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India Travel Guide
A first-trip framework: which region, which season, and how to move around.
Choose a region before a route
India is the size of a continent and travelling across it eats days. Most good first trips pick one region and go deep: the Golden Triangle and Rajasthan in the north; Mumbai, Goa and the Konkan coast in the west; Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the south.
Seasons by region
October to March is the broad travel season, but the detail matters. Rajasthan and Delhi are pleasant in winter and punishing in May. Kerala and Goa are at their best from November to February. The Himalayan north is a summer destination, open roughly May to September.
Trains, planes and roads
Trains are the country's backbone and the most interesting way to travel medium distances; air-conditioned classes are comfortable and sell out early around festivals. Domestic flights are inexpensive and worth using for anything over a night's journey. Hired cars with a driver are common and often better value than they sound for regional loops.
Practical basics
Arrange a visa well before departure. Drink bottled or filtered water, ease into street food rather than diving in on day one, and build slack into the itinerary — distances take longer than the map suggests, and the best days are usually the unplanned ones.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit India?
October to March suits most of the country. The Himalayan north is better in summer, and the monsoon covers much of India between June and September.
Is it better to fly or take the train within India?
Trains are excellent for shorter and overnight journeys and part of the experience. Flights are cheap and save a full day on long distances.
How long should a first trip be?
Around two weeks in one region gives a satisfying trip without spending most of it in transit.
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