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Unmapped.

COUNTRY GUIDE

India

Many regions, languages and rhythms, and people to explore them with.

Working in Bengaluru, studying in Delhi or travelling for months: Unmapped helps you find your city, meet travelers, expats and locals, and join or start things together.

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The pink sandstone facade of the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, India
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur. Photo: Abhishek R / Unsplash (opens in a new tab)

BASICS

Before you go.

Language
Hindi, English and many more
Hindi and English are used by the national government, and the constitution recognises 22 scheduled languages. What you hear depends a lot on the region.
Currency
Indian rupee (₹, INR)
Mobile payments are very common, though many need a local bank account. Cards work in larger shops and hotels; carry cash for small purchases.
Time zone
India Standard Time, UTC+5:30
One time zone for the whole country, no daylight saving time.
Power
Type C, D and M plugs, 230 V
Sockets vary between buildings, so a universal adapter helps.
Getting online
eSIM, SIM or Wi-Fi
Local SIM cards usually need identity documents and can take a little time to activate.
Emergency
112
The national emergency number for police, fire and ambulance, answered by each state's emergency services.

GETTING AROUND

Easy to move, once you know how.

  • Long-distance trains

    A huge rail network connects most cities. Popular routes book up early, and some journeys take a day or more.

  • Domestic flights

    Flights connect the big cities and save a lot of time over the longest distances.

  • Buses

    State and private buses, including overnight sleeper buses, reach many towns the trains don't.

  • In the city

    Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and other cities have metro lines, and ride-hailing apps and auto-rickshaws cover the rest.

CITIES TO EXPLORE

Where to start.

A few very different places to begin. You can explore any city in India through Unmapped. Search for it in the app.

DelhiJaipurMumbaiBengaluruKochiKolkata
Locator map of the featured cities in this guide, showing land and coastlines only. You can explore any city in India in Unmapped.

GOOD TO KNOW

Small things that help.

  • Every region is different

    Language, food, climate and customs change a lot between states, so few statements hold for the whole country.

  • Temples, mosques and gurdwaras

    Cover shoulders and knees and take off your shoes where others do. Some places also ask you to cover your head.

  • The right hand

    Eating, giving and receiving with the right hand is common practice in many places.

  • Seasons

    Much of the country has a hot season, a monsoon and a cooler, drier season, but timing and intensity vary by region.

  • Traffic takes time

    Traffic in the big cities is heavy, so leave extra time between plans.

  • Tipping

    A small tip for good service is common in restaurants, unless a service charge is already included.

UNMAPPED IN INDIA

Arrive knowing someone.

Open your next city before you land, then use it every day you're there.

  • Meet people before you land

    Open Bengaluru, Mumbai or Delhi before you arrive and see who is here now, who is arriving and who lives there.

  • Ask the City Chat

    Every city can have its own City Chat. Ask about neighbourhoods, coworking in Bengaluru or which train to book.

  • Join or host something

    Find meetups and day trips, or host your own, like a food walk in Delhi, a backwater day near Kochi or a dinner in Mumbai.

  • Travel together

    Share your route through Rajasthan, or post a Buddy Plan for a day trip, a class or a night out.

FAQ

Questions about Unmapped in India.

Can I use Unmapped outside the big cities?

Yes. You can explore any city in India through Unmapped, and every city can become a City Hub. The cities on this page are just a few places to start.

Can I find people to travel with?

Yes. Share your route as a trip, or post a Buddy Plan, and see who else is heading the same way.

Can locals use Unmapped too?

Yes. Unmapped is for travelers, expats and locals, and many good plans start with someone who already lives there.

Can I explore a city before I arrive?

Yes. Open your next city, see who is arriving, join the City Chat and share your travel plan before you land.

Is Unmapped available in other languages?

Unmapped is in English for now. City Chats are a good place to ask for help with local languages.

Looking for another country? Search any city in the world.

Sources & information

Information last reviewed: October 2026Location data: GeoNames (opens in a new tab) (CC BY 4.0 (opens in a new tab))Map: Natural Earth (opens in a new tab)Photo: Abhishek R (opens in a new tab) / Unsplash (opens in a new tab)

Travel information can change. Please verify important information with official sources. Country guides are provided for general information and do not constitute legal, medical, immigration or other professional advice. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Unmapped is not liable for losses resulting from reliance on the information provided. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.

INDIA WITH UNMAPPED

Explore India with Unmapped.

Find your city, meet people there and join or start something. Available on iPhone and Android.

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