Travel India the Smart Way | A Free Travel Guide for Visitors
Welcome to Travel India Smart. This website is written for holiday and business visitors planning a trip to India, with practical information drawn from personal travel experience rather than commercial interests.
You will find guidance on arranging visas, getting around by train, visiting the Taj Mahal and other famous sites, shopping safely, choosing hotels, and avoiding the common pitfalls that catch first-time visitors.
This website is completely free of charge. No login or subscription is required, and we sell no travel services — the aim is unbiased information so you can make your own choices.
V. K. Chand
Pick a topic to find guides, tips, and destination information.
Browse 13 topic areas covering travel across India.
Trip Planning
Visas, currency, SIM cards, customs, and pre-trip checklists for visitors to India.
ExploreTrain Travel
Indian Railways explained — classes, online booking from abroad, etiquette, and tips.
ExploreCity Guides
Essentials for Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai and more.
ExploreAgra & Taj Mahal
Tickets, timings, photography rules, and day-trip logistics for the Taj Mahal.
ExploreKerala
Backwater cruises, Munnar hill stations, beaches, and Ayurvedic retreats.
ExploreGoa
Beaches by region, best seasons, food, nightlife, and getting around Goa.
ExploreLeh & Ladakh
Permits, altitude preparation, monasteries, and Himalayan road trips.
ExploreWildlife & Parks
Ranthambhore, Corbett, Periyar, Kaziranga — safari planning and national parks.
ExploreReligious & Pilgrimage
Temples, churches, mosques, gurdwaras — dress codes, etiquette, and pilgrim routes.
ExploreCaves & Heritage
Ajanta, Ellora, Khajuraho, forts, and UNESCO World Heritage sites across India.
ExploreShopping
Pashmina, saffron, gold, textiles — how to spot authentic goods and avoid scams.
ExploreHotels & Stays
Unbiased hotel reviews, retiring rooms, and booking strategies for visitors.
ExploreMedical Tourism
Medical and dental tourism in India — what visitors should know before treatment.
ExploreUnbiased Hotel Reviews
Hotels we have actually stayed in across India
Personal, first-hand reviews from Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Kerala, Jaisalmer, Srinagar and more. No commercial affiliations — just what we found when we walked in the door.
Latest Updates
Agra popular tourist attractions
Agra India travel guide. Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri - what to see, how to get there from Delhi, ticket prices, timings and practical tips for a one- or two-day visit.
11 min read · Updated Apr 24, 2026
agra tajTime and Entrance Fee for Taj Mahal
Timings and Ticket Prices for Visiting the Taj Mahal in the day time and night time. Information on Taj Mahal Agra India. Entrance prices for Agra monuments . . .
3 min read · Updated Apr 17, 2026
caves heritageAjanta and Ellora Caves - a visitor's guide
Visiting the Ajanta and Ellora rock-cut caves near Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) - what to see, cave-by-cave highlights, timings, ticket prices, how to get there from Mumbai or Delhi.
8 min read · Updated Apr 24, 2026
city guidesMatheran Hill Station - A Touring Guide
Matheran touring guide for visitors - how to reach Matheran from Mumbai and Pune, the toy train, the no-vehicles rule, ponies and porters, viewpoints, and what to expect when you arrive.
7 min read · Updated Apr 25, 2026
city guidesHow to Use Uber and Ola in India - A Foreign Tourist's Guide
Practical guide to using Uber and Ola in India - signing up with a foreign number, paying with a foreign credit card, the airport pickup quirks, vehicle types, the CNG-tank luggage problem, and the safety basics.
7 min read · Updated Apr 25, 2026
city guidesDelhi tourist guide
Visitor's guide to Delhi - what to see, when to visit, how to get around, and practical information on entry fees and timings for the city's major attractions.
8 min read · Updated Apr 24, 2026
Start here
Planning your first visit to India?
Our Trip Planning section walks you through visas, currency, SIM cards, airport arrival, and the practical basics every first-time visitor needs to know.