India travel guide: what to pack, what to eat & entry rules

What to pack for India

India’s climate depends on region and season: a hot season before the monsoon, a monsoon season with heavy rain across much of the country, and a cooler, drier season that is the most comfortable time in the north. The Himalayan regions are cold in winter.

That is the long-term pattern, not a forecast. Weather in any given week can be warmer, colder or wetter than usual, so check the forecast a few days before you leave — Wayfold does this automatically and adjusts the packing list for your actual dates.

Pack with India in mind

• Light, breathable cotton clothes that cover shoulders and knees
• Slip-on shoes for temples and homes
• A light rain jacket in the monsoon
• Warm layers for northern winters and the mountains

Start from a full checklist

Combine the points above with a complete list for the kind of trip you are taking:

• Wedding guest packing list · 45 items
• City break packing list · 48 items
• Carry-on only packing list · 45 items

What to eat in India

These are dishes most visitors to India will meet, with the usual recipe’s diet flags. Use them as a starting point for menus and for asking questions — not as a guarantee of what is in a particular plate.

• Masala dosa

  Crisp rice-and-lentil crêpe filled with spiced potato (South India).

  Vegetarian-friendly

• Chole bhature

  Spiced chickpeas with puffy fried bread (North India).

  Vegetarian-friendlyGlutenDairy

• Biryani

  Layered spiced rice with meat or vegetables.

  DairyNuts & peanuts

• Butter chicken

  Chicken in a mild, creamy tomato sauce.

  DairyNuts & peanuts

• Paneer tikka

  Grilled, marinated cubes of paneer cheese.

  Vegetarian-friendlyDairy

• Dal makhani

  Slow-cooked black lentils with butter and cream.

  Vegetarian-friendlyDairy

• Pani puri

  Crisp hollow puris filled with spiced water, potato and chickpeas.

  Vegetarian-friendlyGluten

Meal times, tipping and water

• Many restaurants label food with a green (vegetarian) or brown/red (non-vegetarian) symbol.

Local chains you will see

Well-known local names — handy for a quick, predictable meal or coffee:

• Haldiram's — Indian snacks, sweets and vegetarian meals.
• Bikanervala — Vegetarian snacks and sweets.
• Saravana Bhavan — Vegetarian South Indian restaurants.
• Café Coffee Day — Coffee shop chain.
• Barbeque Nation — Grill-at-your-table buffet restaurants.
• Chaayos — Chai cafés.

General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens. Checked 30 September 2026. In the app, the food guide marks which dishes fit each traveller’s diet and can show a diet and allergy card in the local language.

Entry rules for US and UK passport holders

A summary of the passport and travel-authorisation rules Wayfold reminds travellers about for India. Rules change, and your exact situation (other nationalities, long stays, work or study) may differ.

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules change — always check the official source before you travel. Rules last reviewed 29 September 2026. For the bigger picture, read what ESTA, the UK ETA and ETIAS are.

Quick answers

Is tap water safe to drink in India?

Drink bottled or filtered water. Most visitors drink bottled or filtered water and avoid ice of unknown origin. General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens.

Do you tip in India?

Around 10% in restaurants if no service charge is included.

Is it easy to eat halal or vegetarian in India?

Halal food: moderate. Vegetarian food: easy to find. Vegetarian-friendly classics include Masala dosa, Chole bhature, Paneer tikka, Dal makhani and Pani puri. Recipes vary between kitchens, so always ask.