India

India is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing aviation markets, with a vast domestic network connecting a country of 1.4 billion people across diverse geography—from the Himalayas to tropical coastlines. The country has over 130 operational airports, with six major international gateways handling the bulk of international traffic.

Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM) are the primary international gateways, with Delhi serving as the main hub for northern India and connections to Central Asia and Europe, while Mumbai dominates western routes and serves as India's financial capital. Bangalore (BLR) has emerged as the tech hub's gateway, with growing international connections.

IndiGo dominates the domestic market with over 60% market share, making India one of the few countries where a low-cost carrier is the largest airline. The flag carrier Air India (now owned by Tata Group and Star Alliance member) handles most long-haul international routes.

Primary International Gateways

Airport	City	Role	Major Airlines
DEL	New Delhi	Northern India gateway, largest hub	Air India, IndiGo, Vistara
BOM	Mumbai	Western India, financial capital	Air India, IndiGo, Vistara
BLR	Bangalore	Southern India tech hub	IndiGo, Air India, Vistara
MAA	Chennai	Southeast gateway, manufacturing	IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet
CCU	Kolkata	Eastern India gateway	IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet
HYD	Hyderabad	Central-south hub, IT sector	IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet

Delhi (DEL) — Indira Gandhi International

India's busiest airport and the main gateway for northern India. Terminal 3 (T3) handles most international flights and is among Asia's largest terminals. Connected to the city by Delhi Metro Airport Express (20 minutes to New Delhi Railway Station).

• Terminal 1: Domestic (IndiGo, SpiceJet)
• Terminal 2: Domestic expansion
• Terminal 3: International and premium domestic (Air India, Vistara, full-service carriers)

Pro tip: Allow 3+ hours for international departures—security and immigration can be slow during peak hours.

Mumbai (BOM) — Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International

India's second-busiest airport, serving the financial capital. The airport is centrally located but notorious for traffic—plan 90+ minutes from South Mumbai.

• Terminal 1: Domestic
• Terminal 2: International and select domestic (opened 2014, architecturally impressive)

Bangalore (BLR) — Kempegowda International

India's third-busiest airport, 40km north of the city center. Growing rapidly with tech industry traffic. New Terminal 2 opened 2022.

• Strong connectivity to Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe
• Gateway for Karnataka's tech corridor
• Airport bus and upcoming metro connection

Other Major Airports

Airport	City	Notes
HYD	Hyderabad (Rajiv Gandhi)	Modern airport, IT hub, 25km from city
MAA	Chennai	South India gateway, manufacturing hub
CCU	Kolkata (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose)	Eastern gateway, renovated terminals
COK	Kochi	Kerala gateway, first solar-powered airport
GOI	Goa (Dabolim)	Beach destination, new Mopa airport also operates
JAI	Jaipur	Rajasthan gateway, growing international
AMD	Ahmedabad	Gujarat hub
PNQ	Pune	Growing domestic, IT corridor

Flag Carrier

Air India (AI) — India's flag carrier and Star Alliance member. Acquired by Tata Group in 2022, now undergoing significant modernization. Hubs at Delhi and Mumbai. Extensive international network including direct flights to US, UK, Europe, Australia, and Asia.

• Long-haul routes: New York, San Francisco, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Sydney
• Regional: Comprehensive South Asia, Middle East, Southeast Asia coverage
• Merged with Vistara (2024) to create stronger full-service offering

Major Domestic & Regional

IndiGo (6E) — India's largest airline by far, with 60%+ domestic market share. Low-cost carrier operating 1,900+ daily flights to 80+ domestic and 30+ international destinations. Known for on-time performance and frequency.

• Dominates domestic routes with high frequency
• Growing international network to Middle East, Southeast Asia, Central Asia
• No frills—paid meals, baggage fees apply

Vistara (UK) — Full-service carrier (Tata-Singapore Airlines JV). Premium service, three-class configuration. Merged into Air India in 2024, strengthening full-service operations.

SpiceJet (SG) — Low-cost carrier, second-largest LCC. Hub at Delhi. Budget fares, extensive domestic network.

Go First (G8) — Budget carrier (formerly GoAir). Operations suspended in 2023 but may resume.

Akasa Air (QP) — Newest carrier (launched 2022). Low-cost, growing domestic network. Modern Boeing 737 MAX fleet.

Air India Express (IX) — Air India's low-cost subsidiary. Strong Middle East and Southeast Asia network, popular with diaspora traffic.

International Airlines

Major foreign carriers serving India:

• Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways — Extensive Middle East connections, popular for global transit
• Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific — Southeast Asia routes
• British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France — European gateways
• United, American — US routes (limited)
• Oman Air, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways — Regional Middle East

E-Visa (Most Nationalities)

India offers e-Visa for citizens of 165+ countries. Apply online before travel:

Visa Type	Duration	Cost (varies by nationality)
e-Tourist	30 days / 1 year / 5 years	$10-$100
e-Business	1 year	$80
e-Medical	60 days	$80

Apply at: indianvisaonline.gov.in

Processing: 72 hours typically, apply at least 4 days before travel

Important: E-visa holders must enter through designated airports (all major airports qualify) or seaports.

Traditional Visa

For nationalities not eligible for e-visa, or for longer stays:

• Apply at Indian embassy/consulate or VFS Global center
• Tourist visa valid 6 months to 10 years (depending on nationality)
• US citizens: 10-year multiple entry typically granted

Passport Requirements

• Valid for at least 6 months from arrival date
• At least 2 blank pages required
• Return/onward ticket may be requested

Visa-Free Countries

Very limited: Nepal and Bhutan citizens only.

Official visa information: indianvisaonline.gov.in

Domestic Flights

India's vast distances make flying essential for covering the country efficiently:

Route	Flight Time	Daily Flights	Notes
Delhi ↔ Mumbai	2h 00m	70+	Most frequent route
Delhi ↔ Bangalore	2h 45m	50+	Business corridor
Mumbai ↔ Bangalore	1h 30m	40+	Tech-finance link
Delhi ↔ Kolkata	2h 15m	30+	East-north connection
Delhi ↔ Goa	2h 20m	20+	Tourist route

Booking tips:

• IndiGo dominates most routes with highest frequency
• Book 2-3 weeks ahead for best prices
• Web check-in essential—airport queues can be long
• Domestic flights often delayed during monsoon (Jun-Sep)

Trains

India's railway network is legendary—useful for medium distances and scenic routes:

Train classes:

• Rajdhani Express: Premium fast trains connecting Delhi to major cities
• Shatabdi Express: Daytime fast trains
• Vande Bharat Express: New semi-high-speed trains (Delhi-Varanasi, Mumbai-Ahmedabad)

Book via: irctc.co.in (account required)

Note: Trains often faster than flights for distances under 500km when factoring airport time, but less comfortable and less predictable.

Car Rental

Not recommended for self-drive (chaotic traffic, unfamiliar driving patterns). Instead:

• Hired car with driver: Standard for tourists, affordable ($50-80/day)
• Book through hotels or apps like Savaari, Zoomcar
• Essential for: Rajasthan road trips, hill station access, rural areas

Ride-Hailing

• Uber: Works in major cities
• Ola: India's largest ride-hailing app, wider coverage than Uber
• Auto-rickshaws: Ubiquitous, use Uber/Ola for metered pricing

Peak Season (October-March)

India's winter is the ideal travel season for most regions:

• October-November: Post-monsoon, pleasant temperatures
• December-February: Cool and dry, perfect for North India
• March: Warming up, Holi festival

Highest prices and busiest flights during Diwali (Oct/Nov) and Christmas/New Year.

Shoulder Season (September, April)

• September: Monsoon ending, landscapes lush
• April: Hot but manageable, fewer crowds, lower prices

Monsoon (June-September)

Heavy rains across most of India. Flight delays common. However:

• Good for: Kerala (Ayurveda season), Ladakh (accessible only Jun-Sep)
• Avoid: Coastal areas, flood-prone regions

Summer (April-June)

Very hot (40°C+) across plains. Best for:

• Hill stations: Shimla, Manali, Darjeeling, Ooty
• Ladakh: Only accessible May-September

Regional Timing

Region	Best Time	Notes
North India (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur)	Oct-Mar	Avoid summer heat
Rajasthan	Oct-Feb	Desert can be extremely hot
Kerala	Sep-Mar	Monsoon brings Ayurveda tourism
Goa	Nov-Feb	Beach season, peak prices
Himalayas	Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct	Trekking season
Ladakh	Jun-Sep	Only accessible period
Northeast	Oct-Apr	Avoid monsoon

Cities

City	Airport	Known For
Delhi	DEL	Mughal history, food, gateway to North
Mumbai	BOM	Bollywood, colonial architecture, nightlife
Jaipur	JAI	Pink City, palaces, Rajasthan gateway
Agra	AGR (or DEL)	Taj Mahal
Varanasi	VNS	Sacred Ganges, ancient temples
Bangalore	BLR	Tech hub, craft beer, gardens
Kolkata	CCU	Colonial heritage, culture, food
Chennai	MAA	Temples, South Indian culture
Kochi	COK	Backwaters gateway, colonial port
Goa	GOI	Beaches, Portuguese heritage

Regions

• Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur): Classic first-timer route, fly into/out of DEL
• Rajasthan: Fly to JAI or DEL, explore by hired car
• Kerala Backwaters: Fly to COK, houseboat cruises
• Himalayan Foothills: Fly to DEL, drive to Shimla/Manali/Rishikesh
• Ladakh: Fly to DEL then LEH (Leh), June-September only
• Goa: Fly to GOI, beach relaxation
• Tamil Nadu Temples: Fly to MAA, temple circuit by car

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

India has 40+ UNESCO sites. Key ones accessible by air:

• Taj Mahal (Agra): DEL + 3hr drive or train
• Jaipur City: JAI direct
• Khajuraho: HJR (small airport, connections via DEL)
• Hampi: Fly to BLR + 6hr drive, or train
• Ellora/Ajanta Caves: Fly to Aurangabad (IXU)

Money

• Currency: Indian Rupee (INR, ₹)
• Cash: Still widely needed, especially outside cities. ATMs everywhere.
• Cards: Increasingly accepted in cities, major hotels, restaurants. Visa/Mastercard preferred.
• UPI: India's mobile payment revolution—set up via Google Pay or PhonePe with Indian phone number
• Tipping: 10% at restaurants if service charge not included. Small tips for porters, drivers.
• Exchange: Avoid airport rates. Use ATMs or authorized dealers.

Electrical

• Voltage: 230V / 50 Hz
• Plug types: Type C (Europlug), Type D (large round pins), Type M (South African style)
• Adapters: European plugs (Type C) work in most outlets. UK/US travelers need adapters.
• Power cuts: Common outside major cities—hotels have generators

Connectivity

• Mobile: Jio, Airtel, Vodafone-Idea
• Local SIM: Requires passport copy and photo. Available at airports (Jio, Airtel counters).
• eSIM: Airtel offers eSIM for tourists. International eSIMs (Airalo, Holafly) work.
• WiFi: Good at hotels, cafes in cities. Variable elsewhere.

Health

• Vaccinations: No mandatory vaccines (yellow fever if coming from endemic country). Hepatitis A, Typhoid recommended.
• Water: Drink only bottled or filtered water
• Food safety: Street food delicious but choose busy stalls with high turnover
• Altitude: Acclimatize properly in Ladakh (3,500m+)

Safety

Generally safe for tourists. Standard precautions:

• Use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps
• Keep valuables secure in crowds
• Women travelers: dress modestly outside tourist areas
• Delhi metro has women-only cars

Cultural Notes

• Remove shoes before entering temples and homes
• Dress modestly at religious sites (cover shoulders, knees)
• Use right hand for eating and giving/receiving
• Photography may be restricted at some monuments
• Bargaining expected at markets (not in fixed-price shops)

Useful Apps

• Ola/Uber: Ride-hailing
• MakeMyTrip/Goibibo: Flight and hotel bookings
• Google Maps: Works well, includes auto-rickshaw routing
• Google Translate: Hindi offline pack useful
• IRCTC Rail Connect: Train bookings

• Tourism: Incredible India
• Visa: Indian Visa Online
• Delhi Airport: newdelhiairport.in
• Mumbai Airport: csmia.aero
• Bangalore Airport: bengaluruairport.com
• Indian Railways: irctc.co.in
• Travel Advisory: mea.gov.in