When you fly to India, the act of traveling by air to one of the world’s most diverse and complex countries. Also known as traveling to South Asia, it’s not just about booking a ticket—it’s about preparing for a place where culture, chaos, and beauty collide in ways you won’t find anywhere else. This isn’t a vacation where you check off landmarks and leave. It’s a journey that demands a little more thought, especially if you’re coming from the U.S., Europe, or elsewhere abroad.
Before you even pack your bag, you need to know about the India visa, the official digital permit required for most foreign visitors entering the country. For U.S. citizens, the e-Visa system is straightforward, but fees change yearly—2025 rates are different from last year, and you can’t skip this step. Then there’s health: India vaccinations, the set of immunizations recommended or required before entering India to avoid preventable diseases. You don’t need every shot under the sun, but typhoid, hepatitis A, and tetanus are non-negotiable for most travelers. Skip this, and you risk ending up sick on a train in Rajasthan instead of exploring the Taj Mahal. And don’t forget food safety. Eating street food in Delhi or Mumbai is part of the experience—but only if you know which stalls are clean and which drinks to avoid.
When you land, you’ll quickly realize India isn’t one place. It’s dozens. North India buzzes with history—Delhi’s forts, Agra’s Taj Mahal, Varanasi’s ghats. South India offers backwaters, temple towns, and quieter rhythms. And then there’s the middle: Nagpur, the actual geographical center of India, the point that marks the exact middle of the country’s landmass. It’s not on most tourist maps, but it’s where you can start a trek into the wilds without the crowds. Whether you’re flying to Goa for beaches, Rajasthan for desert camps, or the Himalayas for trekking, each region has its own rules, weather, and vibe. You can’t treat them the same.
Some people think flying to India means you need a guide for everything. Not true. But you do need to know the basics: temple dress codes, how to haggle respectfully, when to avoid public transport during festivals, and which cities are safest for solo travelers. Mumbai is generally easier for first-timers than Delhi. The Great Himalayan Trail? It’s epic—but you can’t just show up with sneakers and a backpack. And if you’re thinking about luxury trains or heritage sites, you’ll find plenty of guides below that break down exactly what’s worth it and what’s not.
What you’ll find here isn’t a list of generic tips. It’s real, tested advice from people who’ve been there—on how to avoid getting sick, how to handle money, which trains to take, and why you should never trust an unmarked tuk-tuk driver. Whether you’re planning your first trip or your tenth, these posts cut through the noise. No fluff. No hype. Just what you need to know before you fly to India.
