Throughout 2010 I wrote about many tips to help save tourists from the headaches that can come with traveling India. These are tried and true facts from my travels which have come from many irritating moments along the roadways of the country. For those travelers setting out in 2011 for their first adventure to India, or the returning indophile, tuck these suggestions in your bag. As I continue to explore new parts of the sub continent, and return to some favorite haunts, you can be sure to find more helpful tricks for enjoying India with ease.
1. How to Pick the Right Luggage
Unless your travels entail 5-star service from start to finish, packing smart for India will set you up for success. What to pack for your Indian travels is as important as deciding how much to bring and which type of bag will best suit your travel plans once on the ground.
2. How to Find the Best Deals on Airline Tickets
Finding a cheap ticket to India is all about strategy. Forward planning months in advance can open multiple bargain opportunities, but you have to know how to play the game. In some cases, business class round trip tickets can be had for less mileage than a round trip ticket in coach. Be flexible, be creative and you may well be rewarded for your efforts.
3. 10 Things to Know About Hostels
It used to be hostels were nothing more than bare-bones dormitory buildings typically located in the center of a city. Foreign tourists from around the world flocked to the cheap rooms which offered a place to meet other like minded travelers, a safe (relatively) place to drop bags while sightseeing, and of course, a place to shower the next morning. Wash and repeat on the cheap.
4. 10 Things to Know About Credit Cards in India
Contrary to belief, India has a modern credit card payment system in place, accepting several of the major credit cards on the market. These cards can be used at restaurants, hotels, shops, supermarkets, and more, just as at home. Chances are you already own a credit card which will suffice when traveling, but tourists need to be armed with the most access to buying power and/or cash when traveling abroad.
5. 10 Ways to Find a Place to Eat
One of the countless reasons to travel India is the rich array of food options the country offers. But knowing how to spot a “neat & clean” place to eat in India can sometimes make the difference between sleeping through the night, or being up all night. Restaurants, cafes, dhabas and food stalls can vary in appearance and cleanliness. Included are 5 criteria to look for and 5 pointers to help locate your next meal.
6. When is the Best Time to Visit?
Scores of vacationers flock to India during the winter season which locals accurately dub, the “tourist season”. Easily the best time to visit India, the excessive summer heat begins to ease into cooler temps. At the same time, usually wet areas of Northeast India dry out allowing uncomplicated travel once again. Meanwhile the South experiences it’s own cooling weather patterns and rain on the beaches.
7. Traveling with Hotel Vouchers
Using a full-service travel agency for your Indian holiday will include working with hotel vouchers. These vouchers are provided, upon initial arrival, by your agency representative. Chances are he won’t explain the process of using them beyond the need to present at each respective hotel.
An endless array of myths, mixed with some facts, surround pot in India. From smoking to buying and transporting, rather than try to cover the myriad of topics this subject involves, I’ll get down to brass tacks for those of you interested in this subject.
9. How to Avoid Traveler’s Diarrhea
One way to quickly stop your trip through India, is by acquiring traveler’s diarrhea or TD. It’s the most common illness affecting travelers, some 20%-50% of international travelers or 10 million persons, annually. While TD typically occurs within the first week of traveling, it can occur at any time while traveling and even after arriving back home. India is unfortunately one of the higher risk areas for developing TD.
10. ATM’s
Once you’ve arrived in India, you’ll want to find an ATM in short order. Money flows like water through tips, taxis, buses, food and hotels. Many businesses will accept US currency for payment but try to avoid this as hassling over an agreed exchange rate can be tiresome. ATM’s typically offer the standard exchange rate.
