India can be a culture shock, especially for newbies. To help you adjust, we’ve put together 50 quick tips for first-time visitors.
In Myself first trip to india, I was a relatively inexperienced traveler. I was overwhelmed by his beauty and charm. But I was also struck by the assault on the senses that first-time visitors often report. On my second visit, this time with my father who lived in India for several years, he hoped to become more familiar with the various whims of the country. Actually, he was just as overwhelmed as the first time.
That being said, I managed to avoid doing some of the same mistakes. Once again, I am planning to go back to India (more on that in a bit) and when I do, I hope to make even fewer mistakes. While you may never fully understand this vast and contrasting land (that’s what makes it so appealing), I think have I’ve gathered some wisdom that I can share, some obvious, some not.
Indian visas
Kia and I were set to go to India in December 2022. We booked a 15 day tour visiting Delhi, Rajasthan and Varanasi when we realized that eVisa applications had been detained for UK citizens. While no official reason was given, it was generally assumed that this was in reciprocity for Indian nationals who faced significant red tape to obtain a visa for the United Kingdom. After all, there were 156 countries eligible for online visas for India.
It meant we would have to fill out a paper application, submit it, and then book an interview at one of the centers to get a physical visa instead of an eVisa. Unfortunately, the post-pandemic backlog meant the wait time for interviews stretched out for months. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our trip.
Fortunately, the politicking has ended and in December the Indian High Commission in London announced that the India eVisa has been reinstated for UK travelers. This came a bit late for our visit, so we postponed our trip until winter 2023. In the meantime, we’ll cross our fingers that politicians don’t ruin our plans again.
Regardless of the latest good news, the eVisa application process is still confusing and can be frustrating to complete. There are many questions to answer, various documents to upload, and fees to pay. We recommend using a guide on how to apply for India e-Visa and submit your request well in advance of your trip.
quick tips for first time visitors to india
Our list is not exhaustive, but it is enough to get you started. From knowing what to eat and drink to making sure you don’t get ripped off, here are our 50 quick tips for first-time visitors to India.
- Only drink filtered or bottled water.
- Eat only fruits and vegetables with skin (eg, bananas, satsumas).
- Ask before taking photos of people. Read our guide on photographing local people.
- There will be cows on the streets, just walk around them.
- Women tend to be more modest and therefore less willing to associate with Westerners, especially men and especially outside the cities.
- Dress sparingly – avoid tight or revealing clothing.
- You are likely to witness a level of poverty you have not seen before.
- Don’t give money to begging children or women with begging children; instead, donate it to a sustainable charity.
- India’s major cities are chaotic – you’ll have to get outside to find the calm and spirituality for which it is famous.
- Somehow, I don’t know how, the trains just work.
- Prepare to be blown away. People will watch.
- Smile, always smile.
- Don’t be fooled: your train was not canceled or changed destination. Ignore anyone who tells you otherwise as it is almost certainly a scam.
- Don’t be fooled: if your taxi driver tells you that your hotel was full, closed, or burned to the ground last week, it’s almost certainly a scam.
- Expect intrusive or personal questions like “How much do you make?” or “Why aren’t you married?”
- Get a local SIM card – Everything in India runs on WhatsApp.
- Taxi drivers will say “yes” even when they have no idea where you are going.
- Agree prices first, for anything (tours, taxis, etc).
- Bargain, but don’t be aggressive (remember #12).
- On the packaging of most packaged products there is an RRP (recommended retail price) – look for it when you shop.
- Toilets can be bad in India, really bad – take hand sanitizer.
- Be patient, I mean really patient (take a deep breath and move on).
- Get medical advice before you travel: vaccinations and malaria prevention are essential in certain places.
- There is no such thing as personal space. There are 1.4 billion people in India.
- Bring ear plugs. India can be noisy. There are 1.4 billion people in India.
- Don’t expect hot water.
- Forget timetables and schedules (other than trains). India has its own time zone called “Indian time”.
- Take off your shoes before entering houses.
- There is always time for tea (chai) in India, lots of tea.
- Avoid ice, sauces, salads, or any food that may have been washed or contains non-distilled water.
- Avoid ice in drinks.
- You can’t get Indian rupees out of India, God knows why!
- The Indian bureaucracy is often maddening.
- Learn some Hindi phrases.
- The locals will often want to take your picture, just leave them and check out #12.
- You’re married, it’s easier that way, especially if you’re a woman.
- Don’t believe everything you hear in the media.
- Take Imodium with you or another medicine to treat diarrhea.
- No matter how many precautions you take, you will probably get “Delhi belly”.
- Carry identification with you, but NOT your passport.
- Visit the attractions in the morning. As a general rule, tourist destinations in India are calmer and cooler in the mornings.
- It can be sweltering hot and freezing cold – do your research on the local climate.
- If someone asks you “First time in India?” they are probably deciding how much to charge you; consider lying.
- Book your train tickets – you will get better seats as the trains are usually full.
- Wait for the electricity to cut off or turn off.
- Act with purpose – give the impression that you know what you are doing or where you are going, and you are more likely to be left alone.
- Not all travel agents are travel agents.
- If you’re staying in a lower-end accommodation, check/view your room first, even when you’ve made a reservation.
- Don’t get tired: tourists are often treated like payday, but get out of the cities and you’ll find an India you’re sure to love.
- If you’re still feeling overwhelmed by the idea of traveling independently in India, consider joining a small group tour. we will be in the G Adventures 15-Day Essential India in December 2023.