Most British travellers need a visa for India and can apply online before flying. The option valid for 30 days costs US$25 (US$10 in April to June), the one year option costs US$40, and the five year option is US$484. Choose the duration your trip needs and check the official portal before paying.
India visa for British citizens price: what you pay and how to apply
Most British passport holders need a visa to enter India, and the simplest route is the online e-Visa. You apply from home, so there is no consulate visit. The official site is indianvisaonline.gov.in, and it is the only one you should pay through.
There are three durations to choose from. The 30 day option costs US$25, or US$10 if you travel between April and June. The one year option is a flat US$40. The five year option is reciprocal, and for UK citizens it is US$484, the highest reciprocal rate on the official list. More on this is in Mehrangarh Fort Tour.
Expect a bank charge of about 2.5 to 3 percent on top of the fee. Processing usually takes 3 to 4 working days. Applications open 4 to 120 days before travel, and you must pay at least 4 days before you arrive.
Some older listings and fee tables show different five year amounts, so do not rely on a figure you have read elsewhere. Check the amount on the portal at the point of payment. Most short trips are better served by the one year option, which gives you multiple entries over a longer window for a fixed fee, than by the five year option, which only makes sense if you expect to return often over several years.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months and have 2 or more blank pages. Apply on the passport you will travel with, because a new passport means a new application.
How many days India deserves, and when to go
There is no single right answer. The number of days depends on how many regions you cover and how long you spend moving between them. A trip that stays in one region is far easier to plan than one that crosses the country.
For a first visit, I would keep to fewer cities. Choose two or three places that sit reasonably close together, and allow a full day for each long-distance journey. Rushing from the north to the far south in a fortnight leaves little time for anything, and the travel itself becomes the trip.
Match the visa to the plan. If you are visiting once for a few weeks, the 30 day option is usually sufficient. If you expect to come back within a year, the one year option covers multiple visits. Work out the total days you will spend in the country before you choose.
The season matters as much as the length. October to March suits the north and the Ganges towns, with cooler days and clearer skies. Varanasi is best from October to March. Summer heat in the plains is intense, and the monsoon brings heavy rain across much of the country. Many wildlife parks, including Ranthambore, close during the monsoon, so check the current season before you book any safari.
Getting there and the order to visit
Most British travellers arrive by air. Apply for your visa before you book flights, and make sure the arrival date falls within the window for your chosen duration.
Plan a route that starts with the cities nearest your arrival airport and moves outward. This avoids doubling back and keeps internal journeys short. Confirm travel times on the day you travel, because road and rail conditions change.
Agra and Fatehpur Sikri make a natural pairing. Fatehpur Sikri was the 16th century imperial capital, and it is a short journey from Agra. For a private day option that covers it, Experience My India offers a day trip you can book around your own dates.
Varanasi and Ayodhya
Varanasi is the place to see the Ganga Aarti, a nightly fire ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat. As the light fades, priests raise tiered brass lamps in unison while bells and chanting fill the ghat. Arrive early to find a space, either on the steps or on a boat moored on the river facing the ghat.
Plan a sunrise boat ride on the morning after the aarti if you can. The river is quieter at dawn, and you will see the ghats in use for washing, prayer and daily life. If you would rather have someone arrange the timing and the boat for you, the Varanasi Ganga Aarti and Ghats Tour pairs the evening ceremony with a sunrise river ride.
Ayodhya is the other major pilgrimage stop in the north. The Ram Mandir was consecrated in January 2024, and it draws large crowds. Confirm the darshan hours and visitor guidelines before you go, as they can change. Expect security checks and queues, and go early in the day if you can.
If you want a guided way to visit, the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Tour is one planning option among several.
Rajasthan: Ranthambore, Khatu Shyam and Mehrangarh
Ranthambore National Park is known for its tigers, and the safari is run by gypsy or canter through numbered zones. Sightings are never guaranteed, so treat the drive as a chance rather than a promise. Book early morning or late afternoon slots, when the animals are more active and the heat is lower. You can plan this with the Ranthambore Tiger Safari as a reference point.
Khatu Shyam Ji is a temple in Sikar district, and it works well as a day trip from Jaipur or Delhi. Time your visit around the darshan hours, and allow for queues on busy days. Many pilgrims come on festival days, and those crowds are very heavy, so avoid them if you want a calmer visit.
For a guided approach to the temple and the surrounding town, the Khatu Shyam Ji Tour is worth a look.
Mehrangarh Fort sits above the Blue City of Jodhpur, and the views over the rooftops are the reason to go. Allow at least two hours for the fort, and go in the morning or late afternoon when the light is softer. A guided option is available through Mehrangarh Fort Tour
Etiquette and what to skip
Dress modestly at temples and ghats. Cover shoulders and knees, and carry a scarf so you can cover your head where it is expected. Remove your shoes where asked, and leave them in the place provided.
Behave respectfully during prayer and ceremony. Stand back from the priests, keep your voice low, and do not walk across the front of people who are praying. Treat the Ganga Aarti as a ritual rather than a show, and resist the urge to film the whole thing from the front row.
Check the current rules before you photograph inside a shrine or near a ceremony. Rules differ between sites and can change, so ask a staff member before you lift a camera. Skip the crowded fair days at Khatu Shyam if you want a quieter visit, and avoid touts who offer unofficial boat rides or guided tours at the ghats.
One practical sample day in Varanasi
Morning: Be on the river at sunrise. Allow about two hours for a boat ride and a short walk along the ghats. Early morning is calmer, and the water and the light are at their best.
Afternoon: Take a slower walk through the ghats and the old lanes behind them. Build in a long rest during the hottest hours, and drink water regularly. A late lunch and a short break will make the evening far more enjoyable.
Evening: Arrive at the ghats with time to spare before the Ganga Aarti begins, so you can find a good spot without rushing. Stay until the ceremony ends, then leave quietly and let the crowd thin out before you walk back through the lanes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Indian visa cost for a British citizen?
The 30 day option costs US$25, or US$10 in April to June. The one year option costs US$40, and the five year option costs US$484 for UK citizens. A bank charge of about 2.5 to 3 percent applies on top. Confirm the current amounts on indianvisaonline.gov.in before you pay.
Do British citizens need a visa for India, and can they get one on arrival?
Yes, ordinary UK passport holders need a visa to enter India. The online e-Visa is the simplest route. Visa on arrival is limited to a few nationalities, so most travellers should apply online before flying.
How many days should a first trip to India take?
There is no single answer. The right length depends on the regions you choose and the travel time between them. Keep the route to two or three nearby places for a first visit, and match your visa duration to the total days you plan to spend in the country.
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