India travel guide for Australians

Yes, Australians need a visa for India. The simplest route for most tourists is the Indian e‑visa, applied for online through the official Indian government portal. Choose the tourist e‑visa that matches your trip length; the 30‑day double‑entry version suits a typical first visit. Apply well before departure, because processing can take a few working days and the system occasionally rejects applications that need correction.

If your trip is longer, or you need a different purpose of visit, check the full entry requirements before booking flights. The e‑visa is not valid for work, study or long stays; those need a different visa from an Indian mission.

Australians must hold a valid visa or e‑visa to enter India. The e‑visa covers tourism, business, medical treatment and conferences, and is applied for online. Carry a printed copy of the approved e‑visa and the passport you used in the application. Immigration officers may ask for your accommodation details and return ticket.

Passport validity rules are strict: your passport should be valid for at least six months from your date of arrival and have at least two blank pages. If you have previously been refused entry or have a criminal record, check with the Indian mission before applying. The e‑visa is non‑refundable and non‑transferable, so double‑check every detail before submitting.

The Australian High Commission in New Delhi is the main contact for consular help. There are also Australian consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Hyderabad. For passport emergencies, lost documents or serious problems, contact the High Commission first. The Australian government's smartraveller website has current advice and contact details.

For routine visa questions, use the Indian government's official visa portal rather than the embassy. The embassy cannot speed up an Indian visa application.

A typical two‑week trip to India for an Australian traveller costs roughly AUD 2,500–4,500 per person, depending on flights, accommodation standard and how much you move around. Flights from Sydney or Melbourne to Delhi or Mumbai are usually the biggest single cost, often AUD 900–1,500 return in low season and more in peak months. Within India, trains and buses are cheap; a sleeper train between major cities can cost under AUD 30, while a private car with driver for a day is around AUD 40–70.

Budget for entry fees at major monuments (the Taj Mahal is about AUD 20 for foreign visitors), meals from AUD 3 at a simple restaurant to AUD 20 at a mid‑range place, and a mid‑range hotel room from about AUD 40–80 a night. These are 2026 estimates; prices vary widely by city and season.

Direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Delhi take about 12–14 hours. Some flights go via Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or the Middle East, adding 2–5 hours. From Perth, a direct flight to Delhi is around 10–11 hours. From Brisbane or Adelaide, expect a connection. The main arrival airports are Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Bengaluru (BLR) and Chennai (MAA).

Book early for December–February, the peak tourist season, and for school holidays. Monsoon months (June–September) are cheaper but wetter, and some hill stations are harder to reach.

India uses 230 V, 50 Hz electricity, the same as Australia, so you do not need a voltage converter for most devices. The plug sockets are types C, D and M, which differ from Australia's type I. Carry a universal adapter. Power cuts are common in some areas, so a power bank and a torch are useful.

Tipping is expected for drivers, guides and hotel staff. In restaurants, 5–10% is standard if no service charge is added. For a day trip with a private driver, a tip of AUD 5–10 (₹300–600) is reasonable. Guides on a full day typically expect AUD 10–15. Keep small notes handy, because change is often hard to find.

The national emergency number in India is 112, which connects to police, fire and ambulance. For police specifically, 100 is also used in many states. Save the Australian High Commission's number in New Delhi as well. In remote areas, mobile coverage can be patchy, so download offline maps and let someone know your itinerary.