Want an easy and hassle-free trip to India? Are you an Indian willing to explore the country with good experiences? To help you with your travel plans, I’ve gathered some tips, so that you can focus on enjoying your tour.
India is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, even among Indians. Whether you are an international or domestic traveler, there are few tips that you must be aware of. Get in the know before you travel India with my exclusive traveling tips.
1. Language recognition
In India, people do speak English in several places. English is taught in schools in India. But, when you go off-the-road in rural areas, the regional language may be a barrier in communication.
Do you speak to foreigners in your country in their language? No. Don’t expect the Indians to do it for you. You can take the help of a Google language translator. If you are going to visit India in a tourist trail, you won’t face any language issues.
2. Awareness with the season and weather
Generally, you can count India’s weather divided into three seasons – Summer, Winter, and Monsoon. If you haven’t booked your ticket yet, I would recommend booking your tickets according to your mood and season.
The time between October to February is regarded as winter season – coolest and driest. Most travelers consider this period as the best time to visit India. Following winter, the summer season comes. Travelers consider November and December as the perfect time for sightseeing when the rain begins to ease.
Don’t forget to bring warm clothes like jackets, boots, gloves, etc. during the winter season. In the winter season, northern India including Delhi can get cold.
3. Travel documents requirements
It is important to consider having proper traveling documents to travel to India. Travelers planning to visit India are required to ensure that they have all documents necessary for travel, apart from their air tickets.
If you are an Indian, for domestic travels within India, valid photo identification will work. For foreign travelers, the only valid photo ID for travel is Passport. I would request you to check these details to enjoy your travel. First, your passport needs to be valid for at least 180 days after you enter India, and, secondly, there must be at least two blank pages in your passport.
4. Formalities related to Entering in India & Exit after traveling
As there is a continuous increase in tourists coming to India, formalities have been made simple. Simple and standard immigration and customs procedures have been laid down by the Indian government.
It is not allowed for a traveler to carry more than one laptop under Custom regulations. There is also a restriction on exporting antiques. You need to comply with customs regulations while entering and leaving the country after completion of the trip.
While making travel plans to visit India, make sure you have a valid passport. However, there is a facility of e-visa which is valid for 60 days. Such e-visa facilities are currently available to more than 145 countries. Make sure that you update yourself with the relevant requirement for e-visa.
5. Formalities regarding Travel permits
Certain parts of India are controlled by the system or local government. Areas – particularly disputed border areas – require prior travel permits that apply to foreigners. If you are an Indian citizen, you will be also asked to show a travel permit in some areas.
States like Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and certain parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh that lie close to the disputed border require a travel permit. A permit is also necessary for travel to some parts of the Andaman Island and Lakshadweep Island.
6. Simple etiquettes that you must follow
If you’re a foreign tourist unaware of culture and etiquette in India, you must consider this. In more conservative areas, it is still erratic for couples to hold hands.
You need to keep in mind a few basic etiquettes while traveling to India.
I am mentioning herein basic etiquettes that you can consider applying while traveling in India.
- Try to avoid wearing tight, revealing, and skimpy clothes.
- Consider removing your shoes before entering places of worship.
- Avoid pointing the soles of your feet towards people in the bus, local places.
- Don’t touch anyone with your feet.
- It is good to use your right hand to eat with and serve yourself.
- In India, it’s polite to greet anyone older than you by saying ‘Namaste’ you come in interaction with.
7. Check with your travel insurance requirements
Having travel insurance is your choice. But, have you considered why you need travel insurance? By opting for travel insurance, you cover yourself against travel risks such as theft, loss, and medical problems.
Some travel policies don’t cover dangerous activities such as scuba, diving, motorcycling, paragliding, and even trekking. It is my advice to read the fine print of your travel insurance while booking one.
Check-in advance whether your travel insurance policy will pay doctors or hospitals directly or reimburse you afterward. In case of reimbursement policy, keep all documentation safe for your claim.
In case, you face any theft or accident, it’s important that you get a police report in India. Without a police report, insurance companies may refuse to reimburse your claim.
8. Internet connectivity and security measures while traveling
You can access the internet via your mobile. You can use a 3G or 4G signal depending on service availability – in this case, you need to pay for data usage. Or, you can connect via Wi-fi. You can also choose to purchase a new local SIM card.
Several stations and cafes are providing free wi-fi connectivity. Usually, you can also get free Wi-fi at your accommodation, but some places charge. Many major cities also provide public wi-fi hotspots.
While connective to public wi-fi or outstation wi-fi, be cautious while using online banking. Avoid using online banking on any nonsecure system.
9. Tips on transportation to and around India
With the proper planning, you can easily get good deals on air tickets to India. There is two most preferred terminal for in and out, one in Delhi and another in Mumbai. Sometimes, if you are going to goa, you can consider booking charter flights from some places.
While you are on transport in India, don’t use any kind of sleeping pills to help you sleep. Such an act may set you up as a target for theft. If you have any prescribed medicines, you can take it.
Depending on the type of vehicle you prefer for traveling locally, you need to take care of your luggage. For instance, if your bag is adjustable under the bottom seat of a train, lock it with a chain, or on the A/C Volvo bus, your bag will be kept in stow. It’s not always possible to monitor your bag.
For safety measures, always keep your carry-on, wallet, and all the important things with you at your seat.
10. What to Choose for better journey within India – Train or Bus
There are several cheap and affordable options available to move from one city to another locally within India. You can choose inter-city travel buses or book train. If you prefer a sleeper bus, then you need a sleeping bag and there is no A/C in sleeper buses. When you go for a Volvo A/C bus, you can enjoy the comfort of reclining seats. Don’t miss to take a blanket as it gets very cold during travel.
While traveling by train, it depends on the class. There are four categories in train – Lower class, 2AC, 3A, and first-class. Where the lower class gives you nothing except a seat to sleep or sit on, in A/C coaches you will get a clean sheet, blanket, and a pillow.
Making a reservation in trains and buses in India isn’t as hard as it seems. You can easily set up an account with travel websites and download their apps. Booking through the travel partners’ app is an easy process. You can often get great discounts and offers running of app and web platform.
11. Tips on booking accommodation in India
While traveling, a comfortable, clean, and well-connected hotel is an essential requirement of a traveler. If you are the type who don’t book ahead, you don’t have to. When I was traveling to Jaipur, I packed my travel backpack and didn’t book my accommodation. But, I did call and confirm that there is the availability of rooms for staying. As I was on a solo trip, I stayed in Rs. 400 and didn’t care if they were nice.
If you expect to stay at a decent, clean place providing comfort, you should book ahead. There are booking sites like OYO, Trivago, Cleartrip, MakeMyTrip, and other big or small players providing booking facility. While you book your accommodation on your fingertip, you also get an opportunity to compare and book at cheap prices.
If you are traveling with family, its always a concern if the hotel is family-friendly! Are the rooms clean? Is it well-connected to nearby attractions?
You can use filters available on the hotel search engine websites or apps, to filter and book the hotel based on your needs.
I can’t deny that traveling to India can give you a culture shock. Especially when you are traveling to the country for the first time, you may find it more shocking. With different cultures and customs, the country is full of loving tourist attractions, heritage, etc.
If you have any questions about your upcoming trip, you can write to Travel n Trails.
