🇮🇳 Flying to India
Visa · Health · Arrival · Flights — everything you need before you fly.
Content under review. Entry requirements and health rules change frequently. Information marked [VERIFY] has not yet been confirmed against authoritative sources. Do not rely on this page for travel decisions until verified content is published. Always check IATA Travel Centre and your government's travel advisory.
Last verified: July 4, 2026
Sources: indianvisaonline.gov.in, travelhealthpro.org.uk, www.gov.uk
Avi's Insider Tip
Get your SIM at the dedicated airport telecom counter, not from a street vendor — bring your passport and a photo, it's a 15-minute process that saves you a headache later.
Travel essentials
Scannable data for the efficient traveler.
Sources: indianvisaonline.gov.in, travelhealthpro.org.uk, www.gov.uk
Visa-free entry
India does not offer visa-free entry to most nationalities. Citizens of Bhutan and Nepal can enter without a visa. All other nationalities require a visa — the e-Tourist Visa (eTV) is the standard option for most travelers.
India does not offer visa on arrival for most nationalities. The e-Tourist Visa (applied online) must be obtained before departure.
Health & vaccines
No vaccines are legally required for most travelers. Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and routine vaccines are strongly recommended. Hepatitis B, Rabies (for extended stays or animal contact), and Japanese Encephalitis (rural areas) may also be recommended — confirm with your travel clinic.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate IS required if you are arriving from — or have transited more than 12 hours through — a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. This is strictly enforced at Indian immigration. Without the certificate, you may be quarantined or denied entry.
Customs
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars duty-free. Up to 2 litres alcohol. Cash equivalent of USD 5,000 (USD 10,000 in any currency) can be brought in without declaration above that threshold.
🛂 Entry requirements
⚠️ India visa rules vary by nationality and visa type. Always verify at indianvisaonline.gov.in or IATA Travel Centre before booking.
💉Health & vaccine requirements
⚠️ India has significant health considerations. Consult your doctor or travel clinic at least 4–6 weeks before departure. Health requirements sourced from NaTHNaC and UK Government India travel advice.
Essential local apps
Download these before you land — tap a card to open the real app or site.
Ola
Ride-shareWorks well in Delhi and Mumbai — use the pre-paid taxi booth in arrivals if you prefer a fixed-rate option instead.
Uber
Ride-shareAlso widely available in major Indian cities.
Paytm
PaymentIndia’s leading digital wallet and UPI app — most shops display a QR code, though it typically requires an Indian bank account to use.
Arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (DEL) / Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport, Mumbai (BOM)
SIM & connectivity
Foreign tourists must register at the airport telecom counter to purchase a local SIM — bring your passport and a passport-size photo. Airtel and Jio offer tourist SIMs. Process takes 15–30 min at the airport.
Indian Rupee (INR). ATMs widely available at major airports. Currency exchange in arrivals. Note: INR cannot be taken out of India (export restricted) — exchange leftover rupees before departure.
Getting into town
Delhi (DEL): Delhi Metro Airport Express to New Delhi station ~20 min (~$1.50 USD equivalent). Taxis via pre-paid booth in arrivals. Ola/Uber also available outside. Mumbai (BOM): No direct metro yet — taxi or Ola/Uber to city ~45–90 min depending on traffic.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit India?▼
Most nationalities require a visa for India. The e-Tourist Visa (eTV) is the easiest option — apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in at least a week before travel. Available to 170+ nationalities. Bhutan and Nepal citizens are exempt.
Do I need vaccinations for India?▼
No vaccines are legally required for most travelers (yellow fever certificate required if arriving from endemic countries). However, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and routine vaccines are strongly recommended. Malaria prophylaxis is commonly advised — consult your travel clinic 4–6 weeks before departure.
Is yellow fever vaccination required for India?▼
Yes — a yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from, or have transited more than 12 hours through, a country with yellow fever transmission risk. This is strictly enforced. Without it, you may be quarantined or turned back.
How do I get a SIM card in India as a tourist?▼
Foreign tourists must register at a telecom counter at the airport to get a local SIM — bring your passport and a passport photo. Airtel and Jio offer tourist plans. The process typically takes 15–30 minutes at a dedicated airport counter.
What is the best way to get from Delhi airport to the city?▼
The Delhi Metro Airport Express is the fastest and cheapest — ~$1.50 USD to New Delhi Railway Station in about 20 minutes. Pre-paid taxi booths in arrivals offer fixed-rate taxis. Ola and Uber are also available from the designated pickup area.
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