15 Utterly Useful India Travel Tips

• 2021-10-28 06:18:03

1. Avoid exhaustion and set your limits- One of the most crucial pieces of advice we can give you about travelling in India is to limit yourself to a few locations on your itinerary and spend more time in each one, rather than trying to see everything. Walking around a busy Indian city can be an assault on the senses, so make sure to include time in your plan for relaxation and recovery. You will experience burnout and exhaustion if you try to do too much in too little time. Instead, take your time and visit fewer, more in-depth sites; you'll have a more enjoyable trip. You'll also have more possibilities to interact with locals and enjoy unique experiences.
2. Identify the Requirements for Entry- A valid passport, an Indian visa, and a return/onward ticket are all required to enter India. If you're coming as a tourist for less than 30 days, you'll need to apply for a 'Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)'. Visit the Indian Government's official website to learn more about ETA. Prior to your arrival, fill out an online application. Additionally, check for any guidelines to be followed keeping in mind Covid-19 pandemic or any other for that matter.
3. Keep an eye on what you eat and drink- Perhaps the most critical piece of advice for first-time visitors to India! On your first vacation to India, you're likely to get a stomach ache. However, there are ways to avoid this. Stick to bottled water and stay away from salads and ice, which are common causes of stomach distress. You don't have to fully avoid street food, but try to limit yourself to peeled fresh fruit and meals that have been boiled or fried.
4. Plan according to weather conditions- India has a wide range of climatic conditions, yet the vast country has four distinct seasons: summer, winter, monsoon, and post-monsoon. Because each place has its own climatic circumstances, there's always something worth seeing no matter what time of year it is. Summer is great for visiting the Western Himalayas, such as Ladakh, and hill stations like Darjeeling, Shimla, Manali, Nainital, and Mussoorie, while winter is best for visiting famous tourist sites like Mumbai, Kerala, Hampi, Goa, Rajasthan, Agra, and Varanasi.
5. Stay safe- You may not have any safety concerns while travelling in India, but it is a good idea to avoid flashing money, not walking around late at night, and to exercise common sense. Female travellers, particularly ladies travelling alone, may have a very different experience. If at all feasible, read personal testimonies of women who have travelled to India or speak with friends who have, and then make your own judgement. Traveling should be exciting, but it should never make anyone feel unsafe or vulnerable.
6. Brace for Culture Shock- It is almost certain that you will experience cultural shock when you first arrive in India. It's pointless to try to fight it. Prepare yourself instead by accepting that things will not be the same as they are at home. Try to keep an open mind and leave your preconceived notions at home. The best way is to follow the lead of locals and imitate. Just keep in mind a few pointers: Don’t wear your shoes into the temples or any other place of worship; Don’t receive or give money, food, etc. with your left hand; Never touch things with your feet, it is considered insulting; Learn the local head nodding habit; Always ask for permission before clicking a picture, especially of ladies and most of all always greet other with a smile and folded hands.
7. Dress Conservatively- Indian culture is known for its modesty. Covering your arms and legs is an easy way to show you care. Indians are forgiving of visitors who are unfamiliar with their traditions, but you may make a good first impression by removing your shoes before entering someone's home, for example. This is especially true when visiting a hallowed site such as a temple. At temples, you should also cover your shoulders and wear dresses or shorts that reach your knees. Also, if you notice shoes outside a store, it's an indication that you should take off yours.
8. Learn a Few Key Expressions in the Local Language- India is a culturally varied country, and the language is no exception. In truth, several languages are spoken in different parts of the country, however English is widely spoken and understood. While Hindi is not everyone's first language, it is widely understood, so learning a few basic Hindi words can help: namaste (hello/goodbye), shukriya or dhanyawad (thank you), theek hai (alright or OK), haan/haanji (yes), nahi (no), garam paani (hot water shower), madat (help), kripya (help/please), aaj (today), kal (tomorrow), etc.
9. Buy a sim card- It will be a lot easier to go across India if you can use your phone. You'll be able to use Google Maps to get directions, browse TripAdvisor reviews before going to a restaurant, quickly check out travel websites for tips and fraud warnings while on the go, and much more. Getting a SIM card with data for your phone should be one of your first tasks when you arrive.
10. Prepare for noise- Indian cities are noisy, with cars, motorcycles, crowds of people, street hawkers, and more. Having earbuds on hand to block out some of the surrounding noise is one way to ensure you have some personal space, albeit in your head. At times, the sheer clamour of an Indian metropolis can be overwhelming.
11. Mind your Health- Health is Wealth—Remember these fundamental precautions to be healthy. As Indian food is spicy and tangy, it's typical to get a churning stomach; eat freshly prepared food and drink only from sealed water bottles to avoid this. Wear a scarf and mask in the streets to protect yourself from pollution. Traveling with medications for diarrhoea, headaches, and other common ailments is also a good idea. Before your travel, make sure you have all of the appropriate shots. Consult your doctor about what you might need and where you'll be travelling. If you run out of medicine, don't panic; pharmacies can be found almost anywhere.
12. Beware of Religious Scams- You may be pushed to make a gift or purchase a sacred offering at numerous temples and mosques. A holy man might, for example, place a red dot on your forehead or wrap a string around your wrist before asking for money. Many visitors feel compelled to do so because they don't want to offend the local faith. If you don't want to, however, you don't have to. If it sounds like it would cost a lot of money for a local to do, it's generally not a genuine spiritual offering, but rather a way to make money off tourists.
13. Resist offers that appear too good to be true- While government-run stores are the easiest method to avoid scams, basic guidelines can aid you in other situations. To avoid card cloning scams, consider paying for things with cash. This could save you a lot of time and aggravation later on in your journey. If you're planning on having stuff delivered home by mail, you should pay extra attention. Unfortunately, it is fairly common for stores to accept your payment and then give you useless merchandise.
14. Acquire change- Exchange rates in airports are generally reasonable, and one advantage of exchanging in person rather than at an ATM is that you can request small bills. You don't want to be carrying a clutch of purple 2,000 rupee notes around with you. Make a change whenever you can. Fast food businesses are very useful in this regard. When buying a cup of tea on the street or taking a tuk-tuk ride, bring tiny dollars with you; your driver will not be able to make change.
15. Learn to Haggle- Although haggling is a natural aspect of buying in India, it may feel weird and daunting at first if you come from a culture where it is not. The most important thing to remember is that this is a polite dialogue, not a conflict. The merchant would most likely quote a high price and expect you to react with a lesser offer. Then you can haggle until you find a price that works for both of you. The price is always adjustable, and if you don't negotiate, you'll wind up overpaying for almost everything you buy. Furthermore, news will quickly spread among all suppliers that you are an easy target.