Ever since we started our travel blog, we have been getting questions from readers about different aspects of travel in India. In this blog, we have decided to answer some of the questions and provide India travel tips that can help you travel in India safely and conveniently.
The main aspect of this post will be on safety because I believe people are generally a bit scared of travelling to places where they haven’t been and the fear of unknown grips their attention at the back of their mind. After all, there are so many horror stories both true and fake ones that are on the internet.
Safety is one of the critical factors for me since I usually travel with Sarah and I have to make sure that all things are in place and we don’t end up in a tricky situation and even if we do, we are prepared with Plan B to resolve the unexpected trouble. With the help of the best India travel tips, you can be sure that you are safe and secure.
Travel in India is a great experience, but in all that excitement and fun we often tend to lose control of reality and that is that there are people waiting to take advantage of you. I’m not saying India is an unsafe place to travel, but why take chances and invite trouble when you can be smart and tackle it in your own way.
As an Indian travel blogger, I always make use of these India travel tips that can help me get the best experience. These tips are for locals and for international visitors as well.
Know the Weather
Even before you decide where to go, you must have details about the weather. Different parts of India have different weather conditions and therefore one of the first India travel tips is about knowing the weather. Some states in India have extreme summer conditions, especially in April and May.
On the other hand, some places receive plenty of rainfall from June to October. Most of the northern states experience harsh winter conditions during the months of December and January. You must have information on the weather to ensure you carry the right clothing and gear.
Plan Your Trips
Planning is the key to better travel experiences in India. It is the most common India travel tips you will find online. Be clear about what cities you want to cover and what local places and attractions you want to visit. Instead of using the travel books and guides use travel apps on your phone. If you are travelling with kids you need to have the right plans for your trip.
Take Your Time
Both me and Sarah focus on the quality of the experience. Hence, we always explore fewer destinations. Also, the reason behind it is that we love to enjoy our time and use that experience to create quality content. However, even if you are not a content creator, we would recommend you to take your time to explore the local attractions and places.
When you are trying to jump too many places you will feel exhausted. This will take away the experience that you can get otherwise. Stay in a particular city for a couple of days and explore the local places. Take a walk through the streets and experience the life in that city. Try to street food, explore local stores and probably you will end up connecting with more people than you imagine.
Research Accommodations
Always do some research on the hotel you want to check-in. This is one of the important India travel tips that can help you stay safe. There are plenty of reliable hotels, resorts, hostels, dorms and AirBnB options that can help you get the best stay experience in India. Research and evaluate different options before you book it. You may also want to book your room well in advance so that there are no last moment issues.
Use Fanny Packs
Although, there are hotels and resorts that do offer a locker facility for the guests to keep their personal belongings, not all budget properties, and hotels offer this feature. Using fanny packs would allow you to carry all the money, vital documents, papers, smartphone and camera along. Now, you don’t have to worry about your critical information being stolen back at the hotel.
Travel Light
One of the best India travel tips is to travel light. As an Indian travel blogger, we prefer to do that. We try to cut down as much clothing as possible on our trips because that helps us focus more on the experience than on the luggage. If you are travelling to cities you will end up buying more goods which will later add to your luggage. When you travel light you have the opportunity to shop more and get it home.
Dress Local
In a country like India, where cultural differences are visible in every state, you need to focus on what you wear. You might not worry about the dressing part if you are in Goa or Mumbai. However, one of the essential India travel tips is that you cover up and pick a decent dress. Wearing expensive or revealing clothes that would attract unnecessary attention and you don’t want that.
Mind Your Business
As you travel through different parts of India, you might end up witnessing scenes that might upset you emotionally. For instance, you might find someone kicking a dog, or a woman slapping a kid, or someone urinating on the road. These things might bother you but it is best to avoid getting into such scenarios, especially if you’re a foreigner.
Know the Local Language
India is a land of 22 major languages and over 720 dialects. Every Indian state has a different state language and therefore it is advisable to know the local language to communicate. Most Indians speak Hindi and English and therefore you can use that to talk to locals and get information. You may want to use Google Translate app, but knowing a few basic lines would be beneficial.
Manage Your Budget
If you are looking for best India travel tips you must also focus on the budget. Some destinations in India are affordable but definitely not free. Hence, compare and evaluate your accommodations, transport and food options wisely. Avoid travelling during the peak season. If you are on a honeymoon you need to do better honeymoon planning.
For instance, avoid Goa in December and January months as the prices are very high. Similarly, book your bus, flight and train tickets in advance to avoid higher prices later on. When you are street shopping in India bargain to get the best deals.
Don’t Overstuff Your Wallet
When you are travelling in India, you must also focus on how much you carry in your wallet. If you are travelling to various cities in India, you can use credit cards or debit cards. These cards are widely accepted at restaurants, hotels, malls and movie theatres.
If you are travelling to the rural areas, you need to keep some cash as you might not find many ATMs on your way and you might run out of cash in the middle of nowhere. Never put all your cash in the wallet. Divide the total cash into two or three parts and put one in the wallet and the rest in your travel bag or socks or fanny pack. Use ATMs that are right next to the actual bank. Avoid using ATMs that have poor lighting and no security to be on the safe side.
Eat What Suits You
India is not just about curries, butter chicken and chicken tikkas. The diverse range of culture and tradition in India definitely makes it a hotspot for food lovers. You’ll find plenty of food options across different states in India. However, you must eat what suits you. Research the local delicacies and cuisines that are popular before you go for it. You may also want to try some local street food options. Try smaller quantities first to ensure that you can handle the spice factor.
Conclusion
As Indian travel bloggers, we have no issues travelling to different corners of the country. We understand the culture and the Indian lifestyle which makes our job easier. However, you might feel differently about travel in India. You might read or hear plenty of things good and bad things about India and probably that might be true. However, no country on the planet is absolutely safe and secure. Hence, you must be sure that you know how you can use India travel tips that can help you get the best experiences.
10 comments
Sharukh, great tips for all international travel. I’d say anywhere. There’s travel peril even your own country! Thanks for this post! Happy Sunday! 💛 Elizabeth
People are scared of the stories that media create so I thought let me write something about travel safety. The world out there is not as bad as it is shown, but then you can’t take things for granted as well.
Wise and sensible advice, and obvious too in hindsight of reading this. For a European visitor to India the ‘being invisible’ bit is easier said than done but your advice still applies – don’t be too obvious about your wealth and belongings or do too much to draw attention.
You’re probably right on that. For a European it would be hard to ‘be invisible’ but the dress factor still works. My trainer in Microsoft was from Maryland USA and she wore Indian clothing, so we never thought of her as an American, we thought of her as she was one of us. It just works psychologically.
That’s all very good advice, no matter where one travels…such as traveling light, checking accommodations, blending in and not stuffing your wallet or purse. I’m always very cognizant of my purse and never leave it out of my sight when I travel in the U.S.
Thanks for commenting and sharing your views, Mary. When it comes to money, I usually divide the money I have. So some bills are in my left pocket, some in the right, some in my bag, some in my pouch, some in Sarah’s purse. This way I am never out of money even if my wallet or bag is stolen. Although, I have never been a pickpocket victim, so far. In the US, how helpful are cops when you report stolen purse or wallet?
I would hope the police are helpful, but I’ve never had to test them…never had my purse stolen.
Glad to hear that 🙂
These are must Dos for travel. It’s important to take these things into consideration for safe and secure travel. I normally dress simple with tee, jeans and lock my money, documents in the luggage where I am staying and keep the key.
Thanks for commenting and sharing your view point, Vishal.