India (IN)

Traditional taxis are being replaced by app-based services. Ola and Uber are the dominant rideshare apps and available in virtually all major and Tier-2 cities. Fares are metered via app and very affordable: Ola/Uber Mini ₹8–12/km; Ola/Uber Comfort ₹14–20/km. Auto-rickshaws (three-wheelers) are the workhorse of city travel: should be metered in Delhi and Bengaluru; negotiate in other cities. Ola/Uber Auto is the meter-guaranteed option. Prepaid taxi counters at major airports are reliable and safe — use these on arrival rather than negotiating with touts.

Ola (Indian company, dominant) and Uber both operate extensively in India. Both apps require Indian phone number or work with international numbers after initial verification. Payment: cash, UPI, card — all accepted in app. Ola offers Ola Mini, Prime, SUV, Auto, Kaali Peeli (Mumbai). Uber: Go, Premier, XL, Auto, Intercity. Rapido (bike taxis) is popular in Bengaluru, Hyderabad for fast short trips. Namma Yatri (open-source) popular in Bengaluru as driver-friendly alternative.

Cycling is challenging and potentially dangerous in most Indian cities due to high traffic, limited dedicated lanes, poor road conditions, and air pollution (especially Delhi). Growing cycling culture in cities like Bengaluru and Pune. Dedicated cycling tracks in some areas. Mumbai has coastal cycling paths. Use extreme caution if cycling in cities. Yulu (docked e-bikes) and Bounce (e-scooters) operate in Bengaluru as shared alternatives.

Indian Railways is the lifeline of intercity travel — the world's 4th largest railway network carrying 8 billion passengers per year. Key trains: Vande Bharat Express (semi-high speed, comfortable, 160 km/h), Rajdhani Express (overnight, AC), Shatabdi Express (day trains, major corridors), Duronto (non-stop overnight). Book on irctc.co.in (account required; Aadhaar or Indian phone helps but foreign cards work). Book 120 days in advance — popular trains sell out. Tatkal quota (emergency booking 1 day before) available at premium. Classes: Sleeper (cheapest, no AC), 3AC, 2AC, 1AC (most expensive). Second-class seat (2S/CC) for short day journeys. Train travel is safe, affordable, and an authentic Indian experience.

India drives on the LEFT (same as UK). Steering wheel on the right. Speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h on national highways, 120 km/h on expressways. Roads in major cities are congested and often chaotic — lane discipline is minimal. Honking is constant and culturally normal. Rural driving is easier but roads vary in quality. National Highways are improving dramatically (expressways, flyovers). International Driving Permit valid for 1 year from date of arrival. After 1 year, must convert to Indian driving licence at local RTO. FASTag (RFID toll tag) mandatory for all vehicles on national highways — available from banks and petrol stations. Traffic in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru is among Asia's worst — metro and Ola/Uber are strongly recommended for daily commuting.

Major international airports: Indira Gandhi International (Delhi, IGI) — world-class T3 terminal. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (Mumbai, BOM). Kempegowda International (Bengaluru, BLR) — excellent. Rajiv Gandhi International (Hyderabad, HYD). Chennai International (MAA). Pune International (PNQ). Delhi Metro Airport Express (Yellow Line from New Delhi station to T3): fastest airport link, 20 minutes, ₹60. Mumbai airport has local train access (Andheri station) and bus. Bengaluru: Kempegowda airport bus (KIAS/Airport Express) and Namma Metro extension. Pre-paid cabs available at all airports — safer than negotiating with touts.