🇮🇳 India
E-visa required, and the application is fussier than most.
India is one of Australia's largest outbound markets, driven heavily by visiting friends and relatives. Every Australian needs a visa in advance — the e-Visa is straightforward but unforgiving about photo formats and name spellings, so leave more time than you think you need.
Your India trip setup
21 things Australians need to sort. Tick them off as you go.
Entry requirements
E-Visa requiredUp to 30 days View detailsConnectivity
Compare 8 plansFrom $4.50 Compare eSIMsTravel insurance
Compare 5 policysFrom $22.80 Compare insuranceMoney & payments
Compare 5 cards0.43% – 0.65% conversion fee Compare cardsAirport transfer
DEL → DelhiFrom $1.50 Compare optionsDriving
IDP requiredDrives on the left Compare car hireTravel essentials
Adapter type C/D/MTap water: not safe to drink View guideThings to do
Compare 5 experiencesFrom $35 Explore activitiesIndia at a glance for Australians
Best time to visit
October – March
The monsoon runs roughly June – September; May is punishingly hot across the north.
12h 30m to Delhi from Sydney (direct)
Health & safety
Smartraveller: Exercise a high degree of caution
No reciprocal agreement. Private hospitals in major cities are good but require payment or an insurer guarantee upfront.
Emergency: 112
Money
Widely accepted in hotels, malls and chain restaurants. UPI dominates locally but generally isn't available to short-term visitors on foreign cards.
Widely available. Withdrawal limits are often low (₹10,000 per transaction) and each withdrawal attracts a fee.
Tipping: Expected in tourism. 10% in restaurants if no service charge, ₹50 – ₹100 per bag for porters, ₹500 – ₹1,000 per day for a driver or guide.
Language & culture
Hindi and English (both official)
English: Widely spoken, especially in cities and business
Capital: New Delhi
Australian dollar to Indian rupee
₹68.3 INR per AUD
Last recorded rate
These are mid-market rates — the rate banks trade at, published by the European Central Bank. It is not what you will be offered. Expect a card or exchange service to take 0.5% to 5% off it, which is exactly what our travel money comparison is for. Past movement doesn't predict future rates, and none of this is financial advice.
View the numbers as a table
Where Australians go in India
Delhi
Mumbai
Bengaluru
Jaipur
Goa
India FAQs for Australian travellers
Do Australians need a visa for India?
Yes. Every Australian needs a visa. The e-Tourist Visa is applied for online at indianvisaonline.gov.in and comes in 30-day (from USD $25), one-year (USD $40) and five-year (USD $80) versions.
How long does an Indian e-Visa take to approve?
Usually two to four days, but apply at least four days before you fly. You can't apply more than 30 days before travel for the short-stay visa.
Why do Indian e-Visa applications get rejected?
Almost always because of the photo or a name mismatch. The photo must be square with a plain white background, and your name must match your passport exactly, including middle names.
What power adapter do I need for India?
A universal adapter with round pins — India uses Type C, D and M. Australian plugs won't fit. A power bank is also worth packing given how common outages are outside major hotels.
Can I use my Australian phone plan in India?
You can roam, but it's expensive. Local Indian SIMs require in-person paperwork and ID verification, so an eSIM bought before you leave is by far the easiest option — Indian data is among the cheapest in the world.
Watching India?
We'll email you if the visa, arrival card or entry fee rules change for Australian passport holders travelling to India.