Mumbai, Delhi & Chennai Guide: What to Expect When Coming to India for Medical Treatment
Mumbai, Delhi & Chennai Guide: What to Expect When Coming to India for Medical Treatment
Coming to India for medical treatment is a significant decision. Most African patients have never visited India, and the unfamiliar environment — the food, the climate, the city scale, the hospital systems — can feel daunting before the first trip.
This guide gives you a practical, city-by-city breakdown of what to expect when coming to India for medical treatment in the three most popular medical cities: Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai. We cover the airport experience, getting to the hospital, what the hospital stay looks like, accommodation, food, and how to navigate each city comfortably.
Before You Arrive: Documentation Checklist
Regardless of which city you are travelling to, you will need:
- Medical visa (MV) — not a tourist visa. Your hospital or facilitator provides the invitation letter required to apply.
- All medical records in English — scanned and physical copies. Include previous test results, imaging reports, discharge summaries, and current medication list.
- Travel insurance — some hospitals require proof of coverage for non-Indian patients.
- Emergency contact details — written, not just on your phone.
Arodya handles the visa letter and documentation support for all patients — you do not need to contact the hospital directly.
Mumbai: Western India's Medical Hub
Getting There
Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) receives direct and one-stop flights from Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, and Addis Ababa. Most African patients land at Terminal 2 (international).
Your hospital will typically arrange an airport pickup. If not, pre-book a cab through Ola or Uber from inside the terminal — avoid unsolicited drivers offering rides.
The City
Mumbai is large, hot (especially April–June), and humid year-round. The hospital districts of Andheri, Bandra, and Worli are relatively contained. You will not need to travel far between hospital, hotel, and recovery accommodation.
Food: Mumbai has extensive Halal food options across all price ranges. Hospital cafeterias cater to diverse dietary requirements. North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern food are all readily available near major hospitals.
Communication: English is widely spoken in hospitals and in most hospitality contexts. Hindi helps in markets but is not required.
What to Expect in the Hospital
Mumbai's major hospitals — Kokilaben, Hinduja, Lilavati — operate like large hotel-hospital hybrids for international patients. Expect:
- Private rooms with TV, WiFi, and attached bathroom
- Food menus (choose your meals like a restaurant)
- International patient helpdesk open 7 days
- Cashless or pre-payment billing for international patients
Discharge typically happens with a full written summary in English and a follow-up plan.
Accommodation
Most international patients stay at hospital guest houses (typically INR 2,000–5,000/night, roughly $25–$60) or in nearby service apartments. Arodya arranges accommodation as part of the facilitation package.
Delhi (and Gurugram): North India's Medical Capital
Getting There
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is one of Asia's busiest hubs. Direct flights from Nairobi, Lagos, and Addis Ababa arrive regularly. Terminal 3 handles most international arrivals.
Delhi is split into zones — the hospitals most African patients use (Fortis, Medanta, Max) are in Gurugram and South Delhi, 30–45 minutes from the airport.
The City
Delhi has four distinct seasons. Winters (November–February) are cold; summers (April–June) are intensely hot. March–April and September–October are the most comfortable months for medical travel.
Air quality in Delhi can be poor in winter months — patients with respiratory conditions should factor this in.
Food: Delhi has arguably the most diverse food options in India. Halal restaurants are widespread. Karol Bagh, South Extension, and areas near major hospitals all have African-friendly dining options.
What to Expect in the Hospital
Fortis, Medanta, and Max Healthcare operate dedicated international patient lounges. On arrival at the hospital:
- International patient desk registers you and assigns a coordinator
- Coordinator accompanies you through registration, initial consultation, and investigations
- You receive a written treatment plan and cost estimate before any procedure begins
- Pre-procedure investigations (blood work, scans) are typically completed within 1–3 days
Communication is in English throughout. Most specialist consultants trained internationally.
Accommodation
Guest houses in the hospital compounds are the most convenient option. Alternatively, Gurugram has dozens of service apartments near the hospital clusters, typically ranging from $40–$100/night.
Chennai: South India's Specialist Hub
Getting There
Chennai International Airport (MAA) has direct or one-stop connections from Addis Ababa, Nairobi, and Dar es Salaam. It is the most convenient entry point for East African patients, particularly those from Ethiopia and Tanzania.
The City
Chennai is South India's largest city. The climate is hot and humid year-round, similar to coastal East Africa. The city is calmer and more navigable than Mumbai or Delhi.
Food: Chennai cuisine is predominantly South Indian (rice, lentils, coconut, tamarind). Halal options are available but less prevalent than in Mumbai or Delhi. International food is available near Apollo and Fortis hospitals.
What to Expect in the Hospital
Apollo Hospitals Chennai is the anchor for African patients. Its international patient department has been serving African patients for over 15 years. The Africa desk specifically:
- Sends a coordinator to the airport on arrival
- Provides a patient guide booklet in English
- Has experience with Swahili-speaking patients from Kenya and Tanzania
- Manages full inpatient and outpatient coordination
Appointments move quickly at Apollo. Initial consultation is usually within 24 hours of arrival. Diagnostic workup and treatment plan typically within 48–72 hours.
Accommodation
The Apollo guest house is on the hospital campus. Alternatively, several hotels and service apartments within 2km cater specifically to medical tourists, with shuttle services to the hospital.
Practical Tips for All Three Cities
Currency: Carry some Indian Rupees (INR) for taxis, food, and incidentals. Your hospital bills can typically be paid by international card or bank transfer. Avoid currency exchange at the airport — rates are poor.
SIM card: Get an Indian SIM on arrival for local calls and data. Airtel or Jio are reliable. You will need your passport and visa for registration.
Clothing: Bring light cotton clothing. Hospitals are air-conditioned. A light jacket for AC-heavy environments is useful.
Respect local customs: India is a diverse country. Conservative dress is appreciated in hospitals and public spaces.
Accompany a guardian: Most patients travel with at least one family member. Hospitals accommodate guardians in the patient room or adjacent guest rooms.
How Arodya Simplifies the Experience
Navigating a foreign hospital system in an unfamiliar city is stressful enough when you are healthy. When you are managing a serious medical condition, it becomes much harder.
Arodya's facilitation service handles every step — from initial hospital matching and cost estimates to visa letters, airport coordination, accommodation, and post-discharge follow-up. Our team has worked with patients from Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and 20+ other African countries.
Get a free cost estimate for your treatment in India.
No commission, no hidden fees — our service is free for patients. The hospital covers our facilitation cost.
Whether you are heading to Mumbai, Delhi, or Chennai, you should arrive knowing what to expect and with a team supporting you throughout. Contact Arodya today.
