India family-friendly travel guide

Climate plays a key factor in deciding when to visit India. You should keep in mind that climate conditions in the far north are distinctly different to those of the extreme south.

Generally speaking, India’s climate is defined by three seasons – the hot, the wet (monsoon) and the cool, each of which can vary in duration from north to south. The most pleasant time to visit most of the country is during the cooler period of November to around mid-February, although there are marked regional variations.

If you’re in India during the (hot) summer and (wet, humid) monsoon, cool relief can be found in the northern Himalayan region – consider pursuing The Great Himalayan Circuit. Apart from the weather, the timing of certain festivals or special events may also influence when you wish to visit.

Summer months are between June and August, with an average temperature of 31 degrees Celsius and average monthly rainfall of 142 millimetres.

Autumn months are between September and November, with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and average monthly rainfall of 43 millimetres.

Winter months are between December and February, with an average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and average monthly rainfall of 17 millimetres.

Spring months are between March and May, with an average temperature of 28 degrees Celsius and average monthly rainfall of 11 millimetres.

You need a valid passport that will be valid for at least six months after the date you intend to return to Australia.

You need a visa for India and it must be arranged prior to arrival. You can apply for an e-Visa online. The e-Visa is for Australians travelling for tourism, business or medical-related travel for up to 60 days. You can get double entry for a tourist or business e-Visa. However, you may only use an e-Visa a maximum of twice in a calendar year.

You will need your e-Visa at least four days before arriving in India. Carry a printed email confirmation of the e-Visa (also known as an electronic travel authorisation or ETA). The formal visa will be affixed to your passport when you arrive at the airport in India. Be aware that only 24 designated airports in India will accept an e-Visa, so make sure you are arriving at one of these airports.

Beware of fake websites when applying for your e-Visa.

Visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html for more information.

Air travel in India has grown at a phenomenal rate, more than tripling from 6% to 20% per annum in less than a decade. The increased traffic at the country’s airports has required massive upgrade works to be undertaken, with the significant input of private sector companies.

Indira Gandhi International Airport was leased to a private operator in 2006, and is going through a major upgrade. The construction of new terminal T3 has vastly changed the airport’s functionality, bringing international and domestic flights (except for stand-alone low cost carriers) together under the one roof.

The terminal is said to be the sixth largest in the world, and has doubled the airport’s capacity thus making it the busiest in India. The airport now has the capacity to handle over 40 million passengers a year.

Travel time to the city is 30 to 45 minutes, during normal traffic. The road to the airport becomes very congested during peak hours.

While there are buses in New Delhi, you’re better off getting a train or taxi because the buses tend to be uncomfortably overcrowded and often not air-conditioned. 

The metro system is much newer than the bus system and so trains are much nicer to travel on and are the preferred method of public transport for some.

Taxis are, of course, the easiest way to get around. However, they can be expensive. If you choose to get a taxi, you can either pay with a metre or by negotiating a price. If negotiating, work out the price before the trip begins.

Auto-rickshaws are another option that are a bit similar to taxis. However, this is a cheaper option. Again, these vehicles can be paid for through a metre or negotiation. In this case, insist on using a metre.

Indian food is world-renowned for its tantalising flavours, spiciness and enormous variety. Curries are created from the subtle and delicate blending of spices such as cumin, turmeric, cardamom, ginger, coriander, nutmeg and poppy seed although these vary from region to region and every spice has medicinal properties and use.

Vegetable dishes are more common than in Europe, particularly in the fruity, coconuts dishes of southern India, while northern India has an entirely different but equally satisfying cuisine to sample. Breads like paranthas, chapatis, naans and rotis are also part of the main diet in several states like Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Achars (pickles), relishes and chutneys again vary by region and add more resonance to amazing meals.

Sweets or mithai too have regional specialities. They tend to be milk based and some are syrupy and fried. Well-known northern sweets are gulab jamun, jalebi (it’s worth watching how these syprup-based confections are made in the street), kulfi, kheer, halwa and laddu. From the east are rasgulla and rasmalai. The south has several burfi and halwa-type desserts like coconut burfi and badam halwa made from almonds.

While care should be taken in where one eats, exceptional food can be had in the most humble surroundings such as food at ashrams as can be found in five-star restaurants. Non-vegetarians will find fabulously spiced mutton dishes according to regional specialities including fish dishes typical to coastal areas.

Chai (tea) is India’s favourite drink. It will often come ready-brewed with milk, sugar and other spices, usually at minimum, cardamom and ginger, unless ‘tray tea’ or ‘separate tea’ is specified.

Coffee has long been popular in the south. South Indian coffee made and poured in a particular fashion is a speciality. Nowadays most large cities and towns have cafés serving cappuccinos, lattes, espressos and more.

Nimbu Pani (lemon water) served sweet or sweet and salted.

Lassi (iced yogurt/buttermilk beverage) also flavoured with fruits like mango or banana or sweet and salty.

Indian beer (in many varieties, with Kingfisher the most popular brand).

India is a shopper’s paradise. You’ll find everything from clothes to ceramics, metal work to musical instruments. The only problem is how to get all your purchases back home!

Tipping is not a large part of Indian culture but is often appreciated. Tips are known as ‘baksheesh’.

In a restaurant, add a 5-10% tip. If the meal is cheap, add closer to 10%. If the meal is more expensive, add closer to 5%. If there is a service charge, you do not need to tip.

You can tip in multiples of INR 10 notes. If you carry some of these in your pocket, you can save yourself from having to show everyone your wallet every time you tip someone.

For a trip to or from the airport, tip about INR 50.

For a tour guide, tip about INR 300.

For a hotel porter, tip about INR 20 per bag.

In India, clothing can be a bit difficult. You will want clothes that are light because of the heat, but modest enough that you are dressed conservatively for visiting sacred sites and so that you are protected from sunburn. In particular, avoid wearing shorts. Loose pants tend to be the best option.

Cows are sacred to Hindus, so many Hindus do not eat beef.

Hinduism teaches yoga and meditation, so avoid showing anger.

Food is often served on a tray known as a ‘thali’. Use a spoon for communal dishes and avoid using your left hand. ‘Curry’ is a European term, not an Indian term.

To greet someone, say ‘Namaste’, put your hands together and bow slightly. This is less expected in urban areas. Because of India’s caste system, greetings can be a bit complex. Greet elders or superiors first. Men shake hands but men do not shake hands with women and women rarely shake hands with each other.

A western hand wave can mean ‘no’ or ‘go away’. Likewise, pointing is considered rude.

Feet and left hands are considered unclean. Do not touch or give something with your left hand and don’t touch someone’s feet or shoes or touch someone with your feet or shoes. Remove shoes when entering a home.

Electricity mainly operates on 220 volts, the same as Australia. India uses power socket types C, D and M.

You may need vaccinations before travelling to India. Consult your GP to find out which vaccinations to have. Influenza is common in India in winter. Malaria is also a risk, as well as other mosquito-borne diseases.

HIV/AIDS is widespread in India.

Boil drinking water or drink bottled water with intact seals. Avoid uncooked food.

Monsoon rains in summer can lead to flooding or landslides. Cyclones are also common in coastal areas. Earthquakes are common in north-eastern India and can cause landslides. There is also a risk of tsunamis.

Hello – namaste
Goodbye – namaste
Thank you – dhanyavad
How are you? – kya haal hai? (informal), aap kaise hain? (formal)
I’m fine thanks – main theek hoon dhanyavad
What’s your name? – tumhara naam kya hai?
My name is…  – mera naam… hai
I don’t understand – mujhe samajh mein nahin aata
How much is this? – ye kitne ka hai?

Unsurprisingly, the most photographed place in India is the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Head north to Ladakh for photos of Buddhist monasteries, Pangong Lake and snow leopards in Hemis National Park.

The Rajasthan region is a very popular area for photos. Not only does it include the popular cities of Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ranthambore and Jaipur, but it also has desert landscapes that will make an unusual photo.

Varanasi is another popular photo city. Being one of the oldest and most holy cities in the country, this is a great place to take photos of the people and the culture. Given the holiness of this city, not everything is allowed to be photographed, so make sure you are respectful of the culture and only take photos where you are allowed to.