General Tips

• If someone is bothering you, not doing what you want, or is in your way, speak up.

• Personal space is different in India and much smaller.

• There are helpers everywhere for everything. Use them.

• Many, if not most, things will take longer to be done than you think or expect. Plan accordingly.

• Crossing any road on foot can be… dodgy. Try to walk with a guide, Indian person, or just latch onto a random Indian person and walk with and next to them. They will know what your’e doing and why and will not mind.

• In markets, you negotiate price. Given that you are not speaking the local language and or not Indian, you will almost always be given a higher price. Negotiate way down.

  • This does not apply to grocery stores or department stores where prices are clearly marked via stickers or tags.

  • As when anywhere, when shopping via your own wanderings or directed to a location by a guide, do not be shy in saying no to a purchase, if you do not want to buy.

• Toilets - There are eastern (squat) and western (chair) toilets around India, but you will mostly encounter western toilets. Many public restrooms, eg, rest stops or restaurants, have both options. Ask if you do not see the western option.

• Toilet paper - Carry it with you. The airport or hotels will always have it. Other places are questionable.

• Ladies - Tampons are very hard to find. Pads are prevalent.

• Electricity and adaptors - You will certainly need a converter and or an adapter in India. Some hotels have universal plugs, but many do not. The hotels in the village for the wedding do not. Please do check this site for easy information, and ensure you have selected the correct home country.

• India is a closed banking system, so use of international credit cards is not always guaranteed, and is usually discouraged from vendors. Given that finding a working ATM isn’t always easy, I highly recommend getting 5,000 to 10,000 INR cash at the ATM in the airport where you land.

  • Many ATMs limit international account withdrawals to 10,000 INR or less.

  • The use of payment apps is very prevalent, which you will see other people use, but again, this only works within the India banking system.

• Uber is the only ride hailing app available to international people. It works in cities, but not well in rural areas. Be prepared for a driver to take a long while to be located given that drivers sometimes cancel rides before arrival or your driver may be caught in traffic.

  • BluSmart works well in Delhi (and Bengaluru) for scheduled-ahead rides. This is not available in other locations.

Domestic Air Travel

• For domestic flights booked with international credit cards - At check-in, the airlines will want to see the credit card used for the booking. Have it ready, along with your passport, to verify identity and purchase.

• Domestic travel, especially flights, are on time and reliable

• No battery chargers or battery packs of any kind in checked luggage. To be safe, just don't put electronics in checked luggage at all. Your bags will get halted and you will be called back to verify questionable items. You or your bag may not make the flight.

• Domestic travel does not come with a tv or screen in the seat. Bring your own entertainment.

• In-flight outlets are not available on domestic flights. Charge your devices before you board.

• Water bottles, juice, coffee etc are fine in or with your carry-on when going through security.

• Budget airlines will not give you anything except water, unless you paid (or sometimes pay in-flight) for it. Bring snacks, if in doubt.

• Ladies, in security at the airport, you go through a separate enclosed space for your physical body screening. This is due to Indian modesty.

• When entering any Indian airport from outside, you will need to show your boarding pass or flight confirmation and your passport before entering the airport departures hall.

• Boarding passes are checked constantly, so have it ready. You will need your boarding pass for security, to go through the departure gate, to board the plane, to exit the plane...

Food and Drink

• "Tea" is chai milk tea. Every region spices it slightly differently, but all contain lots of sugar. Ask for "tea, no sugar" if you want chai milk tea with little or no sugar. I do recommend street tea.

• Don't drink tap water. If water is given to you, ask if it is bottled or RO water. Both categories are fine. The tap water is safe for bathing, brushing your teeth, and good to drink after being vigorously boiled (read above reco for street tea). The drinking water taps in airports are fine. Bottled water is readily available everywhere and usually offered to you.

• Ice - Don't bother

• Street food - anything aggressively fried is probably fine. Otherwise, I discourage.

• Spicy food - "Not spicy" is still fairly spicy, "Spicy" is likely too hot for you. "Indian spicy" is also not for you. :-)

• If you’ve ever frequented Indian restaurants in your home country, you have already learned the Hindi words of food. Congratulations, you will be comfortable in Indian restaurants in India. Feel free to ask, if unsure. Waitstaff will be more than happy to hep.

Communication

• English - everyone speaks it even if a little to the point many people insert English words into their usual language and don't know it's English. Most people will understand you, but your accent may be tough. Hi city friends, speak slowly.

• If someone wants to take a picture of you, you can firmly say no (or yes). People are just excited to see someone different.

• Whatsapp - The Indian community uses it heavily and it is the primary way to communicate professionally and personally. Download it now.

• International phone data - If your plan allows out-of-country usage, ensure India is supported before you leave or setup a plan through your carrier for international support.

• Airtel is the only carrier that will allow international people to purchase a sim card. Some airports have a desk to purchase one, and there are stores/dealers in cities. Prepaid plans are very, very affordable. However, sometimes finding the right store/kiosk can take time, so have a backup plan, which is your own regular phone plan.

• Wifi is prevalent in hotels, but not all cafes and restaurants.

Tipping

Restaurants - 5-10% pre-tax

Hotels - Porters/bellboys - 100 inr/bag or per transfer

Drivers - 1,000 INR per day, add +500 INR if used at night

Uber/Taxi hailing apps - 50-100 INR per ride

Tour guides - 2,000 INR per day, but more if more than one person or a group