India 2026 — Complete Travel Guide for Israelis

1Why India

India (about 3.29 million km², ~1.45 billion people) is one of the richest travel experiences in the world — UNESCO sites, tropical beaches, mountains, ancient cities and a unique culture. The capital is New Delhi. Official languages: Hindi and English. Currency: Indian rupee (INR). The majority of the population is Hindu.

• Goa — a classic Israeli backpacker destination with Chabad.
• Rishikesh — yoga, the Ganges, a large Israeli community.
• The Golden Triangle — Delhi, Agra (the Taj Mahal), Jaipur.
• e-Visa — simple and cheap.
• Chabad is active in Delhi, Mumbai, Goa and more.

2Flights from Israel

• TLV↔DEL (Delhi) — direct/connecting: prices (Skyscanner, 01.06.2026) from $464 round-trip; Air India from $984 one-way. Check direct availability with the airline — routes to Israel change.
• TLV↔GOI (Goa) — connecting: from $606 round-trip (Skyscanner); Air India from $759 one-way.
• TLV↔BOM (Mumbai): not confirmed as an active direct route as of 01.06.2026 — check with EL AL / Air India before booking.

⚠️ Prices, availability and direct routes change. Check in real time before booking.

3Visa — e-Visa required

Israelis must have a visa for India. You can apply for an e-Tourist Visa on the Indian government's official site: indianvisaonline.gov.in.

e-Tourist Visa prices for Israelis (01.06.2026):

• 30 days (April–June): $10
• 30 days (July–March): $25
• One year: $40
• Five years: $200

Passport validity: at least 6 months from the date of entry + at least 2 blank pages.

4When to fly

• Goa / west coast — November–February ✅. Avoid: June–September (monsoon).
• Delhi / Agra / Jaipur — October–March ✅. Avoid: April–June (extreme heat).
• Kerala (south) — November–March ✅. Avoid: June–September.
• Rishikesh — spring/autumn ✅. Avoid: monsoon (rain/floods).

Our recommendation for Israelis: November–February — the ideal season for all the top Israeli destinations.

5Itineraries

• 7 days — the Golden Triangle: Delhi 2 → Agra 1 (the Taj Mahal) → Jaipur 2 → Delhi/Mumbai.
• 10 days — north + Goa: Delhi 2 → Agra 1 → Jaipur 2 → Goa 4 → last night.
• 14 days — all the Israeli destinations: Delhi 2 → Agra 1 → Jaipur 2 → Rishikesh 3 → Goa 4 → Mumbai 2.
• Southern alternative: Mumbai → Kerala (Backwaters) → Goa.

⚠️ India is large — don't pack in too many destinations in fewer than 10 days.

6Attractions

Delhi

• Red Fort (UNESCO) — a huge Mughal fort from the 17th century, the heart of Delhi's history.
• Qutub Minar (UNESCO) — a tall minaret tower from the 12th century, surrounded by a complex of historic sites.
• Humayun's Tomb (UNESCO) — a magnificent Mughal tomb from the 16th century, an inspiration for the Taj Mahal.

Agra

• Taj Mahal (UNESCO) — one of the most famous sites in the world: a white-marble mausoleum from the 17th century. ⚠️ Beware of unauthorised guides and counterfeit tickets around the site.
• Agra Fort (UNESCO) — a 400-year-old Mughal fort in the heart of Agra.

Jaipur

• Amber Fort — a magnificent hilltop fort outside Jaipur, one of the most beautiful in India.
• Hawa Mahal / City Palace — the Palace of Winds, a unique pink façade, the symbol of Jaipur.

Mumbai

• Gateway of India — Mumbai's historic entrance arch, on the seafront.
• Elephanta Caves (UNESCO) — rock-cut caves with ancient Hindu sculptures, about 10 km from the harbour.

Goa, Kerala & Rishikesh

• Old Goa Churches (UNESCO) — Portuguese churches and convents from the 16th century, including the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
• North Goa beaches — Arambol, Anjuna, Vagator, Baga — especially popular with Israeli backpackers.
• Backwaters — Alleppey (Kerala) — a network of canals and lakes, a houseboat cruise — a unique experience in the south.
• The Ganges + the Lakshman Jhula / Ram Jhula bridges (Rishikesh) — a world centre of yoga and spirituality on the banks of the Ganges. Especially well known among Israelis.

7Where to stay — areas

• North Goa (Arambol / Anjuna / Vagator / Baga) — the Israeli hub: Chabad, Israeli food, beaches, parties.
• South Goa (Palolem / Colva) — quieter, for a relaxed holiday.
• Delhi — Paharganj / Main Bazaar (the backpacker area, close to Chabad); Connaught Place (central and convenient for transport).
• Mumbai — Colaba / Fort (close to the Gateway of India and Chabad); Bandra / Juhu (beach and nightlife).
• Jaipur — the old-city area / MI Road.
• Rishikesh — Tapovan / Lakshman Jhula / Ram Jhula.

8Transport

• Domestic flights (recommended): IndiGo + Air India — common and efficient. ⚠️ As of 06.2026 domestic capacity has been cut — check and book early.
• Trains: book via IRCTC (irctc.co.in). Foreign tourists — the "Foreign Tourist Quota", up to 365 days in advance.
• From the Delhi airport: the Airport Express Metro from IGI to central Delhi (current price at DMRC).
• City transport: Ola / Uber in big cities; rickshaws — always agree the price in advance.

9Internet & eSIM

• Airalo — basic package from $4 (01.06.2026).
• Saily — 1GB/7 days $3.99; 3GB/30 days $9.99; 10GB/30 days $23.99.
• Alternative: Airalo / Yesim — an eSIM from Israel before your flight (see links below).

10Money & costs

• Currency: Indian rupee (INR). Rate (01.06.2026): 1 ₪ ≈ 26–27 INR → 100 INR ≈ 3.7–3.9 ₪.
• Credit cards are accepted at hotels and malls. Markets and street food — cash.
• Street food is cheap and varied — tens to hundreds of rupees per dish (per travel sources).

11Kosher & Jewish community

• Chabad Mumbai — Nariman House — 5 Hormustji Street, opp 4th Pasta Lane, Mumbai 400005. Phone +91-976-906-0840. Kosher restaurant: Sun–Thu 09:00–21:30, Fri 09:00–15:00 (meat, vegetarian, Israeli and Indian).
• Chabad Delhi — the Main Bazaar / Paharganj area. Exact address: chabad.org/delhi.
• Chabad Goa (North Goa / Arambol) — an active centre with a kosher restaurant, Shabbat and holidays. Exact address: chabad.org/goa.

Kosher food exists mainly around Chabad. There is no general kosher availability in India — check hours and addresses before every trip.

12Important tips for Israelis

• e-Visa: apply at least a week before your flight — don't wait.
• Satellite phones: strictly forbidden to bring into India.
• Backpack: check there is no round/bullet from military service.
• Keep Israeli markers low-key in North India.
• Taj Mahal: beware of unauthorised guides, counterfeit tickets and commission shops.
• Rickshaws: agree the price in advance — always.
• Passport: don't leave it as a deposit.
• Water: drink only sealed bottled water.

13Frequently asked questions