First-Timer's Guide to India (2026): Everything You Need Before You Fly
How to structure your first trip to India: Mandatory India e-Tourist Visa (30-Day $10–$25, 1-Year $40, or 5-Year $80 — Apply ONLY at Official `indianvisaonline.gov.in` at least 4–14 Days Before Departure!), Indian Railways Vande Bharat Express (AC Chair & Executive Class), Gatimaan Express (Delhi–Agra in 1h 40m at 160 km/h) & IRCTC Foreign Tourist Quota (FTQ — Code 'FT'), IRCTC Foreign Tourist Quota, INR (₹) payments, and critical booking windows.
1. Entry Rules & Passport Requirements for India
Mandatory India e-Tourist Visa (30-Day $10–$25, 1-Year $40, or 5-Year $80 — Apply ONLY at Official `indianvisaonline.gov.in` at least 4–14 Days Before Departure!) Always verify your passport validity (at least 6 months beyond your planned departure) and keep digital copies of your return ticket and first hotel confirmation in Delhi (Old & New Delhi) or Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri).
2. Getting Around: Indian Railways Vande Bharat Express (AC Chair & Executive Class), Gatimaan Express (Delhi–Agra in 1h 40m at 160 km/h) & IRCTC Foreign Tourist Quota (FTQ — Code 'FT') & IRCTC Foreign Tourist Quota
Travel seamlessly across India on Indian Railways Vande Bharat Express (AC Chair & Executive Class), Gatimaan Express (Delhi–Agra in 1h 40m at 160 km/h) & IRCTC Foreign Tourist Quota (FTQ — Code 'FT'). Compare walk-up fares against advance promotional tickets and regional passes in INR (₹). For urban and regional transit in Delhi (Old & New Delhi), Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri), and Jaipur & Udaipur (Rajasthan), pick up or activate IRCTC Foreign Tourist Quota (1) IRCTC FOREIGN TOURIST QUOTA (FTQ): When regular Indian train tickets look 'Waitlisted (WL)', select the 'Foreign Tourist (FT)' quota on `irctc.co.in` (register with your foreign mobile + ₹100+GST activation fee) or visit the International Tourist Bureau on the 1st Floor of New Delhi Railway Station (Platform 1 side)—most major trains hold dedicated AC seats exclusively for foreign passport holders! 2) ASI MONUMENT TICKETS: Scan the official `asi.payumoney.com` QR code at the gate (or book online ahead) to get ₹50 off every monument ticket and skip the cash queue!). Use our interactive Indian Railways Vande Bharat Express Calculator to compare point-to-point tickets against multi-day passes.
3. Money, Cards & INR (₹) (₹ INR)
The official currency is the INR (₹) (₹, INR), trading at roughly 1 USD ≈ 84 INR (1 EUR ≈ 90.72 INR). Always choose to be billed in INR on card terminals to avoid 5–8% Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) markups.
4. Cultural Etiquette & Tipping Norms
Check if a 5–10% 'Service Charge' is already on the restaurant bill (separate from 5% GST tax); if not, tip ₹100–₹300 ($1.20–$3.50) at sit-down restaurants, ₹50–₹100 per bag for hotel porters, and ₹500–₹800/day ($6–$10) for private multi-day car drivers. NEVER drink tap water, fountain water, or street ice in India; drink only sealed bottled water (Bisleri, Kinley, Aquafina — check tamper seal) or RO-purified hotel water. Tipping norm: Check if a 5–10% 'Service Charge' is already on the restaurant bill (separate from 5% GST tax); if not, tip ₹100–₹300 ($1.20–$3.50) at sit-down restaurants, ₹50–₹100 per bag for hotel porters, and ₹500–₹800/day ($6–$10) for private multi-day car drivers.