How to explore India with Daytrip
Daytrip already offers private door-to-door transport services in over 110 countries, and we’re proud to announce that we’ve expanded into one more: India. As the world’s most populous country and one of its largest, this is no ordinary expansion but a major step on our mission to make exploring the world safely and conveniently available to more people in more places. And those with an adventurous spirit have plenty to look forward to: India’s long, complex history and bright future makes it one of the most exciting countries for travelers today. It’s also a country that’s impossible to take in all at once, since there are just so many things to see in India. That’s why we’ve pulled together this list of facts to know about and hotpots you might want to visit in India. So whether your travels take you from Delhi to Agra to see the Taj Mahal or from Bangalore to Chennai to participate in the high-tech boom, there’s plenty to do in India’s cities and in lesser-known spots in between—and you can experience them all with help from Daytrip.
India at a glance
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India makes up the majority of South Asia and is the primary country on the Indian Subcontinent that forms a huge peninsula into the Indian Ocean, dividing the Arabian Sea from the Bay of Bengal.
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Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
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Delhi
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1.27 million sq. mi. (3.29 million km²)
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1.42 billion
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Hindi, English, others at the state level (including Bengali, Marathi, Urdu)
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Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism
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Indian rupee (₹)
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December to March offer pleasant weather (though beware of colder temperatures at higher elevations). Even early summer months can be extremely hot and humid, while monsoon rains come later in the summer and autumn.
Things to do in Delhi
As India’s capital and largest city—as well as the second-most populous city in the world—Delhi can understandably seem overwhelming at first. The best way to get acclimated, though, is to lean in: start at Chandni Chowk, Delhi’s oldest market district. Home to the oldest and largest spice market in Asia, the sights and smells will immerse you in local tradition and the electric hustle and bustle that characterizes India.
For a more toned-down taste of Delhi's history, head to the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 17th century by the same architect who designed the Taj Mahal, this historic palace is a perfect blend of Persian, European, and Indian architecture. Speaking of the Taj Mahal, its predecessor, Humayun's Tomb can be found a few miles from the Red Fort. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Humayun’s elegant architecture and manicured gardens set the precedent for the grand garden tombs that the Taj Mahal would perfect—and become internationally famous for. Delhi’s third UNESCO World Heritage Site is Qutub Minar, a 239.5-foot (73-meter) red sandstone tower built in the 12th century. Take your time to appreciate the tower’s many intricate carvings and inscriptions and surrounding historical monuments. If your feet need a rest, have a picnic in the green space surrounding the India Gate, a triumphal arch built to honor Indian soldiers who fell during World War I.
Traveling to and from Delhi
There are several ways to get to Delhi. If you're traveling internationally or from farther away, a flight is the best option; you'll almost certainly arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). Once you're on the ground, other options can get you where you need to go, door-to-door, in comfort. One of the best, of course, is Daytrip, where you'll have your own English-speaking driver and the opportunity to stop at different places as you transfer between cities. Some of the most popular routes include:
And because one of the 2024 travel trends is cultural immersion and looking for more authentic experiences, let’s have a look at some of the sightseeing stops you can make while traveling between cities in India.
What to see on the way from Delhi to Agra
What to see on the way from Delhi to Jaipur
What to see on the way from Delhi to Lucknow
Things to do in Mumbai
India’s financial center and home to Bollywood, Mumbai is often called the "City of Dreams". This cosmopolitan city—widely known until the 1990s as Bombay—is a vibrant blend of modern Indian luxury and rich history. Just head down to Apollo Bunder, one of Mumbai’s main piers in the 19th century, to see the iconic Gate of India, a massive arch built to celebrate Queen Mary and King George V’s visit to the city. Right next door, the Taj Mahal Palace is a masterpiece of the Indo-Saracenic style and one of the finest hotels in the East. Even if you’re not staying here, you can still get a taste of its interior grandeur with an afternoon tea. From here, follow the Colaba Causeway to shop or grab a bite to eat. Or, walk along one of the seaside promenades, like Marine Drive, where you’ll find the popular Girgaum Chowpatty beach or the Worli Sea Face.
Scattered throughout the city, you’ll find a wealth of other landmarks, ranging from historic temples and tombs like the 14th-century Haji Ali Dargah to Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat, the world's largest open-air laundry. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai's main museum, is well worth a visit, with exhibits spanning Indus Valley Civilization architects to European paintings. A great way to see Mumbai, especially for Bollywood fans, is to join a full-day tour with Bollywood Tours, which allows you to combine a bus tour of Bollywood’s "Film City" with a tour of Mumbai.
Traveling to and from Mumbai
As one of the most popular destinations in India, you have plenty of ways of getting to Mumbai. If you're arriving from overseas or from the other side of the country, you'll probably first get acquainted with Mumbai at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM). However, other options can comfortably get you to and from where you need to go as well. Ride with Daytrip and you’ll have an English-speaking driver as well as the opportunity to stop for sightseeing as you’re driven to your destination. Current routes include:
What to see on the way from Mumbai to Pune
What to see on the way from Mumbai to Kolhapur
Things to do in Kolkata
Once the seat of the British Raj, Kolkata (or Calcutta) remains India’s cultural capital. The heart of Kolkata is the Maidan, the city’s largest open space. Here you’ll find the iconic 158-foot (48 meters) Shaheed Minar alongside the dazzling Victoria Memorial. The largest monument built for a monarch anywhere in the world, this marble masterpiece is surrounded by 64 acres of gardens and houses a museum that occupies 25 galleries. For more history, head to the Marble Palace, one of the best-preserved and most magnificent buildings in the city. Built in the 19th century, this private residence is a unique mixture of Neo-Classical and Indian architecture, with a dash of Chinese inspiration, all done up in white Italian marble. To visit you just need to get a free permit 24 hours in advance from the West Bengal Tourism Information Bureau at BBD Bag, Kolkata. This will register you for a guided tour of this magnificent home. On the more humble end of the spectrum, pay a visit to the Mother Teresa House where the saint is entombed.
Kolkata is filled with exciting markets, from Tiretta Bazaar, the only Chinatown of its kind in India, to the famous New Market, a 19th century bazaar home to over 2,000 shops. Kumortuli, Kolkata’s pottery district, is especially enchanting, giving you the chance to see Hindu idols crafted right before your eyes.
While not technically in Kolkata, you need to reserve time for a car trip to Sundarbans National Park, the world’s largest mangrove belt and a UNESCO World Heritage site, for a chance to see rare local wildlife such as saltwater crocodiles, Ganges river dolphins, and Bengal tigers in their natural habitats.
Traveling to and from Kolkata
The center of wild Bengal, Kolkata is the perfect base for exploring eastern India. For especially long distances, you’ll want to catch a flight from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU). For anything shorter, a car trip with Daytrip is the best option, both because you have the option to enrich your trip with sightseeing along the way, and because there are no other direct transportation options to some of the best destinations, like Kolkata to Sundarban. Some of the top routes include:
What to see on the way from Kolkata to Digha
What to see on the way from Kolkata to Mandarmani
Things to do in Bangalore
Bangalore, increasingly referred to internationally by its official name of Bengaluru, is an excellent place to start exploring southern India. It's the third-largest and fastest-growing of India's major cities, thanks in large part to its role as a center of technology: it's commonly referred to as the "Silicon Valley of India" or even of all Asia. A strong ecosystem of high-caliber educational institutions has grown up in tandem with the tech boom, making Bangalore a vibrant student city as well. And as with San Francisco or Austin, this mix of highly educated, increasingly wealthy, and ever-curious inhabitants makes for a lively cultural scene—craft beer, international food options, and seemingly endless events are all on offer, all with a lively Indian flair.
But it's not all students and startups: Bangalore is also known as the "Garden City of India", with the Lalbagh Botanical Garden (supposedly home to the world's most diverse collection of plant species) and the central Cubbon Park as just two examples of its more ecological side.
Traveling to and from Bangalore
Just like every other major city in India, for international travel or extremely long distances, a flight is your best option, most likely to Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR). But if you're traveling to a destination closer at hand, somewhere that doesn’t have a nearby airport, or you want to experience as much local culture as possible, a private car transfer with Daytrip is the best option. Some current routes from Bangalore include:
What to see on the way from Bangalore to Chennai
What to see on the way from Bangalore to Hampi
India is massive in terms of geography, population, and experiences on offer, so this article has barely begun to scratch the surface: the Portuguese-inflected beach-party atmosphere of Goa, the spiritually fertile Ganga River valley of Northern India, and the unrivalled topography of the Himalayas are just a few major spots we couldn’t do justice in this article. If you want some inspiration for your own trip to the subcontinent—or if you already have your tickets and need help getting around and making the most of your trip—click below to see all the routes Daytrip offers in India. Happy travels!
