India is best for...

Beach lovers: If you’re looking for sun and sand, India’s southwest coast is where you’ll find the beach resorts.

Culture vultures: Visit the historic cities or pick from an exciting year-round calendar of cultural events and festivals.

Adventurers: Explore the rich landscapes of the Western Ghats, teeming with exotic wildlife and flora and fauna.

Fast facts

Language: The languages spoken here are Hindi and English.

Currency: The currency used is the Rupee.

Local time: Its 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Fly to Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi or Goa International Airport in Goa.

Flight time from the UK: Approximately 9 hours 30 minutes for a direct flight.

Tourist information: Further tourist information can be found here https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/asia/india/ and before you travel, visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india for tips on visas.

Weather and climate

Expect warm weather all year round. With the summer months reaching high temperatures, you’ll want to visit here for a winter escape. The best time to holiday here is from November to February, when the weather is cooler. If you’re looking to soak up the sun, Goa is the perfect place for tropical beach weather. You’ll even benefit from the cooling sea breeze. On average, temperatures reach up to 31°C in January. If you’re visiting further inland, then it’ll feel more relaxed with highs of 18°C.

Getting around

By taxi: Taxis are the best way to travel, especially when you’re going between attractions. It’s essential to negotiate the price before you get in as they won’t always have a meter.

By auto rickshaw: Auto rickshaws are the perfect way to get around a city or town quickly. These can usually be spotted with their bright yellow design. A ride should be cheaper than a taxi, and make sure to agree on the price upfront.

By bus: Taking the bus is the cheapest way to travel with frequent services between the towns and cities. Plus, it’s a great way to see rural and authentic areas within India. 

Events

The festival of colour: Holi is known as the festival of colours and is celebrated all across India to mark the arrival of spring. Join in with the celebration smearing coloured powder over your face, throwing coloured water and dancing.

The festival of lights: Celebrate the start of the Hindu New Year with Diwali, known as the festival of lights. Houses, shops and public places are lit up with hundreds of candles and small oil lamps.

Sunburn festival: If you love music, then a three-day electronic dance festival held in the hills will be perfect for you. With some of the biggest names in electronic dance, you can experience amazing production, lighting and visuals for India’s biggest dance festival.