TIPS FOR TRAVELLING IN INDIA
With a population of almost 1.4 billion, India is second only to China in numbers. With an impressive 3,287,263 square kilometers of land, India is the 7th largest country in the world. It is big and populated enough to offer foreign visitors diversity, sights, tastes, flavors, experiences, and adventure activities like nowhere else in the world.
With so much to see and do, some serious planning is in order to ensure returning from travelling India does not require a holiday to recover. Apply for your travelling Indian visa and then make sure the trip ahead is as pleasurable and memorable as it should be, and here’s how…
Plan your Destinations
First-time visitors to this amazing country will do best by sticking to the popular destinations, leaving seasoned visitors to India to venture more in-depth. Don’t let this sway you from experiencing those sights and experiences you had your heart set on, though. India offers so much, and most anything is available when you know how.
Health care
Of the approximately 8% of travelers to developing countries who require medical care during or after travel, diagnoses are mainly vaccine-preventable diseases. Traveling to India risks exposure to various infectious diseases, including non-endemic diseases imported in. These may be water-borne or water-related and zoonotic diseases. It is important for foreigners planning to visit India to be up to date with routine vaccinations.
Money handling
Pre-booking accommodation before arrival, paying in full beforehand, and using taxi services recommended by friends or family for long distances are only two measures foreigners can take to ensure they are not taken advantage of when settling travel costs abroad. Best is having some cash on hand for smaller purchases and paying with credit cards or accessing funds with a debit card or pre-paid travel card. Travel cards carry charges for currency conversion, whereas most debit cards and credit cards don’t. While travel cards offer convenience in controlling the travel budget, for cash withdrawals and over the counter purchases, fees for inactivity, loading, and reloading factor it out against other options. Card payments are broadly accepted within India, which is however still largely a cash economy, and ATM withdrawals are possible at reduced fees. ATMs are widely available and easily found in India. Limits vary depending on the machine, but withdrawal limits should match those of your local bank’s ATM withdrawal limit. India caters perfectly for all budgets and tastes, and depending on the length of stay, a couple of US$ a day will do you just fine. Of course, if you’re sleeping in a palace, this is not going to work for you.
Shopping
If you’re an adept bargainer, you’re going to love shopping in India. The norm is to halve the initial asking price and then work from there. It is best to have an idea of what you are prepared to pay before you start. Remember that if you really want it, and the price is too high, you are likely to find a similar item elsewhere at some time. India is a cost-effective country for Westerners, so don’t strangle hold vendors on a couple of dollars on any item. Where possible, support smaller, independently owned shops, tailors or artisans rather than the alternative.
Visitors appreciate that textiles are integral in India’s fabric, so to say. Gandhi incited the burning of foreign-made clothes and the support of Indian villagers by wearing the hand-spun cloth, khadiÂ. It is well worth supporting these Khadi shops which sell all manner of handcrafted products throughout India. Remember when considering purchases that handmade textiles support the locals and provide Indians with a national dress.
Carpets are tempting. They will also probably be among the top purchases cost wise. Always arrange the shipping of the carpet to your home country rather than opting for the enthusiastic salesperson’s offer to ship it – you may never see it again otherwise.
Handicrafts are a must-buy and include silk and pashmina scarves, jewelry, textiles, sandalwood, incense, carpets, carvings, musical instruments, and designer paper. Government-owned handicraft emporiums are well-stocked with local offerings, and although they are a little costlier compared to the hole in the wall vendors, the variety is incredible, and prices are fixed.
Electrical appliances
Take country-appropriate adapters and buy a local SIM card for your cellphone to save on tariff rates.
Language
With so many regional dialects and native languages, many locals speak English remarkably well, although not so much in rural regions.
Weather & Clothes
Clothes required depend largely on the regions visited and the time of the year, as the weather fluctuates accordingly. Breezy, cotton articles and respectfully covering clothing are a must regardless.
With the travelling India Visa organized through Indian Visa Online, you’re now suitably armed with all you need to know to visit India.
