which guide book?

tracyprier

Hi guys

In the past I have always used LP guides but I recently flicked through a Footprints guide for Thailand and was quite impressed.

So, for India (sticking to the North) which of the 2 would you recommend (LP or FP)?

Which is the most thorough and up to date?

I know that you can't fit EVERYTHING in one book but which of the 2 has more info about things to see etc?

Comments from all welcome but particularly those who have used both

Tracy

barbara

I've posted on this topic before at least once! Personally I prefer Footprint - I had both when I went to Thailand a few years ago, and found the Footprint far more useful (in fact ditched the LP after a couple of weeks).
Each to their own, and I'm sure many prefer LP, that's just my personal view.
I find their recommendations good, their info on historical sites etc useful. I also prefer not to carry the guidebook that 90% of the others have!

Barbara

Heraclitus

Why make it either/or? Take both. I rip apart all my travel books with abandon and take only those portions that I think that I will need. In my opinion, good travel information is priceless. Take more book (parts) with you and leave behind a pair of socks. It is easier to get decent socks on the road than reliable travel info.

That said, I prefer Footprints to Lonely Planet. It is a bit more opinionated on hotels and restaurants (which I like) and has good maps. On the other hand, LP is THE BIBLE. You need to know its contents, if only because everybody else uses it (including the local tourist industry, touts, hoteliers, and restauranteurs.)

The Rough Guide is also worth a look. (Their local maps are wonderful.) Finally, I should note that my favorite guidebook (for Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle only) is the Neos guide. It is a hybrid of the Michelin Green Guide (with FANTASTIC maps) and the more practical guides like LP and Footprints. Unlike the others, it gives star ratings to tourist sites, which helps to establish sightseeing priorities. Its restaurant and hotel recommendations listings are also superb.

tracyprier

Thanks for the posts guys. Will go to the local library and check out one of the FP guides and see if I like the format b4 paying over $50(NZ) or so.

I thought of not taking one, don't like the thought of being on of those travellers who relies solely on what a guide book tells them to see and where to stay etc HOWEVER they are handy for getting a handle on costs, accom locations and so on.

CAN'T WAIT 'TILL NOVEMBER...guess I have to though.

Cheers
Tracy

Cuke

Has anyone used the Roughguide for India? I picked it up mostly (I admit) because it was so much lighter than LP. Any feedback welcome.

tanpopo

hi,

I like LP because their info is so uptodate, and you can get anywhere and do pretty much anything - its really extensive.

BUT I find them a little formulaic and sterile, and the maps TERRIBLE whilst RG i love for their history, culture, think its called "contexts" which is a lot richer in detail. they also really point the way to books, films etc.

Havent used RG for india, but used it for Vietnam&Malaysia - really liked it esp. the maps.

Lily

Since Footprints discovered us in our very first year of operation, I'd say they probably work harder to promote new places!

But in the popularity stakes, LP is far ahead as almost every tourist who stays with us carries a copy.

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Lily

paan wallah

never use guidebooks in india!!!
just ask local people about the nice places!!
if they tell you about a place and they have a certain smile..
you have to go
too many people would be lost without their guidebooks!!!
let your heart and your soul be your guidebook!!
discover the real and unknown india!!

in india you will never get lost or lonely

martes

Paanwallah, thats true but perhaps better suited for those who have a lot of time on their hands, or those who have been around in India for at least a couple weeks.
Arriving in a new country with a different language ( and especially if one looks different from the local folk), its good to have a guide ( well, i just used LP and Michelin ), just to have a mental orientation of where the bus station and train station is, where are the banks, the markets, the hotel zone ( if there is one )..some maps of the city ( which LP's standard is falling I feel, as compared to the classic 1984 India guide ).
But yes, if one has like months to spend, then its best to chill out, talk friendlily with the tourist dept and other local souces of info and personally discover places...
I feel LP guides are slipping, and have serious complaints abouit their South Amercian guides that I have used lately. However they still are a good thing to have.. as someone suggested, i'd rather leave out socks and clothes and carry it, especially if' i'm visiting a place for the first time.

paan wallah

I ve been maybe 7 times in india but i ve never seen
the taj mahal for example...
so maybe next time I use a guidebook
but the pity with lp is that too many people stick llike glue
to it,
so you miss so much things to see and do..
maybe one needs more courage to travell without a guidebook but s it s more the real thing,
except maybe in deserts or areas where you really need one..
or maybe in outerspace

soma1972

hi tracy,

There is a new 2003 edition of Footprint "India" coming out at the end of August - i've got mine ordered but i stay in scotland so it's no hassle for me, i guess you could e-mail them (they're really helpfull) and ask them to send you a copy as soon as they come in.

namaste

kenny

tracyprier

Thanks Kenny but I have since gone for the LP North India. I figured if I had to carry a thumping-great book around it might as well focus on the parts of India I am travelling through. Plus I am familiar with the LP format.

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India...Wild At Heart