15 Tips For a Successful Trip to India

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Organize a Pick Up

1. Arriving into Indian airport and trying to get transport to your accommodation can be an eye opener. If you try queuing for a tuk-tuk or taxi you may find yourself constantly at the back of the line as people barge their way in front of you. You’re then likely to end up with a driver who does not know where your accommodation is – or pretends not to for a longer trip. On my first night in India I got driven around for two hours, even through lanes filled with buffalo, before the driver accepted he didn’t know where my accommodation was. After dropping me off to fend for myself he still asked for a tip! Many hostels and hotels will arrange for a car or tuk-tuk to pick you up for a very low fee (or possibly even free) which saves a whole lot of hassle.

Allow Extra Time

2. Don’t expect to get around as quickly as you are used to when traveling within the big cities or between cities. Traveling by tuk-tuk or taxi in the major cities can be slow and painful. For example, in Mumbai it is not unusual for a 16 km trip from Santa Cruz to the centre of Mumbai to take up to an hour and a half. Traveling between cities can also take longer than expected as roads may be badly maintained and rail services are slow and can be subject to delays. If you are in a hurry then cheap flights are offered on high quality local airlines such as Jet Airways and Kingfisher. Taking things as they come and allowing extra time will go a long way to reducing stress when traveling in India.

To give or not to give?

3. You won’t go more than a few minutes in an Indian city without child beggars pulling on your arm or tapping on your window mouthing for money for food. While it is tempting to hand over some money from your wallet, be careful. You may soon be mobbed by other beggars and many are part of organized groups. As tough as it is, it may be better to give through other channels such as volunteering, registered charities or sponsoring a child on an ongoing basis upon your return. If you do decide to give then think about giving food or a small amount of money as you leave an area.

Check the Lid

4. Tap water is not safe to drink in India for those of us whose bodies are used to more sanitary water conditions, so sticking to bottled water is a no-brainer. However, you need to be careful as some restaurants are known to refill water bottles. If you get given a water which is already open then asked for a closed one. If you get a sealed water bottle, check the seal carefully as it is not unknown to super glue the seal!

Avoid the Tourist Trap Shops

5. In areas popular with tourists such as Goa and Agra you may find tuk-tuk and taxi drivers take regular unrequested stops to take you to their friends shops selling overpriced, low quality souvenirs. The drivers get a kick-back for taking you there and it can be a hard sell once inside with tricks like offering a cup of tea to make you feel committed to buy. Perhaps offer a tip to avoid visiting these stores and be sure to hold your ground.

Not another Check Point

6. Ever since the Mumbai terror attacks a few years ago security has increased at hotels, shopping centres and on public transport such as the Delhi metro system. While some of the metal detector gates look suspiciously home made, you can save time by keeping your bags neatly packed and ensuring they are easy to access.

Pass on the Salad

7. While it may be obvious to avoid drinking tap water don’t forget this extends to other foods that are prepared with water such as salads and ice in drinks. There are places that use filtered water for salads and ice but don’t make assumptions.

Watch Your Shoes

8. In temples, mosques and certain monuments including the Taj Mahal you will be required to take off your shoes before going inside. The portrayal of shoes getting stolen in the movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ is not one of fiction and goes on everyday. The safest way is to put your shoes in your bag and keep them with you. Second to that you can pay a few rupees for them to be looked after.

The Guide Book Didn’t Mention That!

9. When visiting major attractions and sites you might find yourself approached by men offering their services as a tour guide. Normally these places offer official guides so if you want to be sure you should ask to see ID or documents to support their claims. In reality, many official tour guides are very good but make sure you negotiate a fair price upfront and try and suss out if they really know there stuff otherwise you may come away learning a somewhat different version of history.

Hold On Tight

10. No visit would be complete to India without a ride in a tuk-tuk. It can be a rough ride through pot-holed streets while your driver weaves across lanes and through heavy traffic. Despite the distractions around you, be sure to hold on tight the entire time… seat-belts are not provided!

Staring at the Bathroom Door

11. It’s not fun to think about, but odds are you will be spending some alone time on the toilet as the result of a stomach upset at some point of your visit to India. To make this as manageable as possible, make sure you have a few essential supplies on you at all times such as your own toilet paper, hand sanitiser, diarrhea medicine and sachets of re-hydration salts such as Dioralyte.

Block Your Ears

12. If you are staying in budget accommodation then you may find it hard to sleep in towns and cities at night with the honking and revving of tuk-tuks and other traffic. Grab yourself a couple of pairs of ear plugs from a pharmacy and you will find yourself much more rested.

Yes, No or Maybe?

13. When asking for something in stores, hotels or restaurants be prepared for the Indian head wobble. This side to side head wobble takes years of practice to perfect and can seen to mean, yes, no or maybe – to much confusion. If your question or request is met my nothing more than a head wobble then you may want to clarify the response verbally.

A Bed Lined with Silk

14. If you are staying in budget accommodation, standards can vary from immaculately clean to rat-infested filthy. In many stores and markets you can pick up a silk sleeping bag liner for a few dollars which can be handy to provide a barrier at night between your skin and the bedding. Bed bugs are not uncommon and this is an easy solution to lower your odds of picking them up.

Accept the Celebrity Life

15. While travel safety guides often go on about trying to blend in like a local when you travel, chances are this won’t really be possible in India and you won’t go unnoticed. In the cities the attention comes to come in the form of intense stares which are best to ignore. If you visit the big national attractions then there may be Indian tourists who have never seen non-Indians before and will be lining up for photos with you which can be fun. A word of warning, groups of young men may all want a photo with attractive women so they can brag about how they seduced you! If you’re having a photo with your partner or other friends then it should be harmless fun.