India Holidays

What is India known for?

From the serenity of the Taj Mahal to the bustling markets of Delhi, India is known for its innate ability to invigorate the senses of all who visit. In the markets, local spices fill the air, while splashes of colour add a vibrancy to the streets unlike anywhere else on the planet. There’s no better exhibition of this than during the country’s festivals and celebrations. In particular, Holi, which is the festival of colours, takes place at the end of winter each year. While traditionally a Hindu festival, the celebration is known for its inclusivity, and people of all faiths are invited to join.

Another important pillar of Indian culture is its film industry, otherwise known as Bollywood. Perhaps surprisingly, no other country in the world produces more films than India, and its actors and producers are revered as some of their biggest celebrities.

Akin to the movie stars in the popularity stakes are the country’s professional sportspeople. While India doesn’t have a designated national game, cricket is the most popular spectator sport, and the players are universally loved by fans across the country. If you’re fortunate enough to get a ticket, witnessing an international cricket match on Indian soil is a sporting spectacle like no other.

What food should I try in India?

India’s food is one of the country’s worst-kept secrets, with Indian flavours pervading menus across the globe. However, when coming here for a 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 favourite curries.

There are further variations between southern and northern dishes. For example, 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 you’ll also find dishes tend to be slightly sweeter.

Fruit and vegetables play a prominent role in the country’s culinary landscape, with a large proportion of the population following a meat-free diet. In fact, vegetarian diets are more common in this part of the world than any other country. Even if you’re usually a meat eater, visiting India is a wonderful opportunity to sample some traditional dishes that champion local ingredients, like 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 get around this vast country. Fortunately, since it needs to accommodate the world’s largest population, India is home to one of the most extensive transportation systems in the world.

In particular, its railway network connects the vast majority of the country. The trains carry more than eight billion passengers annually, but despite their chaotic stations and frenetic passengers, its system works surprisingly well. Trains get booked up very quickly, so be sure to reserve your spot in advance to avoid disappointment. And, long train journeys are 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 either. But leave the admin to our travel specialists who are experts at bagging the best seats and rates going. What’s even better is that children under twelve pay half fare, while under-twos pay just ten percent.

For visitors who aren’t used to the dangerous road conditions, driving in India generally isn’t recommended. If you really need to use the roads, it’s advisable to leave the driving to a local.

For more information on transport options in India, read our guide.

What is the weather like in India?

Owing to its size, weather patterns and climatic conditions vary from region to region. For example, southern India enjoys dry and sunny winters, whereas winter months in the far north of the country are characterised by freezing temperatures, especially in the mountainous Himalayan region. Monsoons affect the vast majority of the country throughout the summer months; at this time high humidity also contributes to the uncomfortable conditions that aren’t conducive to travel.

What is the capital of India?

New Delhi is the capital of India and is located in the north-central part of the country. 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 recognised official languages in India. With so many dialects and regional variations across the country, it’s thought that there is just a 36% chance that two random people crossing on 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) – 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 will 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.

How many people live in India?

India has only recently overtaken China to become the world’s most populous country – its population exceeds 1.4 billion people.