India: main airports
India has thirty-five airports with active connections: Delhi, the capital, Mumbai, the main economic centre, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad among the main hubs, as well as a dense network of regional airports covering practically every state of the country, from Kerala to Kashmir, from Rajasthan to the north-east.
India: recommended activities
India: visa and entry requirements
A visa is mandatory for most nationalities, including Italian: the tourist e-visa is obtained online before departure, at an indicative cost of 10-25 USD for 30 days (depending on the season) or 40 USD for the annual version, plus a 2.5% bank fee on the amount, with processing generally taking a few working days. The passport must have at least 6 months of remaining validity and at least two blank pages.
India: safety
India is generally safe for tourists in the main areas and itineraries, with the usual precautions against petty theft and scams in very crowded tourist areas; women travelling alone should take extra precautions, avoiding travelling alone at night. Kashmir and some border areas remain subject to restrictions or are not recommended depending on diplomatic updates: always check the specific situation of your destination before leaving, given that the country is vast and conditions vary greatly from region to region.
India: health situation
A yellow fever certificate is required only for those arriving from a country at risk of transmission. Malaria and dengue risk is present in many areas: mosquito protection is advisable. 'Traveller's tummy' is very common: drink only sealed bottled water and avoid ice and freshly uncooked street food in the early stages of the trip. Private healthcare facilities in major cities are of good standard; travel insurance with medical coverage remains advisable.
India: currency, payments and connectivity
The currency is the Indian rupee (INR); credit cards are accepted at mid-to-upscale hotels and restaurants in major cities, cash remains essential elsewhere. Uber and the local app Ola operate in the main cities. For connectivity, the operators Airtel, Jio and Vi (Vodafone Idea) sell prepaid SIM cards, generally with registration via passport and photo. For driving, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is generally also required; given the often heavy traffic and local driving habits, many visitors prefer a driver rather than self-drive.
India: travel guides
Nagpur: the city at India's geographic center
Hyderabad: pearls, forts and minarets
Mumbai in a day: what to see
Kolkata: the city of joy and trams
Ahmedabad: the city of textile craft and Gandhi
Panaji: Goa's Portuguese legacy
Thiruvananthapuram: the temple with the hidden treasure
Guwahati: the goddess temple on the sleeping hill
What to see in Jaipur in 1 day
Amritsar: the Sikh golden temple
Bhopal: the city of lakes and the gateway to Sanchi
Kochi: the Chinese fishing nets of Kerala
Khajuraho: the carved temples of central India
Chennai: the gateway to South India
Bhuj: textile craft at the edge of the salt desert
Bangalore between gardens and royal palaces
Rajkot: the city of Gandhi's childhood
Kozhikode: where Vasco da Gama landed in India
Silchar: the Barak Valley between tea and jungle
Aurangabad: the gateway to the Ajanta and Ellora caves
Patna: the gateway to Buddhism's sacred sites
Vadodara: India's largest royal palace
Bhavnagar: the gateway to the Asiatic lion sanctuary
Indore: India's cleanest city
Aizawl: the hill city of the Mizo people
New Delhi in a day: forts and markets
Porbandar: the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi
Gorakhpur: the gateway to the Buddha's death at Kushinagar
Udaipur: Rajasthan's city of lakes
Ranchi: the waterfalls of India's tribal capital
Siliguri: the gateway to the eastern Himalayas
Hubli-Dharwad: the twin cities of Indian classical music
Bhubaneswar: the city of a thousand temples
Imphal: floating lakes in India's northeast
