Is it safe to drink the water?

Stick to bottled water, even for brushing teeth initially. Most hotels provide free bottles. Avoid ice in drinks and raw vegetables unless you're at upscale restaurants.

How do I get around between cities?

Domestic flights for long distances (Delhi to Mumbai: $50-80, 2 hours). Trains for shorter routes (Delhi to Agra: $5-15, 3 hours). Book trains on IRCTC website or at stations.

What should I do about bargaining?

Expected at markets and with auto-rickshaw drivers. Start at 50% of asking price. Fixed prices at malls, restaurants, and branded shops. Use Uber/Ola to avoid transport haggling.

How much should I tip?

Restaurants: 10% if service charge not included. Hotel porters: 50-100 rupees. Tour guides: 200-500 rupees per day. Drivers: 300-500 rupees per day.

How to Plan Your First Trip to India

Start with 2-3 weeks focusing on the Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur) plus one beach or mountain destination. Book flights 2-3 months ahead, get your e-visa 4 weeks before departure, and budget $50-80 per day including mid-range hotels.

Pick your regions (don't try to see everything). Choose 2-3 regions maximum for a 2-3 week trip. Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur) is ideal for first-timers. Add either Rajasthan desert cities, Kerala backwaters, Goa beaches, or Himachal Pradesh mountains. More than 3 regions means too much travel time.
Book flights 8-12 weeks ahead. Fly into Delhi or Mumbai for best international connections. Book domestic flights between cities once in India — they're cheap ($30-80) and save 8-12 hours of train time. IndiGo and SpiceJet are reliable budget carriers.
Get your e-visa 4-6 weeks before departure. Apply for 30-day tourist e-visa at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Costs $25-80 depending on nationality. Upload clear passport photo and passport scan. Takes 3-5 business days to process.
Book first 3 nights accommodation only. Reserve hotels for your first city only. Book mid-range hotels ($30-60/night) in central areas like Connaught Place (Delhi) or Colaba (Mumbai). Leave flexibility to change plans as you go.
Get vaccinations and medications. See travel doctor 6-8 weeks before departure. Hepatitis A/B and typhoid recommended. Get malaria pills if visiting rural areas. Pack Imodium, electrolyte packets, and basic antibiotics.
Download essential apps. Install Uber/Ola for transport, Make My Trip for hotels/trains, Google Translate with offline Hindi, Maps.me for offline maps, and WhatsApp (everyone uses it in India).
Arrange money and cards. Notify your bank of travel dates. Bring $200-300 cash to exchange at airport. ATMs are everywhere but may charge $3-5 per withdrawal. Cards work at most restaurants and shops in cities.

Is it safe to drink the water?: Stick to bottled water, even for brushing teeth initially. Most hotels provide free bottles. Avoid ice in drinks and raw vegetables unless you're at upscale restaurants.
How do I get around between cities?: Domestic flights for long distances (Delhi to Mumbai: $50-80, 2 hours). Trains for shorter routes (Delhi to Agra: $5-15, 3 hours). Book trains on IRCTC website or at stations.
What should I do about bargaining?: Expected at markets and with auto-rickshaw drivers. Start at 50% of asking price. Fixed prices at malls, restaurants, and branded shops. Use Uber/Ola to avoid transport haggling.
How much should I tip?: Restaurants: 10% if service charge not included. Hotel porters: 50-100 rupees. Tour guides: 200-500 rupees per day. Drivers: 300-500 rupees per day.