BeachGoa Beach Week
- 5★ beach hotel in Candolim
- Direct in winter, or one stop
- Return airport transfers
From£879per person · 2 sharing
View details
India · Holidays from the UK
India holidays from the UK
The Taj Mahal and the Mughal cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, Goa’s long beaches and the backwaters of Kerala. A UK consultant arranges your flights, hotels, driver and transfers as one ATOL protected holiday.
Packages from £879 per person, with return flights, hotel and transfers
Direct to Delhi
Daily direct flights from London Heathrow take approx. 9 hrs.
Mughal heritage
The Taj Mahal, Humayun’s Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri and Delhi’s Jama Masjid.
Winter sun
Goa and Kerala are warm and dry from November to March.
ATOL protected
Holidays that include a flight are protected under ATOL 10416.
India holiday packages
India holiday packages
Flights, hotel and transfers in one price. Every package can be changed: more nights, a different hotel or another UK airport.
3 packages · guide prices per person
Beach
TourGolden Triangle Tour
- 5★ hotels in three cities
- Direct from London Heathrow
- Private driver for the tour
From£1,099per person · 2 sharing
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Multi-centreKerala Backwaters & Beach
- 5★ hotels and a houseboat
- Flights from London, one stop
- Private transfers throughout
From£1,249per person · 2 sharing
View details
Overview
India holiday guide for UK travellers
India holidays from the UK usually take one of three shapes. The Golden Triangle links Delhi, Agra and Jaipur by road, with the Taj Mahal at its centre. Goa and Kerala, on the south-west coast, are beach and backwater holidays for the winter months. The main season for all three is November to March.
Delhi is approx. 9 hours direct from London Heathrow. Old Delhi grew up around the Jama Masjid and the Red Fort, both built under the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, who also built the Taj Mahal in Agra, approx. 4 hours away by road. Jaipur, the third point of the triangle, is known for its pink-painted old city, the Hawa Mahal and the Amber Fort. On the drive from Agra to Jaipur you pass Fatehpur Sikri, the city Akbar built as his capital.
Goa has direct charter flights from London Gatwick and Manchester in winter. North Goa, from Candolim and Calangute up to Anjuna and Vagator, is the busier half; South Goa has long, quieter beaches lined with palms. Kerala, further south, has no direct UK flights, but its backwaters, houseboats and beaches suit a week on their own or a second week after the Golden Triangle.
Where to stay
Where to stay in India
Six areas, from the Mughal cities of the north to the beaches of Goa and the backwaters of Kerala. Transfer times are approximate and depend on your hotel and traffic.
Delhi
Mughal sights · Food · Shopping
The Jama Masjid, the Red Fort and the lanes of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi, with Humayun’s Tomb, the Qutub Minar and India Gate in the newer city.
Nearest airport: Delhi Airport (DEL), approx. 45 mins to 1 hr
Packages from £1,099 pp
Agra
Taj Mahal · Mughal forts · Short stays
The Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, with Fatehpur Sikri approx. 1 hour away. Most visitors stay one or two nights on a Golden Triangle tour.
Nearest airport: Delhi Airport, approx. 4 hrs by road
Packages from £1,099 pp
Jaipur
Forts · Palaces · Bazaars
The pink-painted old city, with the City Palace, the Hawa Mahal and the Jantar Mantar, and the Amber Fort on a hillside approx. 30 minutes north.
Nearest airport: Jaipur Airport (JAI), approx. 30 mins
Packages from £1,099 pp
North Goa
Beaches · Restaurants · Families
A run of beaches from Candolim and Calangute up to Anjuna, Vagator and Mandrem, with Fort Aguada, Panaji and Old Goa close by. Candolim is the quieter end of the busy central stretch.
Nearest airport: Mopa (GOX), approx. 30 mins to 1 hr
Packages from £879 pp
South Goa
Quiet beaches · Resorts · Couples
A long sandy beach from Colva to Cavelossim, with fishing villages and resort hotels in gardens, and smaller bays such as Palolem and Cola further south. Quieter than the north.
Nearest airport: Dabolim (GOI), approx. 30 mins to 1 hr 30 mins
Kerala
Backwaters · Houseboats · Beaches
Chinese fishing nets and spice warehouses in Fort Kochi, houseboats on the backwaters around Alleppey, and the quiet, palm-lined beach at Marari.
Nearest airport: Kochi Airport (COK), approx. 1 hr 15 mins to Fort Kochi
Packages from £1,249 pp
Things to see
Places to see in India
A few of the sights to plan your trip around. We can suggest hotels close to the ones you most want to see.
Weather
India weather by month
Average daytime highs in Goa and Delhi, with the sea temperature in Goa. The chart runs from July to June, so the main season sits in one block. Hover over or tap a month for the figures.
View as a table
| Month | Goa | Sea at Goa | Delhi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul | 29°C | 27°C | 35°C |
| Aug | 29°C | 27°C | 33°C |
| Sep | 30°C | 27°C | 34°C |
| Oct | 32°C | 28°C | 33°C |
| Nov | 33°C | 28°C | 28°C |
| Dec | 33°C | 28°C | 23°C |
| Jan | 32°C | 27°C | 21°C |
| Feb | 32°C | 28°C | 24°C |
| Mar | 32°C | 28°C | 30°C |
| Apr | 33°C | 29°C | 36°C |
| May | 33°C | 29°C | 39°C |
| Jun | 30°C | 29°C | 39°C |
Long-term averages from weather2travel.com. Actual weather varies year to year.
November to March
Dry and sunny in Goa and Kerala, at around 31–33°C, with the sea at around 27–28°C. Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are warm by day, at around 21–30°C, with cold nights and morning fog in December and January.
April to June
Hot before the monsoon. Delhi averages around 36–39°C in April, May and June, too hot for most sightseeing. Goa and Kerala stay at around 31–33°C, and humid.
June to September
The south-west monsoon brings heavy rain to Goa and Kerala, and the sea is rough. Many Goa beach shacks close and swimming is often not allowed. Delhi has monsoon rain from July, at around 33–35°C.
Jama Masjid, Delhi
Muslim-friendly travel
Muslim-friendly travel in India
India is not a Muslim-majority country, but it has one of the world’s largest Muslim populations. Halal food is widely available in many cities, and the Mughal monuments of Delhi, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri are among the most visited sights in the country. Most hotels serve alcohol and facilities vary, so tell your consultant what you need and we’ll check each hotel before you book.
- Halal foodWidely served in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Kerala, especially at Muslim-run restaurants; less common in Goa
- MosquesThe Jama Masjid in Delhi and at Fatehpur Sikri, and mosques in every city on the Golden Triangle
- Mughal heritageThe Taj Mahal, Humayun’s Tomb, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri
- Hotels checked for youHalal breakfast and meals on request at many hotels; facilities vary by hotel
- Your own driverOn the Golden Triangle, stop for prayers and meals when you choose
- Meals on the flightMost airlines offer a Muslim meal if you request it when you book
India holiday FAQs
Questions about India holidays
Quick answers for UK travellers. For anything else, our UK team is happy to help.
020 7871 4545How long is the flight to India from the UK?
Direct flights from London Heathrow to Delhi take approx. 9 hours, with Air India, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, and Air India also flies direct from Birmingham. In winter, charter flights run direct from London Gatwick and Manchester to Goa. Kochi has no direct UK flights, so you change once, usually in the Gulf. India is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of the UK in winter and 4 hours 30 minutes ahead in summer.
When is the best time to visit India?
November to March for most trips. Goa and Kerala are dry and sunny, at around 31–33°C, and Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are warm by day, at around 21–30°C. April to June is very hot in the north, and the monsoon brings heavy rain from June to September.
Do UK citizens need a visa for India?
Yes. UK passport holders need a visa to visit India, and an e-Visa for tourism is available online. Apply before you travel and check the current entry rules, including how long your passport must be valid.
Is India a good destination for Muslim travellers?
Many Muslim travellers visit India for its Mughal heritage: the Taj Mahal, Humayun’s Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri and Delhi’s Jama Masjid. Halal food is widely available in many cities, especially Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Kerala, and less so in Goa. Facilities vary by hotel, so we confirm them before you book.
Is the Taj Mahal open every day?
No. The Taj Mahal is closed to visitors on Fridays. Going at sunrise is cooler and quieter than later in the day. Our Golden Triangle tour plans your days in Agra around the Friday closure.
Are India holiday packages ATOL protected?
Yes. Holidays that include a flight are protected under ATOL 10416, and you’ll receive an ATOL Certificate when you pay.
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