Introduction to India - What I Wish I Knew Before I Went to India!
I recently took a 2 week trip to India and it changed my life. India is a place that completely cracks you open. (if you want to read more about the whole trip, check out my 2 week itinerary here)
This isn’t a list of where to stay or what to do. Its not a story or a journal of my experience. Its a list of all the other things I wish I knew before I went to India. The little nitty gritty details people forget to tell you.
Money
In India, cash is king - you should have cash on you as most times the credit card machine is down or not working.
Not all ATMS charge the same exchange rate. HDFC was the lowest rate and a safe bank. I also used IndusInd with no problems, but their rate was higher.
You can only take out 10,000 rupees per transaction.
ATMS do run out of money often, so when you find one with cash - stock up!
I recommend getting cash out at the ATM. Make sure to call your bank and find out what international fees they may charge and if you need to put in a travel notice. This is my favorite bank. I currently get 4.6% interest and international fees are only .2%
Use an international fee free credit card, like this one. I am obsessed with this credit card because of the rewards I get for traveling.
If you do use a credit card, when your transactions process, they will ask if you want it processed in USD or INR. Always choose INR or else you will get double the fees and bad transaction rates!
Electricity
India operates on 230V (the US is 110-120).
The outlet is type D - I love this plug because it has so many ports. You won’t notice the same amount of outlets in India, so something like this is very helpful!
Apple products have a voltage converter built in, so all you will need is the plug above. If you have a mac, I recommend this world travel kit.
Health Precautions
There aren’t any required vaccines for India, unless you are coming from a country with high risk for Yellow Fever. There are alot of recommended vaccines listed on the CDC’s website here.
Do not drink tap water at all in India. Do not brush your teeth with the water. Do not get “filtered water” at the dinner table. Keep your mouth shut while showering.
Only drink bottled water. Check the seal of the bottled water. Not all brands of water are created equal - stick with Bisleri or Kinley if you can.
Bring lots and lots of hand sanitizer. I wish I brought sanitizing wipes too.
I did not use a pharmacy or a doctors office while I was there, but I have heard that they are cheap and accessible.
I recommend talking to your doctor before you leave and asking for traveler’s diarrhea medicine (I got azithromycin) and prescriptions you could potentially need.
It is HOT there - bring electrolytes to stay hydrated.
While in India, I recommend becoming a vegetarian! It was actually easier then I thought. The one time I ate meat, I did get sick. Their processing and sanitation is just so different from us in the US, its not worth the risk! Read more about avoiding Delhi Belly here.
Shopping & Bargaining
You should absolutely be bargaining at any market in India. I would expect to pay about 50% of what they start at.
Do not expect the same products from city to city. I was really disappointed when I couldn't find some of the same products in different cities.
Cultural Awareness
Though it isn’t required in general day-to-day wear, women will typically feel more comfortable and respected when their shoulders and heads are covered. I highly recommend NOT showing any cleavage.
Women should be prepared for a lot of staring from men. They stare for long, uninterrupted periods and it can feel quite uncomfortable. Just keep moving and don’t engage.
Be prepared to be stopped and asked for your picture, a lot. Families will stop you and ask for selfies and it will take up quite a bit of time. I’m pretty sure I am 15 different men’s wife on social media now.
Be ready for some bad toilets. Ladies, there is never toilet paper so carry wipes. Get ready to squat in a hole - finding a toilet with an actual seat is darn near impossible.
The India head bobble is real!! You can never quite tell if someone is shaking their head yes or no - they just sort of bobble it! You can always ask for clarity on what they mean, especially since its tough to tell!
Other Random Things
There are cows everywhere. In the middle of the street. Standing. Sitting. Walking up stairs. Be ready to see a lot of cows.
The driving is bad. Really bad. If you get nauseous in the car (and even if you don’t get nauseous) bring some medicine. They are all over the place.
I really enjoyed having a guide for major buildings like the forts and city palaces. When I didn’t have one, I was bummed and felt like I missed a lot (this isnt a normal thing for me) I do recommend booking guides ahead of time. I found the guides I’d book day of weren’t that good or informative.
Traveling to India as a Solo Female Travel
When I decided to travel to India solo, safety was a big worry for me. My family, friends, and community couldn't quite wrap their heads around why I'd go alone. But despite the nerves, I was determined to have a great trip while staying safe. So, I took some steps to ease my worries, help me feel more secure and allow me to relax and enjoy my adventure without constantly worrying.
I hired a private driver. I used Discover India by Car and I couldn’t recommend them enough.
I booked trusted AirBnb tours. Scams are REAL in India and I didn’t want to be subject to a guide that was trying to get more money from me, or take me to places that I didn’t want to go to.
I stayed in well-known and well reviewed hotels. I stayed at Lake Pichola and it was very good. I had my eye on Udai Kothi or Jagat Niwas for my next trip.
I purchased a personal safety alarm. While I didn’t ever need it, it definitely gave me comfort when I was walking solo.
I traveled with a doorstop alarm. Since I was sleeping alone in hotel rooms, it was a comfort to know that if someone was trying to enter my room, I would know immediately!
I traveled with travel insurance. This gave me comfort to know that if I got sick, I would be able to see a doctor and not face a huge financial burden. (Speaking of getting sick, check out my guide to avoiding delhi belly here)
My Travel Essentials
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card - This credit card is essential for all my travels! I have no foreign transaction fees and it works everywhere I go. If you sign up with my link, you’ll get
Sofi Banking - If you havent jumped on the HYSA train yet, what are you waiting for? This is by far my favorite place to keep my money - interest rates are amazing and they are super friendly to use!
SafetyWing Travel Insurance - I don’t travel without it. SafetyWing has affordable plans and it is really easy to make a claim with them.
