Introduction: India is one of the most fascinating countries in the world. There are so many things to visit, and its culture is so different from ours, that in order to understand India you need plenty of time, at least six months. If you have only one month or less, you will have to stick to one of its regions. To fully understand India you need to visit this country several times.
When to Go/Climate: Although each region has its own climate, in general the best season to travel to Central and North India is Spring (October-December) and Fall (March-May). Summer (June-September) can be a little too hot. Winters (January-February) may be cold, windy and gray. The South can be visited anytime, but the best season is from December to May, when the weather is at its best.
Get in: India's major international airports are Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Kolkata (CCU) and Chennai (MAA). Kochi (COK), Bangalore (BLR) and Goa (GOI) also have international direct flights.
Get around: Traveling around India on your own is quite easy. You can move around by train, bus, car or plane. For long distances, planes are the best option. There are several low cost companies that will take you almost anywhere in India. Buses are OK for short distances, but for longer distances the train is recommended. Traveling by train requires time, though. You have to book the train tickets in advance (usually one weeK). You should buy First Class, Second Class AC and Third Class AC tickets. Renting a car is not an option in India. If you want to travel by car, you can rent a car with a drive in india and see many country side seen.(if you go by car is good)
Money and Costs: local currency is the rupee. Costs in India are low, but go up during the tourist seasons.
Languages: Several hundred languages are spoken in India. The constitution recognizes up to 22 different official languages. English and Hindi are the languages of the central government. Not everybody is able to speak English, but most people working in tourist services are fluent in English.
People/Food: People in India are very friendly and kind. You will need some time to get used to the local food, always tasty and spicy, as well.