Power & Connectivity (SIM)
Connectivity may vary by region and season.
Voltage & Plug Types
Electrical standards and outlet shapes
India uses 230V at 50Hz with plug types C, D and M. Type D (three round pins) is distinctive and common, so bring a universal adapter. Most modern chargers handle 230V, but check the label on hair dryers and other appliances. Power cuts happen in some areas, so keep devices charged.
- Voltage
- 230V / 50Hz
- Plugs
- Type C, D, M
- Adapter
- Universal recommended
- Power cuts occur in some areas — keep devices charged
Buying a SIM Card
Where to buy, costs, and activation process
Main networks are Jio, Airtel and Vi (Vodafone Idea). Prepaid tourist SIMs are cheap with generous data, but registration needs your passport, visa, a photo and sometimes takes a few hours to a day to activate. Buy from an official store or the airport counter rather than a random kiosk.
- Networks
- Jio, Airtel, Vi
- Registration
- Passport, visa, photo
- Buy from
- Official store / airport
- Activation can take hours to a day — plan ahead
eSIM & Mobile Wi-Fi
eSIM availability and portable Wi-Fi rental
Travel eSIMs (from providers like Airalo, Holafly and others) let you get data on arrival without a physical SIM, and are convenient if your phone supports eSIM. Local carriers also offer eSIM, but activation may still need passport-based registration. Set up a travel eSIM before you land for instant connectivity.
- Travel eSIM
- Airalo, Holafly, etc.
- Phone
- Must support eSIM
- Set up
- Before landing
- Local eSIM may still require passport registration
Wi-Fi Availability
Public Wi-Fi coverage and security
Hotels, cafes, malls, airports and many restaurants in cities offer Wi-Fi, though quality varies and public networks may need an OTP sent to an Indian number. A local SIM or eSIM is more reliable for maps and rides. Avoid sensitive logins on open Wi-Fi and use a trusted network for banking.
- Where
- Hotels, cafes, airports
- Public
- May need OTP to Indian number
- Best
- SIM/eSIM more reliable
- Avoid banking on open public Wi-Fi
Internet Restrictions & VPN
Blocked services and VPN recommendations
Common global services like Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and maps generally work. However, authorities can order temporary internet or mobile-data shutdowns in specific areas during unrest or exams, and some content may be blocked. Have offline maps and key details saved in case connectivity drops locally.
- Global apps
- Generally work
- Shutdowns
- Possible in specific areas
- Prepare
- Save offline maps
- Local internet shutdowns can happen during unrest — plan offline
Useful Local Apps
Must-have apps for transport, translation, and maps
Google Maps works well for navigation; Uber and Ola are the main ride-hailing apps in cities. IRCTC (or partners like Trip.com/others) is used for train tickets, and metro apps help in Delhi and other cities. Google Translate helps with regional languages and menus.
- Maps/Rides
- Google Maps, Uber, Ola
- Trains
- IRCTC
- Language
- Google Translate
- Metro apps help in Delhi, Mumbai and other big cities
International Calls
How to make international calls and alternatives
India's country code is +91 and mobile numbers have 10 digits. To call abroad, dial 00 then the country code. The single emergency number is 112. Many travellers rely on WhatsApp and other apps for calls over data, which is cheaper than international voice roaming.
- Country code
- +91
- Outbound
- 00 + country code
- Emergency
- 112
- App calls over data are cheaper than voice roaming