India Travel Guide: Essential Tips for Safe, Smart, and Memorable Trips

When planning a trip to India, a country of vast landscapes, ancient temples, and vibrant cities that welcomes over 10 million international tourists each year. Also known as the Indian subcontinent, it’s a place where you can trek the Himalayas one day and relax on a quiet beach the next—all for less than you’d spend on a weekend getaway elsewhere.

But a good India travel guide isn’t just about where to go. It’s about knowing where it’s safe, how much things actually cost, and which spots are worth your time. For example, Rishikesh, a town on the Ganges River that draws over a million visitors yearly for yoga and whitewater rafting isn’t just spiritual—it’s one of the most organized adventure hubs in the country. Meanwhile, Indore, the safest city in India for tourists in 2025, with low crime rates and strong infrastructure for families and solo travelers, proves you don’t need to stick to the usual tourist trails to feel secure. And if you’re chasing culture, Uttar Pradesh, home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, is where history comes alive in stone and story.

Many travelers worry about costs, but $20 can cover three meals, a local train ride, and entry to a temple if you know where to look. Budget travel in India isn’t a myth—it’s the norm for millions. You’ll find Blue Flag-certified beaches in Goa that are clean and safe, skydiving over Bangalore for under $150, and temple festivals like Sri Ratha Yatra in Puri where a million people pull chariots through the streets. This isn’t just sightseeing—it’s participation.

What you won’t find in this guide are generic lists of "top 10 places." Instead, you’ll get real answers: Which airport gets you closest to Kerala’s beaches? Is a 5-day honeymoon enough? What’s the one thing most tourists get wrong about Indian visas? These aren’t hypothetical questions—they’re the ones travelers ask every day, and the ones we’ve answered with data, not guesswork.

Below, you’ll find honest, up-to-date advice on everything from temple etiquette to avoiding scams on trains, from choosing the right time to visit to understanding local customs without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you’re a solo backpacker, a couple on a honeymoon, or a family with kids, this collection gives you the tools to travel smarter—not harder.