India is an amazing country, full of vibrant colors, wonderful food and an intense culture. While many travelers get culture shock, seasoned travel hoppers love this magical place. From the tourist hub of Delhi and Agra through to Rajasthan and further south, to the delightful North, there’s something for everyone in this huge country.
If you’re planning a trip to India then today I’ll give you a few ideas on how to prepare for your trip, so that when you land you can get out there and explore, without wasting time or money trying to get things sorted at the airport or your first few days.
Get a travel sim card
It’s probably the most important thing these days. You need to stay in contact with friends and family as well as upload those wonderful photos on Instagram and Snapchat. Until recently you’d have had to find the Vodafone store at the airport, but thanks to new technology, prepaid sim providers offer the ability to get an Indian sim card delivered to your home before you fly. Whether you live in the USA, UK or further afield, you can get a 4GB sim card for $20.
Stay in decent hotels
India is still a third world country and the sanitization levels are not quite what you’d expect in western countries. While some travelers want to ruff it and stay in the world’s cheapest hostels, I’m not so sure it’s a smart idea.
Everyone says the best experiences in India are staying in some of the amazing 5-star hotels such as the Oberoi or the Taj hotel chains. Given the price comparison between the west and India you can stay in ultimate luxury for less than you would in a normal 3-star hotel in central London.
Book internal flights
The distances are huge in India and the roads are surprisingly decent in comparison to other Asian countries. The drivers might be a bit wild, but remember, most people drive for a living so they aren’t going to want to damage their car, or they won’t get paid, so you might be a lot safer.
There are numerous stories about travelers getting robbed on the train or getting stuck on hot sweaty trains in the middle of nowhere. If you can, book internal flights between cities as you’ll save a lot of time. You can pick up cheap flights thanks to the numerous budget airlines such as Air Asia, Indigo, Air India, Vistara and SpiceJet.
Get your vaccines
A lot of travelers skip their vaccines before traveling as they are either scared or don’t want to spend the money. A quick check with your local doctor should help identify what you’re covered for and what you might be lacking. Plan to do this at least a month before travel. If cost is an issue, get a quote from your doctor and visit a country such as Thailand on the way, where the same vaccines cost a fraction of the price.
