Hampi, Karnataka, IndiaPhoto: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in India
India, made simple: palaces, sacred rivers, spice coasts and the Taj Mahal at dawn
India is the trip of a lifetime: Mughal monuments and street food in Delhi, the Taj Mahal at sunrise, the forts and desert cities of Rajasthan, the ghats of Varanasi, the backwaters of Kerala and the beaches of Goa. It can also feel overwhelming, with visas, trains, touts, crowds and money to figure out. This guide takes the guesswork out so you travel with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flye-Visas, seasons, health and money, answered
- LandingDelhi or Mumbai airport, SIM cards, ride apps and your first night, explained
- Your days in IndiaForts, temples, trains, backwaters and beaches, planned at a realistic pace
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain rupees, UPI, monument tickets, auto fares and tipping so costs never catch you off guard.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
India should feel like wonder, not worry. We answer the questions about visas, money, trains and safety before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Coming home to see family from London, Leicester, New Jersey, Toronto, Dubai or Sydney, or visiting India for the very first time? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your IndiaPalaces, spirituality, wildlife, beaches or food: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialse-Visa, travel advice, money and the right season, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for food, culture, nature and stays in each city.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to link Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan and the south without rushing.
Everything your India trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan, Varanasi, Kerala and Goa, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred restaurants, temples, markets, parks and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and more, and stays in every city.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic India trip
The Golden Triangle, then south or to the Ganges
Most first trips start with the Golden Triangle: two days in Delhi, a night in Agra for the Taj Mahal at sunrise, then Jaipur and onward into Rajasthan for Udaipur or Jodhpur. From there, fly to Varanasi for the ghats of the Ganges, or south to Kerala's backwaters and Goa's beaches to slow down. Two to three weeks shows you real variety without rushing.
- Old Delhi's lanes, Humayun's Tomb and a street food walk
- Sunrise at the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort
- Amber Fort in Jaipur and the lakes of Udaipur
- Evening aarti on the ghats of Varanasi or a houseboat in Kerala
Start with the destinations
See how Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan and the south fit together.
India destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
India rewards preparation: an e-Visa applied for on the official site, the cooler months from October to March, train tickets booked well ahead, a ride app on your phone and fewer places seen more slowly. Our free planner helps you shape it.
- Realistic train and flight times between cities
- The right season for each region
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in India
From the capital and the Taj Mahal to the desert forts of Rajasthan, the sacred river at Varanasi, the green backwaters of Kerala and the beaches of Goa.
National Capital Territory of Delhi
Delhi
Mughal monuments, Old Delhi bazaars, grand avenues and some of the best street food in Asia.
Read the guidePhoto: Slyronit, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Uttar Pradesh
Agra
The Taj Mahal at sunrise, a red sandstone Mughal fort and an abandoned royal city nearby.
Read the guidePhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Pink Jaipur, lakeside Udaipur, blue Jodhpur and the golden fort of Jaisalmer in the Thar Desert.
Read the guidePhoto: Tisha Mukherjee, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi
Sunrise boats on the Ganges, evening fire ceremonies and one of the oldest living cities on earth.
Read the guidePhoto: Marcin Białek, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kerala
Kerala
Houseboats on palm lined backwaters, misty tea hills, spice gardens and a relaxed tropical coast.
Read the guidePhoto: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves. Feel free to use my photos, but, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Goa
Goa
Palm fringed beaches, Portuguese era churches and Latin quarters, and fiery Goan seafood.
Read the guidePhoto: Rupeshsarkar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is India safe to visit?
Millions of visitors travel India without trouble every year. The main risks are road accidents, scams and touts around big sights, petty theft, stomach upsets and air pollution in northern winters. Women travellers should take extra care after dark. Some border areas carry warnings, so read your own government's travel advice before you go.
What is the capital of India?
New Delhi, part of the wider city of Delhi. Indira Gandhi International Airport is the busiest gateway, with Mumbai a close second.
Do I need a visa for India?
Most visitors do. Many nationalities can apply for an e-Visa online before travel, while others must apply through an Indian mission. Rules depend on your passport, so check the official Indian Visa Online site and only use that government site to apply.
What is the best time to visit India?
October to March is the most comfortable time for most of the country, from Rajasthan to Kerala and Goa. April to June is very hot on the plains, and the June to September monsoon brings heavy rain, though the Himalaya and Ladakh are at their best in summer.
How many days do I need in India?
Ten days covers the Golden Triangle and one more stop such as Udaipur or Varanasi. Two to three weeks lets you add the south, with Kerala and Goa, at a relaxed pace.
Can BlissPoint Travel book my trip?
We are a free travel guide, not a tour operator. Use our trip planner to shape your route, and our partner links to compare flights and stays.
Ready to find your Bliss in India?
Use the free trip planner to shape your days, or send us a question through the contact page.