For your holidays in India and abroad

India is an excellent example of a multicultural society in today’s highly polarized world. It is home to over a billion people and one of the world’s most iconic monuments – the Taj Mahal. It’s the birthplace of yoga and four major religions - Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism, and a melting pot of cultures.

This, coupled with its strong heritage, rich history, diverse landscape, and excellent food, makes India rank high on the list of popular tourist destinations. The country attracts millions of tourists every year. If you plan to explore India on your next trip overseas, you may wonder if the country requires you to carry travel insurance.

Does India Require Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is not mandatory for foreigners visiting India. However, it is strongly recommended. The US Department of State lists India as a Level 2 Country, requiring travelers to Exercise Increased caution due to:
 

• Higher rates of terrorism and crime that pose increased safety and security risks
• Higher prevalence of scams
• Poor regulation of the tourism industry
• High rate of traffic accidents
• Zika virus
• Frequent outbreaks of H5N1 (avian influenza) virus in the eastern parts of the country
• A serious health concern of Tuberculosis
• High risk of rabies transmission because of higher populations of dogs and bats
• High air pollution that may pose health concerns to many tourists.

Considering that your local health or personal insurance may not cover your medical bills and losses in India, it’s only wise to get travel insurance when visiting India.
Planning an exciting trip? Get AXA Travel Insurance today and get peace of mind from unexpected and unforeseen events that could ruin the trip.
 

India Travel Insurance FAQs

What documents do I need to travel to India?

American citizens traveling to India require the following documents to obtain a visa:
 

• Passport with minimum six months validity and two blank pages
• If traveling from a yellow-fever-infected area, you must provide proof of vaccination

Does India require International Medical Coverage?

India does not require tourists to carry international medical coverage. However, it is strongly recommended due to higher health and safety risks.
 

What vaccinations are required to visit India?

Tourists must only show proof of yellow fever vaccination when coming from an infected area. However, the CDC suggests getting the following vaccinations at least a month before your trip to India for better safety:
 

• COVID-19 (if you haven’t received it already)
• Cholera
• Measles
• Malaria
• Rabies
• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A and B –recommended for unvaccinated travelers
• Japanese Encephalitis – Only if you plan to visit areas where the virus is present

What are the neighboring countries of India?

India’s neighboring countries with whom it also shares a land border include:

• Pakistan
• Afghanistan
• China
• Bangladesh
• Nepal
• Bhutan
• Myanmar

What is the best time of year to visit India?

India tends to get very hot in late spring, and many regions receive high rainfall during the summer and sometimes in fall, too. Therefore, the best time to visit India is from December to March.
 

What is the local currency of  India, and what is its exchange rate for USD?

The currency of India is the Indian Rupee (INR), and its current exchange rate for USD is 1 INR = 0.012 USD.
 

Are credit cards widely accepted in India? If yes, which ones?

Credit cards are widely accepted in most parts of India. Visa and MasterCard are the most common.
 

What local customs and cultural norms tourists visiting India should be aware of?

• Do not enter a temple or any other place of worship while wearing shoes. Always take them off at the entrance.
• Avoid wearing revealing clothes to places of worship.
• Avoid wearing revealing clothes in rural areas.
• Indians tend to be quite inquisitive, so don’t mind if someone asks you a personal question.
• Avoid public displays of affection. It’s considered inappropriate.
• Do not call elders by their names. Address them as uncle and aunty.
• Avoid physical touch with the opposite gender as much as possible