India Tour Package from USA

India Tour Packages from the USA "Private Tours for American Travellers"
 

India is one of the most rewarding long-haul destinations for American travellers and one of the most misunderstood. People arrive expecting chaos and leave carrying something they did not expect: a genuine fascination with a country that has been continuously civilised for five thousand years. At Driver India Private Tours, we have been designing private India itineraries for Americans since 2013, and our US guests are among our most enthusiastic repeat visitors.

This page covers everything you need to know to plan your India trip from the USA flights, visas, the best time to go, recommended itineraries, and what to expect when you travel with us.

Flights from the USA to India: India is a long flight from the United States but the connections are well-established and increasingly direct.

From the East Coast: Air India operates non-stop flights from New York JFK to Delhi in approximately 14 hours and to Mumbai in approximately 15 hours. United Airlines also flies JFK to Delhi non-stop. These are among the longest non-stop routes in the world but save significant time compared to connecting itineraries.

From the West Coast: Air India flies non-stop from San Francisco to Delhi in approximately 15 hours and from Los Angeles to Mumbai. Non-stop options from Seattle and Chicago are also available seasonally.

Via connections: Emirates via Dubai, Qatar Airways via Doha, and Etihad via Abu Dhabi all offer excellent connections from most major US cities to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore. Connection times are typically 2–4 hours and the Middle Eastern hubs are among the best airports in the world.

Most of our American guests fly into Delhi, the natural gateway for the Golden Triangle, Rajasthan, and North India. For South India tours, Mumbai or Chennai entry with a domestic connection works better.

India e-Visa for US Citizens: American passport holders can apply for an India e-Visa online — the process is simple and entirely done before you travel.

Apply at: indianvisaonline.gov.in
Processing time: 3–5 business days (apply at least 2 weeks before travel)
Cost: Approximately USD 25–30
Validity: 1 year from date of issue, multiple entry, up to 90 consecutive days per visit

You will need a valid US 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 throughout India alongside your passport.

Best Time to Visit India from the USA: October to March is the best season for North India — the Golden Triangle, Rajasthan, Agra, and Varanasi. Temperatures are comfortable, skies are clear, and the light is excellent for photography.

For American travellers, the timing works out particularly well around Thanksgiving and Christmas — both are popular windows for India trips from the US. December and January are peak season; book well in advance if you are travelling during these periods.

February and March offer excellent weather across North India with fewer crowds than December. Holi falls in March — one of the most extraordinary festivals in the world to witness in person, particularly in Vrindavan and Mathura near Agra.

April to June is very hot in North India but the Himalayas are at their most accessible. Leh-Ladakh opens fully in June — spectacular high-altitude landscapes unlike anywhere else on earth.

July to September is the monsoon. Rajasthan receives less rain than other regions and the desert landscape turns briefly green. South India (Kerala) is beautiful year-round, with October to February being the most comfortable months.

Most Popular India Itineraries for US Travellers: American travellers typically have between 10 days and 3 weeks for an India trip. Here are the most popular structures based on our booking history:

10–12 Days — The Classic First Trip
Delhi (2 nights), Agra including Taj Mahal sunrise (1 night), Jaipur (2 nights), Jodhpur (1 night), Udaipur (2 nights), then fly home from Udaipur. This Golden Triangle plus Rajasthan combination is the single most popular India itinerary for first-time American visitors. It covers the absolute highlights without feeling rushed.

2 Weeks — Adding Depth
Two weeks allows you to slow down, spend more time in Rajasthan (adding Jaisalmer and the desert camp experience), or add a completely different dimension — Varanasi for spirituality, Ranthambore for tiger safaris, or Kerala for backwaters and beaches. Many of our American guests combine Rajasthan with a few days in Kerala as a contrast at the end.

3 Weeks — The Full Experience
Three weeks is the itinerary that converts first-time visitors into people who come back. A full Rajasthan circuit (Jaipur, Pushkar, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Udaipur) combined with the Golden Triangle and Varanasi covers India's core narrative completely.

Family Trips from the USA
India is an outstanding family destination. American families travelling with children consistently tell us the Taj Mahal, the Amber Fort in Jaipur (approached by jeep up a winding ramp), and the camel ride experience in the Rajasthan desert are among the most memorable experiences their children have ever had. We arrange family India tours regularly and advise on pacing, child-friendly hotels, and what to expect.

Why American Travellers Choose Private Tours: The USA has a strong group tour culture — Tauck, Abercrombie & Kent, National Geographic Expeditions — and many American visitors arrive in India on group departures. Many come back to us after that first trip and book privately.

The reasons are consistent: with a private driver, you travel at your own pace. You spend more time where you want and less where you do not. You stop for the roadside scene that catches your eye. You adjust the itinerary on the fly when you discover somewhere unexpected. Group tours, however well-run, cannot offer this.

For American couples and families, the per-person cost of a private tour with DIPT is often comparable to or less than a premium group tour — and the experience is fundamentally more personal.

Practical Information for American Travellers: Currency: Indian Rupee (INR). USD can be exchanged at Delhi airport, city banks, and authorised money changers. US debit and credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) work at ATMs across India notify your bank before travel. Chip-and-PIN cards work well; magnetic stripe-only cards may have issues at some terminals.

Time difference: India Standard Time is GMT+5:30 there is no daylight saving. India is 10.5 hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time, 13.5 hours ahead of US Pacific Standard Time.

Plugs and voltage: India uses Type C and Type D round-pin plugs. US plugs do not fit Indian sockets — bring a universal travel adaptor. India operates on 230V versus the US 120V, so check your devices are dual-voltage (most modern laptops, phone chargers, and cameras are).

Mobile phones: Most US phones work on international roaming in India but costs can be high. We recommend buying a local SIM card at Delhi airport — Airtel and Jio offer generous data plans for approximately USD 5–8.

Health: No mandatory vaccinations are required for US citizens travelling to India, though Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus are commonly recommended. Travel insurance with comprehensive medical cover is strongly advised. Drink only sealed bottled water throughout India.

Book Your India Tour from the USA

Email: info@driverindiatour.com
WhatsApp: +91-9266677792
Phone: +91-9266677751 / +91-11-40153292

Tell us your travel dates, group size, interests, and budget. We will send you a personalised itinerary and detailed quote within 24 hours — free and with no obligation. We handle enquiries from US time zones regularly and our team is responsive.

We have been helping American travellers explore India since 2013. Let us show you what makes this country unforgettable.