India Travel Guide for Americans

Buy a local SIM the moment you land; Jio (Reliance Jio) is the cheapest and fastest (4G is solid). Visit any Jio store or mobile shop in the airport terminal. Bring your passport, and they'll activate in 20 minutes. A 30-day plan costs 300-500 rupees (~$3.50-6) with 20-40GB data, unlimited calling to India and most countries. International roaming is possible but gouging (avoid). Jio and Vodafone are neck-and-neck for coverage; Jio slightly edges out in remote areas. eSIM options exist (Google Fi, Airalo) but require an eSIM-capable phone—local SIM is simpler. Top-up data anytime at any shop by buying a scratch-card or through the MyJio app. Keep your US phone on airplane mode to avoid surprise charges; use WhatsApp, not iMessage, for texting.

India is not a tipping culture in the Western sense. Restaurants: round up 5-10% for sit-down service, nothing for street food or casual counters (tipping isn't expected). Taxi/Ola drivers: no tip required, but 20-50 rupees (~25-65¢) is appreciated if they're helpful or drove well. Hotel staff: $1-2 per night for housekeeping if you stay 3+ nights, $1-3 for bellhops and concierge only if they go above and beyond. Tour guides: 300-500 rupees per day (~$3.50-6) if hired privately; included tours don't require tips. Street musicians, beggars: your choice; carry small coins (10-20 rupees). The key difference: tipping is never expected, only gracious. Many service workers earn fixed salaries, not commission-based income, so money goes directly to them without restaurant intermediaries. Don't feel obligated; tourists over-tip out of guilt and create inflation problems for locals.

India is safe for tourists if you're aware, not paranoid. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare; petty theft (bag snatching, pickpocketing) happens in dense markets and on night trains, so use common sense: keep valuables in a money belt, don't wear flashy jewelry, avoid empty train compartments. Women travelers: avoid solo late-night wandering; use registered taxis after dark, travel with others, dress modestly (not revealing shorts/sleeveless tops—it's cultural sensitivity, not safety, but still matters). Delhi has a reputation for being grittier than other cities; it's overstated but not baseless. Avoid political demonstrations and large crowds, especially during election season. Water safety: drink bottled water only (everywhere sells it for ~$0.25/liter), even in hotels. Street food is generally safe if busy (high turnover = fresh); avoid anything sitting in the sun. Petty scams exist: 'official' government tour guides are often unofficial, unlicensed taxis prey on arriving tourists, and jewelry shops offer 'unbelievable deals' that are fake. Use hotels for recommendations, book tours through reputable companies (ToursByLocals, Intrepid, G Adventures), and trust your gut. COVID-era: India has relaxed restrictions; check current vaccine requirements before departure, but standard tourism isn't restricted. Hospitals in major cities (Apollo, Max, Fortis) rival Western standards; travel insurance with medical evacuation is wise but not essential.