Visiting India for the first time? Well, it’s no surprise that you would want to consider your safety first. This article covers the basic safety tips for travelers, and it all starts with planning your trip, A question that often comes up is, “Is India safe to travel?” Yes, of course, it is! The world may be a scary place out there, but believe it when we tell you that India is among the safest countries to visit.
India, an exotic destination, is a place for all the travel lovers out there. Whether it is the beautiful deserts in Kutch, Gujarat, the greenery of Kerala, the beauty of West Bengal, or the rocky roads of the Himalayas, it’s all here. Still, travelling to a new country or even a new city needs to be done with precautions.
Before you start travelling to India, consider these safety tips and precautions when planning your itinerary.
Safety tips and basic precautions when travelling in India
- Beware of touts
They’re annoying, aren’t they? The Indian travel industry is famous for them. Constantly nagging you, but they are not worth your time. Make all your preparations beforehand and make sure you follow your itinerary. Travelling to India through a trusted travel company will be helpful here.
- Make that bond with the locals
Missing out on that spark of the city you’re travelling to? Well, making a connection with a local might be helpful. They might just turn out to be the best trip planner for you in India. They’ll tell you all about the special place in that small little alley, telling you directions to where you want to go, and provide safety tips that only the locals know about. Locals are a real joy to talk to. Trust your gut assess the person in front of you and just go with it.
- Carry your safety gear as a precaution when visiting India
From a flashlight to your pepper spray, carry it all. Power outages in India are a common thing and you do not want to be caught outside without a light. When walking along the road at night, carry your flashlight in your hand, so that vehicles can see you clearly. Always carry your power bank with you in case your phone runs out of juice.
- Be wary of strangers at all times when travelling to India for the first time
Parents have said innumerable times, “Do not accept anything from a stranger.” This rule applies here too. Strangers may offer your food or drinks but decline it politely. They may not get offended, however, there may be exceptions where they may force it onto you. Declining it in their home would have been rude, but you have no obligation towards them as you just met. If they continue to persist, contact the local authorities and remove yourself from the concerned place.
- Keep emergency numbers on speed dial
When visiting India for the first time, make sure to have emergency contacts on speed dial, just to be safe. Inform your local friend or the tour operator about your travel plans and share your contact details with them. This will make sure that at least one person knows about your whereabouts. Call them instantly in case of an emergency.
- Respect the local tradition
Being a country of great diversity, travelling to India makes for a memorable experience. While visiting the Gurudwara, cover your head. You must enter the temples barefoot. Make an effort to follow the customs where possible and respect the culture, and you will receive warm hospitality wherever you go. These are a few things that need to be kept in mind before visiting India for the first time.
What are the things to do before travelling to India?
- Get a local SIM card with internet access
India, with its old cities and small alleys can be quite confusing for people visiting for the first time. It is always helpful to have Google Maps on your phone to make sure that the rickshaw or auto driver is taking the right way. Getting a local SIM card with 4G data is the best way to access continuous internet. You can get up to 10GB of data for a month for approximately Rs. 250. (US$3.01).
- Pack light and comfortable clothes for your first visit to India
Before you start packing for your trip to India, make sure that you check the weather of the state you are visiting. There are many things to do when travelling to India and it is always best to carry light-weight clothes, and a shawl to cover up while visiting a temple, or the more conservative areas. Women can opt for a cotton salwar-kameez, an outfit that is preferable and is very comfortable to wear.
- Carry cash with you before beginning your trip
In every corner of the city, you will find an ATM, but you need to carry cash in hand to make your first visit to India a hassle-free one. Auto-rickshaws, small vendors, and other services in remote areas like towns and villages in the Himalayas only accept cash. The ATMs in India sure have a notorious reputation for being out of order and even running out of cash, so make sure you have enough currency exchanged beforehand.
- Most importantly, don’t rush it and enjoy
India is not a place to be hurried travel, believe us. You need to feel the authenticity of each place, the stories that fill the air, the history behind each wall! Travelling to India needs to be done with precaution, but visiting every place will ruin the moment. This is not the best way to travel. Being a foreigner, you’re a celebrity! Everyone wants to click a picture with you. Trust us, this happens only in India.
Wondering about the latest guidelines for International travel in India?
Indian international travel guidelines are updated all the time, but you don’t have to go anywhere else to search for them. We’ve rounded them all up for you.
Planning for travel to India
It is recommended that all travelers adhere to the primary COVID-19 vaccination schedule established in their respective countries before embarking on their journeys.
During travel
- The in-flight announcement in relation to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will cover the necessary precautionary measures that passengers are advised to adhere to when travelling to India.
- If a passenger displays COVID-19-like symptoms while travelling, the standard protocol dictates that the passenger should wear a mask, be isolated from other passengers, and be transferred to an isolation facility on arrival.
On arrival
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De-boarding should be done while maintaining social distancing.
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Health officials present at the entry point are required to conduct thermal screening for all passengers as a precautionary measure.
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Symptomatic passengers must be isolated and taken to a medical facility as per protocol.
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After reaching their destination, travelers are requested to undergo self-monitoring processes. If any symptoms of COVID-19 manifest, they should inform the nearby health facility or reach out to the concerned authorities at the National Helpline Number (1075) or the respective State helpline numbers.
So, if you’re still wondering or have questions about our safety tips while or planning a trip to India, then let us guide you. Contact us below, we are always ready to help.