FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Here are the questions that come up most often before a first trip to India: about preparation and visa rules, travel and heat, culture and etiquette. The answers are short and general. If a question concerns visas, visiting rules at monuments or document requirements, we point you to where the official answer can be found rather than restating conditions that may have changed.
India has official answers to visa questions. Our job is to show you where to find them, not to replace them with guesswork.
How we choose the questions: they are the ones most often asked by first-time visitors to India, and they can be answered without prices, deadlines or promises. We do not take requests for trips or visas.
Before you go
Are you a tour operator or a visa centre?
No. Buddhatour is an independent guide. We are not a tour operator or a visa centre; we do not sell trips or arrange visas.
Do I need a visa?
Most visitors, including from many European countries, need a visa for India. For tourist trips there is an e-Visa, applied for on the official Government of India portal. Check the official portal or the Indian embassy in your country before you apply, as conditions change.
How do I avoid intermediary websites?
Check the portal address against the website of the Indian embassy in your country, and don't trust sites that offer to “speed up” processing for an extra charge. Always start from the link the embassy publishes.
Do I need vaccinations?
Discuss this with a doctor in advance: they can advise on what you need given your route, the season and your health. We do not give medical advice.
On the road
What's the best way to travel between cities?
In the north many people travel by train or by car with a driver, while a domestic flight is more convenient between distant regions. Buses work for short stretches, and rickshaws in town.
Can I drink tap water?
It's safer to drink bottled or boiled water and to go easy on ice in drinks. This is everyday advice; for health questions about your trip, consult a doctor.
How do I cope with the heat?
Plan walks for the morning and evening, wear a hat and light clothing that covers you, drink water throughout the day and don't skip rest in the shade.
What number do I call in an emergency?
112 is the single emergency number in India.
Culture and etiquette
How should I dress for temples?
Modestly: shoulders and knees covered. Take off your shoes at the entrance, and cover your head if asked. A light scarf is useful on any trip.
Why does the right hand matter?
In many places food, money and gifts are customarily passed with the right hand. It's a simple sign of politeness that local people notice and appreciate.
Can I photograph people?
Only with their consent. Photography is sometimes forbidden in temples and at ceremonies: watch for signs and ask the staff.
Is bargaining expected?
At markets, yes, but calmly and with a smile. If the price doesn't suit you, say thank you and walk away without arguing.
Article catalogue for English-speaking readers
This is where we will collect standalone articles about independent travel to India, written for English-speaking readers. Each one is written separately and is not translated from the site's other language versions.
- Common questions about Dune: Awakening PvP combat: Competitive Play
Dune: Awakening PvP explained: core competitive concepts, three practical scenarios, ways to improve, and what to know about boosting services and their risks.
- Aion2Boost brand & Aion 2 player resources: Mechanics, Preparation and Common Questions
Confirmed Aion 2 basics, a preparation plan for the first weeks, common questions, and neutral context on Aion2Boost as one of the named player resources.
- GTA 6 Gameplay Coaching and Skills: Practical Guide
Practical GTA 6 preparation: habits from open-world action games that should still help, the real limits of pre-launch coaching, and coaching vs boosting.
- Marvel Rivals: Coaching — Community Explainer
Field notes on Marvel Rivals coaching: session formats, prerequisites, practical trade-offs, coaching versus boosting, and free alternatives worth trying first.
- World of Warcraft Endgame: Raids, Mythic+ and Player Progression — Lessons From Published Coverage #2
What writing on WoW's Midnight endgame teaches about raids, Mythic+, arena, loot, gold and boosting, and where a careful reader should stop trusting it.
Topics our editors are working on
- Reading a region's climate before you buy your flights
- Your first day in a big Indian city: how to pace yourself
- Packing for heat and temple visits: modest, breathable clothing
- Travel insurance for a first trip to India: what to check
Editorial rules
- Articles in this catalogue are written separately for each language version and are not translations.
- Some articles link to third-party websites, including gaming services; we do not control their content, prices or terms.
- We do not sell tours or arrange visas, and we do not publish rankings of hotels, restaurants or transport companies, prices or reviews.
Read next
- Planning
A step-by-step plan for your first trip to India, with examples, common mistakes and a pre-departure checklist.
- Local guide
Traveller's rules: sacred sites, clothing, the right hand, photographing people, 112, heat and water.
- India visa (in Russian)
India visa: what an e-Visa is, where to apply and how to avoid intermediary websites.
Sources
- Official Government of India e-Visa portal
- Website of the Indian embassy in your country
- UNESCO World Heritage List
- Buddhatour editorial notes
This guide covers independent travel to India in general terms. Visa rules, visiting arrangements at monuments and sacred sites, the weather and conditions on the road all change, so check them against official sources shortly before you fly.