India — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“The Taj Mahal, maharaja palaces, the Ganges, and bold food”
India is a land of color and diversity like nowhere else — the white-marble Taj Mahal, the pink palaces of Jaipur, the riverside rituals of the Ganges at Varanasi, the beaches of Goa, and boldly spiced food in every region. It's the most challenging but unforgettable trip of a lifetime.
India at a glance
Choose a city in India
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is India right for you?
Why people love India, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Mughal architecture
The Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, and sandstone palaces across Rajasthan.
Spirituality and religion
The aarti ceremony on the Ganges at Varanasi, the Golden Temple, and yoga in Rishikesh.
Spiced food
Curries, tandoori, dosa, and street food from every region.
Maharaja palaces
Jaipur the Pink City, Udaipur the city of lakes, and hotels set in old palaces.
Beaches and nature
Goa's beaches, tiger safaris, and the Himalayas.
Color and festivals
Holi's flying colors, Diwali the festival of lights, and life everywhere you turn.
India vs its neighbors
| India | Nepal | Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $35–85 | $30–70 | $45–90 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | e-Visa online | Visa on arrival | ETA online |
| Getting around cities | Trains, metro, tuk-tuks — chaotic | Taxis, buses | Tuk-tuks, scenic trains |
| English | Widely used | Decent in tourist cities | Fairly good |
| Known for | Taj Mahal · palaces · food | Himalayas · trekking | Tea · beaches · temples |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Golden Triangle first-timers
Delhi, Agra and Jaipur — the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort and the Pink City, the classic route for a first trip over 5–7 days.
See this plan → 🛕Spirituality and the Ganges
Varanasi and Rishikesh — the aarti ceremony, a morning boat ride on the Ganges, and yoga, for those seeking meaning.
See this plan → 🏖️Beaches and relaxation
Goa or Kerala — sandy beaches, coconut water, houseboats, and Ayurveda, for those after a laid-back break.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
4 ranked reviews
Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Agra, India (Taj Mahal Views & Heritage Stays)
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Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Goa, India (2026): North Beaches & South Luxury
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Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Jaipur, India 2026: Palaces & Havelis
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Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Kerala, India 2026: Backwaters & Tea Hills
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- 1🍛
Curry
Spiced curries in many styles — butter chicken, korma, tikka masala.
📍 Nationwide - 2🫓
Naan & Roti
Tandoor-baked breads eaten with curry — fluffy, soft and fragrant.
📍 Nationwide - 3🍢
Tandoori
Chicken or meat marinated in yogurt and spices, grilled in a clay oven.
📍 North India - 4🥞
Dosa
A crispy rice-batter pancake filled with potato, dipped in sambar and chutney.
📍 South India - 5🍚
Biryani
Spiced rice with meat or chicken, fragrant with saffron.
📍 Hyderabad - 6🍮
Indian sweets
Gulab jamun, lassi, and syrup-soaked jalebi.
📍 Nationwide
- 1🕌
Taj Mahal
A white-marble mausoleum built for love, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World — most beautiful at dawn.
📍 Agra - 2🏰
Amber Fort
A hilltop sandstone fort-palace, reached by elephant, with an exquisite mirror hall.
📍 Jaipur - 3🛕
Ghats of Varanasi
The evening fire aarti ceremony and rituals along the sacred river.
📍 Varanasi - 4🏛️
India Gate
A memorial in the heart of the capital, alongside the Red Fort and the Lotus Temple.
📍 Delhi - 5🌊
Gateway of India
An arch on the Arabian Sea, an icon of Mumbai.
📍 Mumbai - 6🏖️
Goa Beaches
Long sandy beaches, beach shacks, parties, and old Portuguese churches.
📍 Goa - 7🏞️
Udaipur Lakes
A lake palace and the most romantic city in India.
📍 Udaipur - 8🐅
Ranthambore
A safari in search of Bengal tigers amid an old fortress.
📍 Rajasthan
🚆 Getting around India
Indian railways
The largest network in the world — book ahead and choose an AC class for more comfort.
Metro
Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore have clean, modern metros that beat the traffic.
Tuk-tuk / taxi
Use Ola/Uber to avoid being overcharged, and agree the price before getting in.
Domestic flights
IndiGo and Air India link far-flung cities quickly at affordable prices.
Car with driver
More popular than self-driving (the traffic is brutal) — ideal for the Golden Triangle.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in India
Mind your valuables
Big cities are crowded — watch for pickpockets and tour scams.
Dress modestly
Cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes at temples and shrines; women should carry a cover-up.
Sacred cows
Cows wandering the streets are normal, and must never be harmed.
Eat with your right hand
The left hand is considered impolite, and many places eat by hand.
Mind the water and food
Drink sealed bottled water, avoid ice and raw vegetables, and start with mild spice.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Guesthouse / 2★ hotel $12–25
Eat at local spots (thali) and take an economy train class — incredible value.
Comfortable
🛏️ 3–4★ hotel $35–70
Hire a car with a driver, take domestic flights between cities, and stay in well-reviewed hotels.
Premium
🛏️ Hotel in an old palace (Taj/Oberoi) $145+
Sleep in a maharaja's palace, ride the luxury Palace on Wheels train, and hire a private guide.
🗓️ When to visit India
Winter
Oct – MarCool, comfortable weather — the best time for northern India and Rajasthan.
Late winter / spring
Feb – MarThe Holi color festival, with pleasant weather before the summer heat.
Summer
Apr – JunVery hot on the plains — ideal for escaping north to the Himalayas (Ladakh, Shimla).
Monsoon
Jul – SepHeavy rain, with lush green Kerala and Himalayas, and lower accommodation prices.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in India — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.5💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.5👑 Great for your trip
★ 9.3💑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in India?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting India
Where should I go on a first trip to India?+
The Golden Triangle (Delhi–Agra–Jaipur) over 5–7 days is classic and easy to travel, covering the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort and the Pink City.
Is India safe?+
Much safer than it was, but stay alert — especially women traveling alone; choose well-reviewed hotels, use a car with a driver, and watch for tour scams.
Is an upset stomach a big problem?+
It's common — drink sealed bottled water, avoid ice, raw vegetables and street food, start with mild spice, and bring your own medicine.
Do you need a visa?+
Thai citizens can conveniently apply for an e-Visa online in advance — prepare a photo and a scan of your passport.
Tips before you go to India
- Apply for an e-Visa online in advance and prepare your documents.
- Always drink sealed bottled water and avoid ice and street food.
- Use Ola/Uber instead of haggling with tuk-tuks.
- Book train and Taj Mahal tickets ahead (the Taj is closed on Fridays).
- Carry a shawl and socks for entering shrines.
- Keep cash on hand — small shops still don't take cards.