In partnership with Distinct Destinations
India Destination Guide
Everything you need to know before travelling to India for cricket. Visa, currency, climate, safety, packing and more.
A Personal Note
From Ian Kerr
This guide is the result of personal inspection — hotels walked, stadiums visited, restaurants eaten in, and logistics tested. Every recommendation you will find here has been checked and road-tested. My aim with Follow On Tours has always been to do the groundwork so that you can simply arrive, relax, and enjoy the cricket.
I’ve been fortunate enough to visit India on several previous occasions. My first trip was back in 2006 for England’s Test tour — a series remembered for Alastair Cook’s arrival on the international stage, Andrew Flintoff leading the side in Mumbai, and a certain Monty Panesar moment at the Wankhede that had us all on our feet. Memorable times.
This latest inspection was always going to be intensive: nine hotels across 15 nights, 12 internal flights, and a daily pattern of meetings, property viewings and ground visits before moving on — usually by air — to the next city.
India rewards the effort. The hotels are excellent, the cricket venues are world-class, and the experiences available between matches are genuinely memorable.
Everything I saw during my two weeks in India tells me that all of our travellers are going to have an amazing time.
— Ian Kerr, Follow On Tours
IPL 2026
Franchises & Venues
The Indian Premier League is the biggest domestic cricket tournament in the world — 10 teams, 10 cities, 84 matches across two months.
| Franchise | Home Ground |
|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| Chennai Super Kings | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Delhi Capitals | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| Rajasthan Royals | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur |
| Punjab Kings | PCA New Chandigarh Stadium |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | Rajiv Gandhi Intl. Stadium, Hyderabad |
| Lucknow Super Giants | BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow |
| Gujarat Titans | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
Our specialist ground partner Distinct Destinations has extensive experience sourcing IPL match tickets and has multiple channels for securing them. Availability varies by venue and fixture, so the earlier you confirm your dates, the better positioned we are.
Essential
🛂 Visa & Passport
You must have a valid passport with at least six months’ validity from your date of arrival in India, with clear pages available for stamps.
You need a visa to visit India. For British Citizens, we recommend the e-Tourist Visa (e-TV) through the official portal:
indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/
Important: This is an e-Visa with pre-authorisation — it is not a visa on arrival. You must complete the application before travel.
Tips: have your digital passport photo ready (specific dimensions required), be prepared for a small fee charged in USD, and ensure your photo and fingerprint scans are clear.
📋 E-Arrival Card
In addition to your e-Visa, all visitors to India must complete an e-arrival card online up to 72 hours before arriving in India. This is a separate requirement from your visa and is mandatory for all international arrivals.
The e-arrival card replaces the old paper disembarkation form previously filled in on the flight. Complete it at: indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/
You need both: an approved e-Visa (applied for well in advance) and a completed e-arrival card (within 72 hours of arrival).
Further information: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india
Practical Information
Currency & Money
India’s currency is the Rupee (Rs). Notes: 10, 20, 50, 200 and 2,000. Coins: 1, 2, 5 and 10 rupee.
You cannot purchase Indian Rupees outside India. Exchange at the airport on arrival, at your hotel, or at authorised money changers. ATMs are widely available.
Retain exchange receipts to convert leftover rupees at the airport before departure.
Credit cards are accepted at all hotels, larger shops, airlines and railways. A pre-paid travel cash card is a safe and convenient alternative.
Climate & What to Pack
| Region | Dec–Jan | Feb–Mar | Apr–Jun | Jul–Sep | Oct–Nov |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi / Agra / Jaipur | 5–25°C | 12–32°C | 24–43°C | 24–40°C | 12–32°C |
| Mumbai / Goa | 20–35°C | 25–38°C | 27–38°C | 27–37°C | 25–38°C |
| Bengaluru | 14–26°C | 18–32°C | 21–33°C | 19–27°C | 17–28°C |
| Chennai | 20–39°C | 22–33°C | 28–39°C | 26–36°C | 24–32°C |
| Kolkata | 13–26°C | 20–34°C | 25–36°C | 26–32°C | 23–32°C |
Packing essentials: Sun hat, sun block, insect repellent (high DEET), comfortable cotton clothing. India is casual — even luxury hotels don’t require formal attire. Smart casual for evenings. In north India during winter (Nov–Feb), pack layers including a fleece or jacket.
Food & Drink
Hotels serve hygienically prepared food. In smaller places: “if you can peel it, eat it” and “if it’s freshly cooked and hot, it’s safe.” Always drink bottled water and check the seal. Your vehicle will always carry branded bottled water.
Clothing & Etiquette
Remove shoes at places of worship. Women should cover arms and wear long skirts/trousers. At Sikh temples, both men and women must cover their heads. At Jain temples, remove all leather items.
Communication
International dialling code: +91. Wi-Fi available in most hotels. Local SIM cards with data can be purchased at the airport on arrival.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50 cycles. Socket sizes vary — bring a universal plug adapter. Most luxury hotels have converters at reception.
Tipping Guide
| Service | Suggested Tip |
|---|---|
| Local guide (full day) | Rs 500–800 per day |
| Local guide (half day) | Rs 400–600 per day |
| Tour escort / accompanying guide | Rs 800–1,000 per day |
| Driver (tour) | Rs 400–600 per day |
| Driver (local transfers) | Rs 300–400 per day |
| Hotel porters / bell boys | Rs 30–50 per interaction |
| Restaurants | ~10% of bill (unless service included) |
Some premium hotels prefer a consolidated amount at checkout rather than individual tips.
🏥 Health
No essential vaccinations required, but tetanus, hepatitis and typhoid should be up to date. Consult your GP about anti-malarials if visiting rural or wildlife areas.
🛡️ Insurance
We strongly recommend valid travel insurance covering medical costs, loss of baggage, and trip cancellation. Carry your policy details with you at all times.
🔒 Safety
India is generally safe for tourists. Leave valuables in the hotel safe, carry minimal cash, and avoid isolated areas at night. Our ground partner provides 24-hour emergency contact.
Booking Information
Deposit, Payment & Cancellation
A 25% deposit is required at the time of booking. Balance due 45 days prior to travel.
Pay by credit card: distinctdestinations.in/pay-online
| Timeframe | Charge |
|---|---|
| 60+ days before arrival | No cancellation charges |
| 59–31 days before arrival | 50% of tour cost |
| 30 days or less before arrival | 100% of tour cost |
Follow On Tours acts as introducer only. All ground arrangements are provided and contracted by Distinct Destinations. Follow On Tours does not handle client funds.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Prepare
Recommended Reading
History & Culture: A History of India (Romila Thapar), The Great Moghuls (Bamber Gascoigne), Freedom at Midnight (Collins & Lapierre), The Idea of India (Sunil Khilnani)
Travel Writing: City of Djinns (William Dalrymple), Slowly Down the Ganges (Eric Newby), The Great Railway Bazaar (Paul Theroux), Chasing the Monsoon (Alexander Fraters)
Fiction: Midnight’s Children (Salman Rushdie), A Suitable Boy (Vikram Seth), The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry), A Passage to India (E.M. Forster)
Your Team
Contacts
Your Ground Services Provider
Distinct Destinations
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