India Visa, SIM Card, UPI & Transportation: First-Day Survival Guide

Arriving in India for the first time can feel overwhelming. Between navigating immigration, figuring out a local SIM, understanding digital payments, and deciding how to get around, there is a lot to sort out before you even reach your hotel. This guide breaks it all down so your first day in India goes smoothly.

Getting Your Visa Right

Most foreign nationals need a visa to enter India. The good news is that citizens of over 150 countries are eligible for an e-Visa, which you can apply for entirely online before your trip.

There are three types of e-visas: e-Tourist Visa (30 days, 1 year, or 5 years valid based on the nationality), e-Business Visa, and e-Medical Visa. The e-tourist visa is suitable for most travellers.

How to apply:

Visit the Indian government e-Visa website, indianvisaonline.gov.in, and enter your information and travel dates and upload a scanned version of your bio page from your passport and a photo. Online payment of visa fee. The processing time is usually 72 hours, but it is best to apply 4-7 days before travel. If the visa is accepted, you will be sent a message confirming your visa. Make a copy of this and bring it along with you when you arrive; immigration officers might ask for it.

Before you apply: Your passport must have a minimum validity of six months after your travel date, and the name on your ticket should be the same as that on your passport.

In case your country is not eligible for an e-Visa or in case you wish to extend your stay beyond the duration of the e-Visa, you must submit an application to the Indian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Please note that processing times may differ and applications are best made well ahead of time.

Once you reach the airport, head to the e-Visa immigration counter (which is located apart from the regular immigration counter), have your biometrics taken, and pick up your passport stamp. Your e-visa is electronically attached to your passport, but with the printed version, it will get you things done quicker.

Getting a Local SIM Card

India has great mobile network coverage, and after landing, you should get a local SIM card. It provides you with access to cost-effective calls, SMS, and high-speed mobile data, which you'll need for maps, ride-hailing apps, and UPI payments.

Foreign SIM cards can be used in India but at very high roaming charges. A local prepaid SIM is much more convenient and cheap.

Major telecom companies include Airtel, Jio, and Vi (Vodafone Idea). Of these, Airtel and Jio are having the maximum 4G and 5G network coverage in cities, highways, and tourist locations.

Where to buy a SIM:

The purchase of a SIM can be made at the airport. Airtel and Jio counters are available in most of the major international airports in India, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai, in the arrivals hall. This is the easiest to do. Alternatively, you can purchase from any City Telecom shop or its authorised retailer.

Documents required: your original passport, a copy of your passport bio page and visa, and a recent passport-size photograph. Some counters also ask for your local address in India (your hotel address works fine).

Note to foreign nationals: Foreign passports may take a few hours to up to 24 hours to be activated because they are required to be verified. Some airports have instant activation. Check with the cashiers before you buy.

The suggested plans are Airtel and Jio tourist plans, which are available from around Rs. 300 to Rs. Typically, 500 includes 1 to 2 GB per day of data transfer for 28 days and unlimited calling. Most travel requirements can be met with these plans.

After you get the SIM activated, install Google Maps, a bank or payment app, and a ride-hailing app (such as Ola or Uber) if you use UPI.

Understanding UPI and Digital Payments

India stands amongst the most mature digital payment systems in the world. Instant money transfer between bank accounts is now possible with UPI (Unified Payments Interface) with the help of a mobile number or a unique UPI ID. Digital payments are the norm for pretty much everything in most Indian cities, whether for street food, auto-rickshaws, hotel bookings, or shopping.

Can foreign travellers use UPI?

Currently, foreign nationals visiting India can use UPI services with a few foreign apps. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has now made UPI available for travellers from various countries such as the US, UK, UAE, Canada, Singapore, Australia, and more.

To use UPI as a foreigner:

You will need an Indian mobile number; hence, it is crucial to get a local SIM card first. If you have an international payment application, connect it or have an Indian bank account. Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm are the most popular apps in India. Some of these offer international card linking under certain conditions; please refer to the latest eligibility on the app before you travel.

If UPI is not available for you, other payment methods work well:

Most of the hotels and hospitality outlets, including larger restaurants, shopping malls, and petrol stations, accept credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard). For smaller shops, local markets, auto-rickshaws, and in rural areas, cash is still necessary in Indian rupees (INR). ATMs are commonly found at airports, malls, and nearly all areas in the city.

Note: Keep some cash from the airport. Being in the airport does not mean that you can't find the best exchange rates at the airport, but it would certainly be better to have Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000 in hand as you leave the front door, including auto fare, a quick bite to eat, or any other little emergency until you locate a better exchange counter in the city.

Getting Around on Your First Day

Indian travellers often get the most confused when it involves transporting. Here's a handy list of what you have to choose from.

Airport to City

There is a facility of prepaid taxis at all major airports in India. Inside the arrivals hall, find the official taxi counter, use a fixed fare, take a receipt, and go to the taxi area. The best and most clear choice for new arrivals.

Ola and Uber have been found in most of the airports in India and are generally less expensive than prepaid taxis. It is booked in the app, paid digitally and in cash, and a confirmed fare is received before departure. Please keep your phone connected (via airport Wi-Fi or a new SIM) to use them.

Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Chennai are some of the key airports offering metro rail service. It is quick, cheap, and easy. For instance, Delhi Airport Express Metro is available at the airport, which runs to the central area of the city in around 20 minutes.

Getting Around the City

A wide variety of autorickshaws can be seen in the Indian cities, and they are perfect for short-distance rides. In most cities, now standard, or at least app-booked or auto services are available, and you can avoid disputes on fares by always opting for meters or app-booking services.

Both Ola and Uber are dependable and convenient for international tourists, as they handle the payment and directions. Rapido is a sought-after 2-wheeler taxi in needy cities such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

Local buses are cheap but may be confusing to first-time visitors not knowing the local language or routes. City metros (where available) are clean, clearly marked in English, and easy to use.

If You Want Full Freedom to Explore

If the idea of a guided tour doesn't appeal to you, you might want to consider a self-drive car for travelling at your own pace, venturing out of the city or embarking on a road trip throughout India. If you prefer to drive and you like your own idea of how to get around, renting a car in India at Rentrip is a great way to travel between cities.

Indian driving culture, traffic rules, and road conditions can vary from places outside India, so visitors should spend a day or two getting accustomed to the city before embarking on long drives.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

India has a 230V power supply system with plugs of types C, D, and M. If your devices have a different standard, use a universal adapter.

Tipping is not required but is welcome. It is customary to tip about 10% at restaurants and a small tip for drivers at hotels.

Bargaining is common at local markets and in informal markets but not in shops with fixed price tags or at government markets.

Get offline maps of your destination before you head out of the airport if you have a problem connecting while setting up your new SIM.

India's emergency numbers: 100 (police), 108 (ambulance), 101 (fire), and 1363 (tourist helpline).

Final Thoughts

The first day in any new country is the tough one, and India is a well-travelled place with decent infrastructure for foreigners. Arrange your visa before you travel, have a local SIM available at the airport, have cash and digital payment options available, and schedule your travel beforehand. After getting the essentials out of the way, you're ready to immerse yourself in all that India has to offer.