What You Should Know Before Travelling to India - A Beginner’s Guide

A land of diverse cultures, India is a travel destination that makes it to almost every bucket list. There is arguably no other place which offers such an immersive, fast-paced, and exciting experience to travellers. What sets India apart from most other travel destinations is the contrasting experiences you will find across the country. Thousands of years of traditions meet modernity in the most colourful way possible in India. Advances in transportation and digital technology make it easier for first-time travellers to navigate smoothly across diverse places in the country.

Experiencing the Contrast Between Modern and Traditional India

Visiting India for the first time can be a sensory overload. The vibrant and colourful aesthetic of traditional India is a treat to the senses. However, there is also the modern side you will find in cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru, known for their business districts, nightlife, and modern infrastructure. Delhi, on the other hand, is a mix of modern and traditional aesthetics with old monuments and urban expansion.

If you go a little farther southwest of Delhi, the Pink City awaits you in Rajasthan, a state known for its centuries-old forts and artisanship. Jaipur, with its colourful bazaars, offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Far from Mumbai’s modernity, you will experience the legacy of past rulers in Jaipur’s palaces and forts. India is also known for its spirituality, and no other place has as much spiritual significance as Varanasi. No trip to India is complete without experiencing Varanasi, the holy city on the banks of the Ganges.

Transportation and Getting Around in India

You travel in India by rail and domestic flights for inter-state travel, and by tuk-tuks and cabs for getting around within the city. Flights are a better choice for intercity travel, as they save a lot of time compared to trains. There are many apps for booking cabs, tuk-tuks, and even domestic flights and train tickets in India. To get the best deals, locals mostly rely on comparison sites, which even offer coupon codes for further discounts. The comparison sites ecosystem goes further, even to get you the best entertainment while you’re commuting in a tuk-tuk, the metro, or on a long train journey. An online resource like the casino.com/in comparison site is a popular choice among Indian gaming enthusiasts who are always on the lookout for the best online gaming sites and bonus codes.

Major cities like Mumbai and Delhi even have metro systems for cheaper and quicker travel. The ticket-booking apps and comparison sites even offer metro tickets. For tourists, these apps are a great way to save money on transportation while travelling through India.

Food Experiences Every Traveller Should Try

Now that we’ve glanced through the contrasting experiences you will encounter on your trip and discussed the most effective modes of transportation, let’s turn to the crucial aspect of Indian culture you are likely to take home with you. The cuisine.

The food is also quite diverse, and you will explore various delicacies as you travel through different states. Unlike what’s portrayed in popular culture, not every regional cuisine in India is spicy. Some must-try foods on your trip include street food in Mumbai and Delhi, as well as traditional meals in Jaipur and Varanasi.

Jaipur is known for its Laal Maas (a fiery red-looking mutton dish), Mumbai for its Misal Pav, and Varanasi for its Lassi and Thandai. Make sure you visit hygienic places and follow food safety rules so the food doesn’t spoil the rest of your trip.

Exploring Markets and Cultural Etiquette

Jaipur is the go-to place if you wish to explore the best of Indian handicrafts markets. There are many bazaars selling a variety of handmade items that are highly sought after in European markets. It is also a hub for textiles, and you can explore various design techniques, such as block printing in Sanganer.

In Delhi, a popular street market is found in Sarojni Nagar, in South West Delhi. You will find unique pieces and a great variety of apparel in this market, with new stock arriving almost every other day. The market is famous for its budget-friendliness and attracts hundreds and thousands of people every day.

India is a mix of modernity and tradition, and it takes due diligence and research on the traveller’s part to strike the right balance in cultural etiquette. When visiting a temple, choose modest attire and leave your footwear outside. Respect the local customs wherever you go and support local businesses wherever you can.