India Travel Planning & Travel Tips

Americans living in or visiting India are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and obtain updated information on travel and security within India.

U.S. Embassy in New Delhi

Shantipath, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi – 110021
Tel: 011-91-11-2419-8000
U.S. Citizens with emergencies, please call +91-11-2419-8000
Outside of Office Hours, contact: +91-11-2419-8000
Outside of India: 011-91-11-2419-8000

U.S. Consulate General in Chennai

Gemini Circle
Chennai 600 006
Phone: 044-2857-4000

U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad

Paigah Palace
1-8-323, Chiran Fort Lane Begumpet
Secunderabad 500 003
India: 040-4625-8222; 0120-484-4644

U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata

38A, J.L.Nehru Road
Kolkata 700 071, West Bengal, India
Tel: 91-33-3984-6300

U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai

Information Officer: Heidi S Hattenbach
C-49, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex
Bandra East, Mumbai 400051
Phone: (91-22) 2672-4000

Climate:

For most of the country, November-March is (by far) the best time to visit. During those months, temperatures range from 40-60 F/5-15 C in the north to 65-85 F/19-30 C in the south. March-June is dry and exceedingly hot (85-110 F/30-44 C), and June-October is monsoon time (20-80 in/50-200 cm of rain will fall in one season). The best times to visit Darjeeling and other mountain areas are March, April, October and November. Obviously, India's less crowded with tourists during the off-seasons, but it can be so hot in the spring and summer that it's not possible to stay outdoors for long periods. During the rainy period, the monsoon washes away many roads in game parks and rural areas (southeastern India has a second rainy period during the cool season).

If you're going to India during spring or summer, you'll want to stick to the hill stations (60-70 F/ 15-21 C). During the winter, avoid Kashmir (30-45 F/0-7 C), unless you're going skiing, and Ladakh-one of the coldest inhabited regions on Earth.

Calling Internationally:

When calling India from the U.S., you must dial 011 + 91 + the Number.
When calling the U.S., you must dial 001 + the Number.

Electricity:

In the whole of India standard voltage of electric supply is 220 Volts

The electric current in Sri Lanka is 230-240V, 50 cycles, alternating current. Since voltage tends to fluctuate quite often in Sri Lanka, it is safer to bring a stabilizer if you are going to be using sensitive electronic equipment. Two and three pin round plugs are used widely. However adapters are readily available at electrical stores. In case you lose your adapter or forget to bring it, you could even have a local electrician attach a new plug.

Travel Insurance for India Trips:

You should consider the benefits of travel insurance as part of your India travel planning. Most travelers look for travel tips that discuss the importance of travel insurance and travel insurance through Travel Guard can provide important coverage for your trip.

Whether you're taking a family vacation or business trip, Travel Guard has a plan for your India trip. These plans may include valuable medical expense coverage, trip interruption, medical emergency assistance and treatment services and more. And with Travel Guard's 24-hour assistance line, your coverage can act as a travel guide should your plans change. *

For more than 20 years, Travel Guard's plans have covered millions of travelers throughout the world. We're America's leading provider of travel insurance plans and assistance programs and we're here to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Coverage provided through Travel Guard is easy to buy and with our 24-hour emergency travel services it's even easier to use.

*Non-insurance services provided by Travel Guard.