🇮🇳India
Travel Risk Intelligence · Updated regularly
India Digital Travel Guide
Navigate India's UPI-dominated payment ecosystem
Essential Apps for India
Google Pay (India)
payment
UPI payment app — requires Indian bank account. Tourists can observe but not use directly.
PhonePe
payment
Second largest UPI app. Same limitation for tourists — needs Indian bank account.
Paytm
payment
Wallet + UPI app with some tourist-friendly features. Paytm Wallet can be loaded at select locations.
Ola
transport
India's ride-hailing app. Works in all major cities. Cash payment option available.
IRCTC
transport
Official Indian Railways booking app. Foreign tourists need special registration process.
Uber India
transport
Available in major cities. Can use international account but payment options limited.
Zomato
food
Food delivery and restaurant discovery. Cash on delivery available.
Google Maps
navigation
Works well in India, better than alternatives for most navigation needs.
Payment in India
UPI Dominance
Tourist Payment Options
Cash Tips
Transport in India
Ride-Hailing
Ola and Uber are widely available in cities. Both require Indian phone numbers for OTP verification. Cash payment works on both. Auto-rickshaws can be booked through apps too. Always confirm the fare before starting for auto-rickshaws without apps.
Indian Railways
One of the world's largest rail networks. Book via IRCTC app/website. Foreign tourists can use the Foreign Tourist Quota at major stations. Tatkal (last-minute) tickets release at 10am one day before. Download train schedules offline.
Metro Systems
Delhi Metro, Mumbai Metro, Bangalore Metro, and others use contactless smart cards. Buy cards with cash at station counters. Delhi Metro: ₹150 deposit + credit.
Local Tips
Airport pre-paid taxi counters are safest for arrivals. Never take unmarked taxis. Google Maps works well for navigation. Download offline maps for areas with poor connectivity.
SIM Cards & Connectivity in India
SIM Card Registration
Indian SIM cards require passport + visa + passport-size photo. Process takes 30 min to 24 hours for activation. Available at airports (fastest) and carrier stores (Jio, Airtel, Vi). Airport SIM counters are best for tourists.
Carriers
Jio offers best coverage and cheapest data (₹239 for 28 days, 1.5GB/day). Airtel has best urban coverage and international customer support. Vi (Vodafone-Idea) is third option. All offer 4G/5G.
Why You Need a Local Number
OTP verification is required for almost everything: Ola/Uber, IRCTC, food delivery, hotel WiFi login, bank transactions. Without an Indian number, you're locked out of most digital services.
eSIM Option
Airtel supports eSIM for select phones. Process requires visiting an Airtel store with passport. International eSIMs (Airalo, Holafly) provide data but not an Indian phone number — so OTP services won't work.
Tickets & Bookings in India
Train Tickets
IRCTC is the only official platform. Foreign tourist registration requires passport number and a working email. Foreign Tourist Quota (FTQ) available at major stations — visit PRS counter with passport. Book 120 days in advance for popular routes.
Attractions
Many monuments and parks charge different prices for Indian nationals vs foreigners. Taj Mahal: ₹50 for Indians, ₹1,100 for foreigners. Book online where possible to skip queues. UNESCO sites often have separate foreign tourist counters.
Flights
Domestic flights are affordable (IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India). Book through airline websites — international cards accepted. MakeMyTrip and Goibibo accept international payment methods.
Common Digital Mistakes in India
Avoid these common pitfalls to save time and frustration.
Not Getting a Local SIM First
MediumWithout an Indian phone number, OTP verification blocks you from ride-hailing, train booking, food delivery, and most online services. Get a SIM at the airport before anything else.
Expecting International Cards to Work Everywhere
MediumVisa/Mastercard only work at large merchants. Street food, auto-rickshaws, small shops, and many restaurants are UPI/cash only.
Carrying Only Large Notes
Medium₹2,000 notes are hard to break at small shops. ATMs sometimes dispense only ₹500 or ₹2,000. Always ask for ₹100 and ₹500 notes.
Booking IRCTC Without Foreign Tourist Quota
MediumRegular tickets sell out fast. Foreign Tourist Quota reserves seats specifically for international travelers at major stations.
Relying on One Payment Method
MediumCard declined? No cash? UPI not available? Always have backup. Card + cash + backup card is the minimum.
Pre-Trip Checklist for India
Complete these before your trip.
India Digital Travel FAQ
Answers to the most common questions.
Recommended Tools
Travel Money Card
Spend abroad without hidden fees
Having a second payment method from a different provider is the most reliable way to avoid being stranded without money abroad.
- Real exchange rate, no markup
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- Instant card freeze if lost
May contain affiliate links.
May contain affiliate links.
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