That first day - 5:00am in Delhi

curioffl

First time in India, couple, mid-thirties (trying for $30-US each per day budget altogether). We arrive after 25 hours of traveling (counting driving to the airport, etc) at 5:00am. I have never been able to sleep on airplanes, but then I have never had more than maybe 12-14 hours for a whole journey (and our first leg is all night long to us, so there's hope). I think most hotels don't allow check in till noon or later.

My question is, how to handle that first day? Is it worth it to pay for the previous night and go straight to the hotel, pass out, no matter how bad an idea that is jet-lag wise (maybe try to set the alarm for 2:00pm and at least not be waking up at 9:00pm)? Or would it maybe be better to hire a Delhi tour to pick us up at the airport, the guy can drive us around half-conscious or in whatever condition at like 6:00 am ("shake me awake when we drive by the Red Fort please", at least till after the hotel check-in time for the same money?

For others who traveled as long to get there (particularly newbies who were having trouble sleeping beginning the night you bought the plane tickets 5 weeks in advance) what was your general condition on arrival that first day? Are you an airplane-insomniac? And arriving at 5:00am, is it better (even possible?) to try and make a day of that first day or would it just be right to settle in and maybe venture from the hotel here and there if the mood/energy strikes?

Thanks!

(Sorry in advance if this is the wrong forum sub-category.)

wonderwomanusa

Even after sleeping half way from SFO to Frankfurt and for another couple of hours on the way to Delhi, I always sleep well upon arrival in India. My body wants to be horizontal and my brain wants to turn OFF for a while. And I want a hot shower.

All that makes it worth it to pay for a hotel room, and I usually wake around 9am and throw myself out into the India morning!

Last time, I arranged an airport pickup and hotel room in Karol Bagh with Namaste India Tours; for another small fee, I could have added a city tour, if I'd wanted to sightsee Delhi.

When do you go?

oh, and welcome to IndiaMike!

Freereedsqueezer

I just went through this 2 months ago, got in around the same time and had all sorts of ideas on what to do. I did spring for the extra night and check in (Hotel Relax) early. Was completely wired for an exciting day and just laid down for a few minutes to take it all in and that was it for me until the afternoon! But that's the only jet lag I really had the whole trip.....the flight really takes a lot more out of me than I had thought it would. Just my 2 cents worth...ENJOY!

Lars

04274108

Add my vote for getting the hotel. You're body may likely be quite stiff and sore from sitting in the same position on the plane for such a long time. The first day in India can be quite overwhelming on the sensors and dealing with the touts, cabbies and the beggars will quickly become taxing after stepping out of the airport.

Splurge for a hotel with all the amenities especially the hot shower and cable. We did and spent our first day in bed and dozing on and off watching the dearth of local programming from cricket, Bollywood movies, religious programming, yoga and the commercials. This will be a gentle introduction into a very different culture and after resting up a day, you'll be ready to tackle the outside world.

Nick-H

No question --- you should go straight to your hotel, get a couple of hours sleep and a shower.

Whatever your budget, low or five-star, this should be counted as your first night here and be included in the costs.

What else will you do? Hang about on the street with you luggage?

The cost of one extra night, as a percentage of your trip --- well, I'm surprised that that even occurs to anyone as a problem!

capt_mahajan

I would go further and say that the first day, after a long flight, should be at a slightly more comfortable hotel than your budget would allow.

Many hotels will have 24 hour check in, you should aim for one of those.

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PeakXV

Get to a hotel .... and as my 'ol man use to say f**k the expense. You're about to see so many things .... but an initial 6 hours sleep is a prerequisite to prepare the mind/eyes for comprehending what is about to unfold in front of you in your first few days. Lucky you - Enjoy!

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Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Nattusbs

PeakXV

Your 'ol man is so right

Get to a nice hotel, say the Hyatt or Marriott - splurge for the first night or two. Soak in the Indian style - for b'fast, jump for the dosa rather than Indian Omlette and toast with sticky marmalade. Dip the dosa into the sambhar, enjoy the rich coconut-coriander chutney and the aaloo filling - it is good.

Gosh, I am jealous!

Cheers

Nattusbs

Aishah

Absolutely agree with all so far posting - go straight to a good hotel and rest. I did this on my first arrival in Chennai - in fact I stayed 3 nights there which was most beneficial for getting over jetlag, and accustomising my eyes to a speck of India!

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camelgirl

I'm always a wreck when I arrive. As everyone has said, get a hotel and get some sleep but definitely try to get out and walk around a bit after a nice rest. Resetting your internal clock requires daylight. That said, I really have to force myself out of the room! And I always wake up in the middle of the night for a few nights until the jet lag goes away.

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jyotirmoy

As every one said, get to a comfortable hotel & take rest. I myself try to adjust to the local time as early as possible.

NeeliAankhen

I'd add one reason for arranging to have a bed as soon as you get there -- I believe that your knowledge that you will have this bed will reduce your level of stress or anxiety.

A body sitting through a long flight with the knowledge that it is going to have to marshall the resources to be active, and have no base or home, on arrival, is in a different and more adrenaliized state than the body that knows it can collapse and renew at the end of the journey.

curioffl

Okay, thank you all a lot. (Loud and clear.)

alspants

Book the hotel. Book the transfer.

your budget per day should work by average. Always pay more in a city, you will save when you get to the outskirts.

Enjoy....

jake

hi all, it'll be my first time in india and i will be arriving at trivandrum airport at 03.30am in june - i will need to get a government prepaid taxi from outside the airport to drive for over 1 hour to the ashram at neyyar dam where i will need to pay for the first 3 nights - as i cannot buy rupees in uk before leaving,
what should i do:
1) take sterling traveller cheques and change them into rupee at a bureau de change at the airport? is there one and will it be open at 03.30am?

2) take sterling in cash and change at the airport bureau?

3) i usually rely on my visa debit from abbey which has allowed me access to my money in thailand and south america but i find no information confirming that there is an ATM that takes my card at trivandrum airport - as it is the capital of kerala, i am assuming trivandrum airport is a big airport, am i wrong?


thank you for your help - jake