India Holidays

What is India known for?

From the serene Taj Mahal to Delhi’s bustling markets, India is known for its innate ability to invigorate the senses. Local spices linger in the air, while splashes of colour light up the streets. A trip to India is all about vibrant festivals and celebrations. Holi (the festival of colours) takes centre stage at the end of winter each year, with celebrations spilling onto streets across the country. While traditionally a Hindu festival, the celebration promotes inclusivity.

India is also known for Bollywood – its Hindi film industry, mainly based in Mumbai. Fun Fact: India produces the most films in the world and its actors are celebrated as some of the nation’s biggest celebrities.

When it comes to popularity, India’s professional sportspeople rival its movie stars. While India doesn’t have a designated national game, cricket is the most popular spectator sport, with hardcore fans filling stadiums across the country. If you manage to nab a ticket, witnessing an international cricket match on Indian soil is a bucket-list experience.

What food should I try in India?

India’s food is one of the country’s worst-kept secrets, with its bold flavours pervading menus worldwide. However, on your next India holiday, forget everything you think you know about the country’s cuisine. The dishes you’re already familiar with will likely be prepared in a different, more traditional way, while variations in ingredients will alter the consistency and flavour of your comfort curries.

Indian cuisine differs even more between southern and northern dishes. You’ll tend to find more meat in recipes originating from northern regions, while fresh vegetables are the star of the show in the south, where dishes lean towards the sweeter side.

Fruit and vegetables take centre stage in the country’s culinary landscape, with much of the population following a meat-free diet. In fact, vegetarian diets are more common in this part of the world than in any other country. Even if you’re usually a meat-eater, India offers an excellent opportunity to sample traditional dishes that champion local vegetarian ingredients – think dosas, dum aloo and samosas.

What is the best way to get around India?

With more than one million square miles to explore, you may be wondering how to travel around this vast country. Fortunately, since it accommodates the world’s largest population, India is home to one of the most extensive transportation systems globally.

India’s railway network is, in a word, vast. Connecting most of the country, the trains carry more than eight billion passengers annually and despite the somewhat chaotic stations, the system works surprisingly well. Trains are booked up very quickly, so be sure to reserve your spot in advance to avoid disappointment. Long train journeys are also the norm in this part of the world, so booking into an air-conditioned carriage is recommended.

If you don’t have 17 hours spare to sit on a train from Mumbai to Delhi, take to the skies for two hours instead. With nine domestic airlines, you won’t be struggling for choice. But leave the admin to our travel specialists, who are experts at bagging the best seats and rates going. Even better, there’s a half fare for children under 12, while under-twos will cost you just ten percent of the ticket price.

For visitors who aren’t used to the road conditions, self-driving in India generally isn’t recommended. If you’re travelling by car, it’s best to leave the driving to a local.

Check out our guide on transport in India for more advice and information.

What is the weather like in India?

Given the country’s size, the weather in India varies quite a bit from region to region. Southern India enjoys dry and sunny winters, while the winter months in the far north of the country experience freezing temperatures (we’re looking at you, Himalayas). Monsoons affect the majority of India throughout the summer months and high humidity creates uncomfortable travel conditions.

What is the capital of India?

New Delhi is the capital of India and is located in the north-central part of the country. Although it’s often mistakenly used interchangeably with Delhi, the capital is actually just a district within this larger city.

What languages are spoken in India?

There are 22 officially recognised languages in India. With so many dialects and regional variations across the country, it’s thought there is just a 36% chance that two random people crossing a street would understand one another. Hindi is the most widely spoken language, but India is also recognised as the world’s second-largest English-speaking country.

What's the time zone in India?

Despite spanning multiple time zones geographically, the whole of the country observes India Standard Time (IST). IST is five-and-a-half hours ahead of GMT.

What currency does India use?

The national currency is the Indian rupee (INR) and one rupee is divided into 100 paisa. Since it’s a closed currency, you won’t be able to purchase your travel money in the UK before your holiday. Instead, you can exchange GBP once you arrive. Debit and credit cards are also widely accepted.

Do I need a visa for India?

British citizens must apply for a visa before travelling to India. Various types of visa are available, including an e-Tourist Visa (e-TV), which allows a 30-day stay and double entry, meaning you can enter India twice during the time your visa is valid.

A maximum of two e-visas can be issued in one calendar year, although if you’ll be spending more than 30 days in India within a year, we’d recommend applying for a one-year visa instead of a 30-day one. To find out more about the eligibility criteria for an e-TV, visit the government of India’s e-Tourist Visa website.

Check out our guide on India passport and visa requirements for more information.

How many people live in India?

India has only recently overtaken China to become the world’s most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion people.