Most foreigners travelling to India are highly eager to explore its diversity, history, tradition, and rich cultural heritage. However, they are concerned about their safety. It is due to some media reports and personal experiences of a few travellers.
Except for a few cases, India is a good country to visit. Many travellers feel overwhelmed after receiving hospitality, greetings, and friendliness from locals in the places they travel in India. Most of them fall in love with this country and its people, and decide to visit as often as they can.
Having concerns about safety is common, especially for someone visiting India for the first time. If you are among those travellers, the following tips for travelling can help you stay safe during your India tour:
Plan Your Travel by Keeping Seasons in Mind
India is well-known for its hot, humid weather. But in reality, its climate is quietly different from one part to another. Northern plains, desert areas, and southern parts are highly humid from May to July/September each year. However, its hilly areas, such as Munnar, Shimla, and Darjeeling, are pretty comfortable.
Some of you love visiting in winter to witness snowfall, or in the monsoon to experience greenery everywhere. Spring, from mid-February to April, is the ideal time to visit India for all types of travellers. Keep your favourite season in mind and plan your India tour accordingly. Based on the chosen season, you can request your travel planner to add the right itineraries.
Get Insured
While travelling to India, you may fall ill or contract an infection at any time. Any illness can cause physical, mental, and financial burden to you. It is, as you come across a hospital or clinic with poor infrastructure, particularly in a government one in rural or remote areas.
On the other hand, private hospitals take a specified charge before treating or admitting a patient. Travel insurance comes to your rescue. With it, you can assure yourself that you won’t have any additional financial burden or get financially trapped. Dial 100 or 112 for help if you become a victim of any crime in India.
Be Very Careful While Hiring an Auto or Taxi
Hiring an autorickshaw or a taxi for short-distance travel is faster, cheaper, and more convenient in crowded Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. However, autorickshaw drivers’ promises are hard to believe. They do just the opposite of what they state.
For your safety, you need to be very careful. As far as possible, avoid hiring a taxi or autorickshaw at the same time. Instead, opt for hiring a pre-paid taxi or app-based car/taxi. The driver follows the map/route displayed on the app.
Avoid Being Too Polite
You can come across street peddlers in markets and other places in any Indian city. It would be better for you to ignore unexpected attention at or around the place you are visiting. Such attention is given to you for your extreme politeness. For your safety while travelling in India, be impolite to such people.
Book a First-Class Seat If You Travel in India by Train
In India, local trains or second-class trains are overcrowded, have open windows, and are uncomfortable. Travelling from one city to another by such a train can be a threat to your safety. Spend a little more and book your seats in at least an AC coach. In comparison with flights, first-class train tickets are less expensive. So, you can easily book a seat like this.
Never Share Your Personal Information
Sharing personal information with an unknown or unfamiliar person is not good. As far as possible, do not share your contact number, the details of where you are staying, or your hotel reservation number. Sharing these details may make you a victim of unwanted fraud.
Do Not Hire a Spontaneous Tour Guide
Around hotels, tourist spots, and allied places, you may encounter people willing to be your guide on your India tour. These people will approach you whether you ask them for help or not and offer their services at a significantly lower charge.
For your safety, you need to stay away from such people. Book a guide through authentic sites or travel operators if you want to hire one. Do it before travelling to India. Keeping this in mind can help explore Indian places without any discomfort or fraud.
Stay Away from Animals and Birds, Particularly Monkeys
While travelling in India, you can frequently come across animals like monkeys at several places. You should ignore monkeys and never stare at them. Staring makes them aggressive. They may take your things away from you and may harm you physically.
Dress Well
Wearing loose-fitting clothing makes it easier for you to travel in India. However, you need to be very careful about your outfit. Keep in mind that swimwear is appropriate only when you are bathing in a pool or enjoying leisure time at a beach. You may see locals bathing fully clothed.
While visiting a tourist spot, religious place, or a village, be more careful about your outfit. As far as possible, avoid wearing body-revealing clothes. Opt for a dress that covers your body well.
Learn Self-Defence Tricks
Self-defence is crucial for a traveller, particularly when travelling to India. You must know how to safeguard yourself if you get trapped by ill-minded people. Self-defence skills enable you to use the correct technique to hit somebody, especially if the person is trying to rob or assault you. Learn these skills before you finalise your trip to any Indian place.
Conclusion
Despite a few cases and media reports, India is a good country to visit. By following the steps or tips for travelling mentioned above, you can make your India tour highly safe and unforgettable.
At Cholan Tours, we offer a range of support to travellers to make their holiday in India safer, more convenient, and more memorable. Consult our representatives through emails, chats, or calls to book a personalised package for your India trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I travel to India at any time throughout the year?
Yes, you can travel to India any time. However, you need to be very careful when visiting a hilly place like Kashmir during winter or the rainy season. Road blockages and landslides are usual due to heavy snowfall or rainfall.
2. What should I do to travel safely in India?
To travel safely in India safely, be polite to suspicious people, keep emergency numbers handy, have travel insurance, keep a duplicate copy of your passport, and consult an authorised or reliable tour operator.
3. Is it risky to travel to India?
No, travelling to India is not risky. Based on a few cases, personal experiences, or media reports, foreigners feel that travelling in India is risky. You can make it safer by keeping certain things in mind.
4. What is the ideal time to visit India?
Based on your preferences, you can visit this country throughout the year. Winter, from November to January or mid-February, is ideal for enjoying snowfall in the Himalayan regions of India. However, the spring season (from mid-February to April) is the most ideal time to visit any part of this country.
5. What is the basic requirement to travel to India?
You need a valid visa and your passport to visit India. NRIs or OCI cardholders can visit India without a visa.
