India is safe to travel for tourists in April 2026, and a newly agreed US-Iran ceasefire is bringing cautious optimism to the region’s disrupted aviation sector. Most of India’s major cities and popular tourist destinations remain open and welcoming to visitors, though specific border regions carry higher security risks.
If you’re planning a trip to India, the biggest challenge right now isn’t safety on the ground — it’s getting there. The six-week US-Israeli military campaign against Iran forced widespread airspace closures that hit Indian aviation hard. A two-week ceasefire agreed on 7 April 2026 has raised hopes that flights will resume more broadly, but for now, Middle East routes remain heavily disrupted. Here’s everything you need to know before you book.
What Does the US-Iran Ceasefire Mean for India Travel?
On 7 April 2026, the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, with Iran committing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for safe passage during the pause. Pakistan is hosting follow-up talks in Islamabad from 10 April to negotiate a longer-term deal.
For travellers to and from India, the ceasefire is welcome news but not yet an all-clear. Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Syria remains closed to commercial flights. Indian and Gulf carriers are still rerouting through Oman, southern Saudi Arabia, and the Arabian Sea, adding significant flight time. The ceasefire creates a window for airspace to potentially reopen, but no aviation authority has announced a timeline for doing so.
What the ceasefire does change: it reduces the risk of further escalation that could trigger new airspace closures or airport shutdowns in the Gulf. For travellers with upcoming bookings, this means the current level of disruption is unlikely to get worse in the near term — and may gradually improve if ceasefire talks progress.
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Flight Disruptions Affecting Travel to India
The Middle East airspace crisis remains the biggest disruption to India’s travel. The ceasefire has not yet led to airspace reopenings, but airlines are gradually expanding operations using alternative routing. Here’s the current status.
Indian carriers
| Airline | Middle East Status (April 2026) | Other Routes | Rebooking Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air India | Limited services resumed to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Doha, Jeddah. Dammam remains suspended. | North America, Europe, Australia operating via rerouted paths | Free rebooking or full refund for suspended routes |
| Air India Express | Limited UAE services via scheduled and ad-hoc flights | Southeast Asia routes operating | Rebook via WhatsApp AI assistant Tia (+91 63600 12345) or full refund |
| IndiGo | Select flights operating to the Middle East, schedules reviewed daily | Domestic flights unaffected | Free rebooking on alternate dates |
| SpiceJet | Select Gulf flights resumed | Domestic flights unaffected | Contact airline for options |
Air India and Air India Express together are operating around 30 flights daily to the West Asia region, including scheduled and non-scheduled services. This represents a gradual increase from the near-total shutdown in early March, though it remains well below pre-crisis capacity.
Gulf carriers serving India
Emirates has resumed flights to major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Thiruvananthapuram. Emirates is operating at roughly 70% of its pre-conflict capacity, with schedules still subject to last-minute changes. Passengers with flights through 30 April 2026 can rebook free of charge for travel up to 15 June, or request a full refund.
Etihad Airways has resumed India services on a reduced schedule, with key routes like Delhi-Abu Dhabi running at significantly lower frequency than before the crisis. Etihad’s rebooking waiver covers tickets issued on or before 28 February with travel dates through 15 April, allowing free rebooking onto flights up to 15 June 2026. From 16 April, passengers on cancelled flights can also rebook or refund without fees.
flydubai has resumed operations on over 100 routes including Delhi and Mumbai, operating at roughly 40% of pre-conflict capacity. Passengers on affected routes can rebook free of charge within 30 days of their original travel date or request a refund.
What to expect if you’re flying
- Longer flight times: Westbound flights from India add 90 minutes to 4 hours due to rerouting around Iranian and Iraqi airspace
- Reduced frequency: Middle East routes are running well below pre-crisis capacity, though airlines are gradually resuming travel on more routes
- Higher prices: Fuel surcharges and reduced capacity are pushing fares up on affected routes
- Schedule changes: Check your flight status on Wego’s Live Flight Tracker before heading to the airport — cancellations remain possible on any given day
The DGCA has approved temporary pilot flight duty time relaxations for Air India through 30 April 2026 to accommodate longer rerouted paths, and requires all Indian carriers to conduct Safety Risk Assessments before operating through affected regions.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has renewed its advisory warning airlines to avoid airspace over Iran, Israel, and parts of the Gulf, with the current advisory running through 10 April 2026. A limited exception applies in Omani and Saudi airspace south of a specific corridor at FL320 or above.
Entry Requirements for India in 2026
e-Visa
India’s e-Visa system is available to 166 nationalities. You can apply up to 120 days in advance, giving you more time to sort any issues before departure.
The three e-Tourist visa options are:
- 30-day e-Tourist visa: double entry, US $10 (April-June) or $25 (July-March)
- 1-year e-Tourist visa: multiple entry, US $40
- 5-year e-Tourist visa: multiple entry, US $80
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival and have at least 2 blank pages. Apply only through the official portal — indianvisaonline.gov.in — and avoid third-party sites that charge inflated fees.
e-Arrival Card (mandatory from April 2026)
As of 1 April 2026, all foreign visitors (including OCI card-holders) must complete an online e-Arrival Card between 72 and 0 hours before landing in India. This replaces the old paper disembarkation form. Submit through the Bureau of Immigration portal or the Su-Swagatam mobile app — a QR code is generated that you present at immigration.
Note: Carrying satellite phones or satellite-enabled navigational devices into India is punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment and fines of up to INR 20 million (approximately US $233,000). Leave GPS satellite devices at home unless they’re standard consumer smartphones.
Government Travel Advisories for India
India’s travel advisory status has not changed as a result of the Middle East conflict or the ceasefire. The advisories below reflect each country’s standing assessment of India’s domestic safety conditions.
United States
The US Department of State rates India at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and terrorism — the same level as France, Germany, and Italy.
Specific regions carry higher warnings:
- Level 4 (Do Not Travel): Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (except eastern Ladakh and Leh), within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border, Manipur, and parts of central and east India affected by Naxalite violence
- Level 3 (Reconsider Travel): Northeastern states, due to terrorism and violence
United Kingdom
The UK FCDO advises against all travel to within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (including Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Srinagar, and the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway — air travel to and within Jammu city is excepted). The FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to Manipur, including its capital Imphal, due to ongoing ethnic violence.
Australia
Smartraveller advises travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in India overall. Australia says do not travel to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the India-Pakistan border, or Manipur. It advises travellers to reconsider their need to travel to Chhattisgarh and its neighbouring border areas, Nagaland, and specific districts in Assam.
Canada
The Government of Canada advises travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in India overall. Canada says avoid all travel to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and areas within 10 km of the Pakistan border. It also advises against non-essential travel to Manipur.
Regions to Avoid in India
Most of India is safe for tourists. The restricted areas are concentrated along the country’s borders and in specific northeastern states experiencing internal conflict.
Jammu and Kashmir
All major governments advise against travel to most of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The US State Department rates it Level 4 (Do Not Travel), and the UK FCDO advises against all travel — including popular tourist destinations like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Srinagar.
Exception: Travel by air to and within the city of Jammu is considered acceptable by the FCDO. Eastern Ladakh and the city of Leh are also excepted from the US “Do Not Travel” designation.
India-Pakistan border
All major governments advise against travel within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border. This zone includes parts of Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat near the international border.
Manipur and the northeast
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Manipur, including its capital Imphal, due to ethnic violence that has persisted since 2023. The US rates the broader northeastern states at Level 3 (Reconsider Travel). If you’re planning to visit the northeast, check the latest advisories and register with your embassy.
Safe destinations for tourists
India’s most popular tourist circuits remain safe and fully operational:
- The Golden Triangle — Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur
- Kerala — Kochi, Munnar, and the backwaters
- Goa — resort areas are well-policed and tourist-friendly
- Rajasthan — Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer
- Varanasi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru
Safety Tips for Travellers in India
Crime and scams
Violent crime against tourists is rare, but petty theft, overcharging, and scams are common — especially at airports, train stations, and major monuments. Common scam types include fake taxi drivers, pressure sales at gem and carpet shops, and street vendors who overcharge. Use UPI digital payments where possible to avoid change-related scams.
Women travellers
Female travellers need to exercise additional caution. Safer destinations for women include Kerala (especially Kochi, Munnar, and Varkala), Goa’s resort areas, and Himachal Pradesh (Manali, Dharamsala). Delhi, Varanasi, and Agra require more vigilance, especially at night. India has a dedicated Women in Distress helpline on 1091.
Health precautions
Visit your doctor at least one month before travel for recommended vaccinations. The CDC recommends hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and Japanese encephalitis vaccines for most travellers. Rabies vaccination is recommended for long-term travellers.
India requires proof of oral polio vaccination from travellers arriving from polio-endemic countries, and yellow fever vaccination from those arriving from yellow fever risk countries. Mosquito-borne diseases (dengue, Zika, malaria in some regions) are a risk year-round.
Transport safety
Use reputable ride-hailing apps (Uber and Ola operate in major cities) rather than hailing taxis from the street. For intercity travel, domestic flights on IndiGo and Air India are reliable, and India’s Vande Bharat Express trains offer comfortable connections between major cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is India safe to travel to after the US-Iran ceasefire?
Yes. India itself was never in the conflict zone, and most of the country remains safe for tourists. The ceasefire agreed on 7 April 2026 reduces the risk of further aviation disruptions, though flights to and from India via the Middle East are still operating on reduced schedules. Avoid Jammu and Kashmir, the India-Pakistan border zone, and Manipur.
Are flights to India resuming after the ceasefire?
Flights have been gradually resuming since March 2026, but the ceasefire has not yet led to Middle East airspace reopenings. Air India, IndiGo, Emirates, Etihad, and flydubai are all operating limited India services using alternative routing. Check your specific flight on Wego’s Flight Tracker before travelling.
Can I fly from the Gulf to India right now?
Yes, on a reduced schedule. Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air India, and IndiGo have all resumed limited Gulf-India services. Expect longer flight times and check your airline’s website for the latest schedule.
What if my flight to India is cancelled?
Emirates offers free rebooking or full refunds for flights through 30 April 2026. Etihad’s waiver covers travel through 15 April (rebooking onto flights up to 15 June). Air India and Air India Express offer free rebooking or full refunds on suspended routes. Contact your airline directly or check their website for the latest terms.
Do I need a visa to visit India?
Most nationalities can apply for an e-Visa online through indianvisaonline.gov.in. As of April 2026, you also need to complete the mandatory e-Arrival Card between 72 and 0 hours before landing.
Is it safe for women to travel alone in India?
Solo female travel in India requires extra caution. Kerala, Goa’s resort areas, and Himachal Pradesh are generally safer choices. Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas, use ride-hailing apps, and save India’s Women in Distress helpline (1091) in your phone.
Sources
- US Department of State — India Travel Advisory
- UK FCDO — India Travel Advice
- Australian Government Smartraveller — India
- Government of Canada — Travel Advice for India
- Air India — Middle East Flight Updates and Travel Advisory
- Air India Group — 6 April 2026 Update
- Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) India
- EASA — Airspace of the Middle East and Persian Gulf Advisory
- Emirates — Travel Updates
- Etihad — Waiver for Middle East Situation
- CDC — Traveler’s Health: India
- Government of India — e-Visa Portal
- NPR — US and Iran Agree to 2-Week Ceasefire
- India Bureau of Immigration — e-Arrival Card
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
