India is vast, and so are the differences in coverage. The big cities, from Delhi and Mumbai to Bengaluru and Chennai, are well connected, and so are the main routes of Rajasthan, Goa and Kerala, while the Himalayas and long stretches of the rail network still have gaps. Your phone does a lot of work here, from ride-hailing and train tickets to maps and messages. India is not part of the EU's Roam Like at Home area, and European plans usually charge roaming by the day.
This guide covers paying, getting around, the mountains, and one item you should not pack.
Key facts for India
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: Airtel, Jio, Vi (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: 112; police 100, ambulance 108, fire 101
- Embassies: in New Delhi, with consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bengaluru for some countries
Areas to avoid
The UK advises against all travel within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border and to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, including Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and the Jammu-Srinagar highway; the only exceptions are flights to and from Jammu and travel within the city of Jammu. It also advises against all but essential travel to the state of Manipur, including Imphal. Ladakh, a separate territory, is not included in the Jammu and Kashmir advice.
Payments: UPI and the Indian number
Indians pay for almost everything with UPI, scanning a QR code with a banking app. Visitors can use UPI One World, a prepaid wallet loaded with a foreign card, but registering it requires a working Indian mobile number, which a data-only eSIM does not provide. Cards work in hotels, malls and larger restaurants; carry some rupees for small shops, auto-rickshaws and markets.
Getting around: ride-hailing and trains
Uber and Ola work in the main cities, and Rapido covers motorbikes and auto-rickshaws in many of them. On long train journeys the signal comes and goes between towns, so download your e-ticket and keep it on your phone.
The Himalayas and the north
In Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Uttarakhand, coverage is good in the main towns and thin or absent on high passes and trekking routes. In Jammu and Kashmir and some border areas, mobile internet can be suspended at short notice during security operations or unrest.
Do not pack a satellite messenger
Satellite phones and satellite messengers such as the Garmin inReach are illegal in India without a licence from the Department of Telecommunications, and since late 2024 several trekkers have been arrested at airports for carrying one. Leave them at home; licensed expedition companies can provide legal satellite phones on guided treks.
Monsoon and heat
From June to September the monsoon brings heavy rain, floods and landslides to many regions, above all in the mountains and on the west coast, and roads and railways can be cut for days. In April and May, the northern plains are extremely hot.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM installs at home with a QR code and starts its validity with the first connection in India. It is a data line without an Indian number: your usual number keeps receiving texts and bank codes, and your apps run on the eSIM's data.
Indian tourist SIMs are sold at major airports and in operator shops, and they are registered with your passport and visa.
Consular protection: who to call in India
- 112 is the national emergency number; 100 is the police, 108 an ambulance and 101 the fire service.
- 1363 is the Ministry of Tourism's helpline, open around the clock in English, Hindi and ten other languages; it also answers on 1800-11-1363.
- Embassies are in New Delhi, and some countries also have consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata or Bengaluru. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- If you are an EU citizen and your country has no embassy or consulate in India, the embassy of any other EU country must help you on the same terms as its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- Emergency phrases in Hindi are ready to show on screen in the app.
Questions travellers ask about India
Can I use UPI as a tourist?
Through UPI One World, a prepaid wallet for visitors, but you need an Indian mobile number to register.
Can I bring a Garmin inReach to India?
No. Satellite messengers and phones are illegal without a licence, and travellers have been arrested for carrying them.
Which networks does a Telcomia eSIM use in India?
Airtel on most plans, and Jio or Vi on some, with 4G and 5G where available.
Who can help me as a tourist?
The Ministry of Tourism helpline on 1363, and 112 in an emergency.
The short version
Install the eSIM before you fly, leave satellite devices at home, carry some rupees, download your train tickets and maps, and save 112 and 1363.
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