Respect for sacred places
Take off your shoes at the temple entrance, speak quietly, don't touch shrines and don't disturb worshippers. If entry is closed to visitors, accept it calmly.
Local guide
Local guide
India is welcoming to travellers, but it lives by its own customs, and many of them are about respect: for sacred places, for elders and for other people's space. A few simple rules help you feel more at ease and help the people around you warm to you. This section brings together the traveller's rules, everyday tips on safety, water and heat, and what to do if something goes wrong.
In India, politeness shows in small things: shoes left at the threshold, the right hand held out, a question before a photo. These small things open more doors than any guidebook.
This section collects travellers' habits and short everyday tips. We do not recommend specific businesses, places to stay or services, and health tips are no substitute for a doctor's advice.
The traveller's rules
Six habits that help you feel like a guest rather than a stranger.
Clothing
Covered shoulders and knees are appropriate not only in temples but also in small towns and villages. A light scarf comes in handy if you're asked to cover your head.
The right hand and food
Food, money and gifts are customarily given and received with the right hand. If you eat with your hands, as is the custom in many places, use your right hand for that too.
Photographing people: ask first
Before photographing someone, ask permission with a gesture or a word. Photography is sometimes forbidden in temples and at ceremonies, so watch for signs.
Litter and plastic
Carry a reusable bottle and a bag for rubbish, put waste in bins, and don't leave plastic on beaches or by the water.
Bargaining: polite, no pressure
Bargaining is normal at markets, but do it with a smile. If the price doesn't suit you, say thank you and move on without arguing.
Safety
Four rules worth memorising before you fly.
The number 112
India has a single emergency number, 112. Save it in your contacts, and in unfamiliar places make a mental note of landmarks: the operator needs to know where you are.
Heat and sun
Wear a hat, protect your skin from the sun, drink water throughout the day and rest in the shade during the hottest hours. Weakness and dizziness are a signal to stop.
Water and food
Drink bottled or boiled water and be careful with ice in drinks. Choose hot, freshly cooked food and wash your hands before eating.
Documents and money
Keep copies of your passport and visa confirmation separate from the originals, and split your money into several parts. Don't hand your passport to strangers.
India visa (in Russian)
If something goes wrong
- If life or health is at risk, call 112 immediately
- If the heat makes you feel unwell, get into the shade, drink some water and don't carry on walking
- If a pushy “helper” offers to show you the way, change money or sort something out for you, politely decline and move to a busy place
- If your passport goes missing, report it to the police and contact your country's embassy or consulate
- If someone urges you to extend your visa or arrange documents through their contacts, check the rules only with official sources
- If you get lost in town, go to a busy place and show the saved address of where you're staying
Read next
- Planning
A step-by-step plan for your first trip to India, with examples, common mistakes and a pre-departure checklist.
- Getting around
Trains, domestic flights, a car with a driver, buses and rickshaws: how to get around India.
- FAQ
Answers to questions about preparation, travel, culture and etiquette, plus our article catalogue.
Sources
- Website of the Indian embassy in your country
- 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.