Never made a hotel reservation in my life!

cpfreeatlast

Right guys,

I look through IM to get a picture of what to expect from my travels around India. I'm going to be there for about 6 months. Now i read about people booking hotels in advance, now that isn't my cup of tea.

Can someone reassure me i can I'll be able to find budget accommodation wherever i go, without a reservation or LP...

...Idea's please.

atala

Reservations are a good idea, actually necessary in bigger cities if you arrive in the afternoon. Otherwise it depends a lot. It is always a good idea to make a reservation (which is not binding) to have the peace of mind that there is a room waiting after a long train journey. Hotels that fill up fast often do not keep the reservations anyway, because the clerk did not understand your English well, or messed up in other ways. In certain places you simply cannot make reservations, for instance, if you head for Rishikesh and wish to stay in a quiet ashram guest house. It also depends on the season for tourist spots (for instance if Indians are on vacation, and around Xmas-New Year, plus Dec-March in terms of farengis crowding a place). So it varies in many ways. When you do not know a place, LP or any other guide book is extremely helpful,because even one small piece of advice may be so valuable that it will safe you a lot of headache later.

Captain Ice

I for one - would check online for budget hotels! It might be a nightmare trying to get a decent accommodation and the taxi - fella trying to take you to different hotels - which you might not like.
I would try onlie & look for any reviews on tripadvisor or india mike etc before!

Hope this helps!

cpfreeatlast

enlighten my ignorance.. I won't be able to get a bus from a train/bus station to an area where i can walk around looking for hotels?

Any tips on finding budget/cheap rooms on my feet (so to speak)

atala

What they call Budget Hotels in online offers are actually upper scale hotels, 2 and 3 stars. The real budget ones cannot afford and do not need to and do not know their ways with internet.

nayan

intra-city bus service only exists in the metro cities of India. In most small cities/towns(these are the one most travellers are interested in) share auto-rickshaw/trecker/cycle-rickshaw are the only form of public transport.

Captain Ice

You need to stay in a Decent place - budget hotels are between 20 to 30 Dollars per night.

You get what you pay for!and mind you Delhi is an expensive place!

You can also sleep on the railway platform or for that matter under a tree - for free! If that is what you are speaking about!

All those offering accommodation are there for the money, they are not doing charity! The hotels that don't advertise on the internet, are not on the ball - so to speak!

shashank.aggarwal

Even I have never made reservations in my entire life, except for Kathmandu, where I got an excellent deal...around INR 300 for a double, and that too I didn't pay any advance.

I have always got the best deals while looking around for hotels on arrival..

__________________
Travelogue - Around India
Random Reviews

wonderwomanusa

I think you are just learning about India, eh? What guidebook are you using?

There will be cheap hotels across the street from the rail station (or a block or two away) but they cater to "travelling salesman" types and aren't very pleasant for a woman travelling alone, if that's your situation.

In many places, there will also be a thousand ricksha wallahs at the station, all focussing on you and offering to take you to a place to stay.

You won't find bus service from the station, in most places -- you will have to rely on ricksha (bicycle or scooter-driven) to get around.

I make a reservation for the first few nights that I arrive in India (and not in the cheapest hotels) and after that, I use the Lonely Planet to find a room.

If I'm going someplace where inexpensive rooms are at a premium (Bangalore, Delhi) I may call ahead the day before and request a room, otherwise, I wait until I get into town and see what I can find.

cpfreeatlast

Thanks for the advice wonderwomanusa,

Their is no guidebook, i'll get an idea from IM as to what to expect, get on a plane and see what I get upto. I don't like plans when traveling, i generally pick a direction and follow my nose. I have been told India is one of the hardest countries to travel around but the challenge is a part of it!

My ignorance lies in only traveled in developed Asia and Europe.

As for you Captain Ice, i have considered taking my down sleeping bag and a bivi to really rough it. No doubt i'll be posting about that at a later date.

Thanks all for your perspectives.

atala

Well, that is some kind of "budget", if you want to suggest OP spends $ 900 per month just for hotels. And that for six months.

federica

Even I like that. But for long distance train trips you need some plans as you have to book your ticket in advance. Yes, you can take the risk and travel in the general compartment. But this can include standing jam packed for long hours or not even entering the train as it is too full.

Captain Ice

OK, let me tell you what i have paid for my various travels

London - 90 Pounds/ night - i.e 180 dollars plus - Budget Hotel - travel lodge

Edinburgh - once 40 pounds/night - seedy hotel, bad linen etc ( approx. 80 USD), next time 90 pounds, slightly better, good linen, spacious room ( 180 USD)-

Delhi - 500 USD for a single night in a 5 * hotel. Pampered with a pillow menu, attentive staff & all sorts. loved it!

Budget means different things in different places and to different people.

Delhi - 20 -30 USD - seedy to medium hotel, is what u get. Depends if you are lucky enough to find one.

When u go out of delhi - Budget hotel can be had from 10 USD.

U get what u pay for.

So 30 days in London - will be 5,000 to 6,000 USD depending on what choices u make - only for the hotels!


I am not suggesting what budget to have, it depends from person to person & the choices you make!

Brisso

I have spent 11 months in total and never have booked anywhere. India is one of the easiest places to travel adhoc. The great thing is that at budget end staff are up late and don't greatly resent being woken. If in doubt, use a tout! (Actually, rickshaw drivers will normally be able to place you somewhere). Of course, it helps to have an basic idea before you arrive of geography relative to transport and the places you want to go to.

I've always simply stipulated to a friendly local/ tout/ driver that I need a room for less than X rupees.

You will almost always hook up wtih other travellers and this helps. Take turns - one sits with bags and tea, the other (without pack and thus less obviously needy) looks around and bargains.

fsg

Whoever told you that India is one of the hardest countries to travel obviously has not been there

Yes there is hassle, busstle, beggars, but travel is easy people are most helpful.
All told my total time in India over the years is 3 years plus, mostly travel on busses, if the bus did not go where I wanted the driver set me down and got someone to take me to the next bus....... I could go on. Fantastic kindness

I never ever prebooked a room when on these wanderings, and always found somewhere, as long as it is clean with a clean bathroom thats OK. Disagree with WW re bus station hotels

It is very useful to stay near bus/ train station as in case of an early start you are right at point of departure.


There may be grotty hotels there but I have not encountered them, a good look at the outside is a starting point.

Poeple always mention'budget' hotels. What is your budget may certainly may not be mine.