Nagpur, India - Travel Guide

Nagpur, known as the "Orange City," is a vibrant cultural hub in central India, offering a blend of historical sites, spiritual centers, and lush green spaces. It's a gateway to wildlife sanctuaries and a city with a rich culinary scene, particularly its famous oranges and authentic Maharashtrian cuisine.

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay3 days

Budget$25/day

Mid-range$50/day

Luxury$100/day

Known For

Orange CityVidarbhaMaharashtraCentral IndiaDeekshabhoomi

🇮🇳 Country Information: India

CapitalNew Delhi

CurrencyIndian rupee (₹)

Language Hindi , English, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, Urdu, Kannada, Odia, Malayalam, Punjabi, Assamese

Phone Code+91

Electricity230V (Type C, D, M)

Tap WaterNot recommended

Tipping

Tipping is common in restaurants (5
10% or rounding up), for hotel staff, and drivers (small amounts)
For guides, a tip of 200
500 INR per day is common

Money & Payments

ATMs are widely available, especially in urban areas
Credit cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas, but less so in rural areas
It's advisable to carry some cash, especially for smaller vendors and rural areas
There isn't a significant black market for cash

Cultural Norms

Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites
Remove shoes before entering temples, mosques, or homes
Greet elders with respect, often by touching their feet
Eating with your right hand is customary, especially when eating Indian food

LGBTQ+ Information

Generally LGBTQ+ friendly. Homosexuality was decriminalized in 2018. While acceptance is growing, LGBTQ+ individuals may still face societal challenges, particularly in rural areas.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

The legal drinking age varies by state, generally 18 or 21
Drug laws are very strict, and possession of even small amounts of drugs can lead to severe penalties

Special Laws

Public display of affection can be frowned upon
Photography near government buildings or military installations may be restricted
Respect local customs and traditions, especially when visiting religious sites

Common Phrases

NoNahi (nah-hee) नहीं

YesHaan (hah-n) हाँ

HelloNamaste (nah-mah-stay) नमस्ते

PleaseKripya (krip-yah) कृपया

Excuse meKshama Kijiye (kshuh-maa key-jee-yeh) क्षमा कीजिए

Thank youDhanyavaad (dhun-yah-vahd) धन्यवाद

Climate

Climate Zone: Tropical Savanna

Best Time to Visit

Extreme hot season: Apr
Jun
Monsoon season: Jun
Sep

Getting There

Fly to Dr
Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport (NAG)
Major Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata have direct flights (1
2
5h, $50
150)
Trains are a popular option from across India, well
connected to major cities (e
g
, Mumbai 12
14h, $10
40)
Buses connect Nagpur to nearby cities and states (e
g
, Hyderabad 8
10h, $15
30)

Getting Around

Auto
rickshaws are the most common local transport
Ola and Uber apps are widely available for ride
sharing
Local city buses are also an option
Taxis can be hired for longer distances or day trips

Health & Vaccinations

Routine vaccines (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella) recommended
Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines are highly recommended
Malaria risk is present, consult a doctor for prophylaxis
Probiotics recommended for digestive health

Staying Connected

eSIMs are available from major Indian providers like Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone Idea
Airalo and Nomad eSIM apps typically work well with these networks

Local Cuisine

Saoji Chicken regional_speciality

A fiery and aromatic chicken curry that is the signature dish of Nagpur's Saoji cuisine. It is renowned for its intense heat, achieved through a secre

Tarri Poha breakfast

Flattened rice (poha) cooked with onions, tomatoes, and aromatic spices, served with a generous drizzle of spicy, aromatic curry (tarri). It is often

Saoji Mutton Curry regional_speciality

A robust and heavily spiced mutton preparation that shares the characteristic intense flavors of Saoji cuisine. This rich curry highlights the unique

Saoji Egg Curry must_try

A spicy curry featuring boiled eggs cooked in the signature Saoji gravy. It offers a vegetarian-friendly option to experience the distinctive robust s

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve Safari tour_or_activity

Book 2–4 months in advance

Safari spots, particularly for popular gates and during peak season (October to June), are highly limited and sell out quickly.

Fun Facts

1. The Zero Mile Stone in Nagpur was historically used by the British to measure all distances across India, marking the city as the geographical center of the country.
2. Despite being known as the "Orange City" for its trade, Nagpur is also called the "Tiger Capital of India" because it is surrounded by numerous major tiger reserves like Pench and Tadoba.
3. Nagpur’s economy is significantly boosted by the MIHAN project, which stands for Multi-Modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur, enhancing trade and job creation in the region.
4. The city's railway station is one of the busiest in India, serving as a critical connection point to numerous major cities across the country.

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