Arriving in Delhi: Airport, guesthouse, travel???

proud_chef

Hello,

I'm arriving in Delhi from Bangkok on October 4th (or maybe the 7th...) and I'm pretty sure my flight arrives about 10pm or so at night. This is my first trip to India. I'm just wondering a few things:

1) How does one get to the airport to a guesthouse safely? I've heard horror stories about people getting stuck at travel agencies at like 2am after being taken their by their taxi driver.

2) Does anyone know a cheap and decent place to stay for a few nights and how one might get there from the airport late at night?

3) I'm going to head up to volunteer in Dharmsala, any suggestions on how to get there?


4) Anyone want to meet up for a beer?

5) What's the square root of 9?

Cheers to all!

cyberhippie

1 There are many ways to get into town from the airport, a prepaid Taxi, the bus or a hotel pickup which I'll come to in a minute.
You can use one of the many prepaid taxi booths you see as you come out of immigration. Tell them where you want to go, pay your money and you will be issued with a ticket, walk outside and the driver will find you if he wasn't already at the office.
Keep hold of the ticket until you reach your hotel, this is your bargaining chip if the driver plays up, be polite and tell him where "you" want to go and make sure he knows that your keeping the ticket until you arrive at you chosen hotel!!
You can catch the Ex-servicemans bus into town, this is a bus service run by ex military, it will take you into Delhi for the cheapest price, dropping you off at Connaught Place where there are a number of budget option hotels.
2. A good comfortable hotel is The Star Paradise on Paharganj main bazzaar, close to the train station, all rooms with hot water, fan, Cable tv. Next door their sister hotel the Star Palace offers budget options!!
See the hotel listings section of this site for info on both hotels.
This hotel also offers a pick up service which is very reliable at 400rp it costs a little more than the pre-paid taxi or bus but is a comfortable way to find your feet in India.
There will be a bloke with your name on a board waiting for you when you arrive, half an hour later you're in your hotel room.
I've used this pick up several times without a hitch!!
3.To get to Dharamsala you can take the bus or the train.
The train leaves from either Old Delhi or New Delhi station and takes about 10 hours to reach Pathenkot the nearest railhead. From here it is around four hours to Dharamsala (MCloudganj) by bus or taxi
The bus leaves from ISBT in Old Delhi and takes about 14 hours direct to McCloudganj there are I believe there are private buses that leave from Paharganj, journey time around the same.
4. Thats one you owe me
5. I'm crap at maths

Happy Traveling

proud_chef

Cheers...

thanks for the advice. The star paradise sounds pretty good. I also got in contact with the ringo guesthouse. And they also have an airport pick-up service (350rs) with slightly cheaper rooms (about 250 for a single) although its in a different area (cannaught place). I read a few people here really like this guesthouse. What do you think?

bri

Ps. One beer coming up

wonderwomanusa

I have been staying at Ringo's for many years and like the staff very much -- that's why I go there. I'll be the first one to say that it could use a coat of paint in any color but the current "dirty beige" -- but the location is good and I've always been treated very well there.

A single with private bath was Rs350 last winter... the ones for 250 use the shared showers and loos..

If you stay there, please tell them their American friend, Mrs. Gretchen, sends greetings!