Travel related to the South Asian country of India. Also known as Hindustan. The country is known for its diverse geography, languages, cuisines, climate and culture.
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8answers
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How should I deal with beggars in India?
I heard that it is unsafe to show some money or help for someone in India.
Is there any rules I should respect not to get into trouble?
29
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5answers
1k views
Will I be able to travel around India speaking only English?
I am to travel around some Indian cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and others. Will I have trouble speaking only English, or should I learn some phrases in Hindi?
23
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7answers
6k views
Can I eat a beef burger in India?
I always heard that cows are holy in India. So I assumed that you can't eat any meat made of cows in India. But recently a friend told me, that it depends on the region. Not everywhere in India cows ...
21
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2answers
842 views
What is a safe overland route from Europe to India using public transport?
The traditional Hippie trail included Afghanistan and Pakistan which most people now consider unsafe to travel through.
Even if one would decide to go through Pakistan, is it possible to get to the ...
18
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7answers
1k views
Is tea and coffee on the street safe to drink in India?
There are many street tea/coffee sellers around India, and although the water has been boiled at some point, often the pots are out for a long time. The clay cups are also lying around in the dust. Is ...
16
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4answers
2k views
What class of travel is suitable for a woman travelling alone on Indian railways?
What class should a lone woman travel on a sleeper train to be safe at night?
16
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3answers
1k views
How dangerous is India for solo women travellers, or female-only groups?
Why India is not safe for solo women is an article in The Telegraph (UK) describing one woman's issues with sexual harassment in India.
Some of the information there describes a worse situation than ...
14
votes
1answer
570 views
Changing passenger name on an Indian Railways ticket
I have booked a ticket on IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) for me and my brother but now even my sister is willing to travel but we are not getting tickets for her. So my ...
13
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7answers
32k views
What kind of plug adapter should I pack for India?
I'm travelling around a few cities in India, from Delhi to Bangalore. What type of plug adapter should I pack?
13
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2answers
3k views
Is it recommended to get vaccinations before visiting India?
I'll be travelling to India soon. I'm not sure if I'll have to time to get vaccinated since it usually takes 2 weeks to kick in. Lonely Planet suggests a bunch of vaccinations. Have any of you guys ...
12
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5answers
2k views
Is it necessary to take malaria pills when travelling in South India?
Sources seem to differ on what precautions are required. Is there an authoritative source I can check, or is it better to drug-up anyway (or not to)?
12
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5answers
1k views
What is the most expensive train ride in India?
Considering a lot of people use trains in India, train tickets tend to be cheap, depending on class of travel, of course.
What I am interested in is finding out which train ride or which route (since ...
12
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3answers
267 views
How much to haggle for a hotel room in India?
I need to book a hotel in Delhi, India for mid-November. Someone suggested to me that I should haggle over the price for the room. Is it considered acceptable to haggle over hotel room prices in ...
12
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3answers
584 views
Where in India can one wash and play with elephants?
I've seem a documentary in which a host is washing elephants somewhere in India (I believe it was Kerala) but I can't remember where I've seen it.
Image courtesy of tiagopereira and is licensed ...
12
votes
2answers
282 views
Is there an overland route to Kashmir from Europe?
I want to travel to Kashmir from Europe. I know that I can easily go to Russia, but what next? What will be the route from there? If I go to Pakistani-administered Kashmir, will I be able to cross the ...
11
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2answers
5k views
Indian Trains Wait List - will I get a seat?
After the fiasco of registering an account to book train tickets online using my British VISA card, I finally got into a position of being able to book a ticket, but what it appears to be telling me ...
11
votes
1answer
813 views
Is it really forbidden to cross the Indian border with Indian rupee?
Last week I tried to exchange some Swiss Francs into Indian rupees. For that I visited a big bank and they told me that they have rupees but I'm not allowed to import any into India. Is this really ...
11
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2answers
138 views
Is it possible to visit Old Goa from the beach resorts?
Is it possible to visit Old Goa (for a day trip) from one of the beach resorts? How long would a taxi drive take and how much would it cost? Or is it better to spend a night or two in Panaji, and then ...
10
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6answers
4k views
What to do if I lost my passport before flight in another country?
I'm just asking this question for my info. I will be traveling from India to Amsterdam on a short trip.
What should you do if you lose your passport or the passport gets stolen (especially in a ...
10
votes
4answers
224 views
Transit visa in India?
As a French person, I booked a ticket from CountryA to Delhi, and another ticket (other company/agent) from Delhi to CountryB.
CountryA → Delhi → CountryB → Delhi → CountryA
Do I need a visa to ...
10
votes
2answers
2k views
What is the difference between i-ticket and e-ticket in India's online train ticket reservation?
What is the difference between i-ticket and e-ticket in India's online ticket booking?
When we book online train tickets in India through the Government website of www.irctc.co.in, we have a option ...
10
votes
5answers
586 views
Is it possible to buy outdoor clothing in Northern India/Nepal
Another shopping question, but I do think it is on topic!
I will soon travel to India, the first few months I will spend in the south and lower parts of the country where it will be warm and hot. As ...
10
votes
2answers
187 views
Which of the many Stepwells in India are worth a visit?
I know that there's a stepwell at Abhaneri. Is it a great location to checkout the amazing stepwell of India? What other stepwells are worth visiting?
10
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1answer
385 views
How to get from Delhi to Kathmandu overland?
I am going to Nepal and probably same as everyone flying to Delhi. I was considering going overland to Kathmandu from Delhi, however I have found many posts that advise against it in favor of a ...
10
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1answer
103 views
Am I allowed to take photos of the Umaid Bhawan Palace premises in Jodhpur without being a guest
Is it possible to take photos of Umaid Bhawan Palace premises if you are not a guest of the hotel? I am mainly interested in taking photos of the back garden with the pavilion and bird-view photos of ...
9
votes
4answers
777 views
Using trains and buses in India without advance booking?
We talked about the different booking periods on Indian trains, and also about which class one might want to use. We learned that locals may ride on the roof of trains because the trains are too ...
8
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7answers
879 views
Drinking tap water in India
I ordered SteriPEN before I started my India trip but unfortunately it didn't arrive in time. I'm only drinking bottled water here but am interested whether tap water in train stations and some ...
8
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4answers
363 views
What is the average temperature in Kochi during mid-October?
I know that weather in Kerala can be tricky in October, as it's between two monsoon seasons. I know that there's a likelihood of rain, but I haven't been able to find reliable information about the ...
8
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4answers
14k views
Getting a SIM card (prepay) in India
Unlike in the UK and most of the European countries (where one can buy a SIM over the counter in any of the shops), getting a SIM in India is a tedious process. One has to provide a copy of ID proof ...
8
votes
2answers
281 views
Legal documents and formalities required to sail far out to sea/ocean?
I am a citizen of India who wants to travel (using a commercial private ship) to a point in sea/ocean which isn't under control of a country. I presume I won't require a Visa. But, would I be allowed ...
8
votes
2answers
192 views
One month in India: eating tips to getting spiced-out
I will be in India (Hyderabad) for about a month. I like spicy food, but it is a treat, not normal event. Last time I went to (North of) India, after a week, I had too much of the spices and my mouth ...
8
votes
1answer
134 views
Who provides Carnet de Passage for Indian vehicles?
Under which government department and which law the Carnet is issued in India ?
I have already visited Nepal and Bhutan on bike. Both the countries don't need any Carnet from Indians. Now, I want to ...
8
votes
1answer
782 views
Arriving at a different port of entry than specified in the Indian visa application?
When applying for my Indian visa, I had to state my point of entry (POE) among many other things.
The actual visa in the passport doesn't mention the POE, can I now change my mind and arrive in a ...
8
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1answer
279 views
I have lost my residential permit while travelling in India - what should I do?
I am staying in India for 6 months, so have had to register with the Foreigners Registration Office in Bangalore. I was given a residential permit which I have misplaced, and am expected to surrender ...
8
votes
2answers
727 views
Indian Visa-on-Arrival
Has anyone had any experience with India's (newish) Visa-On-Arrival scheme (details here)?
I'm travelling on a New Zealand passport into Chennai (and meet the other requirements), and was thinking I ...
7
votes
3answers
339 views
Language culture and Food culture in South India?
I am planning for a mid-term traveling (for around 15-20 days) in South India covering parts from AP,Kerala and Karnataka only, along with my family members. Now the problem is nobody from my family ...
7
votes
2answers
141 views
Return bus ticket from Bangalore to Goa?
Can we get bus tickets for going from Bangalore to Goa and back (tickets for comfortable air-conditioned buses) at the last minute (few minutes before the departure of bus) easily, without any ...
7
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3answers
205 views
Bungee jumping and zorbing in India
Where in India can one jump bungee? I'm primarily interested in jumping off of a bridge or other solid structures but you can contribute with crane and helicopter jumps as well.
Since there isn't ...
7
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1answer
181 views
Tipping attendants on Indian super-fast trains
Should one encourage giving tips (bacshis) to the attendants and cleaners in AC and Sleeper coaches in super-fast trains like Durunto and Rajdhani in India?
7
votes
3answers
363 views
Bouldering guide for Hampi (India)
As part of my trip to India I am planning to do some bouldering (climbing on small boulders) in Hampi. Could anyone advise:
What is the best climbing guidebook for the area and how can I buy it in ...
7
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2answers
5k views
Indian Railways-Online Reservation Rules
I booked an online ticket for traveling on Indian Railways for a Short Distance Journey, but my ticket was not confirmed at all and is on the waiting list.
Can I travel with the waiting list ticket ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
Which foreign currencies can be used to exchange for INR in India?
Is there a preferred foreign currency to bring to India to exchange for the Indian Rupee? I understand that USD is the preferred currency in most countries, but is it OK to bring CAD?
Will cab ...
7
votes
2answers
340 views
Must-see places in Goa?
I am going to Goa for business purposes for 15 days, and will hardly get 1 day free. What are the must-see places and must-do stuff in Goa? What should I be carrying along?
I am interested in Museums ...
7
votes
5answers
138 views
User Group meetings in India?
This may sound like an odd idea, but when I'm travelling I like to go to local user group meetings. I have two reasons for this:
It is a good way to meet local people I have something in common with ...
7
votes
3answers
295 views
Meeting westerners in northern India?
I'm backpacking in northern India in January by myself. How easy will it be to meet other western backpackers and does anyone have any advice on doing so?
I've never been travelling before. I've ...
7
votes
1answer
102 views
Traveling between Alappuzha and Kollam
What are the available means of transport between Alleppy and Kollam? I am interested in going one way only and would prefer taking a backwaters route.
If you do provide an answer, please include how ...
7
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1answer
188 views
Best way to travel from Bangalore to Chennai by road
I am planning to drive down from Bangalore to Chennai? Which is the best route to take? How much toll do I need to pay?
6
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3answers
3k views
How to transit through Delhi without a visa?
I have read a lot on this subject on the Lonely Planet forum and it looks like the staff on ground can transfer your bags through the Delhi airport if you have a connecting flight without you having ...
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3answers
1k views
Most effective way to bring money to India and Nepal
What is the most effective way to bring money for a backpacking trip to India and Nepal? Are ATMs available and reliable outside of the main cities? Do they charge commission? Or is it better to have ...
6
votes
2answers
239 views
Can you visit the Palace of Mysore, as a day trip by train from Bangalore?
Visa permitting, I'm going to be off to Bangalore soon for work. Due to the way airline pricing works, I'm going to be spending a weekend there as part of the trip (it's a hard life...). Armed with a ...
