How To Reach India

Reaching India by Air

Reaching India by air is a convenient and popular option for travelers from around the world due to the country's extensive network of international airports and well-established airline connections. Many major airlines operate direct flights to India from major cities worldwide, while others offer connecting flights with layovers in hub cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Singapore, or Frankfurt. Major Indian airlines include Air India, Jet Airways and Indigo. The secondary points of entry to India are through Jaipur, Goa, Trivandrum, Trichy, Coimbatore, Madurai, Ahmedabad and Pune.

India is served by several major international airports located in major cities across the country. The most common arrival airports for international travelers include:

• Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai
• Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) in Bangalore
• Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) in Hyderabad
• Chennai International Airport (MAA) in Chennai
• Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) in Kolkata

Reaching India by Bus

While bus travel to India is not as common as air or rail travel, there are several international bus routes connecting India with its neighboring countries. India shares land borders with several neighboring countries, including Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. 

The most common bus routes include:

• India-Nepal: There are several bus services operating between major cities in India, such as Delhi, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, and Siliguri, and cities in Nepal, including Kathmandu and Pokhara.
• India-Bhutan: While direct bus services between India and Bhutan are limited, travelers can reach the border town of Phuentsholing in Bhutan and then continue their journey by bus or taxi to other destinations within the country.
• India-Bangladesh: There are bus services connecting cities in India, such as Kolkata and Agartala, with various cities in Bangladesh, including Dhaka, Chittagong, and Jessore.
• India-Myanmar: Bus services operate between the border towns of Moreh in India and Tamu in Myanmar, allowing travelers to cross the India-Myanmar border by road.
• India-Pakistan: The Delhi-Lahore bus service, known as the "Sada-e-Sarhad" or "Friendship Bus," does indeed connect India and Pakistan. However, the service operates on specific days of the week, not all days except Sundays. The Delhi-Lahore bus service operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from Delhi to Lahore, and on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from Lahore to Delhi.

Reaching India by Rail

India shares land borders with several neighboring countries and the main entry points are: 

• Wagah Border (India-Pakistan Border): Located near Amritsar in the state of Punjab, the Wagah Border is the most famous border crossing between India and Pakistan. While there are no direct train services crossing the Wagah Border, foreigners can travel to Amritsar by train from other parts of India and then proceed to the Wagah Border by road to witness the daily ceremonial flag-lowering ceremony.
• Attari Railway Station: Adjacent to the Wagah Border, Attari Railway Station serves as a major railway station in Punjab and offers train services connecting Amritsar with other cities in India.
• Munabao Railway Station (India-Pakistan Border): Located in the state of Rajasthan, Munabao Railway Station is a border crossing between India and Pakistan, connecting the Indian town of Munabao with Khokhrapar in Pakistan. Foreigners can travel to Munabao by train from cities like Jodhpur and Ahmedabad.
• Petrapole-Benapole (India-Bangladesh Border): Petrapole-Benapole is a major border crossing between India and Bangladesh, located in the state of West Bengal. Foreigners can travel to Kolkata by train from various cities in India and then proceed to the Petrapole-Benapole border crossing by road.
• Gede-Darsana (India-Bangladesh Border): Gede-Darsana is another border crossing between India and Bangladesh, located in the state of West Bengal. Foreigners can travel to Kolkata by train from other parts of India and then proceed to the Gede-Darsana border crossing by road.

• The Samjhauta Express operate between Lahore in Pakistan and Attari in Amritsar, India. It is a bi-weekly train service.
• The Thar Express used to operate between Munabao in Rajasthan, India, and Khokhrapar in Sindh, Pakistan. However, this service was suspended in 2019 due to political tensions between the two countries.

• The Moitree Express operates between Dhaka in Bangladesh and Kolkata in India. It runs four times a week, enhancing connectivity between the two neighboring countries.

Reaching India by Road

Reaching India by road offers a unique and adventurous travel experience, especially for those coming from neighboring countries. While road travel to India is less common than air or rail travel, there are several border crossings and international road routes that connect India with its neighboring countries. You will require a Carnet de Passage if you plan to travel by your own vehicle. There is also a border crossing between India and Myanmar but special permits are required to cross this.

The most common road routes include:

• India-Nepal: There are several border crossings between India and Nepal, including the Sunauli-Bhairahawa border, the Raxaul-Birgunj border, and the Kakarbhitta-Panitanki border. Travelers can use these border crossings to enter India by road from Nepal.
• India-Bhutan: While direct road crossings between India and Bhutan are limited, travelers can reach the border towns of Jaigaon in India and Phuentsholing in Bhutan and then proceed to enter Bhutan by road.
• India-Bangladesh: There are several border crossings between India and Bangladesh, including the Petrapole-Benapole border, the Akhaura-Agartala border, and the Changrabandha-Burimari border. These border crossings facilitate road travel between India and Bangladesh.
• India-Pakistan: Road travel between India and Pakistan is limited due to political tensions between the two countries. However, there are several border crossings, including the Wagah-Attari border and the Munabao-Khokhrapar border, which have been used for road travel in the past.
• India-Myanmar: The Moreh-Tamu border crossing is the primary land route connecting India and Myanmar. Travelers can use this border crossing to enter India by road from Myanmar.

Reaching India by Water

Reaching India by water offers a scenic and often leisurely travel option, especially for those coming from nearby island nations or coastal areas. While it may not be the most common mode of travel, there are several ways to reach India by water.

1. Cruise Ships
Cruise ships offer a luxurious and leisurely way to reach India by water, typically arriving at major ports along the Indian coastline. Popular ports of call for cruise ships in India include Mumbai (Port of Mumbai), Cochin (Cochin Port), and Goa (Mormugao Port). Many international cruise lines include India as part of their itineraries, offering passengers the opportunity to explore India's vibrant cities, cultural heritage, and scenic landscapes.

2. Ferries
Ferries operate between India and neighboring countries, such as Sri Lanka and the Maldives, providing an alternative mode of transportation for travelers. These ferry services offer a convenient way to travel between coastal regions and islands.
For example, there are ferry services between southern India (such as Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu) and northern Sri Lanka (such as Colombo), as well as between Cochin in India and Male, the capital of the Maldives.

3. Cargo Ships
Cargo ships also ply the waters between India and various international ports, carrying goods and sometimes offering limited passenger accommodations. While not as common or comfortable as cruise ships, traveling by cargo ship can be an adventurous and budget-friendly option for those seeking a unique travel experience.
It's important to note that passenger accommodations on cargo ships are usually basic, and travelers should be prepared for longer journey times and limited amenities compared to cruise ships.

4. Private Yachts and Sailboats
Private yachts and sailboats offer a more exclusive and personalized way to reach India by water. Travelers with their own boats or yachts can sail along the Indian coastline and anchor at marinas or ports along the way.
Some marinas in India, such as in Mumbai and Kochi, offer facilities and services for visiting yachts, making it possible for travelers to arrive in India by their own means of water transportation.