Key takeaways
India has among the most ambitious 5G rollouts in the world, led by Jio and Airtel, with 5G now available in thousands of cities and towns. Coverage in cities is excellent, but rural highlands, small villages and remote trekking routes can be completely offline. A Roamix India eSIM activates on arrival in Delhi or Mumbai and sidesteps the complex local SIM registration requirement for foreign visitors. Budget 8 to 15 GB for a two-week trip.
- Jio leads on nationwide 5G coverage with service in over 7,800 towns. Airtel leads on 5G experience quality in urban areas.
- A Roamix eSIM avoids the complex KYC registration process required to purchase a local Indian SIM as a foreigner.
- UPI digital payments are near-universal but often require an Indian bank account. Keep cash for smaller transactions.
- Most nationalities need an Indian e-visa applied for online before arrival, not on arrival.
- Budget 8 to 15 GB for two weeks, more if you are crossing between very different regions by train or road.
Best way to get data in India
For most international travellers, a Roamix eSIM is the simplest and most practical connectivity option in India, avoiding the documentation-heavy local SIM registration process entirely.
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Roamix eSIMRecommended | Best for: Most foreign travellers | The most practical option because it requires no documentation or local registration, activates on landing and works on local Jio or Airtel networks. |
| Local Indian SIM | Best for: Long stays with an Indian contact address | Very cheap data but requires substantial KYC documentation including passport, visa and a local address proof. Foreign nationals often find the process difficult. |
| Pocket wifi | Best for: Groups sharing one connection | Subject to the same registration requirements as a local SIM and adds another device to manage. |
| Carrier roaming | Best for: Very short layovers | Expensive and often limited to 4G on home carrier agreements, without the 5G speeds available on a Roamix local plan. |
Hotel wifi quality varies enormously across India. Upscale hotels in Delhi and Mumbai offer fast connections. Mid-range guesthouses and railway hotels have slow or unreliable wifi. Do not rely on wifi for booking or navigation.
How much data you need
India trips demand steady data for navigation in complex cities, train booking on the move, WhatsApp coordination with drivers and guides, and translation apps in regions where English is limited.
5 to 8 GB
One week in Delhi and Agra
Metro routing, Uber, Google Maps, WhatsApp with drivers and daily social sharing.
8 to 15 GB
Two-week Golden Triangle and Rajasthan tour
Heavy navigation across multiple cities, train bookings, WhatsApp with tour operators and photo uploads.
15 to 20 GB
Multi-week cross-country journey
Long train journeys, regional navigation, video calls and streaming during travel hours.
Data per hour, by activity
- Maps and navigation
- 5 MB
- Social media and browsing
- 100 to 150 MB
- WhatsApp messaging and calls
- 50 to 300 MB per hour for calls
- Music and podcast streaming
- 70 MB
- Video calls
- 500 MB to 1.5 GB
Register an IRCTC account and learn the train booking flow before you arrive. Booking popular trains requires speed at 10 AM on the reservation opening day, so a fast and reliable eSIM connection matters.
How to set up a India eSIM
A Roamix India eSIM installs over wifi before departure and activates on arrival at Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore or any major Indian airport, with no documentation or registration required.
- 1
Buy your plan on the Roamix India eSIM page before your trip.
- 2
Install the eSIM over wifi by scanning the QR code.
- 3
Label it Roamix and keep your home SIM for calls and SMS.
- 4
Enable data roaming on the Roamix line only.
- 5
Land in India and the eSIM connects to Jio or Airtel automatically. Open Uber or Ola immediately.
Works on eSIM capable phones including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy models. The phone must be carrier unlocked.
Roamix configures the APN automatically on most devices. If data does not start, apply the APN from your order and toggle airplane mode off and on.
If no data on arrival, confirm data roaming is enabled for the Roamix line. Try selecting the network manually in settings and restart the phone.
Visa and entry for India
Most nationalities require an Indian e-visa applied for online before arrival. India does not generally offer visa on arrival at the airport. The e-Tourist visa is available to nationals of over 160 countries and is processed online through the Indian government's e-Visa portal.
- eVisa or ETA
- Apply for an Indian e-Tourist visa at the official Indian government e-Visa portal at least 4 days before arrival. The visa is valid for 30 or 365 days from issue, with single, double or multiple entry options available.
- Passport validity
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival and have at least two blank pages.
- Onward ticket
- Proof of onward or return travel and hotel booking details are required when applying for the e-visa and may be checked at immigration.
Keep a screenshot of your e-visa approval and hotel booking on your Roamix-connected phone, as immigration in India sometimes requests printed copies. Having access to your email on arrival helps if any documentation is needed.
Indian visa rules change frequently. Always apply through the official Indian government e-Visa portal and confirm requirements before booking.
When you land in India
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How people message here
WhatsApp is the near-universal communication channel for both personal and business use in India, used by hotels, drivers, tour guides and restaurants. SMS is widely used for OTP verification.
Do you need a local number?
You do not need an Indian SIM number for most travel purposes. A Roamix data line covers WhatsApp messaging and calls, and most bookings can be made with your existing international number.
Register your IRCTC Rail Connect account well before you travel, as the verification process can take time and requires an active phone number and email.
Airports in India
DEL
Indira Gandhi International Airport
New Delhi
Free wifi available across Terminal 1, 2 and 3, though it requires a mobile number for OTP verification, which your Roamix-connected phone can receive.
Terminal 3 at DEL is one of the largest airport buildings in the world. Install your Roamix eSIM before departure so it connects on landing at T3. The Delhi Metro Airport Express runs directly from T3 to New Delhi station and is the fastest way into the city. Have your fare card or contactless payment ready.
BOM
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
Mumbai
Free GMR Group wifi throughout Terminal 2, Mumbai's international terminal featuring 7,000 pieces of Indian art inside.
Terminal 2 has a 45-minute taxi queue at peak hours. Pre-book an Ola cab using Roamix data in the baggage claim zone to skip the walk-up queue. Mumbai's expressway to the city centre can take 30 minutes to 90 minutes depending on traffic, and live traffic data on Roamix is genuinely useful here.
MAA
Chennai International Airport
Chennai
Free wifi available. The new integrated terminal opened in 2024 and is modern and well-equipped.
Chennai is the gateway for Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and temple circuit travel across South India. Roamix data means your first Tamil Nadu navigation, from the airport to the Marina Beach strip or to the long-distance train station for Madurai, is seamless from landing.
BLR
Kempegowda International Airport
Bengaluru
Free wifi available throughout Terminal 1 and the new Terminal 2 (opened 2023). T2 is architecturally distinctive, inspired by the forest city character of Bengaluru.
Bengaluru is India's tech capital and a gateway for Hampi, Mysuru and Coorg. Ola and Uber both operate strongly from BLR. Roamix data means your hotel confirmation, WhatsApp call to your contact and navigation to Indiranagar or Koramangala are all ready before you hit the taxi rank.
Apps and internet access in India
India has an open internet for mainstream apps, though the government does periodically restrict access in specific regions during civil unrest. Every common travel app works normally on a Roamix India eSIM.
Mainstream social media, messaging and search apps are unrestricted nationally. Some apps may be blocked in specific states or during political events (notably Jammu and Kashmir has seen internet shutdowns), but these do not affect most tourist itineraries.
WhatsApp, works
Fully available nationwide and the dominant messaging app for communication with hotels, drivers and tour operators.
Google Maps, works
Essential for navigation and works normally on a Roamix eSIM.
Uber and Ola, works
Both operate widely in Indian cities. Ola is the domestic alternative to Uber and is often better for local routes.
IRCTC Rail Connect, works
Essential for booking Indian Railways tickets. Download and register before you arrive to book train seats.
Getting around India
India's transport options are as diverse as the country itself, from the world's largest rail network to Mumbai's local trains, Delhi's metro and Ola-powered city rides across every major city.
Indian Railways
The backbone of long-distance travel, connecting every corner of the country. Book tickets on the IRCTC Rail Connect app, which requires an active data connection and an account registered before travel.
Metro systems
Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai all have modern metro networks. Use Google Maps or a city-specific transit app for routing, and a contactless card or QR ticket for payment.
Uber and Ola
Available in all major Indian cities and most tourist towns. Both require an active data connection. Ola often has better local coverage and availability outside metro areas.
Domestic flights
The practical way to cross the subcontinent between regions. A Roamix eSIM manages mobile boarding passes, live departure info and rebooking when schedules change.
For inter-city travel, book trains on IRCTC well in advance. For cities, Uber and Ola are reliable and cheap. Auto-rickshaws are a quintessential Indian transport experience but agree the price before getting in or insist on the meter.
Money and payments in India
India operates as a two-tier payment system. UPI apps like Google Pay and PhonePe are near-universal among locals but require an Indian bank account. Foreign visitors rely on cash and international cards.
- Cards and cash
- International credit and debit cards are accepted at upscale hotels, major restaurant chains and large shops, but cash is essential for street food, rickshaws, local markets, temples and small towns.
- ATMs
- ATMs are common in cities but can run out of cash and be unreliable in rural areas. Withdraw enough cash before heading to smaller towns or trekking areas. Choose to be charged in INR.
- Payment apps
- Google Pay and PhonePe are dominant but tied to Indian bank accounts. Some merchant QR codes can be paid via international Visa or Mastercard through foreign apps. A connected Roamix eSIM keeps your banking app working for tracking and ATM location.
- Tipping
- Tipping is appreciated but informal. Round up taxi fares, tip 50 to 100 INR for good restaurant service not included in the bill, and more for multi-day guides and drivers who have looked after you well.
Daily budget
Budget travellers spend 1,500 to 3,000 INR a day. Mid-range travellers spend 5,000 to 15,000 INR. Luxury hotels in Delhi and Mumbai are expensive by Indian standards but cheap by global ones.
Local tips for India
- Language
- Hindi is the most widely spoken language nationally, but English is the common language for tourism, transport and business. In southern states, Tamil, Kannada and Telugu are dominant. A connected translation app helps significantly outside major cities.
- Food
- Indian food varies enormously by region. Delhi street food like chaat and parathas, Rajasthani dal baati churma, Goan fish curry, Keralan sadya on banana leaf and South Indian dosas are all genuinely different cuisines. Eating well and affordably is one of India's greatest pleasures.
- Plugs
- 230V, Type C, D and M plugs
Apps worth having
IRCTC Rail Connect
transit
The only official platform for booking Indian Railways tickets. Essential for any journey involving trains, and worth registering before you arrive.
Ola
rideshare
India's domestic rideshare app with wider availability than Uber in smaller cities and better local driver coverage.
Google Pay
payments
While primarily for Indian bank accounts, the app shows merchant QR codes and can facilitate some international card payments at larger establishments.
Safety and health in India
India is generally safe for tourists in the main travel corridors, but petty theft, tuk-tuk scams and occasional reports of drink spiking in tourist areas require normal vigilance. Check government travel advisories for specific states before visiting border regions.
- Stay reachable
- Keep your Roamix eSIM active to check real-time safety advisories, share your live location with contacts when travelling alone by overnight train, and use Uber or Ola rather than unmarked taxis in unfamiliar cities.
- Health
- Food and water safety are the main health concerns for visitors. Traveller's diarrhoea is common. Use bottled or filtered water exclusively, and be selective about street food in the early days of your trip while your system adjusts.
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water anywhere in India. Bottled water is cheap and available everywhere. Be cautious with ice outside upscale restaurants.
Networks and coverage in India
India's 5G rollout has been one of the fastest in history, with Jio and Airtel both covering the majority of the population with 5G service by 2025. Coverage in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad is excellent, with 5G in all major transit hubs. A Roamix India eSIM connects you on arrival without the passport-based KYC registration that local SIMs require from foreign nationals.
Reliance Jio
The largest operator by subscribers, leading in 5G coverage breadth, availability and rural reach. Uses a standalone 5G architecture on 700 MHz for wide coverage and 3.5 GHz for urban capacity. 5G in over 7,800 towns.
Airtel
Leads for 5G experience quality, upload speed and network consistency in cities. Strong urban 5G in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. 5G in over 6,500 towns using a non-standalone architecture.
Vi (Vodafone Idea)
Expanding 5G from an initial launch in Mumbai, Delhi and select cities. Competitive in metros but still scaling compared to Jio and Airtel. Good value for city-focused stays.
- Typical speeds
- Expect 30 to 100 Mbps on 4G in urban areas and 200 to 450 Mbps on urban 5G. Jio leads with median all-technology speeds around 107 Mbps.
- 5G
- Jio has 5G standalone coverage in over 7,800 towns with 5G availability over 70%. Airtel covers 6,500 towns with strong urban performance. Vi is expanding 5G from an initial metro-focused rollout.
One of the biggest practical benefits of a Roamix eSIM in India is bypassing the local SIM registration process. Foreign nationals require substantial documentation including passport, visa and a local contact address to buy a physical Indian SIM. A Roamix eSIM requires none of this.
Rural India, highland areas of the Himalayas, parts of Rajasthan's desert interior and northeast India can have patchy or no signal on any network. Download offline maps and entertainment before long train journeys through remote areas. Indian networks use commonly supported LTE and 5G bands. Jio's 700 MHz low-band spectrum gives it excellent indoor and rural penetration on compatible devices.
Where to go in India
India is one of the most rewarding and complex travel destinations in the world. Navigating between its ancient temples, Himalayan foothills, Rajasthan fortresses, Kerala backwaters and Goan beaches requires careful planning and a reliable data connection for maps, train tickets and local communication at every step.
Best time to visit
October to March is the best window for most of northern and central India, with cool and dry conditions. Goa and the south are best from November to February. The Himalayas and Ladakh are accessible only from June to September.
Golden Triangle and Rajasthan
Delhi, Agra and Jaipur form the classic tourist circuit, with the Taj Mahal, Red Fort and palace forts set in a landscape of chai stalls and chaotic energy. Rajasthan extends west to the desert city of Jaisalmer, the blue city of Jodhpur, and the lake city of Udaipur, with rajput forts and painted havelis among the most ornate architecture in the world.
- Taj Mahal, Agra
- Amber Fort, Jaipur
- Old Delhi lanes and Red Fort
- Jaisalmer Fort (living fort)
- Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
Excellent 4G and 5G in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. The Yamuna Expressway between Delhi and Agra has continuous Jio 4G. The Jaipur to Udaipur NH48 has continuous Jio 4G. The road between Jaisalmer and the Sam Sand Dunes has intermittent coverage. Download offline maps before leaving Jaisalmer.
South India
Tamil Nadu's ancient Dravidian temples, Kerala's backwaters navigated by rice barges (kettuvallam), Munnar tea gardens, the former French colony of Pondicherry, and Karnataka's tech city Bangalore form a very different India from the north. The ancient spice trade port of Kochi and the classical Kathakali dance tradition are highlights of a remarkably rich southern circuit.
- Kerala Backwaters, Alappuzha
- Hampi ruins, Karnataka
- Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
- Pondicherry French Quarter
- Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Strong 4G and 5G in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai and all major southern cities. Houseboat routes on the Kerala backwaters have patchy coverage in narrow channels, so download offline maps for boat journeys. Pondicherry and the French Quarter have full Jio 4G and 5G.
Himalayan North
Ladakh, Manali, Darjeeling and Rishikesh attract trekkers, spiritual seekers and adventure travellers to one of the world's most dramatic landscapes. The Spiti Valley with its Buddhist monasteries, Pangong Lake at 4,350 metres and the Leh to Manali highway crossing five high-altitude passes are among the most extraordinary journeys on earth.
- Pangong Lake, Ladakh
- Rishikesh yoga ashrams
- Darjeeling tea estates
- Key Monastery, Spiti Valley
- Rohtang Pass, Himachal Pradesh
Signal in towns and at major trekking bases including Leh and Manali. High altitude routes, Rohtang La, Baralacha La and Tanglang La passes have no coverage on any network. BSNL sometimes works where Jio and Airtel do not in border regions. Download offline Himalayan maps in Manali or Leh before heading higher.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and the Gangetic Plain
Varanasi is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, the holiest city in Hinduism, and the setting for dawn boat rides on the Ganges past burning ghats and bathing pilgrims. The Dashashwamedh Ghat at sunrise, the Ganga Aarti ceremony, and the Buddhist site of Sarnath nearby make this one of the most profound cultural experiences in India. Khajuraho's erotic temple sculptures and Orchha Fort are within reach by rail.
- Dashashwamedh Ghat at dawn
- Ganga Aarti ceremony, Varanasi
- Sarnath Buddhist site
- Khajuraho Temple Complex
- Orchha Fort complex
Jio 4G and growing 5G in Varanasi. The main ghats from Assi Ghat to Manikarnika have reliable coverage. The narrow lanes of the old city can reduce signal but remain usable. Khajuraho and Orchha towns have Jio 4G.
Gujarat and Central India
Gujarat is home to the Rann of Kutch, the vast white salt desert that transforms into a moonlit festival landscape each winter during Rann Utsav, and to Ahmedabad, India's first UNESCO World Heritage City. Central India's Madhya Pradesh holds Orchha, Khajuraho and the tiger reserves of Kanha and Bandhavgarh. Ranthambore in Rajasthan is the most reliably productive tiger-viewing park in India.
- Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
- Ranthambore National Park
- Ahmedabad old city (UNESCO)
- Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
- Pushkar Camel Fair site, Rajasthan
Jio 4G in Ahmedabad and major Gujarat cities. The approach road to Rann of Kutch through the salt flats has intermittent coverage. Ranthambore's Sawai Madhopur gateway town has Jio 4G. Inside the park, signal is intermittent as safaris move through forest zones. Download offline maps before entering.
Off the beaten path
One of the world's most spectacular road journeys, crossing high-altitude passes to reach the moonscape valleys and Buddhist monasteries of Ladakh.
Signal: Signal in Leh town on Jio and Airtel. The Manali-Leh highway has long stretches with no coverage. BSNL may have signal where private operators do not in some border areas.
One of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, where Hindu cremation ceremonies on the ghats and the morning Ganga aarti ritual are among India's most powerful experiences.
Signal: Good 4G coverage along the Ganges ghats and in the old city. Signal may drop in the narrow back lanes of the old city between the ghats.
The ruined capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, set among enormous granite boulders. 500 monuments spread across an otherworldly lunar landscape, among the most atmospheric archaeological sites in India.
Signal: Jio 4G in Hampi village and at the Virupaksha Temple. The archaeological park ruins between the main areas have intermittent 3G. Download offline maps of the Hampi complex before cycling the site.
The most extraordinary medieval erotic sculpture in the world, carved in sandstone on temples built by the Chandela dynasty from 950 to 1050 AD. The Western Group of temples at sunrise with the Vindhya hills in the background is profoundly beautiful.
Signal: Jio 4G in Khajuraho town and at the temple complex. The archaeological park has usable coverage throughout the Western Group of temples.
A sacred Hindu pilgrimage town around a holy lake, with 52 ghats, over 400 temples, and the only Brahma temple in India. The Pushkar Camel Fair in November draws 50,000 camels and is one of the world's great spectacles.
Signal: Jio 4G in Pushkar town and along the main bazaar. The ghats around Pushkar Lake have usable coverage.
A 134-km long glacial lake at 4,350 metres, with water that shifts from turquoise to deep blue to green through the day. The eastern part extends into China. The setting for the final scene of the film 3 Idiots, making it a pilgrimage destination for Indian travellers.
Signal: Jio 4G in the Lukung and Spangmik villages on the Pangong shoreline. Signal drops between Leh and the lake on the Chang La pass at 5,360 metres. Download offline maps in Leh before the 4-hour drive.
A former French colony with a perfectly preserved colonial quarter of painted townhouses, French cafes and tree-lined boulevards that feel nothing like the rest of South India. The Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the intentional community of Auroville 10 km north attract spiritual seekers from around the world.
Signal: Jio 4G and 5G in Pondicherry and the French Quarter. The Sri Aurobindo Ashram beach areas have full coverage.
India's coffee country, with 100,000 hectares of arabica and robusta plantations in the Western Ghats. Misty mornings, waterfall hikes and homestays in coffee estate bungalows are the draw. Some of India's finest honey and estate coffee comes from Coorg.
Signal: Jio 4G in Madikeri town and at most coffee estate resorts. Remote trekking routes to Tadiandamol peak can lose signal above the forest line.
The least visited major heritage site in North India relative to its significance. The Orchha Fort complex, with its Mughal-Rajput palace architecture and frescoed interiors, rivals anything in Rajasthan but with almost no crowds. The cenotaphs on the Betwa River are magnificent at sunset.
Signal: Jio 4G in Orchha town and at the main cenotaphs and palace complex.
India's most reliably productive tiger-viewing park, with tigers frequently seen in the open around the 10th-century Ranthambore Fort ruins in Zone 3 and Zone 4. One of the last places on earth where tigers are regularly photographed in a Mughal fort setting.
Signal: Jio 4G in Sawai Madhopur town, the gateway. Inside the park on safari, signal is intermittent as the jeep moves through forest zones. Download offline park maps in town before the safari.
Events and seasons in India
March (full moon of Phalgun, March 4, 2026)
Holi Festival of Colours
Mathura, Vrindavan, Jaipur and nationwide
India's most exuberant festival, with coloured powder (gulal) and water thrown in streets and courtyards across the country to mark the arrival of spring. Mathura and Vrindavan are the spiritual centres, with flower Holi at Banke Bihari Temple being the most beautiful. Jaipur's Holi in front of the City Palace is the most organised for visitors.
July (date varies by Tibetan calendar)
Hemis Festival
Hemis Monastery, Ladakh
The largest Buddhist festival in Ladakh, celebrating the birth of Padmasambhava with two days of Cham masked dances by monks at Hemis Monastery, 40 km from Leh. An extraordinary visual and spiritual experience in one of the world's most dramatic landscapes.
July (July 4, 2026)
Rath Yatra
Puri, Odisha
The chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, when enormous wooden chariots carrying the deities are pulled through Puri's main street by hundreds of thousands of devotees. One of the oldest and most intense Hindu rituals, celebrated for over 2,000 years. The word juggernaut derives from these chariots.
August to September (Thiruvonam falls September 5, 2026)
Onam
Kerala (statewide)
Kerala's most important harvest festival, a ten-day celebration with snake boat races (Vallamkali) at Alappuzha and Punnamada Lake, flower carpet (pookalam) designs, and the Onam Sadya feast of 26 dishes served on a banana leaf.
October or November (new moon of Kartik, November 8, 2026)
Diwali Festival of Lights
Varanasi, Jaipur, Delhi and nationwide
The most important Hindu festival, celebrated with oil lamps lining every home, fireworks, sweets and the illumination of temples and monuments. Varanasi's Diwali, when thousands of diyas float on the Ganges, is the most spiritually intense celebration in India.
October (October 12 to 21, 2026)
Navratri and Dussehra
Mysuru, Delhi, Kolkata and Gujarat
Nine nights of goddess worship culminating in Dussehra on the tenth day (Vijaya Dashami, October 21, 2026). Mysuru's Dasara is the most spectacular, with the Mysuru Palace lit by 100,000 bulbs and the procession of Chamundeshwari on a gilded elephant. In Bengal, Durga Puja is an immersive five-day community art festival.
October (October 21, 2026)
Dussehra Ram Leela
Ramlila Maidan, Delhi
The climax of Ram Leela performances across Delhi, when effigies of Ravana up to 80 metres tall are burned in spectacular displays across dozens of grounds. Subhash Park near Old Delhi and the Ramlila grounds near Red Fort are the most atmospheric locations.
November (November 16 to 24, 2026 approx)
Pushkar Camel Fair
Pushkar, Rajasthan
One of the world's most photographed festivals. Thousands of camels, horses and cattle are traded, raced and decorated over eight days on the Pushkar dunes, alongside folk music, acrobatics and the nightly Deepdan ceremony at the holy lake.
December to February (three-month festival)
Rann Utsav
Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
The White Desert festival, when the vast salt marsh of the Rann of Kutch floods white under moonlight and a Gujarat Tourism tent city transforms the edge of the desert into a festival of Gujarati folk music, craft and food across three months.
Varies by cycle (Nashik 2027 is the next major event)
Kumbh Mela
Prayagraj, Nashik, Haridwar or Ujjain (rotates)
The world's largest human gathering, with up to 50 million pilgrims at peak events. The Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj every 12 years and the Ardh Kumbh every six years attract hundreds of millions over 45 days. Prayagraj 2025 drew over 600 million total visitors.
Through the year
- Spring
- March brings Holi and rising temperatures. April is the last comfortable month before the heat arrives in the north.
- Summer
- April to June is brutally hot in the north, with temperatures above 45 degrees in Rajasthan and the plains. The Himalayas and Ladakh open up from June. This is not the best window for most tourist circuits.
- Fall
- September to November marks the return of cool, clear weather after the monsoon. Diwali falls in this window and the countryside is green and lush after the rains.
- Winter
- December to February is the peak tourist season for northern India, with mild days and cool nights. Goa and South India are at their best. The Himalayas are snow-covered and most passes are closed.
Working remotely from India
Bangalore, Hyderabad and Pune have strong coworking scenes and fast internet. Goa and Rishikesh attract a growing remote work community with coworking cafes and reliable wifi. Delhi and Mumbai have abundant coworking spaces but are busier and more expensive.
- Connection
- Urban 5G on a Roamix eSIM handles video calls and large uploads. A plan of 15 GB or more is comfortable for a working week with daily calls alongside sightseeing.
Bangalore's Indiranagar and Koramangala neighbourhoods have the highest density of reliable coworking cafes and spaces in India.
