Travelling alone/visas/meeting people

annab1984 · Dec 5th, 2008, 08:02

Hello

Can I just say before I start that this web site is amazing and I am so glad that I came across it.

This has probably been asked here a million times already but....

What is the safest way to travel alone on trains in India? I will be 25 when I go to India next year and plan to do quite a bit of travelling on the trains. I am a bit nervous about this. Do you think I am likely to meet up with other backpackers there who I could travel with? I am volunteering somewhere for 10 weeks so this was my hope. Also how much are visas and how long do they last?

Thanks

Anna

Brisso · Dec 5th, 2008, 08:31

Foreigners are often, but not always put in the same areas.

AC classes are safer for a single woman. Befriend a family or Indian woman on board - they will shoo away unwelcome advances. Indian men often are cassanovas and don't respect personal space - you need to be prepared to be direct and raise your voice. Wimps get eaten alive.

labrol · Dec 5th, 2008, 09:46

Train journeys in India are fun, as long as you refuse to be overwhelmed by the profusion of sights, sounds and the smells of the vast humanity that clings to the rails. Befriend a family, starting from their child and you are on a breeze. You will find yourselves adopted

.
In sections passing through the states of UP, Bihar, try being in an AC compartment and avoid getting close to the doors while the train is at a station.
Rajasthan and Gujarat are generally fine. In South India, let your guard down without a thought.
Stares come naturally in India. Enjoy them as an expression of uncensored inquisitiveness. The cassanovas are everywhere but they are only there for cheap thrills, unwilling to pay a price. Just ignore them and they will back of. You will find more wonderful people here in one visit, than you would encounter elsewhere in a lifetime. Go ahead, explore.

edwardseco · Dec 5th, 2008, 10:23

Good advice above. But, I often do not come close to trusting a foren as much as an Indian family. If they need money any comfort factor you feel with a foren is just deception..

Dec 5th, 2008, 08:02	#1
annab1984 Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 23	Travelling alone/visas/meeting people Hello Can I just say before I start that this web site is amazing and I am so glad that I came across it. This has probably been asked here a million times already but.... What is the safest way to travel alone on trains in India? I will be 25 when I go to India next year and plan to do quite a bit of travelling on the trains. I am a bit nervous about this. Do you think I am likely to meet up with other backpackers there who I could travel with? I am volunteering somewhere for 10 weeks so this was my hope. Also how much are visas and how long do they last? Thanks Anna

Dec 5th, 2008, 09:46	#3
labrol Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Gurgaon, India Posts: 305	Train journeys in India are fun, as long as you refuse to be overwhelmed by the profusion of sights, sounds and the smells of the vast humanity that clings to the rails. Befriend a family, starting from their child and you are on a breeze. You will find yourselves adopted . In sections passing through the states of UP, Bihar, try being in an AC compartment and avoid getting close to the doors while the train is at a station. Rajasthan and Gujarat are generally fine. In South India, let your guard down without a thought. Stares come naturally in India. Enjoy them as an expression of uncensored inquisitiveness. The cassanovas are everywhere but they are only there for cheap thrills, unwilling to pay a price. Just ignore them and they will back of. You will find more wonderful people here in one visit, than you would encounter elsewhere in a lifetime. Go ahead, explore. __________________ Alone I walked. Strangers joined in. We became a caravan.

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Dec 5th, 2008, 08:31	#2
Brisso Specialist muddler Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 1,084	Foreigners are often, but not always put in the same areas. AC classes are safer for a single woman. Befriend a family or Indian woman on board - they will shoo away unwelcome advances. Indian men often are cassanovas and don't respect personal space - you need to be prepared to be direct and raise your voice. Wimps get eaten alive.

Dec 5th, 2008, 10:23	#4
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,845	Good advice above. But, I often do not come close to trusting a foren as much as an Indian family. If they need money any comfort factor you feel with a foren is just deception..