Planning Your First Trip to India: A Practical Roadmap

Focus your first trip on the 'Golden Triangle' (Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur) to manage logistics without getting overwhelmed. Dedicate at least 14 days to account for travel fatigue and slow transit times.

1. Secure your e-Visa. Apply for the e-Tourist visa via the official Indian government portal at least 4 weeks before departure. Do not use third-party aggregator sites, as they often overcharge or process applications incorrectly.
2. Book domestic travel in advance. Use the IRCTC website or the 'ixigo' app to book trains at least 30 days ahead. For flights, use Indigo or Air India. Avoid spontaneous bus travel between major cities on your first trip.
3. Build in buffer time. India operates on 'Indian Standard Time'—which is flexible. Do not schedule tight connections. Allow 3 hours for airport arrivals and expect train delays of 1-2 hours.
4. Arrange airport transfers. Pre-book a car through your accommodation for your first arrival in each city. Navigating local taxi queues while jet-lagged is a common point of failure for first-timers.

Is it safe to drink the tap water?

No. Only drink bottled water with a sealed cap or water treated through a high-quality UV filter.

How do I deal with the 'Delhi Belly' risk?

Stick to busy, high-turnover restaurants, eat only cooked-to-order hot food, and avoid raw salads or fruit you haven't peeled yourself.