India for couples: laws, safety and alcohol by state

India is among the most intense trips a couple can take: palaces, temples, markets, dazzling food and beaches. It is also a vast, diverse country where rules change from state to state, and an unprepared trip can turn uncomfortable or dangerous. This guide summarises the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice, consulted on 7 November 2026, and complements our Goa guide for couples. We add nothing that is not in the official sources.

Areas the advice warns against

Before choosing a route, know that the FCDO advises against all travel within 10 kilometres of the India-Pakistan border and to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (with exceptions), and against all but essential travel to Manipur. It also reminds readers that travel insurance may be invalidated if you travel against government advice. Read the current version of the advice before booking, because it changes.

Public affection

The advice is cautious: showing affection in public may attract unwanted and negative attention. Big cities and tourist areas are more tolerant than the countryside, but the golden rule is discretion. This is not a general prohibition stated in the text; it is a warning about coexistence that deserves respect.

Alcohol: it depends on the state

India has no single law. Drinking in public places such as parks is illegal, and in five places consuming, producing or transporting alcohol is illegal, with penalties of five to ten years in prison: Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram, Nagaland and Lakshadweep. Sales are also often banned on holidays, festivals and election days. If your route passes through those states, check local rules and assume nothing.

Drugs

The advice explains that India does not classify drugs the way the UK does and that possession of even small personal amounts can carry a minimum six-month sentence. Cases can take years, with detention while they proceed. There is no shortcut: carry no substances, not even for personal use.

Personal safety, harassment and scams

The most important section for a couple. Women face frequent verbal and physical harassment, and British women have been sexually assaulted, including raped, in several states. The FCDO advises avoiding isolated areas, beaches included, at any time of day. Spiking of food or drink offered by strangers has been reported. Cybercrime, card skimming and confidence scams are common, and some people impersonate diplomatic missions. The numbers it lists are 100 (police), 112 (national emergency), 1091 (women's helpline) and 1930 to report cybercrime. Confirm your hotel driver's identity before getting in.

Roads, monsoon and terrorism

India has a high road death rate; buses are often driven fast and recklessly, and the advice recommends avoiding travel at night and in fog. App-based taxis are widely available; seatbelts are uncommon in auto-rickshaws and taxi back seats. The monsoon runs roughly June to November and can bring flash floods and landslides with little warning. The advice considers terrorist attacks very likely in India, with possible targets including restaurants, hotels, markets, stations, airports, places of worship, tourist sites, festivals and beaches, and asks for extra care around dates such as 26 January, 15 August, Diwali and Eid.

Photos, dress and respect

Respect dress codes, especially at religious sites and in rural areas. Cameras and binoculars can be misunderstood near military sites, government buildings, airports and railway stations. Same-sex relationships are legal but same-sex marriage is not, and harassment is possible outside big cities.

Travelling as a couple, sensibly

Travel with medical insurance, share your location with someone you trust, book accommodation with verifiable reviews, use ride apps and never leave a drink unattended. If you look for a lifestyle scene, we have verified no venue with an official website in India, so we prefer to recommend none.

Quick checklist before you fly

Check the visa and passport validity with the Indian consulate. Keep digital copies of your documents. Buy insurance covering medical care and evacuation. Agree on a code word as a couple in case one of you feels uncomfortable, and share your route with someone you trust.

How to pick where to sleep

Choose lodging in well-reviewed, well-lit areas with a reception that is staffed round the clock, and ask the hotel to arrange airport pickups so that you are not negotiating with strangers on arrival. The FCDO notes that security has been strengthened at major hotels and that many offer airport transfers, so use them. Avoid arriving late at night in a new city if you can, because accidents and crime risks rise after dark. If you rent a room privately, read recent reviews carefully and keep your passport with you rather than leaving it with the host. Many travellers also find it helpful to download offline maps and a ride app before landing, and to keep some small notes in rupees for tips and short trips. None of this removes the risks the official advice describes, but it reduces the number of decisions you must make tired and in a hurry.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drink everywhere in India? No: it depends on the state, and in some places it is illegal.

Is it safe to travel as a couple? With precautions, yes; the advice asks you to avoid isolated places and night travel.

Which number should I use? 112 emergencies, 100 police, 1091 women's helpline.

Are there verified swinger clubs? No.