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Staying in India

India is best approached as a multi-base hotel country rather than a single-stop destination. Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata anchor much of the international and domestic air network, while Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi, Goa and Kerala often shape culture, beach and leisure extensions. Entry depends on nationality and visa category; India’s official e-Visa site describes online application, online ETA, and e-Tourist Visa options for eligible nationalities. For getting around, domestic flights cover the long jumps between major metros, while Indian Railways remains central for city-to-city and classic regional routes. For hotel loyalty, Marriott Bonvoy has the deepest visible global-chain footprint among the major programs, with Hilton Honors smaller but present across key cities, and Accor’s ALL network backed by an India expansion platform.

Entry & visa
Visa required· CN passport
Full visa details →

Entry & getting around

Entry & Getting Around

India’s official e-Visa process is described as online application, online payment, receipt of ETA and presentation at an immigration checkpoint; e-Tourist Visa eligibility depends on nationality. For domestic travel, flights handle long inter-city jumps, with Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata among the busiest airports, while rail remains useful for regional circuits.

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Where to Base

Delhi works well for the Golden Triangle and North India, Mumbai for business and the west coast, and Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai for South India’s business and technology corridors. Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi, Goa and Kerala are common add-ons for heritage, spiritual, beach and backwater stays.

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Loyalty Landscape

Among global hotel programs, Marriott Bonvoy shows the largest official India hotel count on its country page. Hilton Honors has a smaller but visible network across Indian destinations, and Accor’s ALL footprint is supported by the Accor-InterGlobe India platform, relevant for travelers using midscale, premium and economy brands.

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Practical info

Currency
INR (₹) · Indian rupee
Languages
English · Hindi · Tamil
Calling code
+91
Driving
Left
Power plug
Type C, D, M · 230V 50Hz
Emergency
General 112 · Police 100 · Ambulance 102 · Fire 101
Tap water
Not potable
Tipping
10% if not included

As of 2026-06-20 — confirm with official sources.

Travel safety advisory

Level 2 · Exercise increased caution

Exercise Increased Caution — due to crime and terrorism.

Source: US State Department · as of 2026-06-20 (US perspective — also check your own government's guidance)

Trip preparation

Health

Reference only, not medical advice. Use safe food/water habits: drink sealed or treated water, avoid ice of uncertain source, and choose food served hot. Mosquito-borne illnesses occur, including dengue, chikungunya, Zika and malaria; use repellent, covered clothing and screened/AC rooms. CDC notes malaria risk in many areas, but not in areas above 2,000 m in several Himalayan/highland states/UTs. For Ladakh, Sikkim, Himachal or other high-altitude trips, ascend gradually and plan rest days. Heat illness can be serious in hot seasons; hydrate, limit midday exertion and use sun protection. Avoid animal bites, especially dogs/monkeys, and seek urgent care after bites or scratches.

Vaccinations

Consult a doctor or travel clinic at least a month before travel. Be up to date on routine vaccines, including MMR, polio, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis, influenza, varicella, shingles when eligible, and COVID-19. CDC commonly recommends hepatitis A and typhoid for India; hepatitis B is recommended for many unvaccinated travelers. Japanese encephalitis, rabies, cholera, chikungunya vaccination, and malaria prevention may be considered depending on itinerary, season, length of stay and activities. Yellow fever vaccine is not recommended for India itself and is not required for direct travel from the United States, but India requires a yellow-fever certificate for travelers aged 9 months or older arriving from, or recently transiting risk countries under specified conditions.

eSIM / connectivity

eSIM is widely supported on compatible phones by major Indian carriers including Jio, Airtel and Vi. Jio and Airtel support online/app-based conversion to eSIM for existing or new local service, and Vi publishes eSIM activation steps. Travelers should expect Indian KYC/identity checks for local SIM/eSIM activation, so an official carrier store or airport telecom counter is often the practical route for a local prepaid data option. International travel eSIMs can be bought before arrival, but they are usually roaming products rather than local Indian carrier accounts.

Health/vaccine info is reference only, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic; defer to CDC/WHO and official sources (as of 2026-06-20).

Festivals worth timing a trip around

HoliFebruary/March

Color festival; Mathura-Vrindavan is especially famous.

DiwaliOctober/November

Festival of lights marked nationwide with lamps and sweets.

Durga PujaSeptember/October

Kolkata’s pandals turn the city into a public art walk.

OnamAugust/September

Kerala harvest festival with feasts, flowers and boat races.

Pushkar Camel FairOctober/November

Rajasthan livestock fair with camel events and folk culture.

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Reference data as of 2026-06-20.

India — hotel loyalty & city coverage | FlyerKey