· Chapter Two · Travel ·
यात्रा
The journey, in three possible itineraries.
There’s no direct flight from Austin to Ranchi. Pick a gateway — Delhi, Mumbai, or Kolkata — and turn the trip into something to remember.
· The preferred routing ·
Austin → Delhi → Ranchi
Delhi has the most direct connections from the US, the most onward flights to Ranchi, and the easiest side-trips (Taj, Rajasthan, Rishikesh). For most guests, this is the way.
Or, an alternative way.
Two other gateways, two very different India trips.
Maharashtra, India
BOM
Mumbai
The west-coast hub — easiest jump to Goa's beaches and Kerala's backwaters.
- ·Goa 3–5 days
- ·Kerala backwaters 5–7 days
- ·Ajanta & Ellora caves 2 days
READ THE GUIDE →
West Bengal, India
CCU
Kolkata
The closest major hub — only a 1.5 hour onward flight or 6 hour drive to Ranchi.
- ·Darjeeling 3–4 days
- ·Sundarbans tigers 2–3 days
- ·Kolkata itself 1–2 days
READ THE GUIDE →
· Final hop · The wedding ·
Ranchi IXR
Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi (IXR). All three Indian gateways have direct connections, mostly via IndiGo and Air India.
· Visa ·
Most US passport holders need an e-Visa.
The Indian government's e-Visa portal is at indianvisaonline.gov.in. The standard tourist e-Visa takes 3–5 business days; apply at least 4 weeks before travel to be safe. Multi-entry options exist if you want to leave & re-enter (useful if you're side-tripping to Nepal or Sri Lanka).
· When to book ·
Holiday-season prices climb fast — book by August.
Austin → India routes typically run $1,200–$1,800 round-trip if booked early, $2,500+ closer in. The cheapest connections we've seen route through Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates), or London (BA / Virgin).
· Weather ·
December in Ranchi: cool, clear, perfect.
Highs around 75°F (24°C), lows 50°F (10°C). No monsoon. Mornings are crisp; pack a light jacket for the Sangeet evening. Sunny most days — bring sunglasses.
· Vaccinations ·
Check current guidance before you go.
There are no vaccines required to enter India from the US. Recommended shots vary by traveler and itinerary, so please consult an up-to-date source — the CDC's travel page (cdc.gov/travel/destinations/india) and your GP or a travel-medicine clinic are the best places to start. Plan ahead: some vaccines need to be given weeks before departure.