Travel India the Smart Way | A Free Travel Guide for Visitors
Welcome to Travel India Smart — a website I started as a hobby after retirement. It offers practical, experience-based guidance for planning a trip to India: visas, transport, major sights, hotels, shopping, sample itineraries, and the common pitfalls first-time visitors run into.
The site is completely free. No login, no subscription, no sales — just unbiased information to help you decide for yourself. If you spot a broken link or have feedback, email TravelIndiaSmart@Gmail.com.
V. K. Chand
Pick a topic to find guides, tips, and destination information.
Browse 15 topic areas covering travel across India.
Trip Planning
Visas, currency, SIM cards, customs, and pre-trip checklists for visitors to India.
ExploreItineraries
Sample 3-day, 7-day and 2-week itineraries for India — hill stations, North Indian classics, southern temple loops, and Himalayan road trips.
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.
ExploreHill Stations
Shimla, Manali, Ooty, Munnar, Darjeeling and more — India's classic mountain retreats, with how to reach, when to go, and what to see.
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 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
city guidesHow to choose a tour operator in India
How to pick a reliable Indian tour operator - IATO and Ministry of Tourism registration, what to ask before paying, group tours vs independent travel, and the trade-offs of each.
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.