Will my mobile phone work in India?
Yes, you’ll be able to use your mobile/cell phone while in India, but only if you have activated global roaming or purchased a local SIM card. If you choose to activate global roaming, be sure to check with your carrier as to what costs will be incurred – it's often prohibitively expensive – to avoid any unwanted surprises when you get your phone bill! You should also make sure you check that your phone is unlocked before leaving home or the local SIM will not work.
Buying a local SIM card
For many travellers, buying a local SIM card instead of a roaming plan is the way to go. You can buy an Indian SIM card at airports and phone retail shops. There are several carriers to choose from, with both prepaid and postpaid options available. Though postpaid is slightly cheaper, it requires a commitment of three months, so most travellers will be better off going with the prepaid option. As far as carriers go, Airtel and Vodaphone are readily available and have decent coverage across the country, though reception for all providers may be patchy or non-existent in very rural or remote areas like the Himalayas, particularly in the higher regions.
Activating your Indian SIM card
Once you've bought a SIM card, you'll then need to activate it with the vendor. This process can take a day or two to complete, but it's totally worth it when you have a phone you can use on your trip. To activate your SIM, travellers must:
- Provide original identification as well as a photocopy of your passport details page (including the photo)
- Provide two passport-sized photos
- Provide a photocopy of your Indian visa details
- Show proof of your home address (such as a recent utility bill)
- Show proof of your Indian address (such as your hotel or guesthouse)
- Provide a reference from a local person in India (such as a hotel or tour operator)
Our tours in India
15 Days
From
1283
Travel to India and visit the Rajasthan region. Tour from Delhi to Pushkar through...
8 Days
From
710
Take an action-packed eight-day tour through the essential sights and bites of India’s...
11 Days
From
498
Get the most out of 11 days in India on this trip exploring the best of Delhi, Varanasi...
15 Days
From
2110
See the best of Rajasthan on this 15-day tour. Behold the delights of Agra, Jaipur,...
22 Days
From
874
See the essentials of India’s north on a 22-day trip through Delhi, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur,...
Tailor-Made trips
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
14 Days
From
2573
Take in north India’s fabled cities and encounter the exotic wildlife of Ranthambhore...
10 Days
From
2694
Take a 10-day India Premium adventure with Intrepid through the country’s north,...
15 Days
From
1490
Explore the tropical and spiritual southern India. Ride the toy train in Ooty, relax in...
15 Days
From
1344
Travel to India and Nepal on a tour from Delhi to Kathmandu. Visit the Taj Mahal of...
10 Days
From
792
Take an action-packed family tour of India, following tiger trails, visiting Delhi and...
13 Days
From
1316
Travel to India and visit Delhi, Shimla, Mandi, Dharamsala, Rishikesh and Amritsar on...
13 Days
From
2912
Join Intrepid on a Premium adventure to explore the beaches, bazaars and backwaters of...
15 Days
From
855
Discover India in all its glory on this 15-day spice-filled adventure from Delhi...
16 Days
From
960
See the landscapes of South India on a 16-day adventure from Varkala to Goa via Kerala...
22 Days
From
5891
Join Intrepid on a Premium adventure to explore opulent places, holy Ganges, dense...
12 Days
From
1179
Join an all-women group and female leader on an inspiring women’s expedition through...
15 Days
From
1976
Relish the sights and flavours of Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai and Goa on this...
13 Days
From
1736
Explore the backroads of India’s south on this 13-day tour. Travel from Chennai to...
13 Days
From
651
Explore India and Nepal on an adventure that hits Delhi, Jaipur, Tordi, Lumbini, Agra,...
37 Days
From
2035
Discover the colours and cultures of India on this trip visiting Delhi, Rajasthan's...
10 Days
From
1596
Adventure through North India, hitting all the highlights like Delhi, Varanasi, the...
19 Days
From
2233
Spend 19 days touring India and Nepal, departing from Delhi and visiting Jaipur, Agra,...
29 Days
From
3030
This 29-day tour traverses India from south to north, winding from Kochi to Delhi and...
14 Days
From
1195
Tour Northern India on this comfortable family holiday from Delhi to Agra, Ranthambhore...
16 Days
From
428
Get an authentic slice of the real Rajasthan on a trip that takes you to Delhi,...
15 Days
From
1668
Travel to India and cycle the romantic Rajasthan region. Tour from Delhi to Pushkar and...
19 Days
From
2024
Visit India and tour the famous Golden Triangle of Dehli, Agra, and Jaipur, delve into...
20 Days
From
1025
Take a journey through India and Nepal, exploring Kathmandu, Tordi, Jaipur, Agra,...
3 Days
From
315
Visit India and travel from Delhi to Agra. Travel to the Taj Mahal and Agra’s Red Fort,...
11 Days
From
528
Jaunt around north India, with rickshaws in Delhi, spirituality in Varanasi, yoga in...
15 Days
From
1300
Get on the road from Kathmandu to Delhi on a trip from Nepal to India, through Pokhara,...
11 Days
From
833
Discover northern India on this tour through Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Nimaj,...
22 Days
From
3975
Get a cultural insight into India’s north and south, travelling through Delhi, Agra,...
20 Days
From
1780
Spend time in Kathmandu and Pokhara and then see where Buddha did his thing. Get active...
16 Days
From
2630
Discover the beauty of India’s most remote area on an expedition that visits Sikkim,...
4 Days
From
273
Lift your spirits as you float on the Ganges at dawn in Varanasi, and explore the city...
18 Days
From
5070
Explore Northern India and Sri Lanka on this 18-day Premium adventure
