How to Get Around India

Trains

India's rail network is one of the largest and busiest in the world and it is the right way to travel here. Book ahead through the official IRCTC system for popular routes, and take a higher class for overnight journeys — the difference in sleep is worth more than the difference in fare.

Flights and cities

Domestic flights are increasingly affordable, with IndiGo, Air India and several budget carriers connecting every major city — necessary if you are crossing the country rather than exploring a region. Within cities, app-based rideshares (Ola, Uber) are widely available, and auto-rickshaws remain the cheap option for short distances; agree the fare or insist on the meter before setting off.

The device rule that gets people arrested

It is illegal to possess or operate satellite phones and GPS devices in India without a licence, even if you are only transiting through. The advisory says this may also cover other satellite-enabled devices including handheld or cycling GPS units, that you can be fined or arrested and the item confiscated, and that a number of British nationals have been arrested or detained for bringing such devices in without prior permission. A licence must be requested from the Indian Department of Telecommunication before travelling. This is the single most likely way for an outdoors-equipped visitor to get into serious trouble at an Indian airport.

Trekking

Travel in groups, use reputable local guides, stay on established routes and check whether you need a permit. Leave details of where you are going and when you expect to be back with your accommodation, and have them register your whereabouts on the online C-form — you are extremely unlikely to have a phone signal in the mountains. Hazards exist all year, especially above 3,000 metres, including altitude sickness and sudden weather changes.

The monsoon moves the roads

The monsoon usually runs June to October. Its rains cause flash flooding and landslides, often with limited warning and particularly in mountainous areas, cut off towns and villages, close roads, disrupt big cities, and interrupt telephone, internet and electricity. Tropical cyclones are a risk on the east coast from September to December. Plan around the season rather than through it, and check the Indian Meteorological Department.

Verified against UK Government (GOV.UK; FCDO travel advice abroad), September 2026.

Rail is the country's circulatory system

India's railway is one of the largest and busiest networks in the world and it goes where visitors want to go. Book through the official IRCTC system, well ahead for popular routes, and pay for a higher class on overnight journeys. The trains are also the single best way to see the country between the places, which is where most of it is.

Fly across, not around

IndiGo, Air India and several budget carriers connect every major city cheaply. The right use of them is crossing the subcontinent — Delhi to Kerala, say — rather than hopping between towns in one region, where the train is better and the airport transfers eat the time saved.

In cities

App-based rideshares are widely available in the cities and remove the fare negotiation. Auto-rickshaws are cheaper for short distances; agree the fare or insist on the meter first. The metros in Delhi and several other cities are fast, cheap and air-conditioned, which in May is not a small consideration.

Before you pack: satellite phones and GPS

It is illegal to possess or operate satellite phones and GPS devices in India without a licence, even if only transiting, and the advisory says this may also cover handheld or cycling GPS units. You can be fined or arrested and the device confiscated, and British nationals have been arrested or detained for exactly this. Request a licence from the Indian Department of Telecommunication in advance. If you are a cyclist, a hiker or a sailor, check your kit against this before you leave home rather than at the customs desk.

Trekking and the C-form

Travel in groups, use reputable local guides, stay on established routes, and check whether your route needs a special permit. Leave your plan and expected return time with your accommodation and have them register your whereabouts using the online C-form, because you are extremely unlikely to have phone signal in the mountains. Above 3,000 metres the hazards are year-round: altitude sickness and sudden weather changes including thunderstorms.

The monsoon is a transport fact

June to October. Flash flooding and landslides occur with limited warning, particularly in mountainous areas and sometimes with significant loss of life; towns get cut off, roads close, cities flood, and phone, internet and power services fail. Tropical cyclones threaten the east coast from September to December. Build slack into any monsoon-season itinerary and check the Indian Meteorological Department before moving.

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Sources & verification Covers the sourced claims on this page.

Checked against UK Government (GOV.UK; FCDO travel advice abroad) — It is illegal to possess and operate satellite phones and GPS devices in India without a licence, even if only transiting through India, and this may also cover other satellite-enabled devices including handheld or cycling GPS units; you can be fined or arrested for possession without permission and the item can be confiscated, and a number of British nationals have been arrested or detained for bringing satellite phones and satellite-enabled navigational devices into the country without prior permission, Trekkers in India should travel in groups, use reputable local guides and stay on established routes, check whether they need special permits, leave details of where they are going and when they expect to return with their accommodation, and have the accommodation provider register their whereabouts using the online C-form because a phone signal is extremely unlikely in the mountains; hazards exist throughout the year especially above 3,000 metres, including altitude sickness and sudden weather changes such as thunderstorms, The monsoon season in India usually runs from June to October and monsoon rains can cause flash flooding and landslides which often occur with limited warning, sometimes leading to significant loss of life and property particularly in mountainous areas, towns and villages to be cut off, road closures affecting transport links, disruption in big cities due to flooding, and disruption to telephone lines, internet services and electricity, Tropical cyclones are a risk in India, particularly on the east coast from September to December, It is illegal to possess and operate satellite phones and GPS devices in India without a licence even if only transiting, this may cover handheld or cycling GPS units, the item can be confiscated and you can be fined or arrested, and a licence must be requested from the Indian Department of Telecommunication, Trekkers in India should have their accommodation provider register their whereabouts using the online C-form because a phone signal is extremely unlikely in the mountains, and hazards exist year-round above 3,000 metres including altitude sickness and sudden weather changes, India can experience extreme weather events that threaten life and disrupt infrastructure including buildings, roads and communications, and travellers should plan around seasonal weather events such as monsoon rains, follow local authorities and their travel company, and check the Indian Meteorological Department for updates (September 2026).