Reference
India Travel Essentials
A practical reference for planning a luxury journey to India — the visa, how long the flight takes, when to go, and the small things worth knowing. Figures are indicative; requirements such as visas change, so verify anything time-sensitive for your nationality, and a curator will confirm the detail for your trip.
Nonstop flight times to India
| From | Approx. flying time | Direct to |
|---|---|---|
| London | ~9 hours nonstop | Delhi, Mumbai |
| Frankfurt | ~7.5–8.5 hours nonstop | Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru |
| Zurich / Vienna | ~8 hours nonstop | Delhi, Mumbai |
| New York | ~14.5–15.5 hours nonstop | Delhi, Mumbai |
| Toronto | ~14 hours nonstop | Delhi |
| Sydney | ~12–13 hours (often one stop) | Delhi, Bengaluru |
| Dubai | ~3 hours nonstop | Most Indian metros |
| Singapore | ~5.5 hours nonstop | Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru |
Best time to travel, by region
| Season | Where it shines | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| October–March | Most of India — Rajasthan, the south, the Golden Triangle | Cool, dry, peak season. Book well ahead. |
| April–June | Hill stations & Himalayan foothills | The plains are very hot. |
| June–September | Ladakh & the high Himalaya; green-season south | Monsoon elsewhere — lush, dramatic, quiet. |
The practicalities
| Visa | Most nationalities use India's online e-Visa (e-Tourist Visa), typically issued in 24–72 hours. Your passport should be valid at least six months. Rules vary by nationality and change — always verify the current requirement before travel; we guide guests through it. |
|---|---|
| Time zone | India Standard Time is UTC+5:30, the same across the whole country — only 3.5–4.5 hours ahead of Central Europe, so little jet lag for European guests. |
| Currency | The Indian Rupee (INR). Cards are widely accepted at luxury hotels and restaurants; carry some cash for markets, temples and tips. |
| Connectivity | 4G/5G is good in cities and most towns. An eSIM or a local SIM is easy to arrange; luxury hotels have reliable Wi-Fi. |
| Health & water | No vaccinations are mandatory for most travellers (yellow fever only if arriving from an endemic country). Drink bottled or filtered water. Consult a travel clinic for personal advice; anyone travelling to Ladakh should read our altitude guidance. |
| Tipping | Customary in hospitality and for guides and drivers. We advise sensible amounts so it is never a guessing game. |
Questions, answered
Do I need a visa to visit India?
Most nationalities do, and most use India's online e-Visa (e-Tourist Visa), typically approved within 24–72 hours. Passports should be valid for at least six months. Requirements vary by nationality and change periodically, so verify the current rule for your passport before you travel — we help guests through the process.
How long is the flight to India?
Nonstop from London is about 9 hours, from Frankfurt about 7.5–8.5 hours, from New York about 14.5–15.5 hours, and from Dubai about 3 hours. Sydney is usually one stop at 12–13 hours of flying.
When is the best time to visit India?
October to March suits most of India with cool, dry weather. The high Himalaya and Ladakh are the opposite — their season is roughly June to September — and the monsoon (June–September) turns the south and hills into a lush, uncrowded green season.
Is there much jet lag travelling to India?
For European travellers, very little — India is only 3.5–4.5 hours ahead of Central Europe. From North America and Australia the shift is larger, and we build a gentle first day into the itinerary.
For the fuller picture, read How to Plan a Luxury Trip to India and When to Travel India, or see our festivals & fairs calendar.