360 Traveller by Himanshu Bansal: 10 Things you should know while Travelling to India

India is a vibrant Country. It is not only where 360 Traveller is based, but also the second most populated country in the world. Tourism in India was low in the 1990s. it has grown in the 21^st century, thanks to some emerging tourist attractions and Promotions. In the last few years, the Indian Government has taken steps to improve the Tourist flow in the country. These efforts have paid off well. Tourism is now growing in the region. Many foreigners now want to visit India. This Blog is just for them. In this Blog, we will discuss things you should remember before visiting India. These points will help you in making your trip a memorable one. Let’s get started…….

1. Money: The currency in India is the Indian Rupee or INR. 1 US Dollar gets you approximately 64 Indian Rupees (Conversion rate changes daily). India is an incredibly cheap country. Compared to the western world, everything is cheap and inexpensive. For example: A room in a 4-star Hotel will cost you around 100 US Dollars, which is the cost of a Motel in London or New York. Besides that, groceries and other Goods are also cheap here.

2. Cultural Diversification: India is just like the European Union. Every state is like a different country. All states and Union Territories have a culture of their own. In fact, some travellers have agreed that India is the most diverse country on Earth. You will meet different people in different states. Be ready to explore something New in every state.

3. Food: Indian Food is famous all over the world. Mostly known for its vegetarian cuisine, it is one of the most sought after. Food differs from state to state. Different states have different Food. Every place has a speciality. Indian Food is also highly loved by western travellers. This makes it easy for foreigners to find good food.

4. Tourist Attractions: India is a country where you will find all types of Tourist Interest Places. The country has Hills and Mountains in the North, Desert in the West, Natural Beauty in the East and Beaches & sea shores in the South. Besides that, it has Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands. The place most visited by tourists is Goa. The sandy beaches and vibrant Nightlife of Goa attracts tourists from all over the world. Do explore the North-East states of India. They are a hidden gem, and one of the most underrated areas of the country. Monuments are located in all the states, as every state had its own history.

5. Airports and Aviation: India has a decent Air Network. All major cities are connected to each other. Indigo and Spice Jet are the Best Domestic Low-Cost Carriers, and can offer tickets as low as 50 US Dollars. International Airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad are well connected with the outside world. Delhi and Mumbai are the main Hubs and see direct flights from North America and Australia.

6. Visa: In the past 2-3 years, the Indian Government has relaxed many Visa rules, especially for tourists. Most of the countries can now obtain an e-visa for entry into India. These rules have boosted tourist flow in the country. Procedures may differ from country to country, but now it’s much easier than before.

7. Roads & Railways: Railways are a down side of India. For short distances its fine, but you should avoid it for long journeys. The Government is working on improving the Railways, but their efforts are not paying off. On the other hand, Flights cost almost equal to Trains. Thus, Flights are more efficient and convenient in India. Roads have the same story. For short distances its ok, but not for long journeys.

8. Pollution: India has a bad reputation when it comes to Air Quality. All the big cities suffer from serious Air Pollution and Breathing Problems. This is due to less use of clean and renewable energy. Though the Government is working on it, but the speed is very slow. Also, Air Quality is worse between March and October due to high usage of Air Conditioners and Diesel generators. Make sure you visit India during winters between November and February. Be careful from Air Pollution and smoke.

9. Cleanliness: The Government has stressed on Cleanliness, but the efforts are in vain. Cleanliness and Pollution are the two main issues in India. In big cities it is high, but smaller cities are fine. They are not as worse as the Big Metros. Many tourists have stressed upon the hygiene in India. Hence, it’s important to be careful.

10. Safety Concerns: These last 2-3 points may be a little Negative, but are the truth. Roses also have thorns. Similarly, India has some Negative things which a tourist must know. There is a lot of safety issues here especially in Rural Areas. Big cities are safe, but has its dark side also. In 2012, a horrific rape case in Delhi discouraged many travellers to visit the city. Similar cases have been reported in other cities as well. If you are travelling to India, make sure you are safe and avoid late night outings. If you have to go somewhere, make sure you are accompanied by a local. Also, try and use GPS to avoid any confusion.

These were 10 Things you should know before visiting India. If you wish to add more, comment down below. These things will help tourists visiting India, and have a memorable experience…….

Also, check out our Blogs on Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Kolkata, Nainital, Jaipur, Agra, Guwahati and Chandigarh by clicking the following links:

Delhi: http://360traveller.blogspot.in/2016/02/delhi-delight.html

Mumbai: http://360traveller.blogspot.in/2016/04/the-bustling-city-of-mumbai.html

Kolkata: http://360traveller.blogspot.in/2016/10/city-of-joy-kolkata.html

Goa: http://360traveller.blogspot.in/2017/04/goa-breath-taking-beach-paradise.html