1. Arranging your Visa
The easiest (and cheapest) visa to get is the e-visa online. This can be done through this website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html.
The application procedure speaks for itself. Different from The Netherlands is the size of the passport picture that needs to be uploaded.
Applying a visa through this website is currently free. It is processed within a few days. An added benefit of this visa is that you can go to the special “e-visa” counters when arriving at the airport.
2. What to do before entering India
There are a few important documents to fill or/and take with you to India. Without these documents an airline might not allow you to enter.
- Your visa
This is a print out of the mail which states status “granted” or a download of your status on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html - Filled Air Suvidha declaration
This can form should be filled before your flight. This can be done at https://www.newdelhiairport.in/airsuvidha/apho-registration - Proof of vaccination / PCR-test
According to the Indian Embassy a completed vaccination schedule in The Netherlands is valid for entering India. This is also for Janssen vaccination as Dutch proof will show vaccination is completed. This has to be uploaded in step 2 but it is advisable to also bring it with you on your flight. Proof can be obtained through https://coronacheck.nl/nl/
Typically, showing the documents on your phone is fine, make sure that you have downloaded everything so you are able to show it offline as well. Still I would suggest to also take a print out of all the documents above.
3. What to pack
Apart from the print outs above there are a few essentials to possibly keep in mind.
1) Long pants/clothes -> these might be needed if you want to enter some temples
2) A shirt that can be used for swimming -> in rare occasions this is required at pools, but sunburn is a serious thing
3) Mosquito spray -> a lot of buzz buzz is going around in the evening
4. On arrival
When you arrive at Delhi Airport it is a good idea to take out some Rupees. Cards -as in many foreign countries- do not always work as we are used to.
To get to your hotel we would suggest one of the following options:
1) Prepaid Taxi
This can be ordered through Taxi stands still in the airport itself. You give a location and they come with a fair price which you pay immediately. With the slip you receive you can simply walk to the prepaid taxi stand and they will bring you to location. One downside to this is that no google maps is typically involved, which can cause some delays in finding your hotel.
2) Uber
Uber can be found in a parking garage angled at approx 45 degrees from the terminal you are arriving from. Just use your wifi at the airport to book one and walk there.
In the past it was possible to walk there and let someone order an Uber for you, if this is still a service they offer is unknown to us. It is possible to book an Uber in advance through their website: https://www.uber.com/global/en/airports/del/
5. Flight Tickets
SkyScanner has all the answers. A ticket around € 600 with a reasonable lay-over should be a good deal with the current situation in Eastern Europe – oil prices can greatly influence this. Good layovers to India are typically in one of the Gulf-states. We noticed here that buying single tickets could sometimes be more price effective. If this is the case with you, keep in mind that you need to have the return ticket before boarding your flight to India.
Our advice would be to try to search on SkyScanner but book with the airline directly. This guarantees a quick refund in a worst-case scenario.