Tips for Travelling in India - Stay Safe and Have Fun!
India is a happy combination of well-developed local tourist infrastructure and a fantastic value for money destination. This means for the same daily rate as a European hotel room, in India you could hire a driver, stay in 4 star hotel and eat in the best restaurants. One of the delights of India is that whether you are chilling on the beach in Goa, staying at Maharajah's palace in Rajasthan or chugging around the country on the Darjeeling Express, you're guaranteed to have amazing experiences and all on shoestring budgets.
In fact in India, in particular, it's very easy to organise a much more comfortable trip for yourself including first class train travel, the occasional car and driver and a comfortable middle of the range hotel and restaurant for as little as £20 per day per person! A good guidebook is invaluable ona trip to India but be flexible and go where you feel rather than what the book says. Be aware of any major festivals or holidays that might make it hard to get a train ticket or a hotel room, but don't try to plan every last detail. Don't try and travel too fast. Book flights to India [http://www.skyscanner.net/flights/uk/in/cheapest-flights-from-united-kingdom-to-india.html] and take your time exploring one of the most stunning and vibrant countries in the world.
Pre-departure
Have a medical/dental/optical check-up and any recommended shots for India: a minimum is usually a booster to Tetanus and TB and hepatitis shot if you don't have a current one.
Check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date in India and that you have enough spare pages for visa stamps. Arrange your Indian visa and take out adequate travel insurance.
Bring as little as possible. A carry-on bag should be sufficient unless you are planning a serious trek to the Himalayas or many stays in up market hotels where you will be expected to dress for dinner. You can buy almost anything in India.
On Arrival
Try to get into India's time zone as soon as you leave home, try to eat and sleep on Indian time. It's easier if your flight arrives late in the day as you will probably want to sleep anyway. If you arrive early in the day try to stay awake and get out in the daylight - it helps the body's internal clock to reset.
Get the equivalent of £70 in rupees cash before leaving the airport for taxis. You cannot legally import or export Indian currency.
Book a hotel for the first night. Even on a low budget give yourself a nice hotel for the first night, 2 nights if arriving late, it allows you to ease into India. Take a pre-paid Taxi from the airport. Again there are cheaper ways to do it - but this stops the arguments about prices and meters.
Chill out and don't try to sight see and shop on your first day; relax, wander around and try to get your head around India.
When in India
Accept that you are going to be the centre of attention where ever you go. You can however make it easier on yourself by dressing conservatively or dressing like a local.
Remember that the concept of personal space is a western one and doesn't apply in a crowded country like India. You will be stared at and spoken to, they are curious not intrusive.
You will rarely see members of the opposite sex touch or hold hands in India; in contrast you will often see young men or women holding hands with the same sex. Kissing and being obviously affectionate in public is considered rude.
Cover your head (sometimes) and remove your shoes (always) before entering a temple or other religious building.
If the touts get too much hire one, then the others will leave you alone
Travel within India
The main international airports in India are; Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta) and Chennai (Madras). Although Indian Airlines are the main internal carrier, India now has an open-skies policy which has led to many new cut-price airlines starting.
India was built on the railway. It is still the main form of long-distance transport in the country. There are numerous classes and trains varying from historic steam trains, quaint wooden narrow-gauge hill trains to sleek, ultra-modern expresses. Basically the slower the train the less you pay - but all of them are great value. The system, though often described as a study in bureaucracy, is surprisingly efficient and now features E-tickets when booked over the Internet. Trains often have tourist and VIP quotas so you may often get on a "full" train when a local will not. A trip to India is not complete without a train ride.
There is also an extensive bus network with again buses ranging from super-deluxe to ordinary. One of the problems with the super-deluxe buses is the super cold air conditioning (bring a jumper) and the obligatory Hindi dance movie.
Keeping Safe
Despite the warnings of foreign governments regarding safety, India is a very safe destination. There are terrorists and bombings and disputed areas but these tend to occur near the Pakistani, Chinese and Bhutanese borders, areas where you won't often be allowed to go as a tourist anyway.
Petty theft is common and the pickpockets are very, very good. Do not carry large amounts of cash in your wallet or a back pocket. Do carry enough for a day or so in a front pocket and keep most of your wealth hidden. Be aware of who is watching when getting money from ATM's.
Although women may get stares and rude suggestions you will be unlikely to be seriously threatened. If you feel uncomfortable, appeal for help from couples or women. If you face the culprit directly and say 'are you speaking to me?' in a confident, no nonsense tone, that usually does the trick.
In cheaper hotels check that your windows and doors are secure before you take the room - you make want to bring your own padlock for added security which is also handy for attaching your bag to yourself if you need to sleep on your travels.
Happy Backpacking!
In fact in India, in particular, it's very easy to organise a much more comfortable trip for yourself including first class train travel, the occasional car and driver and a comfortable middle of the range hotel and restaurant for as little as £20 per day per person! A good guidebook is invaluable ona trip to India but be flexible and go where you feel rather than what the book says. Be aware of any major festivals or holidays that might make it hard to get a train ticket or a hotel room, but don't try to plan every last detail. Don't try and travel too fast. Book flights to India [http://www.skyscanner.net/flights/uk/in/cheapest-flights-from-united-kingdom-to-india.html] and take your time exploring one of the most stunning and vibrant countries in the world.
Pre-departure
Have a medical/dental/optical check-up and any recommended shots for India: a minimum is usually a booster to Tetanus and TB and hepatitis shot if you don't have a current one.
Check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date in India and that you have enough spare pages for visa stamps. Arrange your Indian visa and take out adequate travel insurance.
Bring as little as possible. A carry-on bag should be sufficient unless you are planning a serious trek to the Himalayas or many stays in up market hotels where you will be expected to dress for dinner. You can buy almost anything in India.
On Arrival
Try to get into India's time zone as soon as you leave home, try to eat and sleep on Indian time. It's easier if your flight arrives late in the day as you will probably want to sleep anyway. If you arrive early in the day try to stay awake and get out in the daylight - it helps the body's internal clock to reset.
Get the equivalent of £70 in rupees cash before leaving the airport for taxis. You cannot legally import or export Indian currency.
Book a hotel for the first night. Even on a low budget give yourself a nice hotel for the first night, 2 nights if arriving late, it allows you to ease into India. Take a pre-paid Taxi from the airport. Again there are cheaper ways to do it - but this stops the arguments about prices and meters.
Chill out and don't try to sight see and shop on your first day; relax, wander around and try to get your head around India.
When in India
Accept that you are going to be the centre of attention where ever you go. You can however make it easier on yourself by dressing conservatively or dressing like a local.
Remember that the concept of personal space is a western one and doesn't apply in a crowded country like India. You will be stared at and spoken to, they are curious not intrusive.
You will rarely see members of the opposite sex touch or hold hands in India; in contrast you will often see young men or women holding hands with the same sex. Kissing and being obviously affectionate in public is considered rude.
Cover your head (sometimes) and remove your shoes (always) before entering a temple or other religious building.
If the touts get too much hire one, then the others will leave you alone
Travel within India
The main international airports in India are; Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta) and Chennai (Madras). Although Indian Airlines are the main internal carrier, India now has an open-skies policy which has led to many new cut-price airlines starting.
India was built on the railway. It is still the main form of long-distance transport in the country. There are numerous classes and trains varying from historic steam trains, quaint wooden narrow-gauge hill trains to sleek, ultra-modern expresses. Basically the slower the train the less you pay - but all of them are great value. The system, though often described as a study in bureaucracy, is surprisingly efficient and now features E-tickets when booked over the Internet. Trains often have tourist and VIP quotas so you may often get on a "full" train when a local will not. A trip to India is not complete without a train ride.
There is also an extensive bus network with again buses ranging from super-deluxe to ordinary. One of the problems with the super-deluxe buses is the super cold air conditioning (bring a jumper) and the obligatory Hindi dance movie.
Keeping Safe
Despite the warnings of foreign governments regarding safety, India is a very safe destination. There are terrorists and bombings and disputed areas but these tend to occur near the Pakistani, Chinese and Bhutanese borders, areas where you won't often be allowed to go as a tourist anyway.
Petty theft is common and the pickpockets are very, very good. Do not carry large amounts of cash in your wallet or a back pocket. Do carry enough for a day or so in a front pocket and keep most of your wealth hidden. Be aware of who is watching when getting money from ATM's.
Although women may get stares and rude suggestions you will be unlikely to be seriously threatened. If you feel uncomfortable, appeal for help from couples or women. If you face the culprit directly and say 'are you speaking to me?' in a confident, no nonsense tone, that usually does the trick.
In cheaper hotels check that your windows and doors are secure before you take the room - you make want to bring your own padlock for added security which is also handy for attaching your bag to yourself if you need to sleep on your travels.
Happy Backpacking!
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