Travelling to Delhi first time tips?

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  nocure on 30/08/2015 - 18:58

  +2

  Only drink bottled water.

  • 

    Aap Ke Papa on 30/08/2015 - 20:22

    +1

    I would prefer Aquafina brand over others.

  • 

    BargainCowboy on 31/08/2015 - 09:51

    You do know the Indians are "reasealing" bottles of water, right? Tap water sold in mineral water bottles is a common thing. You should be very careful who you buy from. After a few months though, I would try my luck with regular water, but definitely not right at the start.

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  Cave Fire on 30/08/2015 - 19:40

  Hi, is it your first time going to India? I wouldn't advise carrying too much cash, as it gets annoying having to keep check of it. Any ATM should let you use your card to withdraw money or you could even use a cash card that you load with foreign currency. Delhi (and the urban areas of India) have a reputation for scams, which you can read about Here. So I would advise trying to plan exactly what you want to see and avoid touts. Aside from this, I would also recommend bringing mosquito repellant and diarrhea medication beforehand. If you are not comfortable with squat toilets, you may need loo paper as well for the time out of the hotel. I don't really know too much about Delhi to offer further advice. Did find this however Five days in Delhi

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  edpkicf on 30/08/2015 - 19:50

  A haha yeah ok thanks. I'm going with a few friends and they're the ones who are planning it. But yes - horror stories I have heard. I think I need to get insurance definitely.

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  DeafMutePretender on 30/08/2015 - 21:32

  Is it true there are corpses in the rivers? (which people drink from and swim in)?

  • 

    gentlecrack on 30/08/2015 - 21:50

    Are you referring to this news?

    • 

      DeafMutePretender on 30/08/2015 - 22:10

      I haven't heard of that particular piece of news so no (or maybe it was), and I heard about corpses in rivers a long time ago (years ago). The only difference, amazingly enough, is that that one made the news.

  • 

    Cave Fire on 30/08/2015 - 22:12

    +1

    I think you are referring to the Ganges, and yes it is used for cremation, especially in Varanasi. From what I read, some people cannot afford a full cremation and are released half burnt or not at all. There are organisations campaigning to stop this.

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  Randxyz123 on 30/08/2015 - 22:22

  +1

  • Convert to vegetarianism while you are in india.

  • Only drink bottled water.

  • You might want to avoid dairy as well

  • Get some gastro stop pills

  You 100% need travel insurance - try covermore.

  If I were you I'd stay at the reputable hotel for the entire time as long as you can afford it.

  I'm assuming you've done your visa ?

  • 

    BargainCowboy on 31/08/2015 - 09:52

    Take gastro stop pills ONLY when absolutely necessary. This thing is nasty and will only make it worse.

  • 

    edpkicf on 08/09/2015 - 12:39

    vegetarianism? I was under the impression that you don't eat salads because they are washed with water which makes you sick? Yes - visa is done

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  Shadowsfury on 30/08/2015 - 22:23

  +7

  I've been to India for work a few times (a month at a time with a bit of travelling to see distant relatives thrown in). In fact I just got back on Monday from India

  If you have any additional questions feel free to PM me

  • As mentioned before, only drink bottled water. Your hotel will probably provide a few bottles a day for free

  • Avoid anything that may have been washed in tap water (e.g. salads are out). My doctor (who is Indian) says not to even rinse my mouth in tap water. I've not followed this advice, but I've also only ever stayed at 5 star hotels where from what I've been told the water has been filtered. I use bottled water when visiting extended family

  • Don't take street food no matter how tempting it may be and no matter how many times a local tells you it will be fine

  • Try to only eat food that has been cooked hot

  • I personally avoid all dairy products while in India (no milk, yoghurt, cheese, lassi, etc)

  • Don't give money to beggers - not only are most of them part of a racket where they don't even get to keep the money, but if you give to one you'll get swarmed by dozens more. My only exception to this has been if we had too much food after a meal leftover and we packed it to go I might give it to someone I see if I were leaving the area straight away (so that again, you don't get swarmed)

  • I would suggest you book a tour now that will cover Delhi, Agra and Jaipur (collectively called the Golden Triangle). Agra is one day at the most (basically Taj Mahal and Agra Fort are the two biggest things to see), Jaipur 1-1.5 days would be enough. Delhi is a bit more to see but also infinitely more traffic so its debatable how much you will be able to see while there. If the tour you pick doesn't include guides at the tourist sites I'd suggest hiring one to get the most out of the experience. Just make sure they are official/government mandated guides first

  • If you need to be travelling around Delhi, leave PLENTY of extra time as traffic is horrendous. Some of my colleagues have taken 4 hours to reach the office 25km from home, but its usually about 2 hours. I've even taken 30mins to travel the 2KM from the hotel to the office before

  • Pollution is bad in India and especially Delhi, some reports suggest it is actually worse than China

  • Keep your possessions close and keep it securely

  • Don't get freaked out by public defecating or urination, it's unfortunately still very common

  • When you arrive, go find an immigration card near the immigration counters (kinda like the green and orange ones we fill in for Australia). I've never been provided one on the plane into India and if you don't fill it in before reaching immigration you'll just get sent to go fill one out when its your turn. Have your hotel's address/number handy as you will need it for the form

  • Have a printed itinerary for your flights on you when entering the airport as before you enter the building you will be asked to show your itinerary and passport before being allowed to enter. Keep your visa letters handy too (if relevant)

  • the citibank website has a list of all of their ATMs if you want to find one to avoid the fees

  • uber is huge in India but language can be a problem as they always ring back immediately to figure out exactly where you are and where you are going so if you are going to use uber have a local nearby who the driver can talk to. Might also be worth signing up for ola, which is their uber equivalent.

  • try to have a local bargain for you when you need a rickshaw or you will get royally ripped off, especially in Delhi

  • haggling when buying goods is normal, and again best done by a local on your behalf (e.g. asking your tour guide to haggle for you while you're at the various places of interest)

  • don't pay a bribe, if you are asked for one just ignore it

  • expect people to push in front of you. Up to you whether you put them in their place or let it slide

  • 

    scynaz on 31/08/2015 - 22:47

    +1

    One of the few useful comments here. Have some bits to add:

    • Bottled water only, it's cheap to buy, you can get it everywhere. Buy from larger busy looking shops, and check the seal. While most restaurants etc. have reverse osmosis filters, it's just not worth the risk.

    • Citibank ATMs can be found in most shopping centers etc., Aussie cards work as advertised - no fee etc.

    • You're going at a bad time. Unless you get rain (which causes other problems in India), it will be hot and humid. And you're going to Delhi, unfortunately. So yeah, do the Taj and stuff but don't have high expectations about the trip. My standard suggestion (which almost no one accepts :-) ) is to head down to Udaipur, screw Delhi, stop at the Taj if you really have to.

    • Delhi has an efficient, well signposted, but overcrowded train system. Will get you to places faster than just about any other form of transport if you can put up with the crowds and pushing. No iPhones on the train.

    • If you're there 8-10 days, get an Indian sim, 1-2GB of data. Get it from the airport or get your hotel to arrange it. Carry a few photocopies of your passport, and a couple of 'passport sized' photos. Google maps is your friend.

    • Don't go to Delhi.

    • If you do, take the train to Chandni Chowk train station, and walk to Jama Masjid. Then go to one of the famous kebab places - cooked food only, remember. If you're doing Delhi, do it properly, don't go to shopping malls.

    • If culture's your kind of thing, check online for plays, comedy performances, music events happening while you're there. Some would be in English.

    • Join one of the walking city tours, try to find a less tourist-y one.
      http://www.delhifoodwalks.com/
      http://delhiheritagewalks.com/
      http://www.intachdelhichapter.org/heritage_walks.php

    • There are also early morning bike rides etc. Delhi wakes up late and early morning is the only time when the weather is tolerable. You will see a different side of the city if you head out 6-8 am.

    • Don't stay a night in Agra. It's a dump. Even for an Indian city, Agra is a dump. Cities in Rajasthan are way better - Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur.

    • With beggars, salesmen etc. the trick is to not engage. A firm NO, and don't even look at them.

    • Simple rule with food - cooked food only, except in 5-star hotels.

    • Don't convert money. Citibank is your friend.

    • Delhi, and India in general is not cheap unless you're doing a high adventure backpacking trip. Expect to pay more than you would in SE Asia for food, and even accommodation. A decent hotel room in Delhi will start at around $85 / night. Food, especially anything with meat won't be cheap.

    • Use zomato.com (they now own urban spoon incidentally). Go to Pandara /road for food.

    • You're going to a conference, so you will get to know some locals. Get as much help from them as you can. India is about 95% avoidable bits with 5% really cool stuff. Locals are adept at finding the 5%.

  • 

    edpkicf on 31/08/2015 - 23:27

    Thanks for the tips - really useful. I just have a few other questions in response to yours: first, why no iPhones on the train - do you mean it will be stolen? How bad is the pickpocketing in general? Should I be keeping wallets and phones in my bag/inner coat at all times (although it will be hot)

    Also, why do I need to keep a passport sized photo?

    Thanks!

    • 

      scynaz on 17/09/2015 - 22:58

      Message me next time, don't really keep track of threads I reply to :-)

      Too late for you probably, but here goes.

      • I don't think pickpocketing is worse than any other tourist place in the third world, it's more that the trains get insanely crowded very quickly, so you're more focused on trying to stay on your feet, getting off at the right station, being on the right side where the doors open. It's pretty much the ideal environment for pickpocketing.

      I don't think you want to be wearing a coat in Delhi in September…

      Just keep things secure - zipped pockets / tight / deep trouser/jeans pockets, where if someone tries to pull something out, you'll feel it.

      • passport sized photos for any official thing, but especially for getting a mobile sim
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  NamandSpam on 31/08/2015 - 01:35

  +1

  Not to sound harsh but just dont get r****.

  • 

    edpkicf on 31/08/2015 - 23:29

    Thanks for the tips. I should be fine.

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  OldSchoolHarry on 31/08/2015 - 02:09

  As for currency, carry maybe 5-10k INR from here and the rest in Aud and when you get there convert it from local exchange shops (not the ones at the airport). (without a local on your side your probably gonna get ripped off ) Ideally, u should get 1 INR less than what Google says per dollar. Do not use any exchange services at the airport, they are just too bad with their fee. 2nd option is to get prepaid cash card from banks or AusPost and use it at any atm.

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  andymatter on 31/08/2015 - 09:34

  Do a tour to Agra and Jaipur. Intrepid tours was quite good (5 day golden triangle).

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  BuyoTheCat on 31/08/2015 - 10:03

  At the airport, you need to show a valid itinerary and passport to enter the airport.
  You will pass at least 2 security points before you get on your flight. At each point, you have to expect to be patted down.

  • 

    edpkicf on 31/08/2015 - 23:28

    do you mean to exit the airport when I arrive, or to enter the airport when I leave?

    • 

      BuyoTheCat on 01/09/2015 - 09:03

      When you try to enter the airport, you will need to show your itinerary and passport to enter any airport in India.

      Passage through their airports, i found to be extremely frustrating, especially when flights get cancelled.
      There will be armed soldiers at the airports. They will not hassle you. It is just not something you see everyday in Australia.

      When you catch a taxi at the airport, go to the taxi booth to pre-purchase. We paid 1000 rupees and some other guys paid 2000 to get to the same place.

      However we had to pay more to get TO the airport when we caught it from downtown Delhi.

      Be prepared to give tips. I usually give 100-200 rupee. 100 goes a long way for them.

      • 

        scynaz on 17/09/2015 - 23:01

        You can show your ticket on a phone, at least in Delhi. One frisking point, the rest are just annoying repetitive ticket and security label checks.

        Australia (rather awesomely) is pretty much the only place you don't see armed soldiers at airports.

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  edpkicf on 03/09/2015 - 14:20

  I see. Does anyone know the most cost-effective way to get travel insurance to go to India? for around 10 days?

• 

  spy on 05/09/2015 - 13:31

  -1

  The place is a dump. Been there, hated it!
  Get a tan and look like one of them, or you'll be ripped off and scammed wherever you got coz you're a "gora". Wanna see Taj Mahal? Rs 900 if you're a gora or 20 if you're a tinted fella. If you're a shiela, you can flirt your way in for Rs 20 but don't get too friendly or you may be considered fair game.
  Or claim you're a god or a saint reincarnated as you exit the airport, start acting strange and pretend you're meditating, start uttering words no one understands whilst rocking hippie style and before ya know it, there'll be enough people there for you to start your own sect/cult. These ppl will worship anything and everything - cows, trees, poo, everything! Once you reach saint status, its perks time - money, women, anything.
  If you have any trouble anywhere, remember everything has a price there, and I mean EVERYTHING! Bribe away if ya wanna be a.o.k!

  Neg me more - I like it!

  • 

    edpkicf on 05/09/2015 - 14:15

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