Travel Essentials

How to identify and track your luggage on a trip to India, from airline apps and AirTags to what to do when your suitcase doesn’t appear.

After twenty years of travel in India, here’s what I pack, why I check my suitcase, and how laundry, practical clothing, and a little restraint make weeks on the road …

Personal stories and practical advice on staying safe in India without letting fear define the journey.

A personal, practical checklist for preparing for India—from visas and rupees to airport pickups, mobile data and the unexpected discoveries worth making room for.

A personal look at travel insurance for India, flexible bookings, self-insuring cancellation costs and why medical evacuation deserves a different conversation.

How I use Airtel, WhatsApp and an Indian eSIM to stay connected while traveling in India, including airport pitfalls, 28-day plans and mobile coverage.

A firsthand guide to using MONY and UPI, cash, ATMs, money exchangers, credit cards and Uber while traveling in India.

Practical health preparation for India: recommended vaccinations, malaria and dengue prevention, medications, food and water safety, insurance, and finding medical care.

A practical guide to Indian visas, passport requirements, e-Visas, the e-Arrival Card and what to prepare before traveling to India.

What can you bring into India? A practical guide to 2026 Customs rules, baggage allowances, duty-free shopping, prescription medicines and cash.