India GOEssential Apps for India
In India, your phone is your best friend in daily life. You book taxis through apps, food arrives within minutes, and even at markets you can often pay by scanning a QR code. Sure, in villages and smaller towns things aren't quite so convenient, but in major cities, you simply can't get by without apps. To keep from getting lost, it's best to prepare your smartphone ahead of time and download the services you'll need.
• Maps & Messaging
Google Maps is the best option for maps and navigation in India. It works offline, shows live traffic, and helps plan routes using public transport. Tip: download offline maps for every city you plan to visit before you arrive.
WhatsApp is the main app for communicating with locals. From taxi drivers to hotel owners, almost everyone messages there, and many small businesses only take orders and bookings through it.
Mony: UPI Payments for Tourists
A convenient app for paying with QR codes, built specifically for travelers. You don't need an Indian bank account; just load your wallet from an international card and you're good to pay at cafes and shops.
One important caveat: foreigners using UPI apps cannot pay to personal (non-merchant) QR codes, so payments to some street vendors simply won't go through. Keep some cash on hand for those cases.
Promo code: ALEUDXSU (the author's referral code; you get a bonus, the author gets a small thank-you). Get ₹500 bonus when you top up ₹5,000 or more.
Uber: Taxi Service
The most reliable taxi service in major cities. You see the fare before booking and your route is tracked. In many cities, though, that fare is only a suggestion and is paid directly to the driver, and Uber Auto rides can't be paid by card, so keep cash handy.
Ola: Taxi Service
Uber's main competitor. Sometimes cheaper, and has more drivers in certain regions. Offers autos, bikes, and cabs.
Rapido: Bike Taxi, Auto & Cabs
The fastest way to navigate through traffic jams. Motorcycle taxi drivers literally weave through gridlock. It's cheap, but it takes a bit of courage. Also offers auto-rickshaws and cabs.
RedBus: Bus & Train Booking
India's largest online bus ticket booking platform. Browse schedules, compare operators, and book intercity buses and trains across the country with a few taps.
Sign up through the link below, then enter the promo code at checkout to get 20% off (up to ₹150) plus ₹100 cashback on your first booking.
IRCTC Rail Connect: Official Train Tickets
The official Indian Railways app for booking train tickets. Tickets appear here first and without middleman markups; it also handles waitlists, Tatkal quotas (online Tatkal booking needs an Aadhaar-verified account), and refunds. Registration takes some patience for foreigners (you'll need to verify your email and phone number and pay a ₹100 + GST registration fee), but it's worth it.
For domestic flights, on the other hand, regular flight aggregators are the easiest way to book.
Namma Yatri: Bangalore Rides
Open-source ride-hailing app popular in Bangalore. Drivers keep 100% of the fare with zero commission, which means lower prices for you. Works for autos and cabs.
Yatri Sathi: Kolkata Rides
Government-backed ride-hailing app for Kolkata. Fair prices for autos and taxis without surge pricing.
Royal Brothers: Bike Rentals
India's largest bike rental platform. Upload your passport, visa, home-country driving license and International Driving Permit, choose from scooters and motorcycles, pay online, and pick up your bike hassle-free. Available in major cities and tourist destinations. In some cities the original driving license is kept at pickup and returned when you drop off the bike.
SUKUTO: Scooter Rental
An easy way to explore a new city: a simple scooter rental service. You can rent a scooter and pick it up without a lot of paperwork, perfect for exploring Mumbai and other cities at your own pace.
Promo code: 91QTXF
Zoomcar: Car Rental Service
Self-drive car rental service. Register and verify your account online using your passport and international driving permit, choose any available car, and even get it delivered to your address. Great for road trips and running errands.
• Food and Groceries
In India, food arrives faster than you can brew a cup of tea. Quick delivery services bring groceries in 10–20 minutes, and the selection ranges from vegetables to cosmetics. For ready-made meals, food delivery platforms let you order from restaurants, read reviews, or book a table.
Blinkit: Instant Grocery Delivery
Ultra-fast grocery delivery, typically in 10–20 minutes. From fresh produce and snacks to household essentials and electronics.
Zepto: Groceries in Minutes
Another quick grocery delivery service with a wide selection of products at competitive prices. Reliable and fast in metro cities.
Instamart: Quick Essentials by Swiggy
Quick grocery and essentials delivery by the Swiggy team. Great range of fresh produce, snacks, and daily necessities.
Zomato: Food Delivery & Dining
The go-to app for food delivery from restaurants, reading reviews, and discovering places to eat. Also offers table reservations and dining deals. You can even order food to your train seat (see the Transportation chapter for this hack).
Swiggy: Food & More
Major food delivery platform with a huge restaurant selection. Also offers Instamart for groceries and Dineout for dining-out deals.
BookMyShow: Movies & Events
The main platform for buying tickets to movies, concerts, plays, and stand-up comedy. You can also use it to find workshops and cultural events.
District: Events & Dining
A platform for booking exclusive concerts, premium parties, dining experiences, and private club events.
Party Hunt: Nightlife & Events
A quick way to find parties, nightlife events, and book event tickets.
Amazon India: Online Marketplace
The largest marketplace with fast delivery. Great for electronics, books, home goods, and pretty much anything else.
Myntra: Fashion Shopping
The leader in online fashion shopping, with a huge brand selection and current collections.
Meesho: Budget Shopping
A platform for budget shopping: clothing, accessories, and items at very low prices. Great for everyday basics.
Nykaa: Cosmetics & Skincare
The go-to online store for cosmetics, skincare, and beauty products.
FirstClub: Quality Groceries
A quality-first grocery delivery app with a curated range of fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy, pantry staples and artisanal breads.
_Currently available only in Bengaluru and Hyderabad._
FNP (Ferns N Petals): Flowers & Gifts
India's leading flower and gift delivery service. Perfect for sending bouquets, cakes, and gifts for any occasion: birthdays, holidays, or just because.
Winni: Cakes, Flowers & Gifts
Online cake, flower, and gift delivery with a wide range of options. A lifesaver for celebrations and surprises.
Urban Company: Home Services
Your all-purpose app for household tasks. Book cleaners, order massages or spa treatments, schedule haircuts and manicures, or get appliances and plumbing fixed. All specialists are vetted, prices are fixed, and reviews help you choose.
Snabbit: House Help in 10 Minutes
On-demand home help. Book verified helpers for cleaning, dishes, laundry and ironing in as little as 10 minutes; home cooks are available in Bengaluru. Perfect when you need someone quickly.
Cult Fitness: Gyms & Workouts
Access to gyms, yoga studios, and group workout classes across India. One membership works at multiple locations in the city where you buy it, with a limited number of sessions in other cities. Use the promo code to get ₹1,000 off your first plan.
Alive: Epic Experiences
An app for discovering and booking offbeat experiences near you, from pottery and jewelry making to horse riding, food experiences and wellness sessions.
JustDial: Find Any Service
A classifieds-style platform that often becomes a lifesaver. Search for any service, from plumbers to restaurants to nearby shops. Think of it as India's Yellow Pages on steroids.
Housing: Long-term Rentals
An app for finding long-term rental housing. One of the largest property databases in India, useful if you're staying for weeks or months.
Delhivery: Delivery Tracking
India's largest courier and delivery tracking service. Book a pickup, send parcels across India and track Delhivery shipments live.
Booking.com: Hotels & Stays
The most widely used app for booking hotels, guesthouses, and apartments across India. Huge inventory, free cancellation on many rooms, and reviews from real guests. Handy for last-minute stays when plans change on the road.
Hostelworld: Hostels & Budget Stays
The go-to app for hostels and budget travel. Great for backpackers: dorm and private-room prices, a social, meet-people angle, and strong coverage of India's traveller hubs like Goa, Rishikesh, and Varanasi.
Agoda: Hotels & Flights
Strong across Asia, Agoda often has competitive hotel prices in India and frequent app-only deals. Worth comparing against Booking before you reserve: the same room can come out cheaper here.
Airbnb: Homes & Unique Stays
Best for apartments, homestays, and one-of-a-kind places (heritage havelis, Goa villas, mountain cottages). Ideal for longer stays or when you want a kitchen and a more local, residential feel.
What You Need to Know Before Using Apps in India
- Registration and phone number: Almost everywhere requires an Indian number. The easiest way is to buy a SIM card right at the airport or at an official telecom shop (Airtel, Jio). You'll need your passport with a valid visa and a local address, such as your hotel's.
- Interface language: Nearly all of the Indian internet is in English, and apps default to English as well, though they also support Hindi and regional languages. So you won't have trouble navigating.
- Cashback and discounts: Indian apps love promotions. Promo codes, sign-up bonuses, cashback on payments: it's standard practice. With a little effort, you can really save money.
- Safety: All major services are legitimate and vetted. But if you download regional apps, get them only from Google Play or the App Store, not from sketchy third-party sites.
With the right set of apps, India becomes much more convenient and understandable. Install the key services ahead of time, get an Indian SIM card, and take advantage of the promotions. Then your trip through India will be not only vibrant, but as comfortable as possible.