First Time Traveller

dboyle · Nov 10th, 2008, 09:13

Hi All,
So i am a first time traveler to India, and I am kind of nervous about going. I am blond and blue eyed and am worried that this will have an adverse affect on my trip. So basically I am looking for advice on traveling alone as a woman to India.
Best.

harsha · Nov 10th, 2008, 17:20

Hey Boyle..welcome to IM. India is definitely a tough place to go as a lone traveler but it is not so difficult. There are many people who have been to India on their own and had a wonderful time here. I was in Boston two years back for one week on my own (due to some mis-communication my friends were not in town for 6 days) and it was the same feeling to be in a new country where you do not know anybody or any place.

You will definitely get some stares but it is more out of curiosity rather than with any bad intentions. I received stares when I was wandering inside Trinity Church, Hard Rock cafe or inside the MIT campus.

A few questions just to advice you better:
When do you plan to travel? The weather in India is best during Oct-March. So if you plan to come during this time it is fine. Summers are too hot and you will not enjoy your trip.
Which part of India do you want to visit?
The North has Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal), Rajasthan and the Himalayas.
The South has Goa, Kerala back waters and lot of temples and historical stuff to see in places like Hampi, Madurai, Mysore etc.

Let me know if you need any help on the itinerary or if you need any travel advice.

Take care,
Harsha

theyyamdancer · Nov 10th, 2008, 19:44

Hi dboyle and welcome to India Mike! You might like to take a look at this thread:

Some tips for the first time traveller

wsminkapila · Nov 10th, 2008, 19:49

Well Advised theyyamdancer... You read my mind.

brishti · Nov 10th, 2008, 19:50

... on yyam's heels - here are some more enlightening material -

a blonde in india

what not to wear

and of course - there's the pot pourri of how to handle indian in-laws if the situation does present itself

:brishti

dboyle · Nov 10th, 2008, 21:19

Harsha,
I am traveling from late December to mid-January. I have a friend who has been in India for about a week, he is going to meet me in Delhi upon arrival. I am probably going to be traveling in northern India, but who knows where life will take me
Best,
Dboyle

harsha · Nov 10th, 2008, 21:28

Hey Boyle, that is a really good time to be in India. The weather will be perfect. It will be a bit cold so please get couple of jumpers or maybe a fleece jacket.

It is always nice to have a known person in a strange land, at least during the initial period.

North India is really nice and since you just have 3 weeks I would seriously recommend that you stick to North and visit some nice places.

If you like tibetan culture then you should go visit Dharamshala. It is really beautiful and one of my fav places.

Do let me know if you need any help and if I am around in Delhi when you arrive, we can have a cup of coffee or meet up for lunch.

Keep in touch,
Harsha

dboyle · Nov 11th, 2008, 08:03

So any other suggestions for traveling into Delhi by air...such as where to stay. I have been looking up some bed and breakfasts that were reviewed by the NY times and tripadvisor.com.

Also I was told that Delhi tends to be a little more conservative. Is this true?

Best,
dboyle

harsha · Nov 11th, 2008, 11:07

Hey dboyle,

Insofar as flight tickets are concerned, I would suggest that you check out Indigo as they have decent fares. Right now, flights have become expensive all over India

Places to stay in Delhi: The regulars will recommend Pahargunj as it is filled with tourists and you might feel comfortable there. I lived in Grand Godwin Hotel for a day and even though it was in a busy market area the rooms were very good and the hotel had a nice terrace cafe/bar. www.godwinhotels.com

Delhi is not very conservative but if you compare it with Mumbai or Goa then maybe yes

Have a good day,
Harsha

dboyle · Nov 11th, 2008, 11:17

Harsha,
I got a good price on flights to India. Now it is the actual traveling once I am there. I was talking to a guest lectuer who was from Mumbai. She was saying Delhi could be a bit leery at parts.

Thank you for your insight.
Best,
Dboyle

harsha · Nov 11th, 2008, 12:03

Hey Dboyle,

I am glad that you got good flights to India. I was also referring to flight tickets from South India to Delhi.

Yeah Delhi is leery at parts, that is why I said that it is conservative compared to Mumbai and Goa. However, in most other places in India you will face similar problem.

Harsha

dboyle · Nov 13th, 2008, 23:30

Harsha,
So I have heard, I was talking to a professor who is from Delhi and he was talking about what he used to do there when he was a teenager.

He also stated that I should be wary at all times because I am a women who is traveling.

What should i be seeking to see in Delhi?

Better to buy tickets before or when i arrive?

Best,
Dboyle

wsminkapila · Nov 14th, 2008, 05:05

Hi dboyle,

If you are not planning to stay long in Delhi, probably 2 to 3 days would be enough for you to see places as a tourist.

As for tickets, Always better to book in advance (In case of train), lest you might not get them confirmed for the journey date & might end up getting a wait list ticket.
For booking of train tickets in India: www.irctc.co.in

A bus ticket could always be booked in advance or even a day prior to your departure. You can get buses to different states from the State Bus Terminal from where these buses ply.

Happy Travelling
Cheers !!!

freenote · Nov 14th, 2008, 05:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by dboyle

Hi All,
So i am a first time traveler to India, and I am kind of nervous about going. I am blond and blue eyed and am worried that this will have an adverse affect on my trip. So basically I am looking for advice on traveling alone as a woman to India.
Best.

Quite correct to be worried ,things do tend to be a little different in India compared to the developed countries .So pump up your street survival mode ,put a smile on your face ,travel not to judge but to learn and enjoy and all will be well

harsha · Nov 14th, 2008, 23:56

Hey dboyle,
Completely agree with other members that you need to book the train tickets in advance. if your travel plans are confirmed I would suggest that you book them.
India is a bit challenging to travel as a lone female traveler but you can manage it.I am right now in dharamshala and I met a few girls traveling on their own and they had a fab experience till now

just relax and have a wonderful time. I will send some nice pics when I am back home.

Harsha

Nov 10th, 2008, 09:13	#1
dboyle Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: boston, ma Posts: 5	First Time Traveller Hi All, So i am a first time traveler to India, and I am kind of nervous about going. I am blond and blue eyed and am worried that this will have an adverse affect on my trip. So basically I am looking for advice on traveling alone as a woman to India. Best.

Nov 10th, 2008, 19:49	#4
wsminkapila * ॐ * Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: India Posts: 223	Well Advised theyyamdancer... You read my mind. __________________ "Deus é um........Dieu est un......Gott ist ein......God is een.......Ο Θεός είναι ένας........Dio è uno.......Bóg jest jedną......Бог один.......Dios es uno......GOD IS ONE.......सबका मालिक एक !!"

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Nov 10th, 2008, 17:20	#2
harsha indianlawyer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: delhi Posts: 375	Hey Boyle..welcome to IM. India is definitely a tough place to go as a lone traveler but it is not so difficult. There are many people who have been to India on their own and had a wonderful time here. I was in Boston two years back for one week on my own (due to some mis-communication my friends were not in town for 6 days) and it was the same feeling to be in a new country where you do not know anybody or any place. You will definitely get some stares but it is more out of curiosity rather than with any bad intentions. I received stares when I was wandering inside Trinity Church, Hard Rock cafe or inside the MIT campus. A few questions just to advice you better: When do you plan to travel? The weather in India is best during Oct-March. So if you plan to come during this time it is fine. Summers are too hot and you will not enjoy your trip. Which part of India do you want to visit? The North has Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal), Rajasthan and the Himalayas. The South has Goa, Kerala back waters and lot of temples and historical stuff to see in places like Hampi, Madurai, Mysore etc. Let me know if you need any help on the itinerary or if you need any travel advice. Take care, Harsha

Nov 10th, 2008, 19:44	#3
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,423	Hi dboyle and welcome to India Mike! You might like to take a look at this thread: Some tips for the first time traveller

Nov 10th, 2008, 19:50	#5
brishti disMember Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: india Posts: 3,687	... on yyam's heels - here are some more enlightening material - a blonde in india what not to wear and of course - there's the pot pourri of how to handle indian in-laws if the situation does present itself :brishti

Nov 10th, 2008, 21:19	#6
dboyle Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: boston, ma Posts: 5	Harsha, I am traveling from late December to mid-January. I have a friend who has been in India for about a week, he is going to meet me in Delhi upon arrival. I am probably going to be traveling in northern India, but who knows where life will take me Best, Dboyle

Nov 10th, 2008, 21:28	#7
harsha indianlawyer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: delhi Posts: 375	Hey Boyle, that is a really good time to be in India. The weather will be perfect. It will be a bit cold so please get couple of jumpers or maybe a fleece jacket. It is always nice to have a known person in a strange land, at least during the initial period. North India is really nice and since you just have 3 weeks I would seriously recommend that you stick to North and visit some nice places. If you like tibetan culture then you should go visit Dharamshala. It is really beautiful and one of my fav places. Do let me know if you need any help and if I am around in Delhi when you arrive, we can have a cup of coffee or meet up for lunch. Keep in touch, Harsha

Nov 11th, 2008, 08:03	#8
dboyle Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: boston, ma Posts: 5	So any other suggestions for traveling into Delhi by air...such as where to stay. I have been looking up some bed and breakfasts that were reviewed by the NY times and tripadvisor.com. Also I was told that Delhi tends to be a little more conservative. Is this true? Best, dboyle

Nov 11th, 2008, 11:07	#9
harsha indianlawyer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: delhi Posts: 375	Hey dboyle, Insofar as flight tickets are concerned, I would suggest that you check out Indigo as they have decent fares. Right now, flights have become expensive all over India Places to stay in Delhi: The regulars will recommend Pahargunj as it is filled with tourists and you might feel comfortable there. I lived in Grand Godwin Hotel for a day and even though it was in a busy market area the rooms were very good and the hotel had a nice terrace cafe/bar. www.godwinhotels.com Delhi is not very conservative but if you compare it with Mumbai or Goa then maybe yes Have a good day, Harsha

Nov 11th, 2008, 11:17	#10
dboyle Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: boston, ma Posts: 5	Harsha, I got a good price on flights to India. Now it is the actual traveling once I am there. I was talking to a guest lectuer who was from Mumbai. She was saying Delhi could be a bit leery at parts. Thank you for your insight. Best, Dboyle

Nov 11th, 2008, 12:03	#11
harsha indianlawyer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: delhi Posts: 375	Hey Dboyle, I am glad that you got good flights to India. I was also referring to flight tickets from South India to Delhi. Yeah Delhi is leery at parts, that is why I said that it is conservative compared to Mumbai and Goa. However, in most other places in India you will face similar problem. Harsha

Nov 13th, 2008, 23:30	#12
dboyle Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: boston, ma Posts: 5	Harsha, So I have heard, I was talking to a professor who is from Delhi and he was talking about what he used to do there when he was a teenager. He also stated that I should be wary at all times because I am a women who is traveling. What should i be seeking to see in Delhi? Better to buy tickets before or when i arrive? Best, Dboyle

Nov 14th, 2008, 05:05	#13
wsminkapila * ॐ * Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: India Posts: 223	Hi dboyle, If you are not planning to stay long in Delhi, probably 2 to 3 days would be enough for you to see places as a tourist. As for tickets, Always better to book in advance (In case of train), lest you might not get them confirmed for the journey date & might end up getting a wait list ticket. For booking of train tickets in India: www.irctc.co.in A bus ticket could always be booked in advance or even a day prior to your departure. You can get buses to different states from the State Bus Terminal from where these buses ply. Happy Travelling Cheers !!!

Nov 14th, 2008, 23:56	#15
harsha indianlawyer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: delhi Posts: 375	Hey dboyle, Completely agree with other members that you need to book the train tickets in advance. if your travel plans are confirmed I would suggest that you book them. India is a bit challenging to travel as a lone female traveler but you can manage it.I am right now in dharamshala and I met a few girls traveling on their own and they had a fab experience till now just relax and have a wonderful time. I will send some nice pics when I am back home. Harsha