Flights into Delhi
Non-stop flights to Delhi leave from the New York area and from California, among other US cities, and the sources we checked put them at about 14 to 17 hours, longer on the way out than on the way back. Others connect in Europe or the Gulf. Schedules and carriers change by season, so look at the airline sites when you book.
Most flights land late at night or in the small hours. Plan to sleep in Delhi or in the car, and not to start the yatra on the same morning.
Time zones and jet lag
India is 9.5 hours ahead of New York in summer time and 10.5 hours ahead in winter, and 12.5 to 13.5 hours ahead of California. In plain terms, your day arrives upside down. Give yourself one full easy day in Vrindavan, with a short walk in sunlight and an early dinner, before you try the 4 am mangala aarti.
Visa: e-Visa, and OCI for many families
US citizens can apply for an Indian e-Visa online, on the official portal only, several days before you fly. Keep your passport valid for at least six months. If you or a parent were born in India, ask whether you qualify for an OCI card, which gives a lifelong multiple-entry visa. Apply only through the official OCI site.
What Americans search for, and when
In the research we ran, the top American searches were for the place name itself, then Banke Bihari, Prem Mandir and ISKCON. Next come stays: the ISKCON guest house, MVT Guest House and hotels in Mathura and Vrindavan. Cab and guide searches are few, because people book those once the trip is certain. Interest is highest in March, around Holi, and in December and January for hotels.
That points to a good plan: if the cold months suit you, October to March is the kindest season in Braj. Summer, from late April to June, is very hot.
Your first 24 hours
- Message us on WhatsApp with your flight number. Your driver tracks the flight and waits at the terminal.
- After immigration, a 3 to 3.5 hour drive to Laladham, near ISKCON and Prem Mandir.
- Warm sattvik food, a bath, and sleep. Do not plan temples on day one.
- Second evening: a walk to ISKCON or Prem Mandir for aarti, then bed early.
Health, food and water
Drink only bottled or filtered water, and carry your own prescriptions in their original packs. American stomachs usually need two or three days to settle, so eat the simple dal, rice and sabzi at first and add sweets later. A basic travel insurance policy that covers medical care in India is wise, and so are sunscreen and a hat for the daytime walks.
Before or after Braj
Many American visitors add a few nights elsewhere. Delhi lies on the route, so a night there on arrival works if your flight lands in the afternoon. Agra and the Taj are an easy day from Vrindavan, and Jaipur is about 240 km from Mathura on our distance table. Tell us the plan and we shape the cab days around it, so you pay only for the days you use.
One WhatsApp, from the gate to the room
Share the flight number, the number of travellers, and whether anyone needs a slower pace. We reply with the pickup point, the name of your driver and the plan for the first two days. Because the US is so far behind India, we suggest messaging once your tickets are booked, and again when you board, so the driver is never guessing.
- Exact US-Delhi flight durations and carriers; sources conflicted between about 14 and 17 hours.
- Current e-Visa rules, fees and processing time on the official portal.
- Time difference changes with US daylight saving; check the clock difference for your travel date.
- Indian e-Visa portal
- Wikipedia: Overseas Citizenship of India
- Air India: New York to Delhi flights
- lala:Cab market research, 23 Oct 2026 (Google Keyword Planner, Trends)
Dates checked: 23 October 2026