Travel to India

Flights to India are available from most UK airports into major cities in India. Air India, Monarch, Thomson Flights and British Airways just a few airlines flying to the country. Direct flights fly from London Heathrow, Manchester and London Gatwick. If you wish to fly from other parts of the country you'll need to purchase an indirect flight - just be aware that they might be more expensive than a direct flight. The main airport into Delhi is the Indira Gandhi International Airport located about 16 kilometres southwest of New Delhi city centre.

Trains are one of the easiest and safest ways to travel during your India holiday - not to mention the perfect opportunity to take in the striking Indian scenery! Tickets are available from counters at most railway stations. If you're sticking to a tight budget it's worth looking into sleeper trains instead of a hotel for the night.

Buses are perfect to reach far-flung places that aren't on the rail network for a cheap price. If you can spare a few extra pennies book luxury or express buses as they are air-conditioned and stop at fewer stops. You can get a seat if you book in advance - a god send in the hot Indian weather. Just be aware that ordinary local buses can get very hot and sweaty, especially during rush hour - Indian traffic is not for the light-hearted!

Hotels come in all shapes and sizes and it's pretty easy to find a cheap hotel in India - just make sure you book well in advance to ensure you get the best possible deal. If you can't book in advance, be sure to haggle on any quoted prices when you arrive in a hotel - you're bound to be able to save some money.

Remember to bargain hard during your India holiday as it's expected in markets and when negotiating for things like tours and rickshaw prices - just don't try and haggle when you're in huge department stores!

As long as you avoid the obvious tourist traps, eating out in India at local restaurants is affordable and can be done even on a tight budget. While street stalls offering cheap snacks look very appealing, they are best avoided as hygiene standards are not always the best and you don't want to get ill during your holiday in India. Another tip is to avoid ice cream - as this is often made using India's dubious tap water - and request drinks without ice.

• Goa
• Kerala
• New Delhi
• Mumbai
• Jaipur
• Bangalore
• Chennai
• Ahmedabad
• Amritsar
• Hyderabad
• Calcutta