The practical details that don't make it into guidebook introductions are often the ones that matter most on the ground. Here is the unglamorous but genuinely useful stuff.
Electricity and Power Adapters
India uses 230V, 50Hz electricity — the same voltage as the UK, which means UK travellers need only a plug adapter (Type D — the three round-pin socket standard in India). UK appliances work without a voltage converter.
US and Canadian devices run on 110–120V. Most modern laptops, phone chargers, and camera chargers are dual-voltage (marked "100–240V, 50/60Hz" on the power brick) and need only a plug adapter. Hair dryers, electric shavers, and some personal grooming devices may be single-voltage — check before you pack, as plugging a 120V device into a 230V supply without a converter will damage or destroy it.
Type D adapters (three round pins arranged in a triangle, 5mm diameter) are the standard Indian socket. Some newer buildings and hotels also have Type C (the European two-pin) and occasionally Type G (UK standard) sockets. A compact multi-standard travel adapter covering Types C, D, and G covers all eventualities.
Power cuts (load shedding) occur in some areas, particularly in smaller towns and rural regions. Better hotels have inverters or generators. If you need to charge devices continuously for medical reasons, mention this when booking.
Weather: Planning by Season
India has three main seasons for travellers:
October–March (peak season / winter): The best time for most of India. Temperatures in the plains are 15–28°C, clear skies, low humidity. Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, and Goa are all excellent. The Himalayas at altitude are cold to freezing — pack layers.
April–June (pre-monsoon / summer): Extremely hot in the plains (38–47°C in Rajasthan and central India). Not recommended for first-time visitors to these regions. Excellent for hill stations — Shimla, Mussoorie, Ooty — where temperatures are cooler. Goa and Kerala are quieter and cheaper (post-season rates).
July–September (monsoon): The southwest monsoon arrives in Kerala around 1 June and sweeps across India by mid-July. Rajasthan and the north get less rain than the south and west. Lush green landscapes, empty tourist sites, low prices. Kerala, Goa, and the Western Ghats are spectacular in monsoon if you are prepared for the rain. Some Himalayan roads close due to landslides. The Northeast (Meghalaya, Assam) is particularly beautiful in early monsoon.
Time Zone and Jet Lag
India is UTC+5:30 (IST — Indian Standard Time). There is only one time zone for the entire country.
- From UK (GMT/BST): +5.5 hours in winter / +4.5 hours in summer
- From US East Coast (EST/EDT): +10.5 hours in winter / +9.5 hours in summer
- From US West Coast (PST/PDT): +13.5 hours in winter / +12.5 hours in summer
Managing the jet lag: The eastward journey from the US (or even from the UK) to India crosses a significant number of time zones. Strategies that help:
- Begin adjusting your sleep schedule 2–3 days before departure
- Stay awake through your first Indian evening if you arrive in the morning — a morning chai flight landing in Delhi is your friend if you push through until 10pm local time
- Get outside in natural light during the day on arrival — it is the most effective circadian clock reset
- Melatonin (0.5–1mg) taken at local bedtime for the first 2–3 nights is effective for many people
Weight and Baggage
Domestic Indian airlines are strict on baggage allowances — typically 15kg checked and 7kg cabin for budget airlines (IndiGo, SpiceJet). This catches many visitors off guard who arrive with heavy luggage designed for international travel. Either pack light (India's markets will supply anything you forget), pre-pay for extra baggage online at a significant discount, or build in a budget for overweight charges.
Hard-shell wheeled suitcases are less practical in India than in Western countries — cobblestones in Jaisalmer, narrow lanes in Varanasi, and steps in Ladakh guesthouses favour a soft-sided bag or backpack. A 40–50L travel backpack is the sweet spot.
Toiletries and Pharmacy
Indian pharmacies (chemists) are excellent, well-stocked, and cheap. Most Western brands are available in any city — moisturiser, sunscreen, headache tablets, rehydration salts, antihistamines, and broad-spectrum antibiotics are all accessible without a prescription (though this is changing for some medications in metro areas).
However, specific brands you rely on may not be available. SPF 50 sunscreen is harder to find outside major cities. Bring adequate supply of prescription medications with doctor's letters.
Tipping Etiquette in Brief
| Situation | Tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurant (no service charge) | 10% |
| Hotel porter | ₹50–100 per bag |
| Room service | ₹50–100 |
| Tour guide (full day) | ₹500–1000 |
| Driver (full day) | ₹300–500 |
| Rickshaw / taxi | Round up to nearest ₹10–50 |
| Spa / massage | 10–15% |