Travelling to India from the US

If you are planning on travelling to India from the US then we at India Someday can help. Firstly, read on for a detailed description on getting an Indian visa for US citizens, safety procedures and advice on vaccinations. Then contact us so that we can help guide you and plan your next exciting route!

Indian VISA for US Citizens

Travelling from the US to India? Then congratulations! It is easy to apply for an India Visa for US citizens because you’re from one of the lucky countries that is eligible for e-visas! Check out our dedicated blog post on the subject and get your documents in order in no time. Remember, this doesn’t work like a visa-on-arrival, so you have to start working on it in advance. It also doesn’t allow for multiple entry, so if you’re planning on adding Sri Lanka or Nepal to your trip, we’d recommend a regular visa.

Once you land, make sure you have a copy of your visa stored in your bag from the original, in case one gets lost or stolen.

Indian visa for US citizens

VACCINES

According to recommendations from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention you should get all your vaccine boosters and preferably a course of antimalarial drugs as well. Stick to bottled water, and carry iodine tablets to purify regular water in a fix. Eat hot and well-cooked food and make sure you have a good stock of any prescription medication you’re on.

It is recommended you get all boosters and antimalarial tablets

FLIGHTS

Direct one-way flights out of New York City to New Delhi or Mumbai go from USD 391 in November, all the way up to USD 724 in August. They tend to average at around USD 450 for the rest of the year.

Non-direct fights cost about the same, but take longer.

Fly into New Delhi or Mumbai at affordable prices

SEASONS

September to November is the best time to visit since the tickets are cheap and the weather’s great. India’s just coming out of a long monsoon so everywhere you look will be lush and green without the inconvenience of the actual rain. July is also good if you’re looking to escape the American summer for the cool, refreshing Indian monsoon.

The post-monsoon season leave India luscious and green

DIFFERENCES IN CUSTOMS

If you are travelling to India from the US then be aware that there are differences in customs that you should note:

• If you see a line of shoes outside a store, home or temple, leave yours as well.
• Dress conservatively and be respectful of local sentiments while visiting sites of religious significance.
• Think twice before engaging in anything more than holding hands in public, the laws on public decency are quite open to interpretation.
• Feet are considered unclean by many, so if you step on something, or accidentally touch someone with your feet, always apologise. The same goes for the left hand, avoid touching food or money with it.
• Personal space is a myth in India, so don’t be offended if someone openly stares or brushes up against you. That said, please avoid crowded places if this makes you uncomfortable. If you feel unsafe, ask for help, preferably from a member of the police.
• You may come to India expecting to hear English on the streets, and you will, but you probably won’t recognize it at first. Indian-English has its own rich flavour borrowed from local languages in each state.

Our blogger Anna wearing a typical Indian kurta.

ROUTES

We’d recommend a minimum of a 14 day stay, especially if it’s your first trip. You can cover one or maybe two regions in that time since it’s such a huge country chock-full of experiences. Here are a few sample routes you can look at, and if you have something else in mind, just drop us a line and we’ll get it done!

India Someday and we will map out the perfect route for you if you are travelling to India from the US