Is it safe to drink the tap water?

No. Only drink bottled water with a sealed cap or use a high-quality portable filtration system.

How do I deal with 'Delhi Belly'?

Stick to busy, high-turnover restaurants. Avoid raw salads or fruit you cannot peel yourself. Carry Imodium and rehydration salts just in case.

Tipping is expected in tourist areas. Round up for drivers and tip 10% in sit-down restaurants.

Planning Your First Trip to India

Focus on the 'Golden Triangle' (Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur) for your first 10-day trip to balance iconic sights with manageable travel. Use a mix of domestic flights and private car hires to bypass the chaos of long-distance train logistics until you are more experienced.

Lock in your e-Visa. Apply for the e-Tourist visa through the official Indian government portal at least 4 weeks before your departure. Do not use third-party aggregator sites.
Select your route. Stick to one region. For first-timers, the North (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur) is standard. If you prefer nature, choose Kerala. Do not attempt to cross the country in two weeks.
Book transport in advance. Book internal flights between major cities using carriers like Indigo or Vistara. For short city-to-city hops, hire a private driver for the day; it costs roughly $40-60 and saves hours of stress.
Download essential apps. Install Uber or Ola for city transport to avoid haggling with rickshaw drivers. Download Zomato for restaurant reviews and offline maps for navigation.

Is it safe to drink the tap water?: No. Only drink bottled water with a sealed cap or use a high-quality portable filtration system.
How do I deal with 'Delhi Belly'?: Stick to busy, high-turnover restaurants. Avoid raw salads or fruit you cannot peel yourself. Carry Imodium and rehydration salts just in case.
Should I tip?: Tipping is expected in tourist areas. Round up for drivers and tip 10% in sit-down restaurants.