Travel Insurance for India
Many people travel to India for new culinary experiences, the soaring summer temperatures, and to see the ornate landmarks. If these things pique your interest, then check out our essential travel tips and places to visit for your next trip to India.
Emergency Contact Information
The general emergency number in India is 112. Alternatively, you can dial 100 to reach the police, dial 101 to reach the fire department, and call 102 to reach the emergency medical and ambulance services. The tourist helpline numbers are 1363 and 1800111363. You can reach India’s Women Helpline by calling 1091.
If you become the victim of a crime, lose your passport or personal possessions, or become ill or injured, you should report it to the police immediately, then contact your travel insurance provider as soon as possible and provide them with the report reference number. If you need an emergency travel document or other consular services, you can reach out to the British High Commission in New Delhi or to the nearest British Deputy High Commission in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, or Mumbai. The British Nationals Assistance Office in Goa can also provide support for British nationals abroad.
Travel Safety Tips
To ensure that your travel documents are safe, you should keep a copy of your itinerary, passport, visa, I.D.s, and other important documents on your computer and make multiple printed copies. Give those copies to your relatives and keep a copy for yourself in your hotel safe. You will need to carry a photo I.D. with you when you go out as the police may ask to see it. When you’re not using it, keep it in a safe compartment in your bag or in a zippered pocket on the inside of your coat.
Travellers should be aware of card skimming, confidence scams, and theft and scamming on trains and at train stations. Travellers should only buy train tickets from the ticket booth at the station and tickets to popular attractions from official sellers. There have been instances of travellers’ food and drinks being spiked while having their belongings stolen.
Instances of sexual assault have also been reported, and female travellers should avoid travelling alone, especially at night. Female travellers can report a case of sexual assault to and get immediate help from India’s Women Helpline, whose number is listed above.
India is made up of 28 states, and each one has their own local laws. You should research the laws of the area you’re travelling to and follow them accordingly. For example, purchasing and drinking alcohol is prohibited in places Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram, and Nagaland; however, some states only have rules against drinking in public spaces.
In most parts of India, there are restrictions on smoking in public places; however, there are designated smoking areas. The possession and use of illegal drugs (even of a small amount) is punishable by a prison sentence ranging from 6 months to several years.
During the summer season, temperatures can soar, so it’s advised that tourists dress in loose airy clothing, wear hats, and use sunscreen. Men and women should dress appropriately and conservatively when entering religious buildings. As a sign of respect, women should bring a light scarf to wear as a head covering if they plan on entering a mosque or other religious buildings.
Travellers should only use reputable taxi companies and get taxis from official taxi ranks. If you wish to hire a car, you can drive in India with your UK driving licence and a 1949 International Driving Permit. Those who plan on driving while there should be careful as traffic laws aren’t as strict in India.
India has specific entry requirements for UK travellers. You will need a yellow fever vaccination certificate and a polio vaccination certificate. If you take medication, you should contact the High Commission of India in the UK to ensure you can bring it with you on your trip. Your passport should be valid for 6 months and you will need a visa, so you should have two pages in your passport available. If you need to replace your passport while in India, your visa will no longer be valid and you will need to apply for an exit visa.
The FCDO advises against all travel to the India-Pakistan border and all but essential travel to Jammu, Kashmir, and Manipur. For more information and updates on entry requirements, health, and safety, check out the FCDO travel advice for India.
Places to Visit in India
India is the seventh largest country in the world and has over 4,000 cities. You may not be able to visit them all, so we’ve recommended our top 4 favourite cities to visit in India and the things you can expect to see and do there.
New Delhi
The capital of India is a fascinating and vibrant city. It’s known for the unique architecture of its religious buildings, such as the Jama Masjid, the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, and the Lotus Temple, and for its stunning outdoor areas, such as the Lodhi Gardens, Buddha Jayanti Park, and the Garden of Five Senses. British travellers often come to New Delhi to visit Gandhi Smriti, a museum located in Mahatma Gandhi’s former home, and Raj Ghat, the Gandhi memorial. The top landmarks you should visit are the India Gate, the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and Humayun’s Tomb. The best places to shop in New Delhi are Chandni Chowk (Moonlit Market) and Connaught Place.
Mumbai
Mumbai is well known for its street food scene, especially dishes like vada pav (a deep-fried ball of mashed potato served in a bun with chutney and green chili), Pav Bhaji (a vegetable curry served with a bun), and kulfi (a frozen dessert similar to ice cream). If you want the chance to swim in the Arabian sea, the best beaches are Juhu Beach, Gorai Beach, and Girgaum Chowpatty. Look around some of Mumbai’s museums, such as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, the Dr. Bau Daji Lad Museum, and the National Museum of Indian Cinema. Even if you’re not planning on taking the train, you should stop by and admire the architecture of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Some other beautiful religious buildings are the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple, the Global Vipassana Pagoda, and the Banaji Limji Agiary. You should also visit the Elephanta Caves, the Karla Caves, and the Bhaja Caves.
Agra
This city is home to arguably the most iconic building in India—the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is open to visitors from Saturday to Thursday, but is closed on a Friday. Another popular monument is the 16th century Agra Fort, where you can see the Ghaznin Gate, the Khas Mahal, the Musamman Burj, the Shahjahani Mahal, and the Jahangiri Mahal. Other sites you should consider visiting are Sikandra (Akbar's tomb), the tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah, the Aram Bagh (Garden of Rest), and the Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden). If you want to do some shopping, stop by the Sadar Bazar, the Subhash Bazaar, and the Shoe Market.
Hyderabad
Some of the most interesting things to see in Hyderabad are the Charminar monument, Chowmahalla Palace Museum, and the Golconda Fort and nearby Qutb Shahi tombs. You can learn about the history of the region by visiting the Salar Jung Museum, Nizam’s Museum, and the Telangana State Archaeology Museum. Two other places you should visit are the Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park and Ramoji Film City. Hyderabad is known for its unique dishes, such as Hyderabadi biryani (a rice dish made with mutton or chicken), Hyderabadi haleem (a thick meat stew), baghaar-e-baingan (eggplant curry), keema samosas (lamb mince samosas), and khubani ka meetha (a sweet apricot dessert made with custard).
