India
Republic of India
Southern Asia · IND
Editorial Snapshot
Why Go To India
India is strongest for travelers who want cultural depth, huge regional variety, and trips that can shift from Mughal landmarks and temple cities to Himalayan foothills, tiger reserves, beaches, and food-led urban stops. It rewards focused regional itineraries more than trying to cover the whole country at once, whether that means the Golden Triangle and Rajasthan, Kerala and the south, or a north India route anchored by Delhi and Varanasi.
Popular For
Things To See
- Delhi
- Agra and the Taj Mahal
- Jaipur
- Varanasi
- Kerala backwaters
- Ranthambore National Park
Best Months
Know Before You Go
- First visits usually work best when built around one corridor or region rather than the whole country.
- November through February is the easiest broad window for classic north India trips, while the south, Himalayas, and monsoon season follow different weather rhythms.
- Advance booking helps for sleeper trains, sought-after heritage hotels, and safari permits in major parks.
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Flights
Hotels & Accommodations
Compare stays across major booking options
Open hotel and accommodation options for India.
Guidebooks
Lonely Planet India
Lonely Planet
Comprehensive country guide with coverage of major cities, temples, and all Indian regions.
View on Amazon →
DK Eyewitness India
DK Eyewitness
Visually rich guide with illustrated maps, 3D cutaways, and practical information for top sights.
View on Amazon →
India: A Journey for Food Lovers
Alan Benson et al.
Beautifully photographed guide to India's regional cuisines with authentic recipes.
View on Amazon →Tours & Activities
Country Data
Stats At A Glance
Practical travel, safety, climate, and quality-of-life stats for India.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- New Delhi
- Population
- 1,417,492,000
- Area
- 3,287,263 km²
- Region
- Southern Asia
Languages
- English
- Hindi
- Tamil
Currency
Indian rupee (₹)
INR
1 USD = 95.38 INR
Cost of Living (World Bank)
24.1
Price level index (US = 100)
- Groceries
- 21.6
- Restaurants
- 15.6
- Rent
- 4.3
Safety & Peace
higher score = safer everyday environment · derived from World Bank homicide data
lower score = more peaceful · 1.0–3.5 scale
Monthly Climate Averages
These weather averages are based on data for New Delhi (28.60°N, 77.20°E).
LGBTQ+ Friendly
29/100
Traveler LGBTQ score
- Legal protections
- 20/100
- Lived safety
- 46/100
This score blends legal protections with lived-safety context so strong laws alone do not automatically push a country to the top of the ranking.
- Homosexuality legal✅
- Relationship recognitionNone
- Adoption recognition❌
- Anti-discrimination laws❌
- Employment protections❌
- Legal gender recognition❌
- Conversion therapy ban❌
Human Development Index (UNDP)
0.685
Medium human development
- 5-year change
- +0.037
- 10-year change
- +0.070
- Trend
- improving
- Data year
- 2023
- Gender Dev. Index (GDI)
- 0.874
- Gender Inequality Index (GII)
- 0.403
- Planetary-adjusted HDI (PHDI)
- 0.656
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (44)
- 🏛️
Maratha Military Landscapes of India
Inscribed 2025
- 🏛️
Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty
Inscribed 2024
- 🏛️
Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas
Inscribed 2023
- 🏛️
Santiniketan
Inscribed 2023
- 🏛️
Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana
Inscribed 2021
- 🏛️
Dholavira: a Harappan City
Inscribed 2021
- 🏛️
Jaipur City, Rajasthan
Inscribed 2019
- 🏛️
Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai
Inscribed 2018
- 🏛️
Historic City of Ahmadabad
Inscribed 2017
- 🏛️
Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar
Inscribed 2016
- 🏛️
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement
Inscribed 2016
- 🌍
Khangchendzonga National Park
Inscribed 2016
- 🏛️
Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat
Inscribed 2014
- 🌿
Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area
Inscribed 2014
- 🏛️
Hill Forts of Rajasthan
Inscribed 2013
- 🌿
Western Ghats
Inscribed 2012
- 🏛️
The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
Inscribed 2010
- 🏛️
Red Fort Complex
Inscribed 2007
- 🏛️
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus)
Inscribed 2004
- 🏛️
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Inscribed 2004
- 🏛️
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka
Inscribed 2003
- 🏛️
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya
Inscribed 2002
- 🏛️
Mountain Railways of India
Inscribed 1999
- 🏛️
Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi
Inscribed 1993
- 🏛️
Humayun's Tomb, Delhi
Inscribed 1993
- 🏛️
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi
Inscribed 1989
- 🌿
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks
Inscribed 1988
- 🏛️
Great Living Chola Temples
Inscribed 1987
- 🏛️
Elephanta Caves
Inscribed 1987
- 🌿
Sundarbans National Park
Inscribed 1987
- 🏛️
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal
Inscribed 1987
- 🏛️
Group of Monuments at Hampi
Inscribed 1986
- 🏛️
Fatehpur Sikri
Inscribed 1986
- 🏛️
Khajuraho Group of Monuments
Inscribed 1986
- 🏛️
Churches and Convents of Goa
Inscribed 1986
- 🌿
Keoladeo National Park
Inscribed 1985
- 🌿
Kaziranga National Park
Inscribed 1985
- 🌿
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
Inscribed 1985
- 🏛️
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
Inscribed 1984
- 🏛️
Sun Temple, Konârak
Inscribed 1984
- 🏛️
Taj Mahal
Inscribed 1983
- 🏛️
Agra Fort
Inscribed 1983
- 🏛️
Ajanta Caves
Inscribed 1983
- 🏛️
Ellora Caves
Inscribed 1983
Natural Beauty (World Bank)
- Protected land area
- 7.7%
- Forest cover
- 24.5%
Source: World Bank.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
- Threatened mammal species (IUCN)
- 99
- Threatened bird species (IUCN)
- 92
Source: World Bank / IUCN Red List. Higher counts indicate richer biodiversity, typically in tropical rainforest, island, and savannah ecosystems.
Food & Cuisine
31/100
Food and dining score
Built from two layers: dining-scene breadth and open prestige signals. We combine restaurant density, cuisine diversity, distinguished restaurants, and gastronomy-city recognitions from open data sources.
Luxury Infrastructure
93/100
Luxury & premium accommodation score
Based on OpenStreetMap luxury hotel density and World Bank international tourism receipts.
US Travel Advisory
Reissued after periodic review with updates to entry/exit requirements. Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Country Summary: Violent crime and terrorism occur in India. Rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crimes, including sexual assault, happen at tourist sites and other locations. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target: tourist locations transportation hubs markets/shopping malls government facilities The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in rural areas. These areas stretch from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal. Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in India must obtain special authorization to travel to these areas. If you decide to travel to India: Do not bring a satellite phone or GPS device. Possessing a satellite phone or GPS device is illegal in India and may result in a penalty of $200,000 or jail time of up to three years. Do not travel alone, especially if you are a woman. Read travel tips at Women Travelers. Review your personal security plans and stay alert to your surroundings. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get alerts and make it easier for us to find you in an emergency. Review the India Country Security Report from the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel and return to the United States. We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage. Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir: Do not travel to this area (except for visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest. Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible. Violence happens sporadically in this area and is common along the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan. Violence also occurs in tourist spots in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam. The Indian government does not allow foreign tourists to visit certain areas along the LOC. Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas. India-Pakistan Border Do not travel to this area due to potential for armed conflict. India and Pakistan have a strong military presence on their respective sides of the border. The only official border crossing for non-citizens of India or Pakistan is in Punjab. It is between Attari, India, and Wagah, Pakistan. The border crossing is usually open. Check the status before you travel. To enter Pakistan, you need a Pakistani visa. Only U.S. citizens residing in India may apply for a Pakistani visa in India. Otherwise, apply for a Pakistani visa in your home country before traveling to India. Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas. Parts of Central and East India: Do not travel to this area due to terrorism. Maoist extremist groups, or “Naxalites,” are active in a large area of India that spans from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal. Attacks against officers of the Indian government continue to occur sporadically in the rural parts of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand that border with Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha. Southwest areas of Odisha are also affected. The Naxalites have carried out many terrorist attacks, targeting local police, paramilitary forces, and government officials. Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas. Due to the changing nature of the threat, U.S. government employees working in India are required to obtain permission prior to traveling to most areas in the states of: Bihar Jharkhand Chhattisgarh West Bengal Meghalaya Odisha Permission is not required if employees are traveling only to the capital cities of these states. U.S. government employees working in India also need approval to travel to the eastern region of Maharashtra and the eastern region of Madhya Pradesh. U.S. citizens are advised not to cross the India-Nepal border by land due to the risk for immigration related detention and fines. Violations of Indian immigration laws are taken very seriously. India may imprison, fine, or deny entry to travelers without valid documents or the correct type of visa. Electronic visas are not accepted for land border crossings into India. Even those with physical visas have faced issues, including detention and hefty court expenses, due to misunderstandings over permitted travel and durations of stay. If you choose to cross the India-Nepal land border, be advised to use caution and obey all immigration requirements. Manipur Do not travel to Manipur due to the threat of violence and crime. Ongoing ethnic-based conflict has resulted in reports of extensive violence and community displacement. Attacks against Indian government targets occur on a regular basis. U.S. government employees working in India require prior approval before visiting Manipur. Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas. Northeastern states Reconsider travel to this area due to terrorism and violence. Ethnic insurgent groups occasionally commit acts of violence in parts of the northeast. These incidents include bombings of buses, trains, rail lines, and markets. There have been no recent reports of violence in Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, or Tripura. U.S. government employees working in India require prior approval before visiting the states of Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as when visiting any areas outside of the capital cities of Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura. Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Read full advisory →Data current as of August 2026 and subject to change. Travel advisory information is sourced from the U.S. State Department and reflects conditions at the time of data collection, not real-time conditions. Do not rely solely on this information for travel decisions. Always check current government advisories for your nationality. Terms of Use · About our data