Many travelers feel overwhelmed when it comes to organizing their trip to India. It is not that difficult if you go step by step. Below I have put together 15 tips that will make planning easier for you.
You can find some of the most beautiful destinations in my guide to backpacking in Southeast Asia .
"It doesn't matter how much time you have, it won't be enough for everything!"
So don't stress yourself the first time and just come back. And keep in mind that everything takes a long time in India. Whether waiting at the ticket counter or in the post office, patience is always in demand. In addition, a stomach problem or an air conditioning-related cold can throw you off the train at any time. It is good if you have scheduled time buffers. In my opinion, you should have at least three weeks for a self-organized trip to India, visiting no more than seven locations, better only five, if relaxation is important to you.
Also important for your travel planning: There are many large festivals in India that are worth visiting. Therefore compare the dates with your travel route, maybe you are lucky and can be with one. A look at the Indian calendar of events also makes sense if you don't want to visit the festival, as many trains and accommodations are fully booked in the days around it.
By the way: Most health insurance companies pay for the vaccinations recommended by the doctor for a trip.
Here you will find detailed information on vaccinations and health care for India .
Since the train is used a lot, it often happens that trains are fully booked in advance. Simply going to the ticket counter the day before the trip is therefore not a good idea. Often there is only the waiting list. The easiest way is to book your tickets online. This is possible from 90 days before the trip. You can find a list of all trains on erail . To buy tickets you have to register with IRCTC , however an Indian mobile number is required. Alternatively, you can book the cards at Cleartrip for a small additional charge . You can cancel your tickets later. The money, minus a processing fee, will then be transferred back. The best overview of rail travel in India can be found on Seat61.
And because of the worries: I have almost only eaten at street stalls and in small restaurants in India and have almost never had any problems. I always made sure that (many) locals also eat there. Because that is a sign that the food is good. Of course, you can also spoil your stomach there, but that can also happen to you in any other restaurant. Caution should be exercised particularly in the case of poorly frequented restaurants with a western menu.
Take care of your India visa in good time!
A visa is required to enter India. Under certain conditions, German citizens can obtain an electronic tourist visa (e-Tourist Visa - e-TV), which must be applied for at least four days before the planned date of arrival. With this visa you can usually stay up to 60 days in the country and enter up to twice. Current information and regulations can be found on the indianvisaonline page . The visa can also be applied for through the embassy.Take your time to plan your trip!
India is a huge country, the seventh largest country in the world. Accordingly, you have to think pretty carefully about where you want to go. So take your time planning, read a travel guide or travel blog, and make a list of places that interest you. This makes sense because you may not be able to remember many of the complicated names the first time. Just write everything down, you can still swipe afterwards. For example, create a map on Google Maps and put a flag there for every possible destination. So you get a feeling for distances and connections. Never forget: planning trips is fun!You can find some of the most beautiful destinations in my guide to backpacking in Southeast Asia .
Not too much at once!
As just described, India is big, if not to say: very big. So at some point you have to decide where to go. Accepting the following may help you:"It doesn't matter how much time you have, it won't be enough for everything!"
So don't stress yourself the first time and just come back. And keep in mind that everything takes a long time in India. Whether waiting at the ticket counter or in the post office, patience is always in demand. In addition, a stomach problem or an air conditioning-related cold can throw you off the train at any time. It is good if you have scheduled time buffers. In my opinion, you should have at least three weeks for a self-organized trip to India, visiting no more than seven locations, better only five, if relaxation is important to you.
If you have less time ...
Can't wait and want to visit as many sights in India as possible in a short time? Then a study trip (e.g. Studienreisen.de ) might be the right thing for you. Although it costs a little more, you have a well-organized compact program in which you don't have to worry about anything yourself.Choose the right travel time for India!
The best time to visit India is from October to March, the high season is from December to the end of February. The temperatures are most comfortable during this period. In the off-season from April to June it is crunchy hot, so visiting a temple can become torture. Many national parks are then closed. From June the monsoon brings rain to the country and you can enjoy travel in slow rain shower with an umbrella. You can also experience it extensively in the low season from July to October.Also important for your travel planning: There are many large festivals in India that are worth visiting. Therefore compare the dates with your travel route, maybe you are lucky and can be with one. A look at the Indian calendar of events also makes sense if you don't want to visit the festival, as many trains and accommodations are fully booked in the days around it.
Take care of your vaccinations!
For India, the World Health Organization recommends vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, polio, hepatitis A & B, typhoid and chickenpox if necessary. Depending on the travel route and length of stay, vaccinations against Japanese encephalitis, meningitis, rabies and tuberculosis are also recommended. It is best to get advice from a tropical institute or a doctor with a focus on travel medicine. Many things are still possible at short notice, but it's best to go to the consultation three to four months before the start of the trip. Because not all vaccines are always in stock and for some vaccinations several appointments are necessary.By the way: Most health insurance companies pay for the vaccinations recommended by the doctor for a trip.
Here you will find detailed information on vaccinations and health care for India .
Do not let them make you crazy!
A few years ago, some of the guidebooks contained the dangers posed by diseases or poisonous animals. Fortunately, in most of the guides, these lists of horror have gone backwards, because it is more pleasant to get to know the good things about a travel destination first. This is not about playing down, because some dangers are real. However, you don't have to drive yourself crazy because of this. With a little caution and common sense, you can avoid most dangers and minimize risks.As a woman, note the special safety tips!
There have been repeated reports of rape and sexual harassment in recent years. Indeed, it is different whether you go to Thailand as a woman or travel to India. But here too, with the right preparation, you can avoid many dangers. The travel blogs Bravebird , Pink Compass and Weltenbummlerin have put together valuable tips for women who travel (alone) through India .Make a packing list for your trip to India!
Good travel planning is also necessary when it comes to what you want to take to India. In the end it is usually too much, and yet something is always missing. In my packing list I have put together what I think are the most important things, also with regard to the first aid kit. I think it's helpful for you.Clarify your finances and your budget!
Before you travel, you should have a clear idea of your budget. Plan an appropriate buffer so that unexpected expenses do not spoil your trip. You should also think about how to get cash in India. What you have to pay attention to, I have put together in my article about credit cards when traveling .Don't save too much on accommodation!
In India you can live very cheap almost everywhere. You can get a bed for one or two euros a night. But keep in mind that India is (very) exhausting. If you are out all day and have thousands of impressions on you, you may be happy to have a retreat in the evening. Then it is an advantage to live in a room you like to stay in, and not in a rancid broom closet. Many hotels around 15-20 euros offer great value for money. Treat yourself to something more if you feel better in India.Travel cheaply by train through India!
You can save money on accommodation here, because one of the cheapest ways to get around India is by train. Thanks to the second largest route network in the world, you can get almost anywhere this way and it costs almost nothing. A trip over 300 kilometers often takes ten hours, but you only pay around 5 euros in sleeper class. Of course you can also drive in the air-conditioned 1st class.Since the train is used a lot, it often happens that trains are fully booked in advance. Simply going to the ticket counter the day before the trip is therefore not a good idea. Often there is only the waiting list. The easiest way is to book your tickets online. This is possible from 90 days before the trip. You can find a list of all trains on erail . To buy tickets you have to register with IRCTC , however an Indian mobile number is required. Alternatively, you can book the cards at Cleartrip for a small additional charge . You can cancel your tickets later. The money, minus a processing fee, will then be transferred back. The best overview of rail travel in India can be found on Seat61.
Use domestic flights as an alternative!
Ignoring the ecological aspects, it can be advisable to book a domestic flight to save time. There are numerous (low-cost) airlines in India, such as Air India , GoAir , Indigo , Jet Airways and Spicejet . Platforms like Skyscanner compare prices.Restaurants: Eat where the Indians eat!
Indian cuisine is among the best in the world. Unfortunately, many tourists to India only eat in upscale restaurants for fear of spoiling their stomachs. But you miss a lot, because the food there is often adapted to the western audience. You usually have the unique taste experiences in rather simple restaurants. And they are also much cheaper. Sometimes you get fed up for one euro.And because of the worries: I have almost only eaten at street stalls and in small restaurants in India and have almost never had any problems. I always made sure that (many) locals also eat there. Because that is a sign that the food is good. Of course, you can also spoil your stomach there, but that can also happen to you in any other restaurant. Caution should be exercised particularly in the case of poorly frequented restaurants with a western menu.
