India travel guide: Essential tips for culture, food, and adventure

When planning a trip to India, a country of overwhelming diversity, ancient history, and vibrant daily life. Also known as the Indian subcontinent, it’s not just a destination—it’s a sensory experience that demands smart planning. Whether you’re chasing the marble glow of the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and global symbol of love and architecture, or wandering the quiet streets of Mysore, a royal South Indian city known for palaces and authentic culture, you need more than just a map. You need context.

One of the biggest questions travelers ask: Is it safe to eat salad in India? The answer isn’t yes or no—it’s about where, how, and who prepares it. Street vendors in South India serve fresh veggies daily, but hygiene varies. The same goes for water, spices, and even bottled drinks. A Coke in India costs less than a dollar, but tourist traps charge triple. Budget travel in India means knowing where to spend and where to save. Compare that to Thailand or the Maldives, and India wins on value—food, lodging, and transport are all cheaper. But money isn’t the only thing you’re saving. You’re saving time, too. A 7-day trip can cover the highlights of South India, but if you want the soul of the place, you need three weeks. And timing matters. The best month to fly to South India isn’t December—it’s October or February, when the rain is gone and the crowds haven’t arrived yet.

Heritage isn’t just about monuments. It’s about living cities like Jaipur, India’s only city entirely designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where pink buildings aren’t just pretty—they’re part of a 300-year-old urban plan. It’s about states like Uttar Pradesh, which pulls in nearly 60 million tourists a year, not because it’s the prettiest, but because it holds the Taj, Varanasi, and Agra Fort—all in one place. And it’s about knowing that the Maldives isn’t in India, even if Google Maps makes it look close. Geography matters. So does safety. Punjab is safe for women travelers, but you still need to know the local norms. Trekking in Ladakh isn’t just exercise—it’s a full-body reset that strengthens your heart, bones, and mind. And if you’re wondering whether to pick an eco resort over a luxury one, the difference isn’t just price—it’s impact.

What you’ll find below isn’t a list of tourist traps. It’s a collection of real, tested, no-BS answers from travelers who’ve been there—eating salads without getting sick, catching cheap flights, walking through ancient temples at dawn, and figuring out who pays for the honeymoon. No fluff. No hype. Just what works.