Essential Information
There are no mandatory vaccinations required for travel. However, you may consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, and tuberculosis. The risk of malaria is low, but you may wish to consult your doctor or a travel clinic for further advice.
You will also require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. Proof of a polio vaccination may also be required for some travellers. Please confirm all requirements and recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic before departure.
India Visa Information
To avoid any issues at immigration, ensure that your passport is valid for a minimum of 180 days from the date of entry into India.
Travellers from the UK and the European Union generally require a visa to enter India. Please note that visa requirements can change frequently, and it is your responsibility to obtain the correct visa for this trip. We strongly recommend checking with the nearest embassy or consulate of your destination country, including any countries you may be transiting through.
Some local governments provide guidance on visa requirements for their citizens. To assist you, we have included a selection of useful links below.
Travellers eligible for an e-Visa, including those from the UK, USA, Canada, and the EU, can apply online at:
New Digital Arrival Card
Travellers from the UK and the EU must also complete a Digital Arrival Card. This can be submitted online up to 72 hours prior to arrival via the official Indian visa website:
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/
This process is separate from the Indian e-Visa application and does not replace it. Physical arrival cards will continue to be available at airports until 1 April 2026, after which the Digital Arrival Card will become mandatory.
Food & Drink
Most towns offer a wide range of restaurants serving both Indian and Western cuisine. India is considered one of the best destinations for vegetarian travellers. A large bottle of beer typically costs around 400 INR (approximately USD 5). Tea and soft drinks are very inexpensive.
As per South Indian state laws, hotels in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala are generally not permitted to serve alcohol. However, licensed boutique hotels, as well as 4-star and 5-star hotels, are allowed to serve alcohol on their premises. If alcohol is not available at a hotel, guests may purchase it externally and consume it within the hotel.
In India, the first day of every month and certain public holidays are designated as dry days, during which alcohol sales are prohibited.
Weather
One of the most significant features of India’s climate is the wet season, also known as the monsoon. The main monsoon reaches the Kerala coast in late May and gradually moves north over the following weeks.
The ideal time to visit India is during the dry season, from September through April. Days are generally hot, with warm nights. Average daytime temperatures range between 21°C and 30°C (70°F–86°F), while nighttime temperatures range from 6°C to 20°C (43°F–68°F).
In hilly regions, temperatures can be considerably cooler and may approach freezing point at night.