval letter, even though officers can usually see it electronically. I also keep a digital copy on my phone and a second one emailed to myself.

• Your passport must have enough blank pages and at least six months of validity from your arrival date.
• Apply on the official government portal or through a service you trust. Look-alike sites that charge heavy extra fees do exist.
• Business, medical and conference travel use different e-visa categories. Do not enter on a tourist visa if your purpose is something else.
• Immigration officers may ask for proof of onward travel and where you will stay, so keep those documents handy.

If you would like help working out which category suits your trip, our visa requirements pages explain the options by destination, and HolidaySG offers visa assistance if you prefer someone else to check your application before it goes in.

A word on onward-travel proof

Some airlines will not let you board a flight into India unless you can show an onward or return flight, even if you plan to leave overland or buy the next leg later. Many travellers solve this with a reservation rather than a fully paid ticket. Our flight reservation service provides a manual reservation intended for exactly this kind of paperwork need, such as visa applications. It is a reservation, not an issued ticket, and it does not promise any visa outcome, so use it as supporting documentation only and always check what your airline and the Indian authorities currently expect.

Choosing your route: five circuits that work

Here is my honest advice. For a first trip of ten days to two weeks, pick one main circuit and one add-on. India punishes ambition. Every extra city costs you a day of transit, and Indian transit days are long, slow and sometimes magnificent, but they are still transit days.

1. The Golden Triangle: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur (5 to 7 days)

The classic first-timer loop, and classic for a reason. Delhi gives you the Mughal and colonial layers in one city: the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, the lanes of Old Delhi, and the broad avenues of Lutyens' Delhi. Agra is for the Taj Mahal, which deserves a sunrise visit. It is closed on Fridays, so plan around that, and book your entry in advance during the high season. Jaipur, the pink city, adds the Amber Fort, the City Palace and the astronomical wonders of Jantar Mantar.

The three cities are linked by good roads and frequent trains, and a hired car with a driver makes the loop easy. Do not skip the food in Delhi. The old city's street stalls are famous, but if you are nervous about your first Indian meal, join a guided walk. I did, on my second visit, and it changed how I eat the rest of the trip.

2. Rajasthan's forts and palaces (10 to 14 days)

Extend the Triangle westward and you reach the desert states. Jaipur leads to Pushkar and its small lakeside temples, then Jodhpur's blue lanes under Mehrangarh Fort, Udaipur's lake palaces, and finally Jaisalmer, a golden sandstone town that rises out of the Thar like a sandcastle. Allow time for a night in a desert camp. It is touristy, yes, and it is also one of those evenings where the stars come out so thick that nobody speaks.

Distances here are bigger than they look on a map. Jodhpur to Jaisalmer is around five hours by road, and Udaipur to Jodhpur can take longer. Trains help, but hiring a driver for the whole stretch often costs less than you expect when split between two or three people.

3. Kerala's backwaters and hills (7 to 10 days)

Kerala is where I send friends who say they want to rest. Kochi's old Fort area has Chinese fishing nets, spice warehouses and good cafés. Munnar rolls out tea estates in endless green terraces. Alleppey and Kumarakom offer houseboat trips through the backwaters, and the coast at Varkala and Kovalam provides beaches with cliff-top restaurants. The pace is slower, the food leans on coconut and seafood, and the humidity asks you to rest at midday.

4. Varanasi and the Ganges (3 to 4 days)

Varanasi is not comfortable and it is not meant to be. It is intense, ancient and moving. Take a boat on the river at dawn, walk the ghats, and attend the evening aarti ceremony. Go with an open mind, a good guide for the first morning, and modest clothing. Combine it with a flight from Delhi or an overnight train, and consider adding the nearby Buddhist site of Sarnath.

5. Goa and the south (5 to 8 days)

For beaches, Goa's north is lively and its south is quiet. Pair it with Hampi's boulder-strewn temple ruins, Mysuru's palace, or Chennai and the Tamil temple towns for a more cultural turn. Bengaluru is a useful gateway with good flight links and a pleasant climate through most of the year.

Two sample itineraries you can copy

Plans that look tidy on paper tend to unravel by day four, so these have slack built in. Swap the order if the flights suit you better.

Ten days: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and a Rajasthan taste

Fourteen days: south India, slow version

Both plans leave at least one slow morning in each region. Those mornings, with tea in a courtyard and no schedule, are the ones people mention years later.

What India costs: a realistic budget

India is excellent value, and it also has some of the world's most extravagant hotels. Where you fall depends on how you sleep and how you move. The numbers below are my own rough working figures in Singapore dollars for one person, not quotes, and they swing with city, season and exchange rates. Use them to frame your thinking, then check current prices before you commit.

Entry fees for monuments have a two-tier system. Foreign visitors pay noticeably more than Indian citizens, and the Taj Mahal is the best-known example. Budget for this rather than arguing about it at the ticket window. Bargaining is expected at markets and with auto-rickshaw drivers who do not use a meter, but be good-humoured about it. Agree the price before you get in, and remember that saving a few rupees matters less than keeping your temper.

Where money goes quietly

• Drivers and guides: tip well when the service is good. A small, sincere tip at the end of a day matters to families who rely on it.
• Entry fees: cheaper for Indian citizens, noticeably dearer for foreigners, and they add up across a two-week trip.
• Bottled water and snacks on long train rides: cheap individually, but keep a small stash.
• Laundry: hotel laundry is convenient and priced to match, while local dhobi services cost far less.
• Cash: ATMs are common in cities, but small towns and rural sights can still run on cash.

Getting around: trains, flights, cars and rickshaws

Indian transport is an adventure in itself. Learn the basics and it becomes one of the best parts of the trip.

Trains

The railway network is huge and a joy once you understand it. Classes run from air-conditioned sleeper to chair car, and the fast Vande Bharat services between major cities are modern and comfortable. Tickets are released ahead of travel and popular routes sell out, so book early if your dates are fixed. Night trains save a hotel bill and give you scenery as a bonus, but pack a light blanket, a lock for your bag, and patience for delays.

Domestic flights

For distances such as Delhi to Kochi or Mumbai to Jaipur, a flight saves a day. Several carriers compete on price, and fares can be low if you buy early. Check baggage limits, which are tighter on some domestic fares than international ones, and arrive early for security checks.

Cars and drivers

A private car with a driver is the easy answer for the Golden Triangle and Rajasthan. Pick a reputable operator, agree the itinerary and the total price in writing, and clarify whether tolls, parking and the driver's accommodation are included. You will also get a free window into local life from the person behind the wheel.

Rickshaws, ride apps and the metro

Auto-rickshaws are everywhere and ride apps work in the big cities. Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad all have metro systems that are clean, cheap and refreshingly unaffected by traffic. Use them whenever your route allows.

Eating your way through the country

Food is the main reason many people return. Do not reduce it to curry. North India brings tandoor breads, creamy gravies and rich lentils. The south leans on rice, dosa, sambar and coconut. Gujarat is sweetly vegetarian, Bengal loves fish and sweets, and the coast serves seafood that makes Singapore's best hawkers nod in respect.

Some dishes worth seeking out are butter chicken in Delhi, biryani in Hyderabad, masala dosa in Chennai, fish curry in Kerala and Goa, and the sweet lassi in Jaipur's narrow lanes. Our own data lists butter chicken, biryani and masala dosa as the entry-level classics, and I would add chaat to the list. It is a sweet, sour, crunchy street snack and the quickest way to understand why Indians argue about their favourite stall.

Eating safely without missing out

• Choose busy places. Fast turnover usually means fresh food.
• Eat food that is hot and cooked to order. Be cautious with salads and pre-cut fruit in smaller places.
• Drink sealed bottled or properly filtered water, and skip ice if you are unsure of its source.
• Carry rehydration salts and basic stomach medication. Most upsets pass in a day, but being prepared helps.
• Vegetarian food is everywhere and often excellent. If you eat meat, you will still find plenty.

A first-day guided food walk, like the one pictured above, is the easiest way to learn what you can order and how to order it. You also meet a local guide who will happily explain what is on the plate and answer questions you would feel shy asking in a restaurant.

Staying connected: data, SIMs and eSIMs

Navigation, ride apps, train tickets, translation and hotel check-ins all assume a working phone. Airport Wi-Fi is not enough, and roaming can be costly. Tourist SIM cards have their own registration process for foreigners and can be slow to activate, which is a frustrating way to spend your first evening.

An eSIM avoids that. You install a profile on a compatible phone before you leave, and it connects to a local network when you land. HolidaySG lists several India eSIM options at different data sizes and validity periods, from short stays to a fortnight of heavier use. Check that your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible, install the profile while you still have home Wi-Fi, and keep your main SIM active for calls and SMS verification codes if your bank requires them.

Whatever you buy, read the terms on validity, coverage and whether tethering is allowed, and save the setup guide on your phone before you fly. If you are travelling as a family, remember that each phone needs its own profile.

Airports and lounges: the unglamorous trick that saves a trip

Indian airports can be crowded and chaotic, especially in the early morning and late evening when international flights bunch together. Security queues are long, domestic and international terminals are often separate, and connections need generous buffers. If you have a long layover, a late-night departure or a tired family in tow, an airport lounge turns hours of waiting into something civilised.

HolidaySG sells access to a range of lounges across India, with entry prices that run from roughly the mid-S$20s to the high S$40s depending on the airport and terminal. Most offer complimentary snacks or meals, Wi-Fi, charging points and quiet seating, and many have vegetarian options clearly marked. Opening hours differ between lounges, so check the listing for the hours of your terminal.

Use lounges strategically. They are most valuable at the end of a trip when you are tired and carrying souvenirs, or at the start when a tricky arrival eats into your first morning. If your itinerary includes a stop in Bengaluru, Delhi, Goa or Chennai, check what is available before you fly.

Culture, etiquette and the small things that matter

India is warm and welcoming, and a little cultural awareness goes a long way. These are habits I picked up over several trips, sometimes the awkward way.

• Remove your shoes before entering temples and many homes. Carry thin socks for hot stone floors.
• Use your right hand for eating and for handing over money or objects.
• Dress modestly at religious sites. Cover shoulders and knees, and carry a light scarf.
• Ask before photographing people, especially at religious ceremonies and in rural areas.
• Public displays of affection are not widely accepted, so keep them low-key.
• Greet with a smile and a 'namaste', and remember that a head wobble can mean yes, maybe or simple acknowledgement.
• Do not take offence at curiosity. Questions about your family, your job and your salary are usually warmth, not intrusion.

Scams and how to sidestep them

Most Indians you meet are kind and helpful, but tourist hot spots do attract a few hustlers. Common ones include rickshaw drivers who insist your hotel is closed and take you to a shop, unsolicited 'guides' at monuments, and gem or carpet shops with elaborate stories. A calm, polite 'no thank you' and a confident walk solves most of it. Use official ticket counters and prepaid taxi booths at airports and stations.

Health and safety: sensible, not scary

Millions of travellers enjoy India safely every year, and a little preparation covers nearly everything. See a doctor four to six weeks before departure about routine and travel vaccinations. Buy travel insurance with medical cover, and consider evacuation cover if you plan to trek at altitude. Carry copies of your passport, and keep the originals in a hotel safe where possible.

Solo travellers, women included, travel the country every day. They tend to follow a few rules: book the first night's hotel ahead, use ride apps or hotel-arranged cars at night, dress to blend in, trust their instincts, and join group tours or day trips when they want company. Share your itinerary with someone at home, and register with your embassy if that is an option.

Air quality in northern cities, especially Delhi in the winter months, can be poor. If you have asthma or other respiratory conditions, check the forecast, pack a good mask, and plan indoor activities on bad days. The emergency number across the country is 112, and your hotel can help with local medical contacts.

What to pack

Think light, breathable and modest. Cotton and linen beat synthetic fabrics in the heat. A scarf is the most useful single item you will carry: it shades you, covers you at temples and doubles as a pillow on the train.

Making the trip yours: a planning checklist

When I plan a trip now, I work backward from the flight. It sounds fussy, and it keeps me calm. Here is the order I follow, and you are welcome to steal it.

• Twelve to eight weeks out: choose your region and dates, check festival calendars, and book international flights.
• Eight to six weeks out: reserve key hotels, book trains for fixed-date routes, and talk to a doctor about vaccinations.
• Four to three weeks out: apply for your e-visa, arrange onward-travel documentation if your airline asks, and buy insurance.
• Two weeks out: book popular experiences, guided walks and airport extras, and set up your eSIM.
• One week out: check weather, confirm the first night's transfer, download offline maps, and photocopy your documents.

Two weeks before departure is also a good time to settle the pieces that sell out: monument entry on busy dates, food walks, lounge access for tight connections. Everything else can stay flexible, and flexibility is the secret to enjoying India.

Frequently asked questions

Final thoughts before you go

India will not behave like the itinerary you drew. A train will run late, a road will close for a procession, and a stranger will invite you for tea. The travellers who love the country are the ones who stop fighting that and start enjoying it. Plan the things that need planning, such as the visa, the flights, the first night and the connectivity, and leave the rest open.

When you are ready to build the practical side of the trip, HolidaySG can help with eSIMs, airport lounge access, guided food experiences and visa assistance, all bookable from Singapore. E-tickets and confirmations are emailed after our team confirms your booking, so do not leave time-sensitive items to the last hour.