What You Need to Know Before Traveling to India forthe First Time

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by Travelopod Admin

If you’ve never been to India, there are many things to take into consideration if you’re thinking aboutscheduling a trip. The experienced world traveler will know much of what needs to be done before leavinghome, but will also do research into the specific ways and means of the country they’re planning to visit.These are just some of the things you need to keep in mind before you set out on your India adventure.

Tip 1) Gather Your Travel Documents

Naturally, the first thing you have to consider is obtaining all the relevant travel documents for India. Whileall U.S. travellers to India need a passport, visa requirements may vary according to the nature of your trip.Make sure you have an original, signed passport that is valid for as a minimum of 6 months from day ofvisa application and has at least two blank visa pages for Indian visa stamps (amendment pages are notacceptable for visa stamps). In addition, you must submit an online India visa application form. You willalso need a printed, signed copy with a passport type photo. If you enter the country as a tourist, you alsohave to present proof of residential address and a global service order form. If you bring a minor, you mustsubmit a copy of the child’s birth certificate, a copy of both parents’ signed passports, and a visaapplication form signed by both parents and notarized. There are different requirements and additionalprocedures for applicants of Indian origin, as well as applicants who travel for business or study purposes.Please check with your local Indian consulate to ensure you have all the necessary travel documents.

Tip 2) Book Your Tickets in Advance

As with any vacation trip, timing is key. While it may seem like fun to book a spontaneous vacation to India,it can be very expensive and difficult to get transportation and attraction tickets at the last minute. In fact, ifyou plan on traveling the country by train, be aware that some train rides sell out several months inadvance. It would be a serious hassle to arrive in India only to discover you have no way to get around thecountry. There are ideal times to purchase your plane tickets depending on when you are visiting.Furthermore, the cost of your trip to India can vary greatly depending on the nature of your travel. Travelpackages that include airfare and accommodation can be significantly cheaper, although you will mostlikely stay in one place (e.g. a beach hotel resort). If you plan to travel cross-country and book airfare,accommodation and transportation separately, your expenses can skyrocket easily. However, you can flyduring low season periods and there are areas that are rather “off the beaten track” where you can findinexpensive lodging and food.

Tip 3) Take Health Precautions

Visit your primary care physician even before buying your plane tickets, and ask about what kinds ofimmunizations you’ll need to get prior to your trip, which may vary based on what regions of India you’replanning to visit. Regardless, all travellers should have their routine vaccinations (including againstmeasles-mumps-rubella, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, chickenpox, polio and the yearly flu-shot). Youshould get vaccinations for Hepatitis A and Typhoid, as you can contract both through contaminated food

or water. Depending on your destination, duration of your stay, activities or if you enter India from a countryother than the US, you should consult with your doctor whether you need vaccination against Hepatitis B,Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies or Yellow Fever. In addition, consider asking your doctor for aprescription for a Z-Pak or another form of antibiotic, as you’re likely to come in contact with all kinds ofbacteria that your body has never been exposed to while traveling, and you don’t want an illness to hinderyour trip.

Tip 4) Take Food and Water Safety Precautions

Contaminated food and beverages can cause several health problems. For example, traveler’s diarrhea(TD) is one of the most common travel-related illnesses, affecting 30%-70% of travelers, depending on thedestination and season of travel. TD is largely a syndrome of bacterial pathogens, while it’s sometimesrelated to intestinal viruses. Asian countries like India are one of the high-risk regions for TD. In order toavoid such diseases, stick to safe eating and drinking habits. Eat food that is cooked and served hot, fruitsand vegetables that you have thoroughly washed and peeled yourself, as well as only hard-boiled eggsand pasteurized dairy products. Don’t eat anything served at room temperature, from street vendors, rawor runny eggs, raw or undercooked meat or fish, unwashed and unpeeled fruits or vegetables,unpasteurized dairy products or “bushmeat” (monkeys, bats, etc…).

Drink (sealed) bottled water, disinfected water, ice made with disinfected water, carbonated drinks,hot coffee or tea, and only pasteurized milk.

Avoid tap / well water, ice made with tap / well water, beverages made with tap / well water (likejuices), and pasteurized milk. You might want to consider bringing a travel water purifier with you aswell.

Tip 5) Consider Culture and Etiquette

India is a very large country – it has the second largest population in the world after China – that isextremely diverse. Customs and etiquette can differ quite drastically depending on region and/or socialcircle. Still, there are certainly some general themes that link all the different cultures and that you ought toconsider when traveling through the country. Only eat with your right hand, as the left is seen as “dirty.”When it comes to engaging in public displays of affection, err on the side of caution and just don’t. Also, ifyou plan on visiting temples or other places of worship, remember to take your shoes off before enteringand refrain from taking pictures. Furthermore, when going to places of worship, it’s imperative that yourbody is well covered, including shoulders and knees. If you plan to drive, remember that farm animals maytake precedence on the road, as cattle are considered sacred in India’s biggest religion, Hinduism.Moreover, you should be prepared to use your brakes and horns frequently when traveling by car, as Indiais known for its chaotic traffic. When crossing traffic by foot, know that you will need to always look bothways as people will not be looking for you. In addition, female (particularly solo) travelers should take extraprecautions, as sexual harassment is unfortunately prevalent in India.

Tip 6) Pack Appropriately

One of the most important things to know before traveling to India is how to pack properly. What type ofluggage you should bring depends on your itinerary: if you stay in a major city or hotel resort, a suitcasewill suffice, but if you travel cross-country, a backpack is much more practical. Coming from the U.S., youneed to purchase a plug adapter and a voltage adapter to charge your electronic devices (Indian powerplugs come in varying shapes and sizes). Since the dress standards in this country tend to be veryconservative, you will want to only pack clothes that cover up most of your body. An easy way to do this is

to bring a few sweaters or light jackets for layering. Many people also prefer to shop for clothes onlocation, as it’s fairly inexpensive and you can find appropriate attire easily. If you plan to walk/hike a lot,make sure to bring sturdy shoes. While most personal care items are readily available in India, it’s a goodidea to pack mosquito repellent and sunscreen (western brands tend to be stronger), as well as yourfavorite cosmetic products. Other useful items include a flashlight, a padlock, a first-aid kit, toilet paper andanti-bacterial hand wipes/sanitizer. Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are found in most places.