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Using your phone abroad

Help and support

When you use your phone abroad for data, calls, or texts, it’s called roaming.

Before you go

Check the info below before you head off on your holidays. This will help you get your phone ready for your trip, and prevent any nasty surprises when you get home.

Travelling in our Europe Zone

If you’re travelling within our Europe Zone , your data, minutes and texts allowances will work just like they do in the UK. That includes calls you make and receive within our Europe Zone and back to the UK, texts you send within our Europe Zone and back to the UK, and any data you use in our Europe Zone. See the list of destinations included .

What's included?

  • Making calls and sending texts within our Europe Zone (excluding the UK), to any other country in our Europe Zone (including the UK).
  • Receiving calls and texts in our Europe Zone.
  • Using your monthly data allowance whilst in our Europe Zone.

Not included:

  • Making calls or sending texts from the UK, to countries outside of the UK.
  • Making calls or sending texts to premium rate numbers, directory service numbers and some non-geographic numbers (which can vary over time).  Find out more
  • Mobile broadband tariffs, as they can only be used in the UK.
  • Using mobile data if you’re on a cruise ship, however you will still be able to connect to the ship’s wifi. You’ll be able to make and receive calls for £3 a minute, and send texts for 65p a text.

Find out more about roaming in Europe

Travelling outside of our Europe Zone

Going outside our Europe Zone? Good news. O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Bolt-on is now included with selected O2 Refresh tariffs over 90GB and SIM only tariffs over 100GB You can also select the O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Bolt-on as your Extra if your O2 Refresh tariff is between 30GB and 89GB. See our Extra terms and conditions .

You get a daily allowance of 120 calls, 120 minutes and data roaming in 27 additional destinations (our Inclusive Zone) including USA, Australia and New Zealand.

If you’re not eligible for the Inclusive Zone Bolt On, there’s our O2 Travel Bolt On, which keeps you connected in Turkey and other selected destinations, for just £4.99 a day. It lets you use the internet, talk for longer and text while you're away in selected destinations worldwide. No need to worry about overspending.

If you have a Spend Cap, the price of this Bolt On will not be included within your Spend Cap.

  • All the data you need, 120 minutes and 120 texts, every day you use O2 Travel. Your allowance resets every day at midnight local time, and your leftover minutes and texts won’t be carried over.
  • Any texts you receive.

What's not included?

  • Extra usage. If you go over your minutes and texts allowance, you’ll be charged for any additional usage, at the standard roaming rate of the country you’re in.
  • Premium rate numbers, MMS and non-standard texts. These will be billed at standard rates.
  • Calls from the UK to O2 Travel destinations.

O2 Travel Inclusive Zone FAQs

The following destinations form our O2 Travel Inclusive Zone:

If you go over your allowance, you’ll pay the standard international roaming rates for the country you’re roaming in. See rates for your destination

We cover roaming in our Europe Zone as part of our phone tariffs. So your data, minutes and text allowances will work in our Europe Zone, just like they do at home. Find out more about roaming in our Europe Zone

Free O2 Travel in our Inclusive Zone is available for our eligible O2 Refresh tariffs 90GB and above, as well as SIM only tariffs 100GB and above. Not available on 30 Day SIM only tariffs.

Pay As You Go tariffs are not eligible for O2 Travel in our Inclusive Zone, so standard international roaming rates will apply. Find out more about travelling abroad with Pay As You Go .

All tariff changes made on your flexible tariff will only take effect from your next bill date. If you move to a tariff that doesn’t include free O2 Travel in our Inclusive Zone, then you’ll lose that benefit, but you can still buy our full O2 Travel Bolt On for £4.99 a day in selected destinations. Or you can choose to roam at standard international roaming rates .

All tariff changes made on your flexible tariff will only take effect from your next bill date. If you move to an eligible tariff, the Bolt On will be added automatically, and you’ll be able to use your O2 Travel allowance in our Inclusive Zone from your next bill date.

If you go over your allowance of 120 minutes and 120 texts, you’ll be charged standard international roaming rates .

At first you may see unexpected roaming charges in your My O2 account.  Don’t worry, as long as you’re within your allowance, these charges will correct themselves within three hours and won’t appear on your bill. You’ll still see roaming charges for usage that isn’t included in your allowance, like calls to premium rate numbers. These will appear both in My O2 and on your bill.

If you bought a 10GB 12 month sim only tariff, on or after 3 May 2018, you’ll be eligible for O2 Travel in our Inclusive Zone, when you move to a £20 or above 12 month sim only tariff.

If you joined on any other sim only tariff, you won’t be eligible, even if you move to a higher tariff.

O2 Travel FAQs

Opting into O2 Travel is easy. Just sign into My O2 and add the Bolt On to your account. Or you can text O2TRAVEL to 23336 and we'll add O2 Travel on to your account. It's free to sign up and we'll only charge you for the days you actually use data, minutes or texts while you're away.

O2 Travel is a free Bolt On that you can add to your account if you're on Pay Monthly. You can use it if you're travelling to O2 Travel destinations - take a look below to see which destinations are covered.

For £4.99 in Turkey and selected destinations outside of Europe you'll get all the data you need, plus 120 minutes to make and/or receive calls and 120 texts to use within your travel destination and back to the UK. 

You'll only be charged on the days you use O2 Travel. The daily charge will apply from midnight to midnight local time (based on the capital city of the country you're in) and won't be triggered by receiving calls or texts. Any calls you receive during the day will be included in your 120 minutes daily allowance. If you go over this limit within the same day period, you'll be charged at the standard roaming rates for the country you're in. 

O2 Travel provides a separate allowance of data, minutes and texts to use while you're away. Your standard UK tariff allowances won't be impacted. 

If you go over the daily calls and texts limit, you'll be charged at the standard roaming rates in that country for any additional usage.

  • £4.99 a day – The following countries have O2 Travel at £4.99. Albania, Anguilla, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Bermuda, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Columbia, Cost Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Greenland, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Montserrat, Myanmar, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St Kitts & Nevis, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Turks & Caicos islands, UAE, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia.

Your allowances will apply from midnight to midnight local time (based on the capital city of the country you're in). Any unused data, calls and texts won't be carried over to the following day. If you go over the daily 120 minutes and 120 texts allowance, you'll be charged for any additional usage at the standard roaming rate for your chosen destination. Premium rate numbers, MMS and non-standard texts won't be included in the daily charge and will be billed at standard roaming rates.

If you don't choose our free O2 Travel Bolt On while you're away, you'll be charged for any minutes, texts and data usage at the standard rates for that country. If you're already signed up for O2 Travel and feel it isn't the right service for your usage needs abroad, you can opt out at any time by texting NOTRAVEL to 23336 or you can remove the O2 Travel Bolt On in My O2.

If you're travelling in selected countries in Europe, your allowances and charges will work just like they do in the UK. So if you buy one of our Big Bundles, your minutes, texts and data can be used in the UK and the rest of our Pay As You Go Europe Zone. And for our Classic Pay As You Go tariffs, you’ll be charged in our Europe Zone in the same way as you would be at home. Find out more .  If you’re travelling to Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Monaco or Switzerland, you can stay connected with O2 Travel. For the days you choose to use data, you'll only be charged a daily rate of £1.99, which gets you 100MB. Your daily rate will automatically end at midnight UK time, or when you reach your daily data allowance. If you use up your 100MB allowance and want to get more data in the same day, you can text MORETRAVEL to 21300, to get another 100MB for £1.99. You can find information on calling, texting and data usage abroad here. If you want to opt-in to O2 Travel, just text TRAVELON to 21300 to activate. It can take up to 24hrs to be applied to your account. It's free to sign up and we'll only charge you for the days you actually use data while you're away.  

Alternatively, to opt out of O2 Travel you can text TRAVELOFF to 21300. You'll then be charged our standard roaming rates  for calls, texts and data in your selected destination.

If you're travelling elsewhere, or you don't have the free O2 Travel Bolt On for those five destinations, you'll be charged our standard roaming rates for calls, texts and data used in your destination. You can find details of all of our standard roaming rates for Pay As You Go customers here .

Austria, Azores, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guardaloupe, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madeira, Malta, Martinique, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Reunion Islands, Romania, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Vatican City and UK.

Find out more .

With My O2, you can manage your account and bills online. You can check your usage abroad at any time, without waiting for your next bill.

If you're an O2 Travel We'll try to include all your overseas call charges on your next bill, to help you keep track of your costs. If we don't get the details of calls you've made from another network for a while, this can delay us billing you for them. This doesn't happen often, and it's more common for calls made from countries with smaller networks.

Using your phone outside of O2 Travel destinations

If you’re travelling outside of our Europe Zone and your destination isn’t covered by O2 Travel, you’ll be charged at the standard rates for that country, for any minutes, texts and data you use. Your data usage will be capped to 50MB (£48 per month). Check roaming rates in different countries

You can remove your data cap completely by contacting us. If you choose to remove the £120 cap, you'll be charged the per-megabyte rate for the country you're travelling in. Data is charged at £7.20/MB. You'll also be charged the standard calling and text rates for the country you're travelling in which can be found here . If you want to re-apply the £120 data cap when you're back in the UK, contact us. Terms apply.

Got an International Sim? Depending on how much you’ve topped up, your free O2 to O2 minutes, O2 to O2 texts and data allowances can be used in our Europe Zone, including the UK. Your tariff gives you discounted calls and texts from the UK to international mobiles and international landlines from your Pay As You Go mobile. For other charges, you’ll be charged in our Europe Zone in the same way as you would be at home.

To avoid data roaming charges you can switch your data roaming off when you're abroad, as apps on your phone might connect to the internet to update or get information even when you're not using them. Switching data roaming off ensures you won't get charged. For help with this, go to our interactive device guide . When data roaming is switched off you'll still have the option to connect to local Wi-Fi hotspots to get onto the internet. Please note some Wi-Fi hotspots in your chosen destination may require payment so we recommend you enquire beforehand.

For more information on what data is and what uses it up, check out our Understanding Data article.

Before you travel, you'll need to make sure you know your PIN.

Calling 901 as usual works in most countries. If it doesn't, call 1780 free from your mobile or +44 7802 090 100, and we'll text you the right number to call. Depending on which country you're in, you'll either go straight to your messages or you'll go to your voicemail greeting. If it's your voicemail greeting, press * and enter your PIN.

If you forget your PIN when you're abroad, contact us and ask us to reset it. You'll then need to change your PIN before you can listen to your messages. If you're abroad, it costs the same to listen to a voicemail as it does to make a call to the UK. There's no charge for receiving a message if you don't listen to it.

If you're an O2 Travel customer and have used your device in an O2 Travel destination, you'll only be charged the daily rate of that destination for the days you've chosen to use the service. (You can find details of what is included with O2 Travel above ).

We'll try to include all your overseas call charges on your next available bill, to help you keep track of your costs. If we don't get the details of calls you've made from another network for a while, this can delay us billing you for them. This doesn't happen often and it's more common for calls made from countries with smaller networks.

Accidental roaming occurs when you're in an area close to a national border and your phone picks up the network across the border. If this happens, you may be charged as though you were roaming in the country across the border. You can prevent this by choosing manual, rather than automatic, network selection on your handset and then manually choosing the O2 network. This way if you lose the O2 network, your handset won't try to connect you to a different one. For help with turning off data roaming, go to our interactive device guide .

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Buy an eSIM for India

Stay connected on your travels using our o2 sms only esim plan.

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eSIMINDIA

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Receive SMSs (texts) globally

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Only £5 per month

Travelling to India? Our India eSIM Plans Have You Covered

If you buy a India eSIM, it means you have access to local services online quickly, without the stress or hassle. Because they work on the local network, they provide the same unrivalled coverage in India. From start to finish, we've got your back.

How it Works:

  • Buy your eSIM
  • Check your email for the QR code
  • Scan the QR code onto your device
  • Follow your phone instructions to install the eSIM
  • Enjoy your travels

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Home » Deals » Going Abroad » Travelling to India

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Best SIM Cards for Using Your Smartphone in India

o2 travel in india

If you’re travelling to India, having the right SIM card can save you time and money. We review the best value SIM cards for using your mobile phone in India.

o2 travel in india

Thankfully, it’s now really easy to use your UK phone in India as there’s inclusive roaming available on the plans from Lebara Mobile and Lyca Mobile . This means there’s no need to get a local SIM card on arrival. On Lebara, you can use the KEN3 voucher code at checkout to get 3 months half price, making it possible to get a one-month plan from just £2.50 .

In this article, we’ll look at the multiple ways to use your smartphone in India and the best value SIM cards for use whilst you’re there.

  • 1 Using Your Mobile Phone In India
  • 2.1 Best India Roaming Deals
  • 2.2 Standard Roaming Rates
  • 3 Buying A Indian SIM Card On Arrival
  • 4 eSIMs For India
  • 5 Handset & Network Compatibility
  • 6 More Information

Using Your Mobile Phone In India

o2 travel in india

  • You can roam on a UK-based SIM card. This is the easiest and the most straightforward way to use your phone in India. You’ll have a UK-based phone number (+44) and you’ll pay your UK mobile network for usage.
  • You can buy a local SIM card upon arrival in India. This will come with an Indian phone number (+91), along with a larger allowance of data. However, it’s more hassle as you’ll need to buy your SIM card on arrival. You’ll also need to register and activate the SIM card, which normally takes about 24 hours.
  • You can buy a data eSIM for India. You can get an eSIM for use in India, either from the UK-based Lyca Mobile or from a specialist provider like Airalo . You’ll be able to use this alongside your current UK SIM card.

The following table shows a side-by-side comparison of the three options:

For most people, we’d recommend roaming on a UK-based SIM card as this will be a lot less hassle than buying a local SIM card in India. However, it might be worth getting a local SIM card in India if you need a local Indian phone number (+91).

o2 travel in india

Get Lebara Mobile SIM card →

It can take a couple of days for your Lebara Mobile SIM card to arrive in the post. If you need a faster solution, consider getting a Lyca Mobile eSIM instead. This comes with instant online delivery. You’ll also be able to use it alongside your current SIM card.

Through the rest of this article, we’ll look at the three options in more detail.

Roaming On Your UK SIM Card

o2 travel in india

  • You can set it up before you depart. When you roam on a UK-based SIM card, there’s no need to find a phone shop on arrival and to negotiate with the staff there. You’ll also know your phone number in advance, making it easier to stay in touch with others.
  • There’s no need to register your SIM card with the authorities in India. When you buy a local SIM card in India, you’ll need to register it with the government authorities. This involves providing a copy of your passport and your visa for India. You’ll also need to provide proof of your UK address, along with proof of your address in India (e.g. a letter from the hotel to confirm your stay there, or a letter of invitation if you’re staying at a private address). This registration process isn’t necessary when you roam on a UK-based SIM card.
  • There’s no need to wait around for your SIM card to be activated in India. It normally takes about 24 hours for a new locally-purchased SIM card to be activated in India. In contrast, a UK-based SIM card will work straight away.
  • You’ll be able to call both UK and Indian phone numbers using your plan. In contrast, most local SIM cards in India will only give you an inclusive allowance of minutes for calling inside of India.

Best India Roaming Deals

Lebara Mobile

o2 travel in india

As a special offer for March 2024, you can get 3 months half price on all Lebara Mobile plans. To benefit, you’ll need to enter KEN3 as your voucher code at checkout. With this offer, you’re able to get the following plans from just £2.50 per month:

The international minutes on your Lebara Mobile SIM card can be used for calling India and 41 other countries .

When you’re using your UK allowances in India, there’s a fair use limit of 30GB data per month. This only applies if you’re on Lebara’s unlimited data plan. You can see the full terms and conditions on Lebara’s website for more information.

Lyca Mobile

o2 travel in india

The following table shows Lyca Mobile’s best SIM-only deals:

Get Lyca Mobile SIM card (from 99p) →

Although you aren’t able to use your minutes or texts in India, you’ll still be able to use WhatsApp, iMessage, FaceTime and similar apps to stay in touch with friends and family.

Other Networks

You can also get special rates for international roaming in India on the following UK mobile networks:

  • VOXI: On VOXI, you can buy a Global Roaming Extra which will allow you to use your mobile phone in India at a discounted rate. It costs £15 for an 8-day Global Roaming Extra (with 2GB data, 100 minutes & 100 texts included) and £25 for a 15-day Global Roaming Extra (with 4GB data, 200 minutes & 200 texts included). If you buy the 15-day Global Roaming Extra, this will allow you to use your mobile phone in India from just £1.67 per day. There’s no contract and no credit check required when you join VOXI .
  • Vodafone UK Pay As You Go: Like VOXI, Vodafone UK also offers an 8-day and 15-day Around The World Extra if you’re a Pay As You Go customer. It’s exactly the same as what you’ll get on VOXI, but you’ll get less data included on your UK plan. You can order a Vodafone Pay As You Go SIM card online . To buy the Extra, text ROAMEXTRA8 to 2345 (for the 8-day Around The World Extra), or ROAMEXTRA15 to 2345 (for the 15-day Around The World Extra).
  • Vodafone UK Pay Monthly: If you’re a Vodafone UK Pay Monthly customer, you’ll pay £6 per day to use your allowances in India.

Standard Roaming Rates

If your current provider doesn’t have any roaming offers for India, the following table shows the standard rates you can expect to pay for using your phone in India:

Comparison of roaming charges when using your UK-based SIM card in India. The costs shown are for calling the UK and sending a text message to the UK. It’s always free to receive a text message wherever you are in the world.

In the UK, the average smartphone user can normally expect to use around 100MB (0.1GB) of data each day. Therefore, the costs of roaming in India can add up very quickly unless you have a suitable deal for roaming.

Buying A Indian SIM Card On Arrival

o2 travel in india

Here are the key things to know about buying a local SIM card in India:

  • You’ll need to buy your SIM card on arrival, with prices varying based on location and negotiation. You’ll need to pay an upfront fee when you buy a local SIM card in India. This will vary based on the location and store. For instance, in the city centre, you might be able to get a SIM card for about 100 Indian rupees (about £1). However, this might be 1000 Indian rupees at the airport (about £10). On the contrary, it’s normally a lot less hassle getting a SIM card at the airport as they’re more used to dealing with foreign visitors.
  • You’ll need to register your SIM card with the Indian authorities. When you buy a local SIM card in India, you’ll need to provide a copy of your passport and your travel visa for India. You’ll also need to provide proof of your UK address, along with proof of your address in India (e.g. a letter from the hotel to confirm your stay there or a letter of invitation if you’re staying at a private address). You may also need to provide a passport-sized photo.
  • It takes around 24 hours to activate a local SIM card in India. In contrast, a UK-based SIM card will work straight away. If you’re buying a local SIM card, it’s still worth bringing your UK-based SIM card to use on the first day of your trip. Alternatively, you can get an eSIM for use on your first day.
  • You won’t get inclusive calls to the UK. When you get a local SIM card in India, this will only give you inclusive minutes for calling other phone numbers in India.

o2 travel in india

  • Vi (Vodafone Idea)

All three providers offer fairly similar plans so it’s mainly a matter of the coverage available in the places where you’re visiting. There’s also the convenience of finding a location where you’re able to actually buy the SIM card.

Once you’ve purchased your SIM card, you can expect to pay between 239 Indian rupees (about £2.40) and 299 Indian rupees (about £2.80) for a 28-day plan. This will come with unlimited minutes, 100 texts and 1.5GB data per day:

Alongside the three main providers, there are also a number of smaller providers such as the state-run BSNL and MTNL networks. However, these networks tend to have much poorer coverage so most people will choose one of the big three networks instead.

For more information about the plans available, see the official websites for Jio , Airtel and Vi .

eSIMs For India

o2 travel in india

With eSIM, there’s the convenience of instant online delivery to your phone, and there’s no need to register your eSIM with the authorities in India. However, the disadvantage is that you won’t be able to make any phone calls on it (you’ll need to use your regular SIM card for calling, for which additional fees may apply).

If you’re based in the UK, the best option is to get a Lyca Mobile eSIM. That’s because you’ll pay as little as £1.29 for 5GB data per month , with the ability to use this in India at no extra cost.

All of the following Lyca Mobile plans are available on eSIM:

See Lyca Mobile eSIM deals →

o2 travel in india

As a special offer for March 2024, you can enter the KEN10 voucher code at checkout to get a 10% discount on your Indicomm eSIM (new customers only). Existing Airalo customers can use the KEN5 voucher to get a 5% discount.

See Indicomm eSIM deals →

For more information, see our Indicomm eSIM review .

Handset & Network Compatibility

o2 travel in india

The following table shows the bands and frequencies that are used by the mobile networks in India:

You can check your handset manufacturer’s spec sheet to see a list of bands supported by your phone.

If you’re using a different SIM card for the duration of your trip abroad, you’ll need to make sure your handset is unlocked .

More Information

At present, our recommended networks for roaming in India are Lebara and Lyca Mobile UK . For more information about their roaming offer, please refer to their individual websites.

Related Articles

o2 travel in india

Your Comments 4 so far

We'd love to hear your thoughts and any questions you may have. So far, we've received 4 comments from readers. You can add your own comment here .

o2 travel in india

Roshan Vedi said:

I have just spoken to Lebara and they have confirmed that you can use ALL of your data allowance (max of 30GB) whilst roaming in any of locations including in India. The link above confirms this.

https://www.lebara.co.uk/en/help/roaming/roaming-in-india.html

Lebara have also confirmed that it is possible to make unlimited calls and texts to the UK whilst abroad, including in India. It is also possible to use all your international minutes whilst abroad.

Vince said:

I have been reading about Lebara and their customer service. Looks like they are a real headache to deal with when something goes wrong. And they have issues with coverage throughout India. You would be very lucky if it actually works.

I would like to hear from some of your readers about their experience on using Lebara roaming in India.

Krish replied:

Hi Vince, I bought a Lebara SIM 15GB citing £10 at our local corner shop as I was travelling the following day in January 2023. I slotted the the SIM in my iPhone 12. The SIM was activated and it worked in UK. However, when I tried to use it in India, I could neither make or receive calls – the reason I bought the SIM! Tried the Lebara online helpline which promised to respond in 24-48 hours but they never did. I called at a Vi centre for help but they couldn’t resolve it , instead suggested I contact Lebara UK customer services in spite of my informing them I had failed to get any help. Eventually a friend loaned me an lical Airtel SIM for the duration of my stay.I don’t know if others had similar problems but based on my experience I will not be buying a Lebara SIM again. Cheers Krish

Dilip Patel said:

Very informative and in simple language. 1. Can you add something about how long are pre-paid SIMM’s valid for? For example is there a Pre-paid SIMM for 2 months (60 days) rather than the standard 28 days? 2. When you mention STD calls, does this mean land lines numbers only or it covers calling mobile numbers as well

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22 things you need to know before visiting India

Akanksha Singh

Dec 15, 2023 • 14 min read

o2 travel in india

India is a feast for the senses and we've got everything you need to know before you visit © Andrii Lutsyk / Ascent Xmedia / Getty Images

India is a place that overwhelms your senses in the best possible way – nowhere else delivers quite the same barrage of sights, sounds and sensations as this continent-sized country at the heart of Asia.

It would take a lifetime to see all of India , let alone understand every nuance and facet of this nation of 1.4 billion inhabitants. But with a little preparation, you can learn to navigate the richness of this country, from its snow-capped peaks and velvety beaches to its historic temples and luxuriant palaces.

We've collated the top things you need to know about visiting India, but the journey begins before you leave home. Apply for your Indian visa online for a smooth arrival on the subcontinent. Read on for 22 more insider tips that will help make your vacation unforgettable.

1. Plan your trip around the seasons

India has a reputation for being hot and humid, but with beaches, mountains, hills, coastlines and plains all jammed into a relatively small geographical area, the climate is quite diverse. The southwest monsoon brings rainy weather to most of the country from June to September, but this is the best time of year to visit the high-altitude deserts of Ladakh , although depending on the route you take, you risk encountering landslides and floods.

In the far south, there’s also a milder rainy season from October to December. The ideal weather window for travel is from October to May, though temperatures and humidity climb to agonizing levels from March onwards in the run-up to the monsoon. If you find yourself in India in the spring, head to the Himalayan foothills for milder temperatures and good trekking conditions.

2. Get your jabs before you travel

There is no official requirement for vaccinations to enter India (although yellow fever vaccination is needed if you are traveling from a country where the disease is endemic).

That said, it is important that you contact a health professional at least eight weeks before you travel to ensure your jabs are up to date. Vaccinations for diphtheria and tetanus, hepatitis A and B, polio and typhoid are usually recommended, on top of childhood vaccinations for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella.

Vaccinations worth considering for longer trips include Japanese B encephalitis, meningitis and rabies. Monkeys, dogs and cats can all carry the rabies parasite, and infection is fatal if untreated.

A woman relaxes on her bed beneath a mosquito net

3. Take malaria precautions

Depending on where in India you are traveling to, you may want to speak to your healthcare provider about taking a course of anti-malarial tablets. For instance, northeastern and eastern parts of India, as well as the city of Mangalore, have a higher malaria risk.

Always take precautions to avoid mosquito bites – this will also help you avoid dengue fever, a viral infection that is transmitted by mosquitoes to humans. Sleeping under a mosquito net, wearing long sleeves and trousers in light colors, and using a repellent and/or a plug-in mosquito killer with a high concentration of DEET (diethyltoluamide) is advisable.

4. Get insured

Travel insurance is essential for India. Depending on where you travel to, you may find public hospitals are poorly equipped. Additionally, most private clinics and hospitals require payment ahead of treatment. Make sure you are covered for emergency evacuation and also for any adventure activities you plan to get involved in.

If you’re unlucky enough to be a victim of crime, contact the local police station or dial 100 or 112, the national emergency number. You’ll need to get the police to file a report (a “FIR" – First Information Report) to make a claim on your travel insurance.

5. Book ahead for busy times and festivals

India can get very busy from November to February, so affordable accommodation is usually swamped in peak season. It’s a good idea to book ahead, either directly with the venues or via booking aggregator sites such as Agoda and MakeMyTrip .

Also, book train tickets in advance where possible , particularly for popular routes. Tickets can be booked (with a fair amount of hassle) via the government booking site IRCTC or more easily through local booking sites such as 12Go or Cleartrip .

6. Plan your comms before you travel

Many things in India (including train bookings or ordering food online) get easier if you have a local SIM card. Bring an unlocked phone from home (or pick one up locally) and get a phone shop to sign you up for a local pay-as-you-go SIM package on arrival. You’ll need to bring passport photos and photocopies of your passport ID pages to complete the application.

 Women in India dancing during Holi covered in colorful powder

7. Check your lunar calendars

While India officially follows the Gregorian calendar, the major festivals for Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and several other religions follow lunar calendars and fall on different dates from year to year. Always check festival dates before you book your trip (bearing in mind these dates are subject to change); the Indian government maintains a useful online list of public holidays .

8. Learn local etiquette

English is the  lingua franca in most metropolitan areas in India, and you’ll get away with polite hellos, goodbyes and thank yous in smaller towns too. However, if you’re traveling in northern India, you can say "namaste" (I bow to you) with your hands together in a prayer-like gesture in front of your chest. Similarly, when meeting Muslims in north India, you can say "salaam alaikum" (peace be with you) – the correct response is "alaikum salaam." Most of the time, it’s the effort that’s welcomed over pronunciation, so don’t be shy!

Shaking hands is a standard business greeting between men, but outside metropolitan regions, men and women rarely shake. Only ever use your right hand. The same rule applies when passing things to people – including money.

If you get invited to someone’s home, bring a small gift (flowers or sweets are always a safe bet) and remove your shoes before entering. It’s polite to eat and drink what you are offered, even if you don’t really fancy it.

9. Dress modestly

Depending on where in India you are, modesty is taken seriously – especially for women. Travelers of any gender will have an easier time if they wear loose-fitting clothing that covers their legs and arms. Swimwear is only appropriate for the beach – although it is not uncommon to see locals swim fully clothed. To fit in, consider investing in a kurta pyjama (a traditional garment resembling a long shirt and loose trousers for men) or a salwar kameez (a long shirt, loose trousers and scarf for women).

10. What to eat and how to eat it

Many religions in India have their own dietary rules. Muslims avoid pork, many Hindus avoid beef, and some Hindus and Buddhists are vegetarian or vegan. Many Jains are vegetarians who avoid some vegetables (most notably onions, garlic and potatoes) and who try to avoid causing harm to all living creatures. These rules mean vegan and vegetarian food is often easy to find in India.

Eating with your hands is the norm in many restaurants, particularly in parts of southern India. Take your cue from other patrons in the restaurant, and remember to eat with your right hand. Mix rice and curry into balls with your fingers and push it into your mouth with your thumb. Some thalis (plate meals consisting of multiple dishes served in tandem) are served not on a plate but on a washed and flash-heated banana leaf.

11. Haggling is not a game of life and death

Haggling for a fair price when buying things – in street stalls and open-air markets – is a way of life in India. Although it can sometimes be a frustrating experience, losing your temper is extremely bad form – if you can’t agree on a price with the vendor that you are both happy with, politely decline and shop somewhere else.

The rules of the game are as follows. The vendor will quote you a price that is more than the item is worth, then you’ll come back with a counter-offer, working up from there until you reach a mutually agreeable figure.

The “walking away” trick may bring a few last-minute adjustments, but before long, you’ll reach a threshold that the vendor won’t go below. Throwing in extra items may bring a discount on the overall cost. Many travelers prefer not to haggle in places where the money goes directly to artisans.

Two Hindu monks wearing brightly colored clothes and painted faces sit in a temple in India

12. Respect etiquette at religious sites

Religion is taken very seriously in India, so it pays to know the rules and expectations for visits to temples, mosques, monasteries, gurdwaras (Sikh shrines), synagogues and churches. Always check if you are allowed to enter – some temples and mosques are closed to people who don’t follow the faith. Mosques may also be closed to visitors during prayers or on Fridays.

If asked to do so, remove your shoes before entering any religious building, and be prepared to cover your head with a scarf or shawl. Generally, always cover your legs and arms (a sarong can be handy as an emergency cover-all). Some temples also ban leather goods, and many religious sites do not allow photography.

Avoid pointing the soles of your feet towards a person or deity – this is considered disrespectful. The same goes for touching any person or effigy on the head. It is conventional to walk around Buddhist and Hindu shrines in a clockwise direction, in a ceremonial circuit known as a parikrama .

Making an offering or leaving a donation is often expected – locals always offer something, but be wary of people waving receipts showing huge donations. Giving something is appropriate, but don’t feel pressured into leaving large sums.

13. Giving alms is common but up to you

The giving of alms has a long history in India, and foreigners can expect to be approached regularly with requests for money. Whether you give or not is a personal choice, but many Indians give on a daily basis, particularly when visiting temples and mosques. Be aware that some requests for money will be scams, and you may be able to do more good by giving your time or cash to charity or aid organizations you’ve taken time to research, rather than handing out cash.

14. Respect local social attitudes

India has complex social rules about respect for elders. Depending on where you are traveling to, older people are often greeted with the honorific “auntie” or “uncle,” and the ending ji may also be added to someone’s name as a sign of respect.

Outside bigger cities, India can be quite conservative when it comes to interactions between unmarried men and women. Also, most parts of India are conservative when it comes to same-sex relationships. Whatever your sexuality, it’s best to avoid public displays of affection.

15. Street harassment is unfortunately common

Although harassment can happen anywhere, parts of India are constantly in the news owing to a lack of women’s safety. Beyond long, unwelcome stares and persistent attempts to start a conversation, more serious assaults are also a risk. Groping is common in crowds (particularly during festivals).

Exercise caution like you would anywhere else, and remain alert. Never get into a taxi or auto rickshaw containing anyone other than the driver, and avoid walking alone in quiet areas, particularly at night. Decline offers of food or drinks from strangers.

If traveling by public transport as a woman, it's best to seek out train carriages and designated seating reserved for women. Wearing a wedding ring (even if not married) and using dark sunglasses and headphones can buy you some privacy on public transport. If you are being hassled, drawing loud attention to the intrusion may encourage others to come to your aid.

16. Keep track of security situations in India

India has seen deadly attacks by separatist and Marxist groups and Kashmiri insurgents. Monitor the local news and be alert for suspicious behavior, particularly around major tourist sites. Always check the security situation before traveling to Srinagar and the Kashmir Valley in case of flare-ups of unrest. Strikes, demonstrations and protests are also best avoided, as violence is a risk. It goes without saying but in the event of trouble, obey local curfews and stay inside – your hotel is probably the safest place to be.

A man sits on the side of a red rock mountain in the Indian Himalayas

17. Take the altitude seriously when hiking

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a risk when traveling above 2500m (8202ft), which covers most of the Indian Himalayas . AMS can be fatal, so always ascend slowly and take rest days to allow your body to acclimate to significant elevation changes. If you begin to feel ill while hiking in the mountains, stop, and if your symptoms don’t improve, descend immediately.

18. Familiarize yourself with local rules and regulations

India has a few laws and regulations that visitors might be unfamiliar with. For instance, taking photographs of bridges, the periphery of military camps and border crossings – or flying drones over them – is considered a serious security issue.

When traveling by plane internally in India, you may be asked to surrender batteries from devices in your cabin bags. Smoking is banned in most public places, and a few states also have bans on the consumption of beef – killing or injuring a cow in a road accident, even accidentally, can lead to violent reprisals.

To avoid sticky situations, take the time to research where you’re going, and talk to staff at your hotel or hostel or your B&B host for advice on things to be aware of.

19. Steer clear of drugs

India may have a reputation amongst travelers as a place to push boundaries, but its drug laws are strict. Possessing even small amounts of drugs for personal use can lead to a prison sentence.

Some religious groups are permitted to consume marijuana for ceremonial purposes, but that often doesn’t extend to tourists. You can, however, find bhaang – a marijuana mixture made with the leaves (rather than the bud) of the cannabis plant – at government-approved bhaang shops.

20. Avoid the tap water

The tap water in India is not potable. Drinking or brushing your teeth with it can be a fast track to stomach troubles – the most common illness tourists experience in India. Stick to purified or bottled water (or even better, purify your own to avoid contributing to India’s plastic waste mountain).

The water rule extends to ice (be wary of ice in drinks and ice cream) and to uncooked foods, particularly salads and dishes such as coriander chutneys, which may have been washed with contaminated water. When eating fruit, stick to things you can peel or wash thoroughly yourself, and be cautious of freshly prepared juices. Hot drinks are generally fine, so drink your fill of chai (milky tea, often spiced and sweet).

Traveler with laptop sits on top view point on the mountain valley

21. Watch local news to keep track of natural disasters

Some geographical areas in India are prone to natural disasters, and the risk is higher in certain seasons. Hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh, for instance, often see flash flooding and landslides during the monsoon. Be alert to signs of natural disasters and keep an eye on the local news so you know which areas to avoid. Follow the Indian Meteorological Department’s website as well as their social media handle for timely updates.

If you are caught up in a natural disaster, follow the advice of emergency workers and try to leave the area quickly.

22. Spot the scams

India has a reputation for scams designed to separate tourists from their money, and touts and confidence tricksters can often be found where tourists gather. Get tourist information and make bookings at official offices, rather than “tourist offices” you have been led to by people offering unsolicited help.

If anyone steers you to a hotel, shop or other establishment without you asking, they may be angling for a commission, which will be added to the price you pay. Be dubious of claims that the place you want to go is “closed” – always check yourself to be sure.

Exercise common sense and be wary of deals that sound too good to be true – for example, the gem scam, where travelers are tricked into buying worthless gems to “sell at a profit back home.”

This article was first published March 2022 and updated December 2023

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