Pratical information

What We Wish We Had Known on Our First Trip

A trip to India will not leave you indifferent. This country fascinates you, challenges you and constantly surprises you.

It is a never-ending cultural shock, a parallel universe where rationality seems to have been left at the door and where paradoxes are everywhere. India is a constant challenge to logic. India is simply inexplicable…

 

That is why Suryatrips created a private car rental service with a driver in South India.

We chose to work without intermediaries, on a human scale and with a fair approach for everyone involved. All our drivers speak English, and their sole objective is to make your trip an unforgettable experience.

 

Fanny looks after our European clients, while Vishnu takes care of the logistics in India. A team built around communication, respect and kindness.

 

Here is a practical summary of information that will help you organise your trip.

 

Practical Tips for Travelling in South India

Preparing a trip to South India is about more than simply choosing your itinerary. A few simple precautions regarding health, payments, phones, local customs and the weather will help you travel with greater peace of mind and make the most of your stay.

Health and Vaccinations for a Trip to India

As with any trip abroad, we recommend taking out travel insurance covering medical expenses, accidents and repatriation.

Common medicines are generally easy to find in India. There is therefore no need to overload your luggage, although it is advisable to bring your usual personal medication with you.

Do You Need Vaccinations to Travel to India?

No vaccinations are generally required to enter India from France. However, before travelling, we recommend checking that your routine vaccinations are up to date.

Depending on your itinerary, the length of your stay and your travel conditions, your doctor or a travel health clinic can advise you in particular about:

• Typhoid fever
• Hepatitis A and B
• Polio
• Tetanus
• Diphtheria
• Malaria

Malaria and Mosquitoes in South India

The risk of malaria varies depending on the region and time of year. The decision whether or not to take preventive malaria medication should therefore be based on your destination and personal circumstances.

In all cases, remember to bring effective mosquito repellent and, if necessary, a mosquito net. Ask your doctor for advice before travelling.

Water and Hygiene During Your Stay

Prefer bottled mineral water, particularly for drinking and brushing your teeth. As a precaution, also avoid ice cubes when you do not know the source of the water used.

It can also happen that hot water is not available in some accommodation, particularly during hot periods. In South India, this is generally not a major inconvenience given the outdoor temperatures.

Money and Payment Methods in India

The Indian rupee (INR) is the currency used in India.

International Visa and Mastercard cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and tourist establishments. American Express may also be accepted in some places, although acceptance is less widespread.

ATMs are widely available in cities and major tourist destinations.

Upon arrival, your bank card can be used to make an initial cash withdrawal. However, withdrawal limits depend on both your bank and the ATM. It is therefore advisable to check these conditions before travelling.

Should You Bring Euros to India?

It is useful to have some cash with you when you arrive. You can, for example, bring euros in cash and ask your driver to accompany you to a reliable currency exchange office in town.

Before travelling, remember to contact your bank to check:

• that your card is authorised for use abroad;
• that international withdrawals are enabled;
• what fees apply to withdrawals and payments in India;
• your withdrawal and payment limits.

Phone and Internet in India

To stay connected easily during your trip to South India, the most practical solution is generally to use an Indian SIM card or an eSIM compatible with your phone.

We can also provide you with an Indian SIM card upon arrival. It can be handed to you by your driver and returned at the end of your stay.

With a suitable Internet plan, you will be able to easily use WhatsApp, Google Maps, booking applications and messaging services throughout your trip.

A Few Tips for Behaving Respectfully in India

India has cultural codes that may differ from those we are used to. A few simple rules will help you respect local customs and make interactions with local people easier.

Respecting Local Customs

• Avoid openly displaying valuable belongings.
• Keep an eye on your luggage, particularly in crowded places.
• In temples, certain monuments and some private homes, remove your shoes before entering.
• Opt for relatively modest clothing, particularly in religious places: avoid very short shorts, uncovered shoulders and overly tight clothing.
• When greeting someone, a simple “Namaste” is perfectly appropriate.
• Always ask permission before photographing someone.
• When you are invited into someone's home, let your host look after you. Trying to help systematically can sometimes make them feel uncomfortable.
• When using public transport, do not be surprised by differences in social customs: Western-style chivalry is not always practised in the same way.
• Traditionally, the left hand is considered impure. Avoid eating with your left hand or using it to give something to someone.

Tipping in India

Tipping is appreciated when the service has been satisfactory. For a private driver, around €5 to €8 per day is a common guideline, although this should of course be adjusted according to the quality of the service and the length of the trip.

The Famous Indian “Yes”

One cultural peculiarity can sometimes surprise travellers: the head movement used by Indians to express agreement may differ from the gestures we are familiar with.

At the beginning of your stay, this can lead to a few amusing misunderstandings! So do not hesitate to verbally confirm important information, particularly regarding schedules and appointments.

What Is the Best Time to Visit South India?

South India can be visited all year round, but the period generally considered the most pleasant for travelling is from September to the end of April.

September to April: The Ideal Period

This period generally offers favourable conditions for discovering Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with more pleasant temperatures and conditions well suited to sightseeing and travelling between different destinations.

May: High Temperatures

In May, temperatures can be high, with maximum temperatures reaching 30 to 40°C, particularly in certain regions.

If you cope well with the heat, this period can nevertheless be considered, provided you adapt the pace of your sightseeing and the timing of excursions.

June to August: The Monsoon

From June to August, the monsoon affects South India. This does not necessarily mean that it rains all day.

Rain often comes in the form of short, heavy showers, interspersed with drier periods. Temperatures are generally more comfortable and Kerala's landscapes become particularly lush and green.

Travelling during the monsoon can therefore be a very enjoyable experience for those who want to discover a more authentic, lush and less crowded side of South India.

Travelling Safely and Comfortably in South India

With a few simple precautions and good preparation, a trip to South India is an accessible and particularly rewarding experience.

Whether you wish to discover Kerala, Tamil Nadu or Karnataka, travelling with a private driver also allows you to enjoy your trip at your own pace, without having to deal with driving, route planning or transportation between the different stages of your journey.

 

India Visa 2026: Tourist e-Visa, Application Process and Entry Requirements

Are you planning a trip to India and wondering how to obtain your visa?

 

For International travellers, the simplest procedure is generally the Indian tourist e-Visa, which allows you to complete the application entirely online before departure.

Passport, photograph, application form, e-Arrival Card, health declaration… several formalities need to be completed before your arrival.

Here is the essential information you need to know to prepare for your trip to India with peace of mind.

Do You Need a Visa to Travel to India?

Yes. Foreign travellers must have a valid travel authorisation or visa to enter India.

For a tourist stay, there are two main options:

• a traditional visa, affixed directly to your passport;
• an e-Visa, applied for online and particularly convenient for tourist travel.

For the vast majority of travellers arriving in India by air, the e-Visa is the simplest option.

What Documents Do You Need to Apply for an Indian e-Visa?

Before starting your application, carefully prepare the required documents and information.

A Valid Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of arrival in India.

It must also contain enough blank pages, including three available pages, with two of them facing each other.

We recommend checking these requirements before booking your trip to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

A Recent Photograph

The e-Visa application requires a recent digital photograph.

It should be:

• clear and properly lit;
• recent;
• taken facing the camera;
• taken against a light or neutral background;
• in a square format.

A photograph taken with a smartphone may be suitable if it meets the required criteria.

To easily crop a photograph into a square format, you can use the free Canva photo cropping tool.

Please note: a standard French identity photograph in rectangular format may not necessarily meet the requirements for an Indian e-Visa.

Information About Your Stay

The application form asks for various personal and travel-related details.

You will need to provide your address in India as well as the contact details of someone in the country — this can be your first hotel. Take the time to carefully check all the information before submitting your application.

e-Visa or Traditional Visa: Which One Should You Choose?

The Indian e-Visa

The e-Visa is now the preferred option for many tourists.

The application is made directly online through the official Indian government portal.

Once your application has been approved, you will receive your ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) by email.

We recommend printing it — by returning to the application and selecting “Check Your Visa Status” — and keeping it with your passport throughout your trip.

Different Validity Periods

For tourism, several options are available:

• 30-day e-Visa
• One-year e-Visa
• Five-year e-Visa

Your choice will mainly depend on the length of your stay and whether you plan to return to India in the future.

The Traditional Visa

There is also a traditional visa affixed directly to your passport.

 

 

For a standard tourist trip by air, the e-Visa generally remains the most convenient option.

Which e-Visa Should You Choose Depending on the Length of Your Stay?

For a Trip of Up to 30 Days

If you are travelling to India for a tourist stay of 30 days or less, the 30-day tourist e-Visa is generally sufficient.

The application can be submitted several weeks before departure. Since December 2025, applications can be submitted up to 120 days before the planned arrival date.

For a Longer Stay or Multiple Trips

If you plan to stay longer in India or visit the country several times, the one-year or five-year e-Visas may be more suitable.

However, please note that the visa's validity period does not correspond to the maximum length of an individual stay.

With these visas, each tourist stay is generally limited to 90 days.

The total number of days spent in India for tourism under an e-Visa is also subject to an annual limit.

Can an e-Visa Be Extended Once You Are in India?

As a general rule, a tourist e-Visa cannot be extended directly from within India.

If you wish to stay longer than the authorised period, you will generally need to leave India and obtain a new valid authorisation before returning.

Exceptional situations may nevertheless be subject to a specific decision by the Indian authorities.

This may apply in certain circumstances beyond the traveller's control, such as a serious medical problem, a natural disaster, a major disruption to transportation or other exceptional circumstances.

In such situations, you should contact the FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office). Applications can be made through the official FRRO portal.

Where Can You Enter India with an e-Visa?

The e-Visa is accepted at a large number of international Indian airports, including:

Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi (Cochin), Thiruvananthapuram, Calicut, Kannur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, Madurai, Mangalore, Kolkata, Jaipur and Varanasi, as well as several other airports.

It is also accepted at certain seaports, including Cochin, Chennai, Goa, Mangalore, Mumbai and Port Blair.

Be Careful with Land Borders

An e-Visa does not allow you to cross all of India's land borders freely.

If your trip involves entering or leaving India by land, be sure to check that the relevant border crossing accepts your type of visa.

What Formalities Must Be Completed Before Arriving in India?

Obtaining your visa is not the only procedure you need to complete.

The Indian authorities have also introduced additional electronic formalities.

The e-Arrival Card

Since 1 October 2025, foreign travellers must complete an e-Arrival Card before arriving in India.

This declaration is used to provide information about the traveller, passport, flight and place of stay.

It is available through the official portal. e-Arrival Card – portail officiel indien

It can also be completed using the official Indian Visa Su-Swagatam mobile application.

Important: the e-Arrival Card does not replace the visa in any way. It is an additional formality that complements the documents required to enter India.

The Air Suvidha Declaration

An online health declaration may also be required from travellers depending on the health regulations in force at the time of travel.

When applicable, the procedure is completed through the official portal. Air Suvidha – portail officiel

As health requirements can change rapidly, we recommend checking the applicable requirements a few days before departure.

How Much Does an Indian e-Visa Cost?

Fees vary depending on the validity period of the visa requested.

As an indication, the tourist fees mentioned are:

 

Type of e-Visa	Consular fee
30 days	USD 25
1 year	USD 40
5 years	USD 60

 

Payment is made online when submitting the application.

Please note: service or transaction fees may be added to the consular fee displayed.

When Will You Receive Your Indian e-Visa?

After completing the application form and making the payment, your application is reviewed by the Indian authorities.

Once the visa has been approved, the ETA is sent by email.

The stated processing time may be around 24 to 48 hours, but we strongly advise against waiting until the last minute to submit your application.

Our Advice: Apply in Advance

Even when the stated processing time is short, it is better to submit your application well in advance.

 

Before travelling, check:

✓ the validity of your passport;
✓ the information shown on your e-Visa;
✓ your printed ETA;
✓ your e-Arrival Card;
✓ any health formalities currently in force;
✓ the entry requirements corresponding to your itinerary.

Travelling in India with a Private Driver

If you are planning a trip to Kerala, Tamil Nadu or South India, the e-Visa can considerably simplify the formalities before departure.

 

Once you arrive in India, travelling by car with an English-speaking private driver allows you to discover the country at your own pace, without having to manage transportation between the different destinations.

 

At Suryatrips, we organise private-driver tours in Kerala and South India, focusing on personalised itineraries and authentic experiences.

 

Important: visa and entry requirements can change. Before travelling, always check the latest information published by the Indian authorities.