Are we mad not to pre-book?

rachelandmike · Jul 23rd, 2003, 10:06

Hi all,

My partner and I are planning a 7 week trip to India in November/December. We have decided not to pre-book any accommodation - apart from our first 4 nights and last 2 nights in Delhi. We have booked our return flights through an agent who keeps warning us that it will be very difficult to get around if we are not going with a tour group (which sounds like hell to us!) and because we are not pre-booking any transport. We have enough cash to afford to hire a car and driver to get us around.

We realise that getting places be a challenge, but we really want to remain free to move around where and when we like, and not be tied down to a heap of connections and bookings. We aim to stay in one place for a while at a time and are very flexible as to where we end up. Are we crazy to think we can cope independently?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance...

Cheers, Rachel

kipling · Jul 23rd, 2003, 10:51

What you plan is the best way to do it.
We have been to India 3 times, and will also be there in Nov/Dec next. We always book the first and last few nights. Although we have a plan for the rest of the trip we do not pre-book, except maybe a train or two.
It is easy to organise a car and driver as you go along. It is quite cheap and a good way to travel to places where public transport is a bit difficult or uncomfortable.
We have tried to organise air-port transfers with mixed success. Last time in Delhi our driver didn't turn up,. The hotel manager who was supposed to organise it told us the driver "must have stopped to talk to someone!"
We often phone or email ahead to book accomodation, and this doesn't always work either. If a tour group turns up and wants the room you have booked your 'confirmed booking" may well become a waitlist.
Still, you will manage fine, and India is certainly not difficult to get around. Heaps of hassles, of course, but that is inescapable in India.

rachelandmike · Jul 23rd, 2003, 12:22

Thanks Kipling, it's reassuring to hear from someone who has enjoyed travelling independently.

Did you book your drivers through an agency or just hail a cab off the street?

We are planning to go North from Delhi to Rishikesh with a driver, any tips on longer journeys?

Thanks again for your response.

Cheers,
Rachel

steven_ber · Jul 23rd, 2003, 12:57

Hi Rachel

I think most regular posters here travel independently, it sounds like the agent just wants to make more money from you.

At some point on your trip you must try travelling by bus and train, they are a great experience, a short bus journey would be best as buses can be hard work, trains can be an excellent way of meeting local families and seeing rural India whilst saving time and money on overnight journeys.

Train information

Lily · Jul 23rd, 2003, 13:01

Unless you want to go see the Pushkar fair - where prebooking is strongly advised - you can choose your places and dates as you go along. We receive many such guests and they are more than happy with their travels.

For car hire choose a reliable agency, many of which are recommended on this board. They take care of breakdowns and are likely to be more responsible than the cab you hire from the street.

For specific questions, the members of indiamike are always willing to provide lots of recommendations!

Alan D · Jul 23rd, 2003, 15:28

Hi Rachelandmike!

If what you want during your trip to India is a bit of flexibility - deciding where you want to stay and for how long, then you are doing the right thing. I also think your agent is looking for more business by emphasizing the difficulties of making your own arrangements. In years of travelling around India we have never not found a bed for the night. Of couse, you may find the hotel of your choice is full but there are always others.

I would also suggest you try some trains and buses. You mentioned going to Rishikesh. Well, there is a very comfortable and fairly fast train (Shatabdi) which leaves from New Delhi station early in the morning. You can get off at Haridwar and then take a local bus from the nearby bus station to Rishikesh.

In Rajasthan most cities are linked by good bus services as well as the rail network. If you do decide to travel by taxi then as Lily suggests try to choose a reputable company.

Enjoy your visit!

Jul 23rd, 2003, 10:06	#1
rachelandmike Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Adelaide Posts: 21	Are we mad not to pre-book? Hi all, My partner and I are planning a 7 week trip to India in November/December. We have decided not to pre-book any accommodation - apart from our first 4 nights and last 2 nights in Delhi. We have booked our return flights through an agent who keeps warning us that it will be very difficult to get around if we are not going with a tour group (which sounds like hell to us!) and because we are not pre-booking any transport. We have enough cash to afford to hire a car and driver to get us around. We realise that getting places be a challenge, but we really want to remain free to move around where and when we like, and not be tied down to a heap of connections and bookings. We aim to stay in one place for a while at a time and are very flexible as to where we end up. Are we crazy to think we can cope independently? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance... Cheers, Rachel

Jul 23rd, 2003, 13:01	#5
Lily Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Jaipur, India Posts: 342	Unless you want to go see the Pushkar fair - where prebooking is strongly advised - you can choose your places and dates as you go along. We receive many such guests and they are more than happy with their travels. For car hire choose a reliable agency, many of which are recommended on this board. They take care of breakdowns and are likely to be more responsible than the cab you hire from the street. For specific questions, the members of indiamike are always willing to provide lots of recommendations! __________________ Lily

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Jul 23rd, 2003, 10:51	#2
kipling Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia Posts: 78	What you plan is the best way to do it. We have been to India 3 times, and will also be there in Nov/Dec next. We always book the first and last few nights. Although we have a plan for the rest of the trip we do not pre-book, except maybe a train or two. It is easy to organise a car and driver as you go along. It is quite cheap and a good way to travel to places where public transport is a bit difficult or uncomfortable. We have tried to organise air-port transfers with mixed success. Last time in Delhi our driver didn't turn up,. The hotel manager who was supposed to organise it told us the driver "must have stopped to talk to someone!" We often phone or email ahead to book accomodation, and this doesn't always work either. If a tour group turns up and wants the room you have booked your 'confirmed booking" may well become a waitlist. Still, you will manage fine, and India is certainly not difficult to get around. Heaps of hassles, of course, but that is inescapable in India.

Jul 23rd, 2003, 12:22	#3
rachelandmike Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Adelaide Posts: 21	Thanks Kipling, it's reassuring to hear from someone who has enjoyed travelling independently. Did you book your drivers through an agency or just hail a cab off the street? We are planning to go North from Delhi to Rishikesh with a driver, any tips on longer journeys? Thanks again for your response. Cheers, Rachel

Jul 23rd, 2003, 12:57	#4
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,188	Hi Rachel I think most regular posters here travel independently, it sounds like the agent just wants to make more money from you. At some point on your trip you must try travelling by bus and train, they are a great experience, a short bus journey would be best as buses can be hard work, trains can be an excellent way of meeting local families and seeing rural India whilst saving time and money on overnight journeys. Train information

Jul 23rd, 2003, 15:28	#6
Alan D Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 1,866	Hi Rachelandmike! If what you want during your trip to India is a bit of flexibility - deciding where you want to stay and for how long, then you are doing the right thing. I also think your agent is looking for more business by emphasizing the difficulties of making your own arrangements. In years of travelling around India we have never not found a bed for the night. Of couse, you may find the hotel of your choice is full but there are always others. I would also suggest you try some trains and buses. You mentioned going to Rishikesh. Well, there is a very comfortable and fairly fast train (Shatabdi) which leaves from New Delhi station early in the morning. You can get off at Haridwar and then take a local bus from the nearby bus station to Rishikesh. In Rajasthan most cities are linked by good bus services as well as the rail network. If you do decide to travel by taxi then as Lily suggests try to choose a reputable company. Enjoy your visit!

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