Having spent months living and working in Jaipur, and traveling to India more than three times since then, I have seen the country change alot over the years.
India is a place where the magic and the reality often go hand in hand, but it isn’t a place where you can just “wing” it either. Beyond the colorful streets, ancient traditions, and unforgettable encounters, there are cultural norms, everyday challenges, and practical considerations that can make a real difference to your trip.
A little preparation goes a long way. Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning to explore beyond the usual tourist route, this guide covers what you need to know to navigate India in 2027, from visa requirements and cultural etiquette to transport, safety, food, and the practical details that can catch even experienced travelers off guard.
1. Visiting India in 2027: What Has Changed?
Digital Payments (UPI) Are Now Accessible to International Tourists
Whether I was buying a ₹15 cup of chai or paying for an auto-rickshaw, it meant I was constantly digging around for change because my foreign Visa or Mastercard cards were not accepted. And if you’re anything like me, finding little wads of cash or loose change before heading out the door isn’t always something you remember to do.
India runs almost entirely on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a domestic QR-code payment network. Whereas this was once only available to Indian nationals before, now international visitors can now sign up for UPI One World upon arrival. It lets you scan standard merchant QR codes anywhere in the country, and is widely used to pay auto-rickshaws, hotels, and cafes. Meaning you can pay right from your phone!
You can set up this prepaid digital wallet at authorized international airport counters (such as EbixCash or Cheq UPI) by presenting your physical passport and valid visa.
This is also a great way around paying those nasty ATM fees!
Indian Railways Has Shortened the General Booking Window
The standard Advance Reservation Period (ARP) across Indian Railways’ network sits at 60 days. However, registered foreign accounts on the official IRCTC Portal hold access to the dedicated Foreign Tourist Quota up to 365 days in advance for higher travel classes! If you plan to link long distances by rail, sorting this registration out before you leave saves you alot of stress, especially if you already have a concrete itinerary in mind.
The Civilian Drone Ban Is Strictly Enforced
Do not pack a camera drone for your trip. I wish more travelers knew about this before coming to India. Foreign tourists are strictly prohibited from bringing or operating drones inside the country. If you bring a drone, customs officers at border control or airports will confiscate it on the spot and you risk being fined or in trouble.
2. Visas, Entry Requirements & Border Permits
e-Visa Tiers and Application Protocols
Most international tourists must secure an electronic visa through the official Indian e-Visa Portal before flying (make sure you check your country’s visa status and requirements). Avoid third-party agency sites if you can, as they add heavy markup fees, and the e-visa process is rather straightforward to do on your own, anyways. The current visa and fee tiers are:
- 30-Day e-Tourist Visa: $10 USD during the off-peak window (April to June) and $25 USD during peak season (July to March).
- 1-Year e-Tourist Visa: $40 USD (multiple-entry; allows a continuous stay of 90 or 180 days per visit depending on your nationality).
- 5-Year e-Tourist Visa: $80 USD.
When I first arrived to India, I was on a 1-year visa. Little did know I would come back the next three years after that, where each time I had to re-apply for a visa. If I could redo one thing, it would be to apply for the 5-year visa the first time. If you’re a full-time traveler or know you’ll be visiting Asia and the surrounding countries for a while, I would advise you just get the 1-year or 5-year visa to save you money and time. The visa application can be pretty long, and the site tends to crash often (where you have to start allll over again!) Trust me, once you go to India, you’ll want to come back again soon.
Once your e-visa is processed, accepted, and paid for, I advise to always carry a physical printout of your approved Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). It is regularly checked at airports and hotels.
Protected Area Permits (PAP) and Inner Line Permits (ILP)
Traveling into some areas of India requires specific clearances beyond your standard tourist visa. Areas in Ladakh (such as Pangong Tso or Nubra Valley), Sikkim (Tsomgo Lake, Nathu La), Arunachal Pradesh, and sections of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands require valid permits.
These documents are processed through local District Magistrate offices or state resident commissioner desks. If you are traveling through Himachal Pradesh into Spiti, for example, you have to stop at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate office in Reckong Peo to get your paperwork cleared before passing local police checkpoints.
3. Ground Transit & Logistics
Airport Arrivals
Exiting the terminal doors at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi or Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai can feel chaotic. Ignore individuals inside the arrivals hall offering unmetered private rides.
Instead, head straight to the official Delhi Police or State Traffic Police Prepaid Taxi Booth located indoors. Pay the set government fare at the window, take your printed voucher, and hand the receipt slip to the driver only after you reach your destination. If you prefer using ride-hailing apps like Uber or Ola (most widely used apps in India), follow the overhead terminal signs directly to the designated multi-level parking garage pickup bays.
Booking Trains on IRCTC
For long overland distances, Indian Railways is the best way to travel. To reserve seats independently, register an account on the IRCTC Portal and pay the ₹122 + GST foreign mobile verification charge to enable international SMS alerts.
For overnight routes, I recommend booking Second AC (2A) or First AC (1A) berths with confirmed booking status. Avoid Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) or Waitlisted (WL) berths, which leave you without a dedicated bed.
Road Travel Realities
Google and Apple maps often underestimate drive times in India, so make sure you take that into account when planning out your days.
Most buses in India do not have a toilet compartment, unless specifically specified on your reservation. Private night buses and state public buses rarely stop for breaks. Take it from me, use the bathroom before getting on that bus.
4. Connectivity, Cash & Daily Logistics
SIM Cards
While global roaming profiles like Airalo or your home cell provider may work for short trips, local physical SIM cards from Reliance Jio or Airtel offer far better signal coverage once you venture away from city centers.
You can pick up a physical SIM at dedicated airport provider counters right after customs, or at any Airtel office. You will need your passport, a copy of your visa, and your hotel address details.
Online UNESCO Site Admissions
India contains 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from Agra’s Taj Mahal to the protected forests of Khangchendzonga National Park.
Domestic visitors pay around ₹50, while non-SAARC international visitors pay between ₹550 and ₹1,100. Avoid the crowded on-site lines by purchasing digital entrance tickets directly through the ASI Online Monument Portal.
5. Cultural Etiquette & Sacred Sites
Sacred Site Protocols
- Always remove your shoes and socks before entering any Hindu, Sikh, or Jain temple, or mosque. Leave your shoes at the attended footwear stalls outside or you can usually find dedicated shoeracks where your shoes will be watched over for around ₹10–₹20.
- Keep your shoulders and legs covered. In Sikh Gurdwaras, head coverings are mandatory for everyone. Use a scarf, bandana, or provided cloth (baseball caps and hats do not count).
- Jain temples and some Hindu shrines forbid all leather items past the outer courtyard (cows are considered sacred animals). This includes leather belts, camera straps, and wallets.
- Certain traditional shrines display signs asking menstruating people to refrain from entering.
Communal Kitchens, Langars
One of the most welcoming traditions you can encounter in India is a langar: a free, volunteer-run community kitchen inside every Sikh temple, such as Amritsar’s famous Sri Harmandir Sahib. Sitting on simple floor mats shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of visitors enjoying simple and warm vegetarian meals is an experience in itself, and I highly recommend partaking in this tradition if you get the chance.
Indian cooking is different as you move across state borders. Depending on where you are, thalis balance a variety of local spreads, from rich Rajasthani lentils to Gujarati vegetarian specialties, Kashmiri hearty daal, or Kerala’s famous fluffy rice.
6. Scams, Health & Awareness
Tourist Traps!
- Around New Delhi Railway Station and Connaught Place, men wearing convincing fake railway IDs may tell you that your train is canceled, the platforms closed, or even the booking office burned down! They will try to divert you to another tourist office that is actually a private agency charging different prices. Ignore them completely and walk directly to the ticket booth inside the station.
- Common in major cities like Jaipur or Agra, shopkeepers invite travelers in for tea and propose shipping gems or carpets overseas using your tourist duty-free allowance with promises of reimbursement wire transfers. Be sure to buy gems and other precious stones from certified and verified stores, as you may fall into a scam and buy fake or devalued goods.
- Some Uber or Ola drivers may scam you by telling you the app payment did not work. They will then pressure you into paying them cash. Make sure you are clear with the driver on how you will be paying them, and if you choose to pay for your ride in cash, agree on the price before getting in.
Water Sanitation Protocols
Tap water is not safe to drink across most of the country (except on very rare occasions in the mountains, but even then I chose to drink from my filtered water bottle). Drink only from verified reverse-osmosis or filtered dispensers, certified filling stations, or sealed bottled waters. Fortunately, many restaurants, cafes, and hotels or hostels have filtered water dispensers installed, and you can always ask them to refill your bottles (I was never declined!). For plastic water bottles, always check that the plastic neck seal is intact.
Support Artisan Collectives and Community Projects
When shopping for handmade textiles or woodwork, skip the commercial souvenir shops (most goods made in factories, sometimes outside India) and buy directly from artisan and small sustainable enterprises.
One of my favorite things to do when traveling to a country is to find initiatives or organizations that support local women or communities through cooperative partnerships and sell traditional and quality handmade goods. Purchasing straight from cooperatives ensures that fair living wages go straight to the makers and preserves ancient and traditional handiwork techniques.
Feel free to leave a comment below with any questions as you map out your trip!
Leave a Reply