11 Things to Know Before Going to India
India is on the top of a lot of people’s bucketlists, and for good reason. A mix of different smells, sights, people — India can definitely be a culture shock for first time visitors. All the business and chaos may also overwhelm you. I will have to admit: India is a difficult country to travel to and won’t win everyone over, but it is one of the most rewarding places I have been to. If you’re thinking about it, here are 11 things to know before going to India to make your trip a bit more simple.
1. Have your visa ready.
There’s no visa on arrival for Americans, so you need to apply for one ahead of time. If you’re traveling solely for touristic purposes, you can apply for the e-visa online, and it only takes a few days to get approved. See my post on the Indian visa for more info.
If you’re ready to apply right now: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/
2. Access to cash will be extremely limited.
I was lucky enough to have a co-worker who had lots of cash left over from her trip to India, so I simply exchanged my USD for her leftover rupees. This turned out to be perfect, because unless you exchange your money at the airport, you will have a hard time finding a ATM, much less one that worked. It wasn’t until the second to last day of my trip that I found an ATM that actually worked. On the bright side, your credit cards will work. Aside from smaller towns, I was surprised that I was able to use my credit card basically everywhere in India.
3. Get use to the Indian head “wobble.”
Even though my tour guide told me about this at the beginning of the trip, I always forgot about the Indian head wobble. To say yes with your head, you usually nod up and down, but in India, you will find that many people “wobble” their head from side to side. So don’t assume they are saying no to you, they are most likely agreeing with you.
4. Learn to haggle.
This is actually something you should learn for any other country you visit. Whenever vendors see tourists, they assume they can overprice their merchandise and tourists will just buy it at that price. Unfortunately, many tourists will buy from vendors at any price, but don’t be scared to ask for a discount. I like to convert the price to USD and ask myself, “would I really pay this amount for this back home?” Do some window shopping first to compare prices, then go back and ask for a cheaper price. You will probably get some pushback, but the vendors want to sell and eventually they will give in if you stand firm.
5. You will have to cover up.
For more information on what to wear in India, take a look at my India dress guide: https://mybucketlistjourneys.blog/how-to-dress-modest-while-being-comfortable/.
To sum it up though, India is much more on the conservative side, so you will want to cover up arms/legs to avoid unwanted stares and attention.
6. Prepare for “Dehli Belly.”
Traveler’s diarrhea, or “dehli belly,” is not a fun topic to talk about, but it very much exists. This was the one thing I was worried about before traveling to India, especially since I had a little moment in Peru after eating some veggies. The tap water is not clean in India, so be careful with street food, especially fruits and vegetables. If you can’t peel it, don’t eat it. Of course, part of the Indian experience is getting to enjoy all the yummy foods, so eat in restaurants where the locals eat (this way you know the food is good and safe). Even if you’re cautious with street food, the heavy concentration of spices in Indian food still may not agree with you. It’s a very different taste from the food you may be used to, so prep your tummy beforehand. Take probiotics and bring along medicine like Pepto Bismol.
7. Carry hand sanitizer and toilet paper.
You may hear about the Indian “squat” toilets. Luckily, I didn’t come across one, but you will come across a toilet paper shortage. Many bathrooms won’t have toilet paper, so always carry some with you (take some from the hotel if needed).
8. Stay at a reputable hotel.
This is just another tip that applies to any destination you go to, but make sure to find a good hotel in India. Not only will you ensure that it’s clean (the water in higher star hotels may be safe to drink, and they’ll also provide you with bottled water), but you will be in a safe area.
9. Don’t expect to get to places on time.
If you thought New York traffic was bad, you are in for a surprise in India. The traffic is insane. I remember being in a rickshaw and literally being sandwiched between two cars (with just about one inch between us). Even if you’re on foot, you will probably be stuck in a human traffic jam in the busier cities (don’t believe me, google “Chandni Chowk” and see for yourself).
10. Expect celebrity treatment, but know when to walk away.
Indians are not used to seeing tourists, which I was surprised to hear because I would think lots of tourists go to India. Expect lots of stares, especially if you have features that stand out i.e. colored hair, light eyes, unique hairstyles. We got stopped a few times by some crowds wanting to take pictures with us. You might feel compelled to stop for a photo, but learn when to walk away. Typically, if it’s a family or a group of kids, you can take a couple of photos. If a group of men ask though, don’t do it. You never know who they are sharing your photo with and how they photo shop it (I’ve heard stories). Also, if you say yes to a few people, eventually everyone will be in line for a photo and you will never be able to walk away.
11. Go with an open mind.
Like I said before, India can overwhelm you. It’s definitely a culture shock. You will encounter dirt roads, cows all over the street, garbage everywhere, scorching hot temperatures, strong smells, bumping into rickshaws — the list goes on. Traveling to India won’t be like traveling to any other destination you’ve been to before. I promise you though, if you give India a chance, you will have the trip of a lifetime. Beyond the chaos, India is a beautiful, stunning country with lots of history and rich culture. It’s not an easy trip, but I would re-do it in a heartbeat.
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For more on India, take a look at the following posts:
