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How to Plan the Perfect Family Trip to India?

How do I make the perfect family trip plan to India that keeps everyone entertained? Every family that wants to travel around the world and explore new, thrilling places have asked this question before. After all, the bustling, exotic, spiritual, beautiful, and massive country of India is on many people’s “must-visit” wish lists. Families are right to desire a visit this ancient part of the world.

  • India aims to attract 75+ million international tourists every year by 2035. Currently, the Taj Mahal (in Agra) alone attracts over 6 million people every year.
  • The country has 40 UNESCO heritage sites. 7 natural heritage sites, 32 cultural heritage sites, and one mixed, natural-cultural heritage site.
  • The Indian Railways is the largest train network in all of Asia.
  • The highest rail bridge in the world – the 1,315 meters-long Chenab bridge in Jammu and Kashmir also belongs to India. It’s 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower!
  • There are 566 wildlife sanctuaries in the country. Places like the Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan are global hubs for wildlife tourism.

Despite these awesome perks, the idea of travelling to India with your family can be quite daunting. Loud & crowded streets, bright colours, pungent smells, etc., – there are many cultural shocks that family travellers understandably fear. Figuring out which places in India to go and what to do there are also tricky processes. 

What if the kids don’t like the local food? Will they learn anything on the trip? What are the safest areas to stay in? How will we get around? Having these types of questions linger in your head is completely understandable. That’s where this article can help. With the right plan, travelling to India with your family can be the most enlightening experience of all time. Here’s the full guide.

When to Visit India?

There’s no “best time to visit India.” India is enormous. There are several ecosystems, climates, and altitudes spread across the nation. Throughout the year, different places attract different types of tourists. Tourists mainly need to keep the weather conditions of whatever Indian locations they’re visiting in mind before planning their itineraries.

  • Spring: Want to experience the festival of colour, Holi, first hand? Visit India in spring during this festival with your family. But, spring in Northern and Central India may feel like summer. So, pick locations where you can stay indoors and have constant access to the pool most of the time. Or, pick cooler regions like Jammu and Kashmir or Northeast India.
  • Summer: Spending summer in India with kids is only recommended for people who want budget-friendly trips. The high temperatures, higher humidity, and heavy rains don’t make for good family trips. But, there are several hill stations in India (Ooty, Shimla, Darjeeling, etc.) that experience pleasant, spring-like weather during the summer. Choose those spots.
  • Autumn: The peak tourist season in India begins this season. October and November are good months to plan family trips to India.
  • Winter: If Mumbai, Delhi, Goa, and other Indian tourist hotspots are on your travel list, travel during the winter months. Yes, the north of the country does get very cool but it’s nothing dramatic. The southern and western coastlines enjoy pleasant temperatures. Goa, Mumbai, and Bangalore are the perfect places to celebrate Christmas or New Year’s with your family.

Which Places to Visit on a Family Trip to India?

There are thousands of places that tourists can explore with their families in India. Here are the most common places that foreign tourists visit with their kids –

  • Delhi
  • Rajasthan (especially Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, and Ranthambore)
  • Agra (for Taj Mahal)
  • Banaras or Varanasi – the “Eternal” city
  • Himachal Pradesh (especially Shimla for kayaking, rafting, jeep tours, and other adrenaline-filled activities)
  • Kerala (Kochi, Alleppey and Munnar)
  • Havelock Island, Andaman
  • Goa

Which tourist hotspot will be ideal for your family? It depends on what your priority is. Most family travellers to India want to explore the historic sites in Northern India (Red Fort, Taj Mahal, etc.). These people typically take North Indian tours that take them from Rajasthan to Delhi to Agra. 

If you have more time (more than a week) you can cover even more tourist hotspots across the nation. There are child-friendly resorts and hotels in all major tourist spots in India. So, you can expect full-on tropical luxuries no matter which region or location you pick.

How Long Should My Family Spend in India?

India is a massive country. You won’t be able to visit all the tourist places even if you stay there for a year. So, try to spend at least 2 weeks with your family in India. Although most famous tourist spots are spread out, there are countless car or train travel options.

Getting Indian Visas

Foreign travellers need visas to visit India. So, apply for Indian e-visas (all family members) a few months before you start planning the trip. Don’t worry – the visa process in India is super cheap and everything’s done online.

Booking Flights to India 

After deciding when & where to go to India and booking your visas, you’ll need to book flights. Most foreign tourists (especially first-time visitors) start their trips in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore. Which city should you pick? Depends on which parts of India you plan to explore.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in India?

India’s hotel industry is heavily digitized. You can book your accommodation in whatever places you’re visiting in advance online. You can also turn up to popular tourist destinations with nothing booked. There are countless accommodation options available all across India. But, booking all your accommodation in advance is the best strategy for family travellers.

  • Check out the best small hotels or guesthouses in the Indian locations you’re visiting. There are many big-chain, 5-star hotels and resorts to choose from – all on the Internet.
  • Airbnb is quite big in India. You can easily book gorgeous apartments in most tourist destinations.
  • Don’t forget to get travel insurance for your family while planning a trip to India.

Getting Around in India

Flights, trains, private cars, and private busses – these are the most popular travel options for tourists in India. Travelling to different locations in a private car with a full-time driver is the best option for families. Don’t worry, compared to other countries, getting private cars in India is rather cheap. You can book flights/trains in advance online.

What to Pack?

Pack light. Whether you’re staying in one spot or travelling across the country – packing light is always the best option for tourists. That’s because clothes in India are cheap. You’ll also be buying many items (decorations, local food items, etc.) to take back home so only carry the “essentials.” They include –

  • First aid kit (anti-allergy medications for kids, bug sprays, band-aids, hand sanitisers, etc.)
  • Breathable, loose-fitting clothing
  • Long sleeve and long pants to avoid getting stung by bugs
  • Scarfs to cover your head when entering sacred sites
  • Sturdy sneakers to walk on irregular sidewalks and dirt roads
  • Padlocks and chains for extra security
  • Canned baby food

What to Eat in India with Your Family?

This will be your family’s favourite part of visiting India – Indian food. From samosas to biryani to butter chicken to paneer tikkas to aloo ka paratha – there are too many “must-try” items.

Getting Sim Cards in India

Sim cards in India are cheap. You can get individual sim cards for all members of your family (except for the kids) for very cheap prices. You can get sim cards (and a lot of 4G data) in Delhi, Mumbai, or any other major Indian airport.

Travel Scams in India

Tourist scams in India aren’t as prevalent as they used to be. But, some tourists unfortunately still get scammed every year. To avoid such scams, team up with reliable family tourist agencies in India.

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