11 Travel Safety Tips for Americans Visiting India

7. Communication & emergency preparedness

Get a local SIM card on arrival to keep data and calls inexpensive and reliable for maps, ride apps, and quick contact. Keep key numbers saved in your phone and written on a card: local emergency services (112), the U.S. Embassy, your insurance hotline, and a local friend or host. Register with STEP (https://step.state.gov) so the U.S. Embassy can contact you during crises, and bookmark the embassy site (in.usembassy.gov). Share your itinerary with a trusted person at home and agree on regular check-ins, especially during solo travel or long journeys. Use real-time location-sharing with one trusted contact when you move between cities for an added layer of safety. Make sure your phone has a local emergency contact as the first ICE or “In Case of Emergency” entry. Know basic local healthcare options and the address of your nearest hospital or clinic for quick reference. Keep paper copies of passports and tickets separated from originals in case you need to show ID offline. Learn the local language phrase for “help” or “police,” or have a translation note saved for fast use. Keep portable battery power and a charging cable so your phone remains available during long travel days.