How to get there — India

India is about 8 hours' direct flight from Paris to Delhi, accessible via several major airport gateways. Time difference is +4h30 in winter and +3h30 in summer relative to Paris (India uses a single time zone IST = UTC+5h30, unique for a country of this size).

Direct flights from Paris are operated by: Air France (daily Paris CDG-Delhi DEL in 8h, Airbus A350, €600-1,400 return depending on season; daily Paris CDG-Mumbai BOM in 9h), Air India (daily Paris CDG-Delhi in 8h, often more accessible fares €350-900 low season, Boeing 787). Vistara merged with Air India in 2024 (Paris-Delhi route).

Flights with stopovers via the Middle East or Europe generally offer the best fares: Emirates (via Dubai DXB, serves Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad — 11-14h total, €350-800 return), Qatar Airways (via Doha DOH, excellent service quality, serves 14 Indian cities — 11-13h total, €400-900), Etihad (via Abu Dhabi AUH), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul IST, good option for Bengaluru and Chennai), Lufthansa (via Frankfurt FRA), KLM (via Amsterdam AMS), British Airways (via London LHR).

Main airports: Delhi Indira Gandhi (DEL) is the main hub, 2nd busiest South Asian airport after Singapore, ultramodern T3 terminal. Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji (BOM) is the country's 2nd airport, financial hub. Bengaluru Kempegowda (BLR), Chennai (MAA), Kolkata (CCU), Hyderabad (HYD), Kochi (COK), Goa Dabolim (GOI) are other major gateways.

Fares vary widely by season. Low season (April-June and July-September, outside dry season): Paris-Delhi return €350-700 booking 2-3 months ahead. High season (November-March, especially December-February and school holidays): €800-1,400. Air India flights are often cheapest, sometimes under €400 return even in high season if booked 4-6 months ahead.

On arrival, the entry procedure: present passport + printed ETA e-Visa (Electronic Travel Authorization received by email). Biometric capture (10-finger prints + photo) on site. Entry stamp with stay limit date. Baggage claim, customs (usually nothing to declare). Exit airport to transport.

From airport to city centre: in Delhi, the Delhi Airport Metro Express connects T3 to New Delhi Railway Station in 20 min for 60 INR (fastest and cheapest option). Prepaid taxi (official meter) at indoor counter 400-600 INR to centre. Uber and Ola cheaper (250-450 INR). In Mumbai (BOM): prepaid taxi 500-800 INR to Colaba/Marine Drive, Uber/Ola 350-600 INR, dense traffic (45 min-1h30 depending on time).

Once in India, internal transport organises by pace. Domestic flights (IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India, Vistara) are fast and affordable: Delhi-Mumbai 2h for €60-120, Delhi-Goa 2h30 for €80-150, Delhi-Bengaluru 2h45 for €80-160. Book via official sites or aggregators (MakeMyTrip, Yatra). The train is the quintessential Indian cultural experience — 67,000 km network (world's 5th largest). Favour AC 2 tier classes (air-conditioned 2-level berths, €15-30) or AC 1st class (closed 4-person cabins, €30-60) on long distances. Book on IRCTC.co.in or via an agency — creating an IRCTC account from abroad is complicated, prefer going through a local agency. Car with driver is the most practical formula for Rajasthan or Kerala (€60-100/day including fuel, driver accommodation, tolls) — never drive yourself (chaotic traffic). Uber and Ola work in all major cities. Auto-rickshaws (tuk-tuks) for short urban distances (50-200 INR negotiated or by meter).