11 Things To Know Before Traveling To India: A Passrider Checklist for Travel To India

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11 Things To Know Before Traveling To India

Originally published October 21, 2015

If you’re traveling to India, there are a few things you should be aware of before you embark on your journey. It’s controlled chaos at its best and the more informed you are the better your experience will be.

 

Bus at the Mumbai Airport

Here’s a checklist to use when planning your next trip.  Can you think of anything else? Please leave a comment below:

1. Be Patient

It will all get taken care of, just not at the speed and efficiency to which you are accustomed.  The bus won’t show up and others will be fine with it, except you.  Just go with the flow as much as possible.

2. Get a visa before you depart if that’s the relationship your country has with India

India has expanded its visa policies over the years. Now, most countries can do a visa on arrival as long as its citizens apply online before arriving. Also, the cost has gone down drastically. Start at this Indian visa page for more details.

3. Have a printed copy of your itinerary or your onward boarding pass

You will need this to connect to any flight in another terminal or to gain access to the departure terminal for your return flight when in India. You can only access the terminal within 3 hours of your departure flight.

4. Have your hotel accommodation information sorted out

I’m the quintessential travel who usually do not have a hotel booked.  However, this is something they may ask you for when traveling to India.  There are some places to stay in the airports depending on which airport you use.

Ensure that you print the reservations confirmation page to show to the Immigration authorities or the hotel when you arrive.

You can book hotels from this map below.

 

5. Get Travel Insurance

This is really not just for India, but for all your other travels.  You never know what may happen on your trips, so being prepared for the unexpected with travel insurance is a good thing.  There are many different packages available from our partner Trawick International. You can buy, extend and claim online even after you’ve left home. Trawick travel insurance is designed for adventurous travelers (and traveling to India is quite the adventure :)) with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities.

Agra Fort in India

Agra Fort in India

6. Get some Indian Rupees

Use an ATM at the airport or the currency exchange counters on your arrival. I prefer the ATMs as you will et a much better exchange rate. Ensure you do the math right though as you may take out too much money.

7. Drink bottled water

8. Be cognizant of weight restrictions especially from Mumbai (BOM)

Weight restrictions reduces the amount of seats available for space available travel. So while a flight will appear open, once you get to the airport, the agents will advise that there is a weight restriction and subsequently you can’t board.  This is why you have your backup tickets and/or alternate accommodation plans.

9. Get an Airport Lounge Pass

You can use an airline Lounge card or invest in Priority Pass which will give you access to Lounges worldwide.

Nothing like a shower in the airport before you depart especially if you are connecting and have a long layover.  Also, these lounges will give you free WiFi and food.  This is a worthwhile investment for all travelers.

10. Be Familiar With The List Of Local Airlines

Airport Taxis - 2010 06 12 in Bom, India

Airport taxis in Bombay, India (BOM)

11. Know The Nonstop Flights/Destinations From India

There are plenty of international nonstops flights and you should be familiar with them and have the appropriate tickets ready in case you need them.  From these cities, you can then connect to your own carrier or other carriers with availability.  Typically, you have to be checked in at least one hour before the scheduled departure.

Note that some countries may require a visa to transit them, so be sure to check this. Start at https://travel.state.gov.

Use https://www.passrider.com/reservations/advanced-search/ to help you with flight schedules:

Flights To/From Delhi (DEL) [including BLR and DEL]

 

International Flights To/From Mumbai (BOM) [including BLR and DEL]

  1. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (AUH) – Air Arabia Abu Dhabi (3L), Air India (AI), Etihad Airways (EY), IndiGo Airlines (6E), Vistara (UK)
  2. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (ADD) – Ethiopian Airlines (ET)
  3. Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS) – KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL)
  4. Baghdad, Iraq (BGW) – Iraqi Airways (IA)
  5. Bangalore IN (BLR) – Air India (AI), AirAsia India (I5), Akasa Air (QP), IndiGo Airlines (6E), Vistara (UK)
  6. Bangkok-Don Mueang, Thailand (DMK) – Thai lion Air (SL)
  7. Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Thailand (BKK) – Air India (AI), IndiGo Airlines (6E), Thai Airways (TG), Vistara (UK)
  8. Cairo EG (CAI) – Eqyptair (MS)
  9. Colombo, Sri Lanka (CMB) – SriLankan (UL), Vistara (UK)
  10. Da Nang, Vietnam (DAD) – VietJet Air (VJ)
  11. Dammam, Saudi Arabia (DMM) – IndiGo Airlines (6E), Flynas (XY)
  12. Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania (DAR) – TC (TC)
  13. Delhi, India (DEL) – Air India (AI), Akasa Air (QP), IndiGo Airlines (6E), Spicejet (SG), Vistara (UK)
  14. Dhaka Bangladesh (DAC) – IndiGo Airlines (6E), Vistara (UK)
  15. Doha, Qatar (DOH) – Air India (AI), Air India Express (IX), IndiGo Airlines (6E), Qatar Airways (QR)
  16. Dubai, United Arab Emirates (DXB) – Air India (AI), Air India Express (IX), Emirates (EK), FlyDubai (FZ), IndiGo Airlines (6E), Spicejet (SG), Vistara (UK)
  17. Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) – Lufthansa German Airlines (LH)
  18. Hanoi Vietnam (HAN) – VietJet Air (VJ)
  19. Helsinki, Finland (HEL) – Finnair (AY)
  20. Ho Chi Minh City/ Saigon,Vietnam (SGN) – VietJet Air (VJ)
  21. Hong Kong (HKG) – Cathay Pacific Airways (CX)
  22. Istanbul, Turkey (IST) – Turkish Airlines – Star Alliance (TK)
  23. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (JED) – Air India (AI), Air India Express (IX), IndiGo Airlines (6E), Saudia Airlines (SV), Spicejet (SG), Vistara (UK)
  24. Katmandu, Nepal (KTM) – IndiGo Airlines (6E), Nepal Airlines (RA), Vistara (UK)
  25. Kuala Lumpur MY (KUL) – Malaysia Airlines (MH), TOR Air (OD)
  26. Kuwait City, Kuwait (KWI) – Air India (AI), IndiGo Airlines (6E), Jazeera Airways (J9), Kuwait Airways (KU)
  27. London-Heathrow, England (LHR) – Air Canada (AC, Air India (AI), British Airways (BA), Virgin Atlantic Airways (VS)
  28. Mauritius (MRU) – Air Mauritius (MK)
  29. Male, Maldives (MLE) – Air India (AI), IndiGo Airlines (6E), Vistara (UK)
  30. Manama City, Bahrain (BAH) – Gulf Air (GF), IndiGo Airlines (6E)
  31. Mombasa KE (MBA) – Rwandair Express (WB)
  32. Munich, Germany (MUC) – Lufthansa German Airlines (LH)
  33. Muscat, Oman (MCT) – Air India (AI), IndiGo Airlines (6E), Oman Air (WY), Vistara (UK)
  34. New York-JFK, NY (JFK) – Air India (AI)
  35. Newark-Liberty, NJ (EWR) – Air India (AI), United Airlines (Star Alliance) (UA)
  36. Paris-Charles de Gaulle, France (CDG) – Air France (AF)
  37. Phuket, Thailand (HKT) – IndiGo Airlines (6E)
  38. Riyadh, Saudia Arabia (RUH) – Air India (AI), IndiGo Airlines (6E), Saudia Airlines (SV), Spicejet (SG), Flynas (XY)
  39. San Francisco, CA (SFO) – Air India (AI)
  40. Singapore (SIN) – Air India (AI), Singapore Airlines (SQ), Vistara (UK)
  41. Tokyo-Narita, Japan (NRT) – All Nippon Airlines (NH)
  42. Warsaw, Poland (WAW) – LOT Polish (LO)
  43. Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH) – Swiss Airlines (LX)
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Comments 25

  3. Have been to India 2 times and going back in Oct for a third time. The first group trip was to see the Taj Mahal and Dellhi. My second group trip we did the Golden triangle of Jaipur, Delhi and Agra.
    My third will be back to the Taj Mahal with another group of my coworkers. I researched on trip advisors and found a great agent. We used Manoj Dewan of Ajanta Travel Services. Many of my coworkers used him for their India travel, not just Delhi. I have never had anyone complain about his services.

    Everyone should at least go once and see the Taj Mahal. It is beautiful.

    Reply

  4. Have been to India 2 times and going back in Oct for a third time. The first group trip was to see the Taj Mahal and Dellhi. My second group trip we did the Golden triangle of Jaipur, Delhi and Agra.
    My third will be back to the Taj Mahal with another group of my coworkers. I researched on trip advisors and found a great agent. We used Manoj Dewan of Ajanta Travel Services. Many of my coworkers used him for their India travel, not just Delhi. I have never had anyone complain about his services.

    Everyone should at least go once and see the Taj Mahal. It is beautiful.

    Reply

  5. Hi Kerwin … One of my coworkers just told me about this site ..it’s awesome … I am a flight attended for AA .. Traveling with my mother to India ..I am USA citizen .. Any vaccines required to enter Delhi, India .. Leaving in 10 days
    Thank you
    Andrea 

    Reply

    1. Hi Andrea,

      Thank you for your questions.

      First, I hope you’ve received your visa.
      You can check health requirements at http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/india.html.
      In my visits, I did not have any vaccinations. But I arrived from the U.S. and just transited from Nepal a few years back.

      I’d just be aware that some areas are very poor so just prepare for that.

      Heed the warnings about not drinking the water since your stomach is not used to it. And the traffic is amazing, nothing I’ve seen except in Taiwan and China. The co-existence of people, animals and automobiles is interesting. And ensure you go take a look at the train station, its just fascinating.

      You’ll both have a great time.

      Please let me know how it goes.

      Kerwin
      http://www.Passrider.com
      http://www.Facebook.com/Passrider

      Reply

  7. Hello! Great post. Thank you. I’m in Mumbai now and was wondering how hard it is to get in the airport with a standby ticket. My friend told me they wouldn’t let him in until he was assigned a seat.  And that he was nervously waiting outside until he was put in a seat. ‘m an enrolled friend at united and don’t have ZED access. I’m just worried about getting in there on time. Do you have any insight into this?

    Reply

    1. Thanks Jason.
      Yeah, they are quite strict in India. Typically if you have a physical paper copy of your itinerary they’ll let you in the check-in area within three hours of your flight so you can check-in.
      But then you do have to wait for an assigned seat to go behind the security and to the gates.
      Good luck.

      I hope that helps.

      Kerwin.

      Reply

  8. Hey kerwin. I am sending my parents to India for the first time and was wondering how soon before departure time they assign seats? Also when I list them as stand by on united will that printed itinerary let them inside the airport? 

    Thanks 

    Reply

    1. Hi Parth,

      Thanks for the question.
      Seats may not be assigned until the very last minute, usually between 40 minutes and 15 minutes before departure. This depends on the flight loads among other variables.

      Yes, a printed copy of the itinerary should suffice for entry into the airport.

      Kerwin.

      Reply

  9. Hey kerwin. I am sending my parents to India for the first time and was wondering how soon before departure time they assign seats? Also when I list them as stand by on united will that printed itinerary let them inside the airport? 

    Thanks 

    Reply

    1. Hi Parth,

      Thanks for the question.
      Seats may not be assigned until the very last minute, usually between 40 minutes and 15 minutes before departure. This depends on the flight loads among other variables.

      Yes, a printed copy of the itinerary should suffice for entry into the airport.

      Kerwin.

      Reply

  10. Hi Kerwin,

    My husband and I will be traveling to India in February to attend a wedding. We got our visas today and they specify entry between now and the 8th of Feb. We planned to arrive on the 8th but what if we can’t get a seat and have to wait for the next UA flight which will be the next day. Will we still be allowed in or should we plan to leave earlier in the week?

    Also, which airport is the least weight restricted for a UA flight?

    Thanks in advance,
    B

    Reply

  11. Hi Kerwin,

    My husband and I will be traveling to India in February to attend a wedding. We got our visas today and they specify entry between now and the 8th of Feb. We planned to arrive on the 8th but what if we can’t get a seat and have to wait for the next UA flight which will be the next day. Will we still be allowed in or should we plan to leave earlier in the week?

    Also, which airport is the least weight restricted for a UA flight?

    Thanks in advance,
    B

    Reply

  12. Hi, Looking to Non rev on UA to India in late September. Does anyone know how the flights usually look then? Is this considered a high travel time? and are the flights often weight restricted that time of year?

    Reply

  13. Hi, Looking to Non rev on UA to India in late September. Does anyone know how the flights usually look then? Is this considered a high travel time? and are the flights often weight restricted that time of year?

    Reply

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