I was a solo traveler to India (Jaipur, Udaipur, Delhi) in 2018. My experience was nothing but positive. I was really fortunate to meet a tuktuk driver in Jaipur who offered me $20 a day to take me anywhere I wanted to go everyday for the two weeks I was there - starting and ending at anytime I chose. He made my trip. Super friendly, polite and even chivalrous. He arranged for a driver to take us to the Thar Desert in Pushkar, and even joined me on a camel ride. In the end, he took me to meet his huge family who cooked an incredible meal, henna'd my hands, and dressed me in their traditional clothing. We are friends to this day, and I'll be returning this year. You are right, Christine, try to go with the flow and use your instincts.
Love this! Glad you had a magical trip and made a friend for life! Things have a way of working out in India if you go with its rhythm and heartbeat. =)
Auto rickshaw driver (Tuk Tuk) are hot headed coz they earn lesser than taxi 🚕 , it’s best never to start any conversation with them just tell them where u want to go and plug in your headset. And if you have google map start it and check the route if it’s running on meter. If they quote a price just bargain with them . I would suggest being an Indian we use Tuk Tuk for very short distance and we too face the same problems . BEST THING get a ÜBER or OLA , or hire taxi for whole day (8hrs ) from any travel agent with A/C it will come around about Rs. 1500 ($23 USD) with parking extra in most cases. Therefore , use Tuk Tuk for short Joy ride but not to commute as your main mode of transport. Avoid them at night and please get a ÜBER ( they can’t over charge you and much safer and cleaner). 😍 love from India 🇮🇳
AWESOME TIPS +paulson thomas ! I was Google Mapping my tuk tuk driver which is partially what was adding to his upset. So you feel like Uber is pretty safe? A family I stayed with seemed to use Ola a lot. Do you feel like more Indians are resorting to Uber too?♥🤗
GRRRLTRAVELER | Christine Kaaloa Definitely Indians are totally leaning towards Uber and Ola, that's why many yellow cabs are going out of business if they don't upgrade to better car and services . Locals get harassed same way like the foreigners. That's why most people use App based taxi, because the prices are fixed doesn't matter which route they take they have to drop you at that specific destination else they will not get the next customer. So my suggestion to anyone is use UBER and OLA in India if you want hazel free, cheap trip in major cities across India. 👍 Hope you have good time in India. By the way we Indians are made of many states with unique language and culture so we get the pretty same treatment like a foreigners with yellow cabs and tuk tuks 😂 so I totally get your problem. Hope this helps. 👍
I think its a matter of choice. In some Indian cities Ola is good, in some Indian cities Uber is good. I'm from South India, Bangalore. I prefer Ola, Its extremely easy to book an Ola Cab online, All you need to do is fill up From and To Locations and you are done after entering your number, Your cab comes to pick you up in 3 minutes. I think Uber is more complicated and requires you to register Address, Personal details along with the above details and can be a little hectic. I'v also heard of friends having a bad experience with Uber. The only reason we Indians use Tuk Tuk / Auto rickshaws is when we head to a nearby market to buy stuff or for an emergency.
People really ought to get over all the misconceptions about India, I spent just over 5 weeks there and it was a wonderful experience... for example never got a deli belly that everyone worries about, no need for Malaria tablets especially for northern and west India... always agree the price on taxis and tuktuks The visa was hard work, had to change my dates, I’d probably use an agent next time round for peace of mind I found that personal space is very different to the west though Most people always return to India, which is a testament in itself 😉
The Visa process is easy. I never got sick but everyone around me did. It was easy for me but I know folks with me had issues, like having to pay a bribe to the police. I was also never touched, but other girls have been sexually assaulted. Yeah, everyone has good and bad experiences everywhere. But your one five week experience does not negate anyone else's and does not mean that folks should not be prepared for the worse.
Safety: You can get a pepper spray at a local 'Health & Glow' (local cosmetics chain) store in India. You can find a 'Health & Glow' store in any major city. You can also, usually, bring one in checked-in baggage. If it gets confiscated, it's not too expensive, so no big deal. Food: The colour, typically, indicates the spicyness or heat. Hygiene standards for street-food is typically lower than some other popular Asian destinations, so be careful. Piping Hot, Freshly cooked food is usually safer. Pick places that seem to be really popular with the locals, this means the food is fresh and less likely to be contaminated. Local travel: If you're travelling after dark, stick with Uber or Ola (that's an Uber-like app). They're not awesome but better than Tuk Tuk (or Rickshaw). Uber is also often cheaper than a Tuk Tuk. Tuk Tuk drivers (as well as the regular Black & Yellow Cabs) in Mumbai and Ahmedabad are a lot nicer. In other large cities you'll find some friendly drivers as well as ... well... let's just say that I don't take Tuk Tuks when I'm in Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai or Bangalore. They're liable to be even more cocky and aggressive when your options are limited (i.e. later in the night or during peak commute hours or in a downpour). Toiletries: 'Odomos' brand mosquito repellant is all-natural and very effective for about 4-5 hours. I strongly recommend trying the lotion variant. For everything else, a local 'More', 'Food Bazaar', 'Reliance Fresh' or 'Nilgiris' store should have what you need. 'Health & Glow' is better for a wider range of cosmetics, toiletries and personal hygiene products. You can look for the nearest one on Google Maps.
Women have to be careful and cautious..no matter which country...1.ideal timings for solo woman traveller is 7am to 7.30pm.. dawn to dusk in India..2.no night adventures 3. get 4g internet as soon as you land..such that you could Google for anything you want...4.get your antibiotics beforehand..incase you fall sick 5.if you feel people are staring at you..then just smile nd say namaste... people stare here mostly because of curiosity nd not to trouble you or any evil intentions mostly 6.women travellers carry a scarf or a shawl..u might need it in some conservative or religious places 7.to counter the spicy food here..you can have lot of yougurt..which is good for your health nd gut 8.to revitalize your energy..you can frequently have sugarcane juice..nd glucon-d( you get it in chemist/ medical shop )9.take uber or ola cab for travelling..but don't be so careless that you fall asleep in it 10.advisable not to drink or smoke publicly or any PDA 11.do not consume soft drinks or food offered by strangers..they could be vultures in disguise 12.you could ask educated indian women or girl students for any help or advice.. preferably 13.do not go to small lanes or places were no women is there..14.in metro cities there are women taxi..incase you need..15.there are Big bazaar supermarkets in most of the cities..which is a indian version of walmart 16.Basically you cannot stereotype India..you find every range nd diversity here.. poverty to super rich...Street food to five star hotels..filth to clean nd greenery nd calm places..17.india has conservative places were women are fully covered i.e sarees to modern cities like Delhi..Mumbai.. Bangalore..were you women are in jeans..skirts..modern clothing
I received my visa within 3 days (New York City) and the process wasn't difficult. I was surprised that it was approved for only one year rather than 10 years - disappointed about that -but so happy to be going it's hard for me to put any concern into that for now. It was approved and of course I am happy and excited about it overall.
Girls and ladies don't go to dark secluded places at night around 10 o clock to 4 o clockin the morning and after that you're free to roam all day long, don't wear provocative dress showing flesh if you want to feel free then Goa is for you it's European culture there in Goa...night life awesome day life awesome...
1. Even Indians prefer TukTuk (Auto rickshaw) for short ride and emergency because they are not uniform/fair prized.Use OLA or UBER for long distance commute or if you are in city like Delhi use metro train. 2. Misconception about Delhi belly which many foreign travelers fear of and because of this they start avoiding Indian food and dull their travel experience : India have 4 seasons (summer, winter, spring and monsoon) and extreme climate from hot to cold, dessert to high rainfall. This makes Indian immune system exposed to different microorganism, bacteria or virus, and we no longer fell sick because our body have developed antibodies for it to combat. For foreign travelers, their under-exposed immune system not accustomed to it your body may or may not get upset. but even worst case scenario will be upset no life threatening.
Sikkim and Darjeeling are all part of Himalayan Range but if you want to see the Snow Covered Peaks you can do from both these places but if you want to trek you gotta go to Nepal .👍🏻
A few suggestions are, 1 avoid mosquitos never use soap that has a smell use Zest or Ivory Soap. 2 Avon Skin So Soft, mosquitos hate it so they go for someone else.
Pepper Spray Not Allowed in Carry-on Bags. If traveling via plane, you cannot carry mace or pepper spray in your pocket into the cabin of the plane with you. ... Most airlines will allow you to pack up to 4 ounces of pepper spray in your checked luggage (always a good idea to check with your specific airline).
The auto rickshaw drivers used to have a lot of power in their arena ( low-cost transportation) and they used to be able to quote as high a fare as they liked. In very large cities, auto drivers have a reputation for being extremely ruse and hot-headed and arrogant; they get much nice if you're in smaller cities. They now have competition from Ola and Uber and they're facing trouble. Even locals have issues with the autos, the best way is to be firm with them, but not rude. They want to quote foreigners higher prices because they think foreigners are gullible and rich, but if you are rude they like to escalate the situation to intimidate you. This may be why the other commenter had an issue with the auto guy and their uber driver. Anyway, one way to mitigate this, is to talk to your hotel about transport options; a lot of the time, they have names and numbers of trustworthy auto drivers on file.
I want to mention that foreign travellers must take good precaution to avoid any mosquito bites.... right now dengue is wrecking havoc in several places in India and it is much more dangerous than malaria.... sometimes it can be life threatening.....I don't think any vaccination exists for dengue so the best way is to use mosquito repellent and avoid any mosquito bites.....
Khim Mangila Hey since Chennai is closer to Philippines. I would suggest get a flight from Manila or KL to Chennai and from there domestic flights. Air Asia would be cheaper I guess from Manila/KL to Chennai. From Chennai to Ahmedabad u can book Spice Jet or jet airways or Indigo etc.
Hello christine...your videos are all great and give help to all travelers...Im going to Kolkata this Christmas Holiday..its my first time going outside the country...i will be a solo travelers...i will watch all your videos so that i can get some of your tips...
GRRRLTRAVELER | Christine Kaaloa Yes...it is a huge leap for me....I have mixed feelings but the most of it is excitement for this trip...im praying and hoping that my visa will be release early as i file it....Thank you Christine...more videos to cme from your travel....
Ideal timings for solo woman traveller is 7am to 7pm.. dawn to dusk..nd get 4g internet as soon as you land..such that you could Google for anything you want..get your antibiotics beforehand as there gonna be seasonal change here..
Regarding the question about the mountains: When you went to Pelling, you saw the best views from India of the Himalayan Mountains. If one were to start their trip from New Delhi, it's actually easier to get to Kathmandu, Nepal (and the surrounding towns like Nargarkot) to view the mountains effortlessly. When you went to Pelling you put some real effort into getting there and you also could have become a bit sick from that altitude. I'll be able to see the mountains from my room in Nargarkot at an elevation of only 7000 feet. It is "visa-upon-arrival" for Nepal and it's only 60 USD. I am combining Nepal and India for my trip - Nepal for the mountains and villages - and India (which I have relied on your advice and itinerary in big way) for all of the same reasons that everyone watching this video has. This brings up a question though I doubt there is an answer. I want to travel lightly but I think I am going to have to carry that coat and sweater shirts for my entire India trip because I am going to Nepal first. Is it practical to send that stuff home via the post office?
I think it's an international traditional for tuk tuk drivers to be light headed! Because we have the same problem in Egypt! 😀 It's almost like you have to be light headed to qualify as a tuk tuk driver 😂
In india it is suggested to take an indian sim to book ola or uber taxi which are fare and easy to track with google and important thing is without indian sim you can book ola or uber taxis when you find thier booths (which are very rare) so, it is compulsory to have an indian sim
Thanks for the awesome, informative post, Christine! I greatly appreciate you answering my question on the visa process. This is definitely going to be a big help to me in the future when I travel to India, along with all the other information you gave us from our questions pertaining to traveling there! I can't wait to use your wealth of information, and the comments that other travelers also include here, below!
Loved this video Christine! I just finished traveling through central Asia as well as Russia and learned so much these past three months! I want to travel India some day, but I'm not quite yet ready to. Though your videos really help get me excited about India and what to expect when I finally do get there. ^^
PatMax Adventures if wanna come india n wanna real enjoy then... Just search something u wanna do here or visit which type of place.... U can try scuba diving here.. As well as u can ride in hot air baloon, u can ride a camel, a elephant, horse... Etc... U can get here extremely natural pure air and forests, beautiful scenery and most cleanest village n town in asia... . Also u can get here more polluted air and dirty places...u can travel in the local train here ... As well as u can travel in maharajas express with extreme luxury and all type of facilities....u can visite palaces of udaipur(Venice of india) or u can travel the highest fort of salher... U can travel the most rainy place of asia or chilly places also u can see the hot thor desert and hot places.... Plz do some research and about places and what u wanna do here or visit.... Lots of forigners don't know about india so much they traveled some rushy n dirty places.. Without knowing what can they get... How can they enjoy here its the 7th largest country in the world and no 1 in diversity u can get a lot a lot from here... ... So its my request if wanna ever come india... Just collect the information and idea about it and which facility u can get in which place... I hope u can enjoy here a lot
Thank you for going all-in with this Q&A! Though I feel like between this video and the comments section the big lesson is to be super careful with (or likely avoid) tuk tuks.
before getting on a tuk tuk in Delhi it is important that you check for the distance of your go to location on google maps. In delhi the fare for the autos is rs. 25 for the first 2 kms and rs. 8 thereafter. Therefore for 10 kms its around 90 rs. but its okay to always pay 10 to 20 rs more. if the auto driver asks for anything more than that please don't take the auto. also as foreigners its always better to discuss your fare beforehand keeping in mind the distance.
She reached out a couple of years ago but neither of us were traveling India at the time. It would be nice to cross paths-- we both have a deep love for India (and Bollywood films) lol
Bangalore, Mumbai,,pune,good cities gujrat,Rajasthan, Kerala good states populated, cosmopolitan,rockstar, traditional,busy, technological, rockets, satellites, shopping malls,sweets,street foods, education, educated people Basically if you check the west coast of India in Indian map are all worthy of a visit...,the Eastern coast of India below oddisa is worthy a visit... including some places in odissa,and West Bengal too..only the popular stuff...
it is good idea to not trust random taxi/tuk tukk drivers in remote areas. Only way to deal with deal with angry, mischievous taxi/tuk tuk drivers is to threaten them with police complain. It is very effective, especially if you are foreigner, they will be very careful. Also always track google map with location route on, if u so much as get a hint that u r being taken by road where u are not suppose to go, call woman helpline immediately. They respond pretty fast but you can start shouting to be safe too, in India people love to beat people if they are found to be thief or sexual offenders
Hey Christine. Love your videos. You are one of my favorite travel vloggers, you deserve more subscribers. I have a question, I am going to southeast asia for several months and I would like to either go to China or India. Which would you suggest?
Awww. I would love if my channel would grow quicker. Definitely India. But I'm biased. If I could, I'd be visiting India every year. Thinking about it-- they're actually quite similar in many regards from visa to vastness. It depends on what type of adventure you'd like to experience, Ray.
Ray Hill My answer may be biased but definitely India. No country can beat India in terms of diversity. In India food, colour, clothes, culture, architecture, language changes every 100kms. U have desert in the west , mountains in the north, sea beaches in the south and natural Flora fauna all over the country. Plus the amazing architecture of temples and forts will blow ur mind away. Namaste !
I'm from Canada I never been in India but India is not dangerous country I speak hindi very well yes this true about India little scams some like anther country but no country around the world 100% Sava
If you want no hastle ,wild natural,clean village folklores then go to mizoram, Manipur, Assam, nagaland, Sikkim but these places are least populated,very clean,neat, hospitality, soothing,cool calm,nice,foresty
Hi when getting a visa do you have to give them a date when you will be traveling their country or you can just apply for it and then use the paperwork for whenever you go to the country?
People should try out south indian more if they want to deal with less of a headache on their trip, I wouldnt recommend goa though. Kerala/karnataka/tamil nadu/telangana/andhra have a lot to offer also but I feel like the type of person who seeks india for a more "spiritual" type of visit is already in the pitfalls of touts and scammers.
Tuk tuk drivers are rude at times to locals also! Thats y i eithr prefer to use Metro or book an uber. Do check Google maps whrevr city u are it will give u good options to travel.
If one is travelling inter-states and distance is of more than 7-8hrs ,one can opt for flights too as at times their fare is almost equivalent to train fare. And now there are some cities in which u can hire cars for a day and self-drive it. u may chk 'Zoom Car' app on play store&get more info.
Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, uttarakandh, Rajasthan, you can roam as you want...but quite good dressed....,yes Taj Mahal is in uttarpradesh, kashi is in /Varanasi is in uttarpradesh except those 2 places there is nothing much worthwhile in uttarpradesh.... Except for exceptional levels of pollution in kanpur ....
Well usually the took-took drivers take you to the right place, but you can always use the google maps if he is taking you through some stranger or lonely road. If the person gives wrong vibes, you can avoid talking to them. And yes we use ola and uber big time. We also have apps like ola and jugnoo to book tuk-tuk / auto-rikshaws. Using apps will save you money big time. There are apps helping you to choose the best places to eat and have fun at good packages. You can go out at various places at night in cities like delhi, mumbai, gurgaon etc. using uber and ola very safely. Digital money is a big thing onwadays, hence when travelling in cities you can carry less cash and use apps like Paytm for transactions like booking tickets, movies, restaurant meals and so on.....! Lemme know if you want to know about more apps or websites to make your travel easier.
Travel New Delhi....best Indian street food is available only in New Delhi....and you can also eat some Punjabi foods only in New Delhi, Punjab and Haryana 😎😎
X Marks No it won't. That's exactly called Stereotyping a country. Look out the vlogs of many foreigners who are currently staying in India and have made it their second home.
Being an Indian I agree that India is not 💯 percent safe place for Womens , specialy in Delhi surrounded area.if u follow some rules like not go outside after 10pm and not travel alone than it will very easy for you.I have understood our negative aspects only after I traveling to some part of Europe.
Some tips: Cities in the north of India may be relatively unsafe for women. Kolkata or Kerala have much better reputation in this regard. A golden rule of travel (or life)is: be wary of people who initially approach you or are eager to be friendly, usually they have something to gain. Those who initially do not appear friendly or appear to mind their own business are likely to be more genuinely helpful. However most people understand some English and don't hesitate to ask for help. People are usually keen to help in any way they can. Avoid money changers. Debit card bank ATMS give better rates usually. Try to use cash rather than your card as much as possible. Shopping: some markets, no haggling but some others you are fool not to haggle. I have trouble working out which is what at times! Keep your eyes and ears open. Avoid arguments and if in trouble pretend you are French and know no English :). Get a 4G sim soon after arriving and find local police there on twitter. In trouble twit. Usually there is rapid response. Same goes for rail travel as well. And please don't entertain street beggars. It is an industry and it must not be encouraged. Do think about getting travel or health insurance. Big cities have hospitals, usually private, that are at least as good as any in Europe but they are not cheap. And before you travel, research on which hospitals you want to go to should you need to before you start your visit. meds are much cheaper and could be bought in India. Use bottled water as much as you can and remember even in nice restaurants plates are not washed with bottled water.
Thanks for sharing Ayanangshu! Fantastic advice for travelers. The local police have Twitter and respond to it? My personal question is how do you feel about the police in India? I’ve heard conflicting ideas about them.
Firstly don't use the word Tuk Tuk. They will immediately know that u have just arrived in India. It's called Auto in India. Give them a feeling that u have been here for a while. Generally for every km of travel autos will charge u RS 10/15 depending on which city u r in.
Christine Thank you for your videos! They are absolutely helpful for travelling. I'm sure your channel will grow faster, Best Luck. I'm travelling to Nagpur International Airport today from Aurangabad I've been in such nice place called Chikhaldara , besides the City Amravati it's such wonderful place to visit and stay. My Indian friend told me about this place , we stayed in an MTDC Resort. You should do a Video on it.
Tuk tuk drivers behave weird to Indians as well. Best thing to do is avoid them and use cab services like Ola and Uber in India,which are super cheap and customer friendly.
Tuk tuk drivers are quite arrogant in north and central India from my experience. In my state, I have not experienced any arrogance but they try to rip off anyone(incl locals) as much as they can. So I started using uber and ola- no haggling, no nonsense. The tuk tuk drivers are okay with it, no altercation ever. So I guess it depends on where you are in India..
The best advice I can give you about tuk tuk drivers in India is to avoid using them as much as you can. That whole industry is a plague that has affected India for a very long time and nothing has changed and in fact it has gotten worse. These days there are so many options. Use Uber or Ola. At the worst, use a call taxi. Use the metro in big cities as much as you can. Dealing with Indian tuk tuk drivers can ruin your day but if you go to small cities, they may be the only game in town. In big cities, they are avoided at best. Most of them have bad attitude, no sense of customer service and they will go out of their way to ruin your day especially if they know you are a foreigner. They don’t act much different to the locals as well and most locals despise them.
How do people in India react to someone who is slightly disabled? I'm going to India in February, and was wondering about how the culture views people in this manner.
MrPeace Guy - thanks! I have EDS and need to wear braces. I've been to other country's where they aren't rude to you, but they are very shocked. They might want to touch you or they will stare you. Lol. Or certain countries aren't wheelchair accessible, because people who are disabled are shunned from society.
Fables 456 you might can face here also some one starring at u.... But don't afraid or feel uncomfortable its quite natural in all eastern n south Asian countries ...
Tips: learn some basic Hindi (or the area you're going the regional tongue). Don't drink the water by itself. Tuk tuk aka rickshaw. Easier to do currency exchange before you go. Travelers checks - use! Larger cities can find lady type sanitary item at chemist/pharmacy. You're right best to bring. Toliet paper.? Oh Yes! Don't do reserve class on train. Do 3rd class with a/c. Malaria pills? Cheaper in India. Get your shots at doctor up to date. If you stay more than 6 months, India govt. will require you to visit WHO organization clinic for an AIDS clearance. Hey Christine keep jogging my memory lol I'm glad to help. Thanks for posting.
Another great video! We just returned on Monday from 2 weeks in Delhi. The air quality was horrific, and we are still hacking. However, everything was such a great experience. I even got lost by myself for a couple of hours in Delhi, but it was a good adventure. I felt accomplished when I finally got to where I was staying. A tip: have the Google PIN (for your Uber/Ola driver) for each place you want to go to. One time I didn't have it, and was dropped off someplace a distance away. Again, an adventure.
+Allison Roorda interesting tip about the pin! Been hearing about the pollution in Delhi. I've been fortunate to not experience that yet but I didn't think it was THAT bad. Wow. Btw-- what area did you stay in?
I read an article yesterday (Diwali) that the Delhi AQI was 740! Wowzah! We stayed in north Delhi around the Civil Lines area, but we traveled all over Delhi, and my husband did a medical clinic in Lucknow too. Interesting side story: I had worn a heart pendant that my husband gave me in August for our anniversary. Why I wore it to India, I don't know. It was lost/stolen in our hotel. So you could say, I lost my heart to India. haha!
Also, some people in India can be more than a little sensitive about Gods and Goddesses. So if you're considering buying the popular Tees and Tanks with a picture of a Hindu deity, make sure to appear respectful. Do not wear images of Gods on pants, footwear and definitely don't get a tattoo of a God on your legs or ankles (arms are okay).
am an indian never take tuk tuk in india they will con you i have bargained a price and they changed it after i reached destination 3 times. Have stopped taking tuk tuk uber,ola is cheaper,comfortable and quicker.
I would definitely bring the stuff with you, depending where you are there are often no stores so it is hard to find what you need. When I was in Rajasthan I only found one grocery store in the entire place. And Bring toilet wipes... not much toilet paper around anywhere and if there is they have very small rolls
How to handle tuk tuk drivers??? Don't ever ever ever ever ever ever get in one on you first trip to india. I am an indian living in India for 20 years and i have taken tuk tuk (autos) like thrice or 4 times in my life....
But uttarpradesh and Bihar they're the crowded ,brash, toughest, difficult,not so good,very demanding, ruthless, shameless things, cheating and cunning things happen...thanks to the political, beauracratic,mafia,gang, corrupt, most influential and influence they have over the country ,so if you want to go there be careful... you're on your own there pretty bad things can happen very quickly over there and nobody will be in charge even if they can and want to... No one can help you if something goes wrong... You revolving around police stations,and courts even if you file a case nobody, nothing can help you if something goes wrong ,better to leave uttarpradesh, jharkand, chattisgarh,Bihar states and roam around the other parts of India.
I've not heard very good things about UP and Bihar either, from Indians I know and comments on my videos. Indian police officials kinda scare me- I've not heard very good things about them also.
I live in both UP, and Bihar, and Jahrkhand. Bihar is a mess. U.P & Jharkhand are O.K if you stick to the capitals. Agra is in UP, remember. Let me know if you are coming to Lucknow, or Ranchi. This is the right time to visit Ranchi, full of rain.
I was a solo traveler to India (Jaipur, Udaipur, Delhi) in 2018. My experience was nothing but positive. I was really fortunate to meet a tuktuk driver in Jaipur who offered me $20 a day to take me anywhere I wanted to go everyday for the two weeks I was there - starting and ending at anytime I chose. He made my trip. Super friendly, polite and even chivalrous. He arranged for a driver to take us to the Thar Desert in Pushkar, and even joined me on a camel ride. In the end, he took me to meet his huge family who cooked an incredible meal, henna'd my hands, and dressed me in their traditional clothing. We are friends to this day, and I'll be returning this year. You are right, Christine, try to go with the flow and use your instincts.
Love this! Glad you had a magical trip and made a friend for life! Things have a way of working out in India if you go with its rhythm and heartbeat. =)
Auto rickshaw driver (Tuk Tuk) are hot headed coz they earn lesser than taxi 🚕 , it’s best never to start any conversation with them just tell them where u want to go and plug in your headset.
And if you have google map start it and check the route if it’s running on meter. If they quote a price just bargain with them . I would suggest being an Indian we use Tuk Tuk for very short distance and we too face the same problems .
BEST THING get a ÜBER or OLA , or hire taxi for whole day (8hrs ) from any travel agent with A/C it will come around about Rs. 1500 ($23 USD) with parking extra in most cases. Therefore , use Tuk Tuk for short Joy ride but not to commute as your main mode of transport. Avoid them at night and please get a ÜBER ( they can’t over charge you and much safer and cleaner). 😍 love from India 🇮🇳
AWESOME TIPS +paulson thomas ! I was Google Mapping my tuk tuk driver which is partially what was adding to his upset. So you feel like Uber is pretty safe? A family I stayed with seemed to use Ola a lot. Do you feel like more Indians are resorting to Uber too?♥🤗
GRRRLTRAVELER | Christine Kaaloa Definitely Indians are totally leaning towards Uber and Ola, that's why many yellow cabs are going out of business if they don't upgrade to better car and services . Locals get harassed same way like the foreigners.
That's why most people use App based taxi, because the prices are fixed doesn't matter which route they take they have to drop you at that specific destination else they will not get the next customer. So my suggestion to anyone is use UBER and OLA in India if you want hazel free, cheap trip in major cities across India. 👍 Hope you have good time in India. By the way we Indians are made of many states with unique language and culture so we get the pretty same treatment like a foreigners with yellow cabs and tuk tuks 😂 so I totally get your problem. Hope this helps. 👍
I think its a matter of choice. In some Indian cities Ola is good, in some Indian cities Uber is good.
I'm from South India, Bangalore. I prefer Ola, Its extremely easy to book an Ola Cab online, All you need to do is fill up From and To Locations and you are done after entering your number, Your cab comes to pick you up in 3 minutes.
I think Uber is more complicated and requires you to register Address, Personal details along with the above details and can be a little hectic. I'v also heard of friends having a bad experience with Uber.
The only reason we Indians use Tuk Tuk / Auto rickshaws is when we head to a nearby market to buy stuff or for an emergency.
Exactly, even indians don't use tuk tuk if uber is available
Literally just scanned passports onto my computer to apply for Indian visa and opened up my emails to find this - amazing timing!!!! THANK YOU!!
Im from india
People really ought to get over all the misconceptions about India, I spent just over 5 weeks there and it was a wonderful experience... for example never got a deli belly that everyone worries about, no need for Malaria tablets especially for northern and west India... always agree the price on taxis and tuktuks
The visa was hard work, had to change my dates, I’d probably use an agent next time round for peace of mind
I found that personal space is very different to the west though
Most people always return to India, which is a testament in itself 😉
The Visa process is easy. I never got sick but everyone around me did. It was easy for me but I know folks with me had issues, like having to pay a bribe to the police. I was also never touched, but other girls have been sexually assaulted. Yeah, everyone has good and bad experiences everywhere. But your one five week experience does not negate anyone else's and does not mean that folks should not be prepared for the worse.
Visa process was a pain for me ! Canadian passport with an afghan background
Safety: You can get a pepper spray at a local 'Health & Glow' (local cosmetics chain) store in India. You can find a 'Health & Glow' store in any major city. You can also, usually, bring one in checked-in baggage. If it gets confiscated, it's not too expensive, so no big deal.
Food: The colour, typically, indicates the spicyness or heat. Hygiene standards for street-food is typically lower than some other popular Asian destinations, so be careful. Piping Hot, Freshly cooked food is usually safer. Pick places that seem to be really popular with the locals, this means the food is fresh and less likely to be contaminated.
Local travel: If you're travelling after dark, stick with Uber or Ola (that's an Uber-like app). They're not awesome but better than Tuk Tuk (or Rickshaw). Uber is also often cheaper than a Tuk Tuk. Tuk Tuk drivers (as well as the regular Black & Yellow Cabs) in Mumbai and Ahmedabad are a lot nicer. In other large cities you'll find some friendly drivers as well as ... well... let's just say that I don't take Tuk Tuks when I'm in Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai or Bangalore. They're liable to be even more cocky and aggressive when your options are limited (i.e. later in the night or during peak commute hours or in a downpour).
Toiletries: 'Odomos' brand mosquito repellant is all-natural and very effective for about 4-5 hours. I strongly recommend trying the lotion variant. For everything else, a local 'More', 'Food Bazaar', 'Reliance Fresh' or 'Nilgiris' store should have what you need. 'Health & Glow' is better for a wider range of cosmetics, toiletries and personal hygiene products. You can look for the nearest one on Google Maps.
Sheshank Reddy This is awesome!!
Happy if I could help!
Thank you, very helpful.
wow thank you
Women have to be careful and cautious..no matter which country...1.ideal timings for solo woman traveller is 7am to 7.30pm.. dawn to dusk in India..2.no night adventures 3. get 4g internet as soon as you land..such that you could Google for anything you want...4.get your antibiotics beforehand..incase you fall sick 5.if you feel people are staring at you..then just smile nd say namaste... people stare here mostly because of curiosity nd not to trouble you or any evil intentions mostly 6.women travellers carry a scarf or a shawl..u might need it in some conservative or religious places 7.to counter the spicy food here..you can have lot of yougurt..which is good for your health nd gut 8.to revitalize your energy..you can frequently have sugarcane juice..nd glucon-d( you get it in chemist/ medical shop )9.take uber or ola cab for travelling..but don't be so careless that you fall asleep in it 10.advisable not to drink or smoke publicly or any PDA 11.do not consume soft drinks or food offered by strangers..they could be vultures in disguise 12.you could ask educated indian women or girl students for any help or advice.. preferably 13.do not go to small lanes or places were no women is there..14.in metro cities there are women taxi..incase you need..15.there are Big bazaar supermarkets in most of the cities..which is a indian version of walmart 16.Basically you cannot stereotype India..you find every range nd diversity here.. poverty to super rich...Street food to five star hotels..filth to clean nd greenery nd calm places..17.india has conservative places were women are fully covered i.e sarees to modern cities like Delhi..Mumbai.. Bangalore..were you women are in jeans..skirts..modern clothing
Nice things to say about my country India
Just discovered your video on Kolkata a few hours ago and have been binge watching ever since! Love your style and approach to travel. 👍🏼
love ur channel, u deserve much more views, liks and subs 😊😊
I am American and did not get culture shock in India. But I did in Texas 😹.
moi What ? I am Indian and every Vlog I have seen of Westerners getting culture shock in India
He meant Indian only since Texas has a lot of Indians
I received my visa within 3 days (New York City) and the process wasn't difficult. I was surprised that it was approved for only one year rather than 10 years - disappointed about that -but so happy to be going it's hard for me to put any concern into that for now. It was approved and of course I am happy and excited about it overall.
Joel Graham Have a great Trip. Namaste !
Girls and ladies don't go to dark secluded places at night around 10 o clock to 4 o clockin the morning and after that you're free to roam all day long, don't wear provocative dress showing flesh if you want to feel free then Goa is for you it's European culture there in Goa...night life awesome day life awesome...
Great advice for women travelers! Thanks for sharing!
+GRRRLTRAVELER | Christine Kaaloa .hallo christine thank for sharing.good video.and you are getting getting pretty.
Nice👍🏽 I love you videos! Thank you for all your advice
Welcome to indi
1. Even Indians prefer TukTuk (Auto rickshaw) for short ride and emergency because they are not uniform/fair prized.Use OLA or UBER for long distance commute or if you are in city like Delhi use metro train.
2. Misconception about Delhi belly which many foreign travelers fear of and because of this they start avoiding Indian food and dull their travel experience : India have 4 seasons (summer, winter, spring and monsoon) and extreme climate from hot to cold, dessert to high rainfall. This makes Indian immune system exposed to different microorganism, bacteria or virus, and we no longer fell sick because our body have developed antibodies for it to combat. For foreign travelers, their under-exposed immune system not accustomed to it your body may or may not get upset. but even worst case scenario will be upset no life threatening.
Sikkim and Darjeeling are all part of Himalayan Range but if you want to see the Snow Covered Peaks you can do from both these places but if you want to trek you gotta go to Nepal .👍🏻
Why Nepal snow and trekking is there in Shimla ,Manali and other places in India
Hey!
I love this channel. You tell me about places I've never heard of. And all of 'em are freaking cool. Thankyou soooo much!!!
A few suggestions are, 1 avoid mosquitos never use soap that has a smell use Zest or Ivory Soap. 2 Avon Skin So Soft, mosquitos hate it so they go for someone else.
Pepper Spray Not Allowed in Carry-on Bags. If traveling via plane, you cannot carry mace or pepper spray in your pocket into the cabin of the plane with you. ... Most airlines will allow you to pack up to 4 ounces of pepper spray in your checked luggage (always a good idea to check with your specific airline).
The auto rickshaw drivers used to have a lot of power in their arena ( low-cost transportation) and they used to be able to quote as high a fare as they liked. In very large cities, auto drivers have a reputation for being extremely ruse and hot-headed and arrogant; they get much nice if you're in smaller cities.
They now have competition from Ola and Uber and they're facing trouble. Even locals have issues with the autos, the best way is to be firm with them, but not rude. They want to quote foreigners higher prices because they think foreigners are gullible and rich, but if you are rude they like to escalate the situation to intimidate you. This may be why the other commenter had an issue with the auto guy and their uber driver.
Anyway, one way to mitigate this, is to talk to your hotel about transport options; a lot of the time, they have names and numbers of trustworthy auto drivers on file.
+R Terrific idea about asking the hotel for recommendations. Ive felt safer when hotels and guest houses hailed a taxi for me.
Literally everybody sticks to North India. There is a lot to explore in south and east India. Way less noise and air pollution. More peaceful.
I want to mention that foreign travellers must take good precaution to avoid any mosquito bites.... right now dengue is wrecking havoc in several places in India and it is much more dangerous than malaria.... sometimes it can be life threatening.....I don't think any vaccination exists for dengue so the best way is to use mosquito repellent and avoid any mosquito bites.....
suvodip chatterjee I have had a few friends that have had it. It is horrible.
hello, i wanna travel to ahmedabad india,can u give me any suggestions for a cheapest flights?from philippines to ahmedabad india.thanks.
Khim Mangila Hey since Chennai is closer to Philippines. I would suggest get a flight from Manila or KL to Chennai and from there domestic flights. Air Asia would be cheaper I guess from Manila/KL to Chennai. From Chennai to Ahmedabad u can book Spice Jet or jet airways or Indigo etc.
Hello christine...your videos are all great and give help to all travelers...Im going to Kolkata this Christmas Holiday..its my first time going outside the country...i will be a solo travelers...i will watch all your videos so that i can get some of your tips...
+nikonadia _1226 Yay! That's a huge leap 👍👍🦋
GRRRLTRAVELER | Christine Kaaloa
Yes...it is a huge leap for me....I have mixed feelings but the most of it is excitement for this trip...im praying and hoping that my visa will be release early as i file it....Thank you Christine...more videos to cme from your travel....
Ideal timings for solo woman traveller is 7am to 7pm.. dawn to dusk..nd get 4g internet as soon as you land..such that you could Google for anything you want..get your antibiotics beforehand as there gonna be seasonal change here..
Regarding the question about the mountains: When you went to Pelling, you saw the best views from India of the Himalayan Mountains. If one were to start their trip from New Delhi, it's actually easier to get to Kathmandu, Nepal (and the surrounding towns like Nargarkot) to view the mountains effortlessly. When you went to Pelling you put some real effort into getting there and you also could have become a bit sick from that altitude. I'll be able to see the mountains from my room in Nargarkot at an elevation of only 7000 feet. It is "visa-upon-arrival" for Nepal and it's only 60 USD. I am combining Nepal and India for my trip - Nepal for the mountains and villages - and India (which I have relied on your advice and itinerary in big way) for all of the same reasons that everyone watching this video has. This brings up a question though I doubt there is an answer. I want to travel lightly but I think I am going to have to carry that coat and sweater shirts for my entire India trip because I am going to Nepal first. Is it practical to send that stuff home via the post office?
I think it's an international traditional for tuk tuk drivers to be light headed! Because we have the same problem in Egypt! 😀 It's almost like you have to be light headed to qualify as a tuk tuk driver 😂
In india it is suggested to take an indian sim to book ola or uber taxi which are fare and easy to track with google and important thing is without indian sim you can book ola or uber taxis when you find thier booths (which are very rare) so, it is compulsory to have an indian sim
Thanks for the awesome, informative post, Christine! I greatly appreciate you answering my question on the visa process. This is definitely going to be a big help to me in the future when I travel to India, along with all the other information you gave us from our questions pertaining to traveling there! I can't wait to use your wealth of information, and the comments that other travelers also include here, below!
I always look forward to your videos
+LaVar Carrington Awww ❤️
Loved this video Christine! I just finished traveling through central Asia as well as Russia and learned so much these past three months! I want to travel India some day, but I'm not quite yet ready to. Though your videos really help get me excited about India and what to expect when I finally do get there. ^^
PatMax Adventures if wanna come india n wanna real enjoy then... Just search something u wanna do here or visit which type of place.... U can try scuba diving here.. As well as u can ride in hot air baloon, u can ride a camel, a elephant, horse... Etc... U can get here extremely natural pure air and forests, beautiful scenery and most cleanest village n town in asia... . Also u can get here more polluted air and dirty places...u can travel in the local train here ... As well as u can travel in maharajas express with extreme luxury and all type of facilities....u can visite palaces of udaipur(Venice of india) or u can travel the highest fort of salher... U can travel the most rainy place of asia or chilly places also u can see the hot thor desert and hot places.... Plz do some research and about places and what u wanna do here or visit.... Lots of forigners don't know about india so much they traveled some rushy n dirty places.. Without knowing what can they get... How can they enjoy here its the 7th largest country in the world and no 1 in diversity u can get a lot a lot from here... ... So its my request if wanna ever come india... Just collect the information and idea about it and which facility u can get in which place... I hope u can enjoy here a lot
Thank you for the the suggestions ^^ I will make my way to India some day.
For tuk tuks you can use apps like Ola auto or jugnoo. It estimates the fare before u book the ride.
Thank you for going all-in with this Q&A! Though I feel like between this video and the comments section the big lesson is to be super careful with (or likely avoid) tuk tuks.
Im from india no u can travel on tuk tuk i think
Indian people will love u if u take a picture with them..
before getting on a tuk tuk in Delhi it is important that you check for the distance of your go to location on google maps. In delhi the fare for the autos is rs. 25 for the first 2 kms and rs. 8 thereafter. Therefore for 10 kms its around 90 rs. but its okay to always pay 10 to 20 rs more. if the auto driver asks for anything more than that please don't take the auto. also as foreigners its always better to discuss your fare beforehand keeping in mind the distance.
+rishabh arora excellent advice Rishabh! 👍
...why you get a culture shock in TX?
Texans are very friendly, the can shoot very well
I like your videos and IVANA travel vlog IV 's channel..you 2 should collab
Ritu R best comment
She reached out a couple of years ago but neither of us were traveling India at the time. It would be nice to cross paths-- we both have a deep love for India (and Bollywood films) lol
Omg. Im a viewer of Ivana too 😉
Always use Uber and Ola. Uber and Ola both have tuk tuk as an option.
Bangalore, Mumbai,,pune,good cities gujrat,Rajasthan, Kerala good states populated, cosmopolitan,rockstar, traditional,busy, technological, rockets, satellites, shopping malls,sweets,street foods, education, educated people
Basically if you check the west coast of India in Indian map are all worthy of a visit...,the Eastern coast of India below oddisa is worthy a visit... including some places in odissa,and West Bengal too..only the popular stuff...
Your comment at first looked a little spammy but all good breakdowns of places. Thanks for sharing +yerra mahesh👍
Saying spammy you offended me , but that later part is kind ......
Folks know where the embassy of your homeland is! Get a Lonely Planet book too.
Nice, you should also have added the link for the vedios clips you showed, Pushkar, Diwali etc
Thank you for answering!!
Welcome to india
For tuktuk you can ask local people for booking than definitely he book for you and take it seriously as responsibility to make you comfortable.
awesome video!
Hey Christine new subscriber here.... I loved ur video so much!!!!!
+Biswajit Sahoo ❤️❤️❤️
GRRRLTRAVELER | Christine Kaaloa woah😍😍😍thnx for the reply!!
it is good idea to not trust random taxi/tuk tukk drivers in remote areas. Only way to deal with deal with angry, mischievous taxi/tuk tuk drivers is to threaten them with police complain. It is very effective, especially if you are foreigner, they will be very careful.
Also always track google map with location route on, if u so much as get a hint that u r being taken by road where u are not suppose to go, call woman helpline immediately. They respond pretty fast but you can start shouting to be safe too, in India people love to beat people if they are found to be thief or sexual offenders
Hey Christine. Love your videos. You are one of my favorite travel vloggers, you deserve more subscribers. I have a question, I am going to southeast asia for several months and I would like to either go to China or India. Which would you suggest?
Awww. I would love if my channel would grow quicker.
Definitely India. But I'm biased. If I could, I'd be visiting India every year. Thinking about it-- they're actually quite similar in many regards from visa to vastness. It depends on what type of adventure you'd like to experience, Ray.
Ray Hill My answer may be biased but definitely India. No country can beat India in terms of diversity. In India food, colour, clothes, culture, architecture, language changes every 100kms. U have desert in the west , mountains in the north, sea beaches in the south and natural Flora fauna all over the country. Plus the amazing architecture of temples and forts will blow ur mind away. Namaste !
Thanks for your videos, Christine
Welcome to india mam
I'm from Canada I never been in India but India is not dangerous country I speak hindi very well yes this true about India little scams some like anther country but no country around the world 100% Sava
If you want no hastle ,wild natural,clean village folklores then go to mizoram, Manipur, Assam, nagaland, Sikkim but these places are least populated,very clean,neat, hospitality, soothing,cool calm,nice,foresty
Hi when getting a visa do you have to give them a date when you will be traveling their country or you can just apply for it and then use the paperwork for whenever you go to the country?
+Sheldon Holmes Check description box, for a link to my detailed guide
People should try out south indian more if they want to deal with less of a headache on their trip, I wouldnt recommend goa though. Kerala/karnataka/tamil nadu/telangana/andhra have a lot to offer also but I feel like the type of person who seeks india for a more "spiritual" type of visit is already in the pitfalls of touts and scammers.
actually finding tampons is not that difficult just search for the nearest stores on google and just go buy them
Tuk tuk drivers are rude at times to locals also! Thats y i eithr prefer to use Metro or book an uber. Do check Google maps whrevr city u are it will give u good options to travel.
Malaria is more during monsoon season othrwise it is less prevalent esp in north india. But yeah if u accidentally get bitten then no one can say.. 😑
If one is travelling inter-states and distance is of more than 7-8hrs ,one can opt for flights too as at times their fare is almost equivalent to train fare.
And now there are some cities in which u can hire cars for a day and self-drive it. u may chk 'Zoom Car' app on play store&get more info.
+Vidi K Zoom car 🚗 Cool. Will check that out.
Love your channel....was wondering which ashram you stayed at?
Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, uttarakandh, Rajasthan, you can roam as you want...but quite good dressed....,yes Taj Mahal is in uttarpradesh, kashi is in /Varanasi is in uttarpradesh except those 2 places there is nothing much worthwhile in uttarpradesh.... Except for exceptional levels of pollution in kanpur ....
awesome videos. aloha from Maui :) where r u from in Hawaii nei?
Well usually the took-took drivers take you to the right place, but you can always use the google maps if he is taking you through some stranger or lonely road. If the person gives wrong vibes, you can avoid talking to them. And yes we use ola and uber big time. We also have apps like ola and jugnoo to book tuk-tuk / auto-rikshaws. Using apps will save you money big time. There are apps helping you to choose the best places to eat and have fun at good packages. You can go out at various places at night in cities like delhi, mumbai, gurgaon etc. using uber and ola very safely. Digital money is a big thing onwadays, hence when travelling in cities you can carry less cash and use apps like Paytm for transactions like booking tickets, movies, restaurant meals and so on.....! Lemme know if you want to know about more apps or websites to make your travel easier.
You can use the Zomato app to find restaurants. It's similar to Yelp.
Tuk Tuk drivers just lead hard lives, so they get frustrated easily I guess.
Travel New Delhi....best Indian street food is available only in New Delhi....and you can also eat some Punjabi foods only in New Delhi, Punjab and Haryana 😎😎
How about a small really concentrated hair spray? The key thing is good but it requires body contact which is never a good thing.
+jake_gull89 if you think its something you'll hand carry walking the street at night.
You should live in India, you are always going there
+Gbenro Oduyela I've thought about it😁
India Is Like Heroine my friend , once you get hooked it wont leave you ..it will never leave your mind
X Marks No it won't. That's exactly called Stereotyping a country. Look out the vlogs of many foreigners who are currently staying in India and have made it their second home.
Ignore that fucktard he is a typical ignorant gora chutiya
Being an Indian I agree that India is not 💯 percent safe place for Womens , specialy in Delhi surrounded area.if u follow some rules like not go outside after 10pm and not travel alone than it will very easy for you.I have understood our negative aspects only after I traveling to some part of Europe.
Some tips:
Cities in the north of India may be relatively unsafe for women. Kolkata or Kerala have much better reputation in this regard.
A golden rule of travel (or life)is: be wary of people who initially approach you or are eager to be friendly, usually they have something to gain. Those who initially do not appear friendly or appear to mind their own business are likely to be more genuinely helpful. However most people understand some English and don't hesitate to ask for help. People are usually keen to help in any way they can.
Avoid money changers. Debit card bank ATMS give better rates usually. Try to use cash rather than your card as much as possible. Shopping: some markets, no haggling but some others you are fool not to haggle. I have trouble working out which is what at times! Keep your eyes and ears open.
Avoid arguments and if in trouble pretend you are French and know no English :). Get a 4G sim soon after arriving and find local police there on twitter. In trouble twit. Usually there is rapid response. Same goes for rail travel as well.
And please don't entertain street beggars. It is an industry and it must not be encouraged.
Do think about getting travel or health insurance. Big cities have hospitals, usually private, that are at least as good as any in Europe but they are not cheap. And before you travel, research on which hospitals you want to go to should you need to before you start your visit. meds are much cheaper and could be bought in India.
Use bottled water as much as you can and remember even in nice restaurants plates are not washed with bottled water.
Thanks for sharing Ayanangshu! Fantastic advice for travelers. The local police have Twitter and respond to it? My personal question is how do you feel about the police in India? I’ve heard conflicting ideas about them.
Who do u buy your yearly travel insurance from?
Firstly don't use the word Tuk Tuk. They will immediately know that u have just arrived in India. It's called Auto in India. Give them a feeling that u have been here for a while. Generally for every km of travel autos will charge u RS 10/15 depending on which city u r in.
Amazing. Thank you so much for answering my questions. Much Mahalos!
Welcome to india
Christine Thank you for your videos! They are absolutely helpful for travelling. I'm sure your channel will grow faster, Best Luck. I'm travelling to Nagpur International Airport today from Aurangabad I've been in such nice place called Chikhaldara , besides the City Amravati it's such wonderful place to visit and stay. My Indian friend told me about this place , we stayed in an MTDC Resort. You should do a Video on it.
Tuk tuk drivers behave weird to Indians as well. Best thing to do is avoid them and use cab services like Ola and Uber in India,which are super cheap and customer friendly.
when you drive in a rickshaw always take a picture of the license plate in front of the driver, it'll scare them to do anything
Tuk tuk drivers are quite arrogant in north and central India from my experience.
In my state, I have not experienced any arrogance but they try to rip off anyone(incl locals) as much as they can. So I started using uber and ola- no haggling, no nonsense.
The tuk tuk drivers are okay with it, no altercation ever. So I guess it depends on where you are in India..
Dheeraj Gajjala They are arrogant everywhere
The best advice I can give you about tuk tuk drivers in India is to avoid using them as much as you can. That whole industry is a plague that has affected India for a very long time and nothing has changed and in fact it has gotten worse.
These days there are so many options. Use Uber or Ola. At the worst, use a call taxi. Use the metro in big cities as much as you can.
Dealing with Indian tuk tuk drivers can ruin your day but if you go to small cities, they may be the only game in town.
In big cities, they are avoided at best. Most of them have bad attitude, no sense of customer service and they will go out of their way to ruin your day especially if they know you are a foreigner. They don’t act much different to the locals as well and most locals despise them.
How do people in India react to someone who is slightly disabled? I'm going to India in February, and was wondering about how the culture views people in this manner.
MrPeace Guy - thanks! I have EDS and need to wear braces. I've been to other country's where they aren't rude to you, but they are very shocked. They might want to touch you or they will stare you. Lol. Or certain countries aren't wheelchair accessible, because people who are disabled are shunned from society.
Fables 456 you might can face here also some one starring at u.... But don't afraid or feel uncomfortable its quite natural in all eastern n south Asian countries ...
Fables 456 in India we don't call that people disabled we call them differently abled. Welcome to India
you might actually get a few stares but its all fine , people are nice and helping but sometimes they can be a bit cocky again it depends on the area
Fables 456 In India staring is common. Don't get offended. Indians when they stare at foreigners they want to know about u and not invade ur privacy.
Hi , am a viewer from Dubai originally from Philippines .. I just wanna know if there's a chance to deny the application for the e-visa ?
good👍💖💯😍
Tips: learn some basic Hindi (or the area you're going the regional tongue). Don't drink the water by itself. Tuk tuk aka rickshaw. Easier to do currency exchange before you go. Travelers checks - use! Larger cities can find lady type sanitary item at chemist/pharmacy. You're right best to bring. Toliet paper.? Oh Yes! Don't do reserve class on train. Do 3rd class with a/c. Malaria pills? Cheaper in India. Get your shots at doctor up to date. If you stay more than 6 months, India govt. will require you to visit WHO organization clinic for an AIDS clearance. Hey Christine keep jogging my memory lol I'm glad to help. Thanks for posting.
Dear, you need a good microphone to manage the excess noises....
Or I should not take you guys into my TV film trailer.
Another great video! We just returned on Monday from 2 weeks in Delhi. The air quality was horrific, and we are still hacking. However, everything was such a great experience. I even got lost by myself for a couple of hours in Delhi, but it was a good adventure. I felt accomplished when I finally got to where I was staying. A tip: have the Google PIN (for your Uber/Ola driver) for each place you want to go to. One time I didn't have it, and was dropped off someplace a distance away. Again, an adventure.
+Allison Roorda interesting tip about the pin! Been hearing about the pollution in Delhi. I've been fortunate to not experience that yet but I didn't think it was THAT bad. Wow. Btw-- what area did you stay in?
I read an article yesterday (Diwali) that the Delhi AQI was 740! Wowzah! We stayed in north Delhi around the Civil Lines area, but we traveled all over Delhi, and my husband did a medical clinic in Lucknow too.
Interesting side story: I had worn a heart pendant that my husband gave me in August for our anniversary. Why I wore it to India, I don't know. It was lost/stolen in our hotel. So you could say, I lost my heart to India. haha!
Sorry to read that you lost your heart to India in quite this way! Was it your first trip to India?
No, not our first. I should have listened to that little voice that told me not to bring the necklace. Oh well...
Easy to say with hindsight...we all do it.
Also, some people in India can be more than a little sensitive about Gods and Goddesses. So if you're considering buying the popular Tees and Tanks with a picture of a Hindu deity, make sure to appear respectful. Do not wear images of Gods on pants, footwear and definitely don't get a tattoo of a God on your legs or ankles (arms are okay).
am an indian never take tuk tuk in india they will con you i have bargained a price and they changed it after i reached destination 3 times. Have stopped taking tuk tuk uber,ola is cheaper,comfortable and quicker.
Hitchike in India possible??
Christine and Suraj make a good couple.
I would definitely bring the stuff with you, depending where you are there are often no stores so it is hard to find what you need. When I was in Rajasthan I only found one grocery store in the entire place. And Bring toilet wipes... not much toilet paper around anywhere and if there is they have very small rolls
+Gillis thanks for sharing your tips! True and tissues are very thin. Literally tissue paper.
Yes I'm from india here all people use water
How are you christina
im taking swiss knif just in case lol...
Around the world I think I feel safe except America anther western countries and Europe is ok
Don't discuss so much about security or definitely don't think about papper spry
How to handle tuk tuk drivers??? Don't ever ever ever ever ever ever get in one on you first trip to india. I am an indian living in India for 20 years and i have taken tuk tuk (autos) like thrice or 4 times in my life....
Hii
book through thomas cook
When you travel do not be ethnocentrist !
But uttarpradesh and Bihar they're the crowded ,brash, toughest, difficult,not so good,very demanding, ruthless, shameless things, cheating and cunning things happen...thanks to the political, beauracratic,mafia,gang, corrupt, most influential and influence they have over the country ,so if you want to go there be careful... you're on your own there pretty bad things can happen very quickly over there and nobody will be in charge even if they can and want to... No one can help you if something goes wrong... You revolving around police stations,and courts even if you file a case nobody, nothing can help you if something goes wrong ,better to leave uttarpradesh, jharkand, chattisgarh,Bihar states and roam around the other parts of India.
I've not heard very good things about UP and Bihar either, from Indians I know and comments on my videos. Indian police officials kinda scare me- I've not heard very good things about them also.
But you know what the top level politicians, beauracrats and top level police top level defence personnel are from those area's only...
I live in both UP, and Bihar, and Jahrkhand. Bihar is a mess. U.P & Jharkhand are O.K if you stick to the capitals. Agra is in UP, remember. Let me know if you are coming to Lucknow, or Ranchi. This is the right time to visit Ranchi, full of rain.