India Tour Packages from the UK — Private Tours Designed for British Travellers

The UK sends more visitors to India than almost any other Western country. It is not hard to understand why. The historical connection runs deep, direct flights from London, Manchester, and Birmingham make the journey straightforward, and India rewards exactly the kind of slow, curious travel that British visitors tend to favour. At Driver India Private Tours, a significant proportion of our guests each year are from the UK and we have been designing India itineraries specifically for British travellers since 2013.

This page covers everything you need to plan your India trip from the UK  the practical logistics, the best destinations, recommended itineraries, and what to expect when you travel with us.

Flights from the UK to India: Several airlines fly direct from the UK to India, making it one of the more straightforward long-haul destinations for British travellers.

From London Heathrow: Air India, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic all operate direct flights to Delhi (approximately 8.5 hours) and Mumbai (approximately 9 hours). Indirect options via Dubai (Emirates), Doha (Qatar Airways), and Abu Dhabi (Etihad) add 3–5 hours but are often significantly cheaper.

From Manchester: Direct flights to Delhi and Amritsar operate seasonally. Indirect options are available year-round via most Middle Eastern hubs.

From Birmingham: Indirect flights via Dubai and Doha are the most common option.

Most of our UK guests fly into Delhi, which is the natural starting point for the Golden Triangle, Rajasthan, North India, and the Himalayan regions. For South India tours, flying into Mumbai or Chennai and picking up a domestic connection makes more sense.

India e-Visa for UK Citizens: British passport holders can apply for an India e-Visa online before travel. The process is straightforward:

Apply at: indianvisaonline.gov.in

Processing time: Usually 3–5 business days (apply at least 2 weeks before travel to be safe)
Cost: Approximately GBP 20–25 depending on current exchange rates
Validity: 1 year from date of issue, multiple entry, up to 90 consecutive days per visit

You will need a valid UK passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your travel dates, a recent passport photograph, and your travel itinerary. Print the e-Visa approval and carry it with your passport throughout India.

Best Time to Visit India from the UK?

October to March is the best season for North India (Golden Triangle, Rajasthan, Agra). Pleasant temperatures, clear skies, and excellent photography light. This coincides conveniently with the UK autumn and winter when escaping the cold has obvious appeal. December and January are particularly popular Christmas and New Year trips to India have become increasingly common for British families.

February and March are excellent for Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle. Holi falls in March and is one of the most extraordinary festivals to witness in India.

October and November is festival season. Diwali transforms Indian cities, particularly Jaipur and Varanasi, with lights and celebrations. The Pushkar Camel Fair in November is one of the most visually spectacular events in Asia.

April to June is hot across North India but manageable in the Himalayas. Good for Leh-Ladakh trips which open fully from June.

July to September is the monsoon. Not ideal for sightseeing in the north but South India (Kerala) is beautiful in the green season with significantly cheaper accommodation.

Most Popular India Itineraries for UK Travellers?

Based on 11 years of booking patterns from our UK guests, these are the most requested itineraries:

10–14 Days:  The Most Common UK Holiday Length
The Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) combined with either a Rajasthan extension or a South India contrast is the most popular structure. A typical 10-day itinerary: 2 nights Delhi, 1 night Agra, 3 nights Jaipur, 2 nights Jodhpur, 2 nights Udaipur. Return flight from Udaipur or Jodhpur.

2–3 Weeks: For Those with More Time
Three weeks allows for a proper Rajasthan circuit combined with the Golden Triangle and one additional destination — Varanasi, Ranthambore, or Amritsar. This is the itinerary that tends to generate the most memorable experiences and the strongest desire to return.

1 Week: Short Breaks from the UK
Direct flights from London make a 7-night India trip very viable. A classic short itinerary: fly into Delhi on Friday evening, 2 nights Delhi, drive to Agra, 1 night Agra (sunrise Taj Mahal), drive to Jaipur, 2 nights Jaipur, fly back from Jaipur on Friday.

Family Trips: British families travelling to India with children typically do best with a focused Golden Triangle itinerary of 10–12 days, with comfortable hotels, flexible pacing, and an experienced driver used to travelling with families.

Honeymoons: Udaipur is consistently one of the most requested honeymoon destinations among our UK couples — the Lake Palace, boat rides at sunset, and the intimate scale of the old city make it extraordinarily romantic. Combined with the Taj Mahal at sunrise and the desert camps of Jaisalmer, a 12–14 day Rajasthan honeymoon is one of our most popular requests.

Why UK Travellers Choose Private Tours Over Group Tours?

The majority of British visitors who travel to India on their first trip book a group tour. Many come back to us for their second trip and book privately. The reasons are consistent:

Flexibility: No waiting for other group members. No fixed itinerary that cannot be changed. Your driver adjusts to your pace, your interests, and your energy levels on any given day.

Comfort: Your own air-conditioned vehicle, not a shared coach. This matters enormously in Indian summer heat and on long drives between Rajasthan cities.

Value: For couples and families of three or more, the per-person cost of a private tour is often comparable to or less than a group tour, with significantly more flexibility and comfort.

Practical Information for UK Travellers?

Currency: Indian Rupee (INR). GBP can be exchanged at Delhi airport, city banks, and authorised money changers. ATMs accept UK debit and credit cards — notify your bank before travel.

Time difference: India is GMT+5:30 year-round (no daylight saving). India is 4.5 hours ahead of UK GMT in winter, 3.5 hours ahead in British Summer Time.

Plugs: India uses Type C and Type D plugs (round pins). UK three-pin plugs do not fit — bring a universal travel adaptor.

Mobile phones: We recommend buying a local SIM card at Delhi airport. Airtel and Jio offer excellent data plans for around INR 300–500 (GBP 3–5).

Health: No mandatory vaccinations are required for UK travellers to India, though Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus are commonly recommended. Travel insurance with medical cover is strongly recommended.

Book Your India Tour from the UK with us today!

Email: info@driverindiatour.com
WhatsApp: +91-9266677792 (we respond to WhatsApp messages from the UK promptly — typically within a few hours given the time difference)
Phone: +91-9266677751 / +91-11-40153292

Tell us your travel dates, number of people, interests, budget, and days available and we will come back to you with a personalised itinerary and transparent quote within 24 hours, completely free.

We have been helping British travellers explore India since 2013. Let us help you plan yours.