Navigating India: Travel Guide & Tips to Staying Safe & Immersing Yourself in Culture
Are you planning a vacation trip to India? That’s great!
India is a country of vibrant culture, rich history, and diverse landscapes. It’s a land where ancient traditions and modern technology coexist in harmony. India, a nation of 1.4 billion people, is home to 15% of the world's population. India is full of surprises, from the high ridges of the Himalayas to the enigmatic kingdoms of the East. Additionally, rather than being a single country, India is more like a collection of nations, ranging from the hot South to the coastlines and deserts of the West.
Going to India is like traveling to a different galaxy, filled with distinct characters, traits, and charm. Being a part of this wonderful country is undoubtedly not simple but it is an experience that I love and enjoy. Your experience will be distinct regardless of how much you have read, heard, or dreamed. You will share a tale that is yours, it will be unique from everyone else's while you are in India.
However, as with any travel destination, it’s always helpful to know certain things that can make your India travel marvelous. From cultural customs to health and safety concerns, it's important to be prepared before embarking on your journey. In this blog post, we'll explore some things that you should keep in mind when traveling to India, and provide tips and advice on how to stay safe and make the most of your trip. Additionally, we'll also cover some of the cultural tips that can make your Indian travel experience truly marvelous. From understanding the local customs to immersing yourself in the rich culture to trying out the local delicacies, we'll give you everything you need to know to make your Indian travel experience unforgettable. So, whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, come along with us and discover the beauty, diversity, and wonder that India has to offer with safety and cultural understanding.
Tips to keep in Mind:
Touts and Scammers:
The Indian travel industry is infamous for its touts. Touts are people who aggressively sell goods or services to tourists in India. They may approach tourists in popular tourist areas such as markets, train stations, streets, in front of hotels, or outside of popular attractions. These touts/scammers may try to offer goods at low prices but not good in quality or may try to take tourists to shops or businesses where they get a commission. Plus, they can be persistent, keep talking to tourists, and also use other sales tactics.
To avoid touts, tourists should be cautious when approached by someone offering a deal or service, and should not feel pressured to make a purchase. It's also recommended to do your own research and book your tours, transportation, and accommodation in advance. If you want, try to ask for advice/help at your hotel or tourist guide or friend you know.
It’s important to keep in mind that not all street vendors or shopkeepers are touts, and many are just trying to make a living. It's always good to be polite, but firm when dealing with touts, and to walk away if they are being too aggressive or persistent.
2. Safety:
source: wikihow
India is generally a safe place to travel, but it's important to be cautious in certain areas, like areas with fewer people, or not safe-looking places in general. If you must go to some adventurous areas, then do not go alone, try to tag a trusted local Indian friend with you.
Frankly, even as Indian, we do not go to low-key places alone. Also, it is always good to take the usual safety precautions like avoiding walking alone at night, dancing or doing acts on the streets, and being aware of your surroundings.
3. Transportation:
Be cautious when using public transportation, especially in crowded areas, and be aware of the potential for pickpocketing. We will cover this topic separately, but we will summarise the main points in this blog.
There are some common transportation scams, such as overcharging for rides, taking longer routes than necessary, unauthorized taxis, or demanding extra payment for baggage. Do not fall for that. It is recommended to always book a taxi through a reputable company, or ask your hotel to call one for you. If you want to travel by public transport like train or bus, then try to avoid peak rush hours as they can be overcrowded. And be ready to experience some air pollution (at least in big cities) and noise pollution as Indians love to honk.
4. Health:
Avoiding tap water is better for health in India
One of the biggest concerns of many foreigners is health. As tasty as Indian food can be, Indian food has Indian spices as one of the main ingredients, and most foreign lifestyles do not include those in daily lifestyles. So it’s better to be cautious about what you eat and drink while traveling in India. Even when I (Indian) visit India every year, I get diarrhea or an upset stomach. I personally and strongly recommend sticking to purified water (buy water if you can) and avoiding tap water, ice, and a lot of street food. Tasting street food is fine, but eating too much can lead to an upset stomach.
Source: competativeindia
This is a common tip for any country, always keep a first-aid kit with you. If you are visiting in summer, India can be very hot. It's important to stay hydrated, wear appropriate clothing (not too short but pack lightweight, breathable clothing, white/light shades clothing, cotton clothes, etc), and avoid strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day. Sunscreen is a must. We won’t be covering other basic tips like having medical insurance, packing your medications if you are on any medications, etc. in this blog.
source: the traveling ginger, there is a whole guide on what to wear in this article
5. Women Safety:
India is still a little conservative country, and it's important to dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Women should avoid revealing clothing, such as short skirts, short pants, or tank tops. It is advisable to travel in groups, avoid traveling alone, and avoid roaming around late at night alone. Except in big cities, most Indians and Indian culture are not used to wearing tight or revealing clothes, so it is strongly recommended to avoid tight or revealing clothing in public, especially when traveling alone or in rural areas. This will help you avoid unwanted stares as well as uncomfortable situations. Just to give you some reference, even I avoid wearing such clothes when I am visiting rural places/cities in India.
Try to pack a scarf or shawl. A scarf or shawl can be used to cover your head or shoulders when entering a religious site, or temple. When visiting temples, mosques, or other religious sites, it's best to cover your shoulders and legs to show respect for local customs. A scarf or shawl can also be used as a cover-up when needed. Trust me, it’s really helpful to have a scarf with you in India.
6. Interact with Locals:
I've experienced a number of instances where strangers have been incredibly helpful. Locals have been incredibly helpful, whether it is with directions, hitching, or requesting ideas for restaurants. Also, folks in the metropolis tend to be more business-like than people in the countryside. However, you know that not everyone has a good heart, right?
Therefore, develop your sixth sense and determine a person's sincerity before believing them and doing as they say. I know I am asking too much but a traveler should strive to be able to tell the difference between a real person and a fraudulent one. Most people are really kind and amazing, but some are not. So, try to be careful. Ask for tips at your hotels or from your travel guide, or at a restaurant (if you are visiting not too local a restaurant), or at least try to double check on the internet before you believe blindfolded.
7. Save the emergency number and some self-defense items:
Unlike in any country, or any situation, you never know what situation you will come across. So it’s always safer to be prepared. A backpack or alone traveler is a lifelong learner, therefore if you don't know any self-defense techniques, you should get them. Of course, that’s not going to be easy. So here’s the recommendation. Try to keep pepper/ chilly spray handy. I keep pepper spray in my handbag no matter which country I travel to. When you are traveling alone, it is quite helpful to have this with you.
If you have a local contact in India, such as a friend, relative, or the tour company that you used to make your hotel reservations, then that’s great. Let them know where you're going and give them your phone number. In the event of an emergency, here are a couple of contacts from Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism):
Dial 112 - for emergency services like ambulance, police, and fire department)
Dial 1363 or 1800 11 1363 - Tourist Helpline
8. Other small tips:
No Public Display of affection! Know more on: Thebridgechronicle
Be mindful of poverty and do not give money or food to beggars, instead consider supporting local charities.
Avoid public displays of affection, India is not used to that and be respectful of local customs and traditions.
Learn a few basic phrases in Hindi to communicate with locals.
Every nation is distinct, and its culture defines a wide range of concepts. We still need to refine our attitudes and broaden our capacity for accepting other people's preferences. However, the friendliness you will experience in India will remain in your memory forever.
In conclusion, we have discussed some of the things to be cautious about when traveling to India and provided tips and advice on how to stay safe and make the most of your trip. Hope some of the cultural tips that we covered can make your Indian travel experience truly marvelous. So, pack your bags, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey to the land of contrasts, diversity and wonder that is India.
Happy Traveling!
Co-author:
Ritu Ghorai & Nidhi Agrawal