How to Cross a Road in India, and other essential travel tips

By Guest Writer, for Inpui.com

With over a billion people, a million square miles, and hundreds of must-see destinations, India is rapidly becoming one of the most quickly-growing international travel destinations. Fashionable bargain hunters come seeking handcrafted jewelry and art, religious pilgrims come for the temples and Buddhist serenity, backpackers arrive looking for cheap accommodations and business travelers come to see one of the most rapidly growing economies in the world. From the grandeur of the Taj Mahal to the beaches of Goa to the hustle and bustle of downtown Mumbai, India has something for everyone.

But India is also relatively new to the global tourism industry. Travelers used to deluxe accommodations and reliable public transportation will need to readjust their expectations and get used to the cultural norms that prevail in India. Personal safety and health are also not guaranteed, but with a little planning and a few precautions, anyone can enjoy the vast natural beauty, intense human experience and cultural encounter that is India.

Here are a few tips to help you travel in India safely, and with as little confusion and aggravation as possible:

1. Choose your route carefully. With hundreds of cities and even more villages and remote areas, there is way more to do and see in India than you can possibly fit into your trip. To allow time for the unreliable Indian public transportation and to allow yourself to truly experience the local culture, it’s best to limit your itinerary to a few chosen destinations. Start with the suggested itineraries in your guidebook or online, and tailor those suggestion to suit your interests. One popular itinerary is known as the Golden Triangle—start in the ancient city of Delhi, continue to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal, and then stop in Jaipur before heading back to Delhi for your return flight.

2. Even if you are from a big city, the crowds in a big Indian city are going to get overwhelming at some point. Take a break from that human congestion at some point and escape to the quieter rural regions of Kerala, mountainous Ledakh, or another rural area where you can actually experience the unique natural beauty India has to offer.

3. Unfortunately, India is well-known for the number of scammers and con men that try to dupe unwitting tourists out of their prized foreign currency. Don’t trust anyone on the street to guide you to a hotel or restaurant, and try to resist falling for these scams, no matter how much you are cajoled. But if you do lose a few dollars to a con artist, the main thing is to keep calm and don’t let it spoil your trip—India is such an inexpensive country to visit that chances are the loss of a few dollars will not cut significantly into your budget.

4. Most foreigners would do well to stay far away from Indian tap water, and any food that has been prepared with tap water. That means no ice in your soft drinks, no unpeeled fruit, and no salads with uncooked produce. Although there are many reliable restaurants with excellent Indian cuisine, many travelers find it is safer and easier to go vegetarian throughout their travels in India. Many Indians are vegetarian, making delicious vegetarian food easy to find, and avoiding meat altogether is the simplest way to avoid unclean or improperly handled meat.

5. The easiest and safest way to get around India is by train. Renting a car can be difficult because it means navigating Indian traffic, and flights from one city to another can have many hidden fees and be unreliable. Trains often leave far behind schedule, but once you’re on the train you’ll find it to be a relatively comfortable and even fun way to travel. You can choose first class travel for a more luxurious experience, or buy an economy class ticket to travel with the locals.

6. Pickpockets abound in Indian cities, so it is extremely important that you leave valuables like diamond rings and expensive watches at home. India is home to one of the world’s diamond cutting centers, but if you buy loose diamonds or diamond jewelry in the midst of your travels, have it sent to your home via certified mail rather than carry it with you around the country.

7. So how do you cross a road in India? With six or more lanes of traffic and few discernible rules of the road, getting from one side of the street to the other can be frightening. One good way is to find a group of locals and cross with them—just make sure they don’t dart out between cars. Stay calm, and try to make contact with drivers so they see you and don’t hit you. Remember that traffic comes from the right, and that it is sometimes safest to cross half the street at a time and rest on the median before crossing the other three lanes of traffic. Finally, for the widest boulevards and highways, cautious tourists may want to consider taking a taxi or rickshaw across the street!

About the article: This article has been provided by Whiteflash.com, home of the world’s finest diamonds and diamond jewelry.