How will you explore India first time without Tour Agent (A-Z)

India is one of the richest in terms of natural resources, historical sites, culture, and environments. Numerous tourists want to explore India at least once. India is a signal country in this, which can fulfil all requirements. Travelling or exploring India independently without proper knowledge can be a bad experience. Many people have already shared negative feedback based on their travel experiences in India. They have given negative feedback because they did not research this country before travelling. I will guide you on how to travel in India without any struggles through this post.

I divide it into three Segments. Each segment covers three different topics. 1st segment describes transport, 2nd segment describes common scams, and 3rd segment describes hosting.

1st segment:

Transport based on different locations in India.

Quick facts (Transport system)

• Flight: Skyscanner and MakeMyTrip
• Train: IRCTC (Reservation Ticket Book), UTS (Unreserved Ticket Book), and Where is my train (check train schedule).
• Bus: MakeMyTrip*, Redbus
• Cab: Uber (Website and app for Android and iPhone)* and Ola (Website, app for Android and iPhone).

Quick facts (Rental vehicle company)

•  Self-drive rental car: Zoomcar, Revv, Myles and Avis India.
• With a driver rental car: Savaari Car Rentals.
• Two-wheeler vehicle for short distances: Bounce.
• Two-wheeler vehicles for daily, weekly and Monthly: Royal Brothers, ONN Bikes, RenTrip.
• SIM card: Airtel and Jio. (Best operator in India)

Tips to travel

1. Before starting your journey, research the weather, road and destination.
2. Always make a plan for your journey, and try to arrive at your destination or get a hotel before 5 o’clock.
3. Start your ride early in the morning.
4. Ask hotel staff, local, traffic police or tourists for a safe and easy way to travel.
5. Always turn on your GPS or map during your ride.
6. Be mindful of your surroundings and keep an eye on your belongings (Because of thieves).
7. Try to buy vegetables and fruits from the local market. It is cheap and of good quality.
8. If any trouble, then contact 112 (for any emergency), 1363, or 1800111363 (Emergency during travel). You can contact the local people; they are so helpful.

2nd segment:

Several types of scams occur in India targeting unfamiliar people or tourists. We discuss in this segment common scams in India.

Some Common scams based on the India tour :

Rickshaw or taxi meter Scam: Some drivers claim that the meter is broken. After that, they charge a very large amount, and then you need to start bargaining for a fair price.

Advice: Always prefer the ride-sharing apps like Uber and Ola, the official taxi office at the railway station and airport.

Hotel Closed scam: Some drivers offer you a closed, cheap and excellent hotel, where they get a commission. Your hotel cost calculation will be the actual price of the booking + commission.

Advice: Avoid the conversation and call your hotel to talk about your booking.

Fake Tourist Offices:

A Fake Tourist Office scam is one of the major scams in Delhi. Some locations where most of the fake tourist offices occur, like Paharganj, Near New Delhi Railway Station, Connaught Place, Red Fort and India Gate. 

Advice : 

1. Always be wary of a stranger who acts “too good” at first; it is a trick. 
2. Contact the original tour operator and hotel to confirm your booking.
3. Talk less and avoid this type of person. 

Money exchange : 

1. Most agencies give a low price of a dollar compared to the actual market price.
2. Most of the Agency did not want to buy an Old dollar. Some agencies buy it at a very low cost.
3. We struggled in Delhi and Kolkata, even with Thomas Cook, with Old dollars. 
4. We were not able to exchange money at the bank.

Advice : 

1. Always carry new dollars; otherwise, you will face the same problem. 
2. Before exchanging money, see the actual value of the dollar in the Indian market and clarify. 

Donation Scams :

Some people request you aggressively to donate, especially at a religious location or on a train.

Advice:

1. Politely decline them if someone behaves like this.

Scam on the gemstones : 

Some Scammers are selling gemstones in remote locations at overpriced rates. They are experts in brainwashing through conversation.

Advice: 

1. Try to avoid them and look for an established shop if you want to buy.
2. Do not trust any person or shopkeeper who is too good. Otherwise, they can sell things at an expensive price, which is not expensive.

Scams in Goa Tour:

If you want to explore the Goa Tour, click here. It is another post where I explain in detail the scams in Goa. You must have read it before travelling in Goa.

Note :

1. If anyone offers you any help with too good an attitude, then avoid them.
2. Always try to confirm your ride with GPS and a Map.
3. If you are confused about anything, then try to ask at least two local people. If both guides are the same, then you can move forward without any trouble.
4. Do not share your personal details with anyone.

Learn basic Hindi or some words: 

Some Hindi words and their meanings in English are given below,

1. Kitna = How much (When buying something and asking the price).
2. Namaste = Hello or Goodbye (At the beginning and after the end of the conversation).
3.  Dhanyavaad = Thank you.
4. Theek hai = All right or Okay.
5. Chalo = Let’s go.
6. Mera naam = My name .

3rd segment: Hosting

Quick Facts (Find Hotel, Hostel)

Local Host: Couchsurfing* and Airbnb.

Hostel Book: Hostelworld*, and Hostelz.

Hotel Book: Booking. com, and MakeMyTrip.

Is India safe for travelling with a tent?

No, India is not safe for travelling with a tent. There are several reasons to be risky for travelling with a tent. These reasons are the Risk of robbery, riverbeds and low-lying areas because of flash floods, venomous creatures, wildlife attacks, unfavourable weather, anti-social elements and other reasons.

Tips for travelling with a Tent:

1. Avoid placing the tent inside the deep forest without any guidance.
2. Before setting up the tent, talk with the locals. They are very helpful.
3. Try to set up a tent in the village area and talk with villagers before setting up the tent.
4. Do not set up the tent in a remote area.
5.  Avoid placing a tent near the Highways.

The safest place to set up the tent:

1. An established campsite.
2. Places like Uttarakhand, the Northeast, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.

Some of the safest campsites in India

How can a Female traveller enjoy the trip independently in India?

If you are female and want to travel to India independently. It will be so challenging for you. First, we will discuss the Challenges, and next, we will give a solution. Indian and Foreign women are struggling during solo travel. Physical Harassment, theft and unwanted attention are common here; if you are a foreigner, then chances are higher for it.

Some tips to make an enjoyable India trip:

Cloth: Cloth plays a key role in making your trip enjoyable. You need to prefer loose-fitting clothes that can cover your shoulders. If you are not feeling good in a Saree, then you can wear a salwar suit like my wife. This cloth will give you comfort. You can wear these types of clothes in any weather.

Travel during the Night:

1. Always avoid travel during the night.
2. You need to arrive at your destination before 5 oclock in the evening.
3. Avoid walking alone at night. Because Night is not safe for travellers or persons, especially any female.

In advance, book transport: Book a train and bus ticket in advance to avoid the hassle at the station. It will give opportunities to get a secure seat.

Share your details: Do not share your personal details with a stranger. They can target you after knowing your personal details.

Be aware and confident always: 

You need to keep your mind stable and be confident even when you do not feel it. Always be aware when you go from crowded places like the market, station and other crowded places.

Stay connected with a local SIM card:

1. Connect with WhatsApp via a local SIM card. Share your daily plan for your travel with someone, like a parent or friend. It will ensure that you are safe and that you are enjoying the trip.
2. Best Local SIM card: Airtel and Jio.

Be wary of Scams:

1. If any strangers offer a travel service in the airport, train station, bus station, or  Tourist place. Then avoid them, they will be Scammers.
2. If anyone is “too good”, then try to avoid them.

Trust your intuition:

1. If you feel unsafe in any situation, then remove yourself from it. If it is more unsafe, then try to contact a local. Maximum locals are very helpful
2. If anyone speaks “too good” and tries to get too close to you, then avoid them.

Reputable transport : 

1. Always prefer reputable transport like Uber or Ola. Before riding, match the number plate and driver of the vehicle based on the Uber or Ola app.
2. Local transport is cheap, but there is a chance of losing your belongings. If you are travelling by Local transport, always be aware of your belongings.