Quick answer: To plan a motorcycle trip to India from abroad, get an e-Tourist Visa online at least four days before you arrive, complete the free e-Arrival Card within 72 hours of landing, and bring your home licence and International Driving Permit. Arrange travel insurance, carry some cash, and pack waterproof riding gear.
Key takeaways
- Apply for your visa only on the official government portal.
- Send ILTR your passport and visa copy at least one month before you arrive.
- Travel insurance is not included in our tours, so check it covers motorcycle riding.
- Card payments work in cities, but carry cash for villages and the mountains.
What visa do you need?
Most visitors apply for an e-Tourist Visa online. It comes in three types: 30 days with double entry, one year, and five years with multiple entries. Apply online at least 4 days before you arrive, and only at the official portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in, not through a third-party site. Typical fees are US$25 for a 30-day visa from July to March, US$10 from April to June, US$40 for one year and US$80 for five years. Fees depend on your nationality and visa length, and a bank charge of about 3% is added. On a one-year or five-year visa, each stay is limited to 90 days, or 180 days for US, UK, Canadian and Japanese citizens.
ILTR tours last 11 to 14 days, so a 30-day visa is usually enough. We need your passport and visa copy at least one month before you arrive. The 30-day visa can only be applied for within 30 days of arrival, so talk to us about timing, or choose a one-year visa, which you can apply for up to 120 days ahead.
What is the e-Arrival Card?
A free online form, required before you land. Foreign travellers must submit the e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before arrival in India. You can fill it in on the Bureau of Immigration website, the Indian Visa Online portal or the Su-Swagatam app. It is free, and no agent is needed. Save the confirmation, since some airlines check it at check-in.
What licence do you need to ride?
Your home motorcycle licence plus an International Driving Permit. Get the IDP in your own country before you fly, in the 1949 format, and carry both together. Our guide for foreign riders explains the rules, and we arrange all internal permits for our tours.
What travel insurance do you need?
Insurance is not included, so arrange it yourself. Your visa, flights, travel insurance and personal expenses are not part of our tour prices. When you compare policies, check that they cover riding a motorcycle, medical care and evacuation, and the altitude you will reach on mountain tours.
How do you handle money?
Carry both cards and cash. Cards are widely accepted in cities and ATMs are plentiful, but cash is still essential for small shops, tips and most of rural India. Watch the fees on foreign-card withdrawals and the currency-conversion prompt at the ATM. UPI payments are everywhere, but you do not need them. Visitors can complete a trip with cash, a Visa card and app-cabs.
How do you stay connected?
Use a travel eSIM or buy a tourist SIM at the airport. The two routes are a local Jio or Airtel SIM bought on arrival, or an international travel eSIM loaded before you fly. A local SIM needs your passport and visa for registration, so allow time for activation. Network is patchy in the mountains, so do not rely on a signal.
What should you pack?
- Documents: passport, visa, e-Arrival Card confirmation, home licence and IDP, with digital and paper copies.
- Riding gear: waterproof gear, plus a backup set. Himalayan weather can turn cold fast, and your hands can feel frozen on the road. Ask us what gear is provided.
- Sun and water: many regions are dry and bright, so keep yourself hydrated at all times and avoid direct sunlight.
- Health: any personal medicines. See a doctor before you fly if you plan to ride at high altitude.
How should you prepare for altitude and local culture?
If you feel any sign of altitude sickness (AMS), tell your tour leader immediately. ILTR always carries oxygen cans, but your safety always lies in your own hands, so please take these adventures seriously. Respect the locals and their traditions and culture. Do not get into arguments. If something does go wrong, involve the ILTR team to resolve it. Never take matters into your own hands.
A simple timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Months before | Check your licence has a motorcycle category, get your 1949 IDP, choose your tour and arrange insurance |
| At least 1 month before arrival | Send ILTR your passport and visa copy |
| Within 72 hours of landing | Complete the free e-Arrival Card |
| On arrival | Pick up a SIM or activate your eSIM, and withdraw some cash |
See our tour comparison and best time to ride in India guide to choose your month.
FAQ
Do I need a visa to ride in India?
Yes. Most visitors apply for an e-Tourist Visa online at indianvisaonline.gov.in at least four days before arrival.
What is the e-Arrival Card?
A free online form you must submit within 72 hours before landing.
Can I ride on my home licence?
No. You also need an International Driving Permit from your own country.
Is insurance included in the tour price?
No. Visa, flights, travel insurance and personal expenses are not included.
Do I need cash in India?
Yes. Cards work in cities, but cash is essential in villages and the mountains.
How far ahead should I send ILTR my passport and visa?
At least one month before you arrive.
Plan your trip with ILTR
Tell us your month and your route, and we will guide you through the paperwork. Write to join@indialovestoride.in.
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026. Visa, arrival and payment rules change, so check the official portal before you travel. Sources: Indian consulate e-Visa fees; Indian consulate e-Visa rules; e-Tourist Visa stay limits; e-Arrival Card rule; e-Arrival Card guide; ATMs and cards in India; UPI for foreign tourists; SIM and eSIM guide; SIM rules.