Taj Mahal India

If you are planning your first trip to India, then get ready for a great expedition. From beaches to camel safaris to wild parks to the Taj Mahal, there is something for everybody. There are some important things to know, though, before you take off for your destination. Here are some tips for first time travelers to the Subcontinent.

Passports and the Right Visa

If you need a passport, get on the Net and find out how to obtain one. Sometimes a passport is enough, but sometimes countries require visas as well, and India is one of those countries. India has ten kinds of visas, so make sure you get the right one. There are tourist visas, business visas, student visas, etc. Depending on what you are going to be doing in India, you need to get the right one. There are requirements for each visa; check them carefully. India has made some changes to the requirements for tourist visas. There are a couple of websites on the Internet that can help walk you through the whole process or at least get you started.

Begin the Trip Healthy

Make sure you speak with your doctor to find out what kinds of vaccinations you will need. Different people have different medical needs, so inform your doctor about the areas of the country you will be visiting and what you plan to do while you’re there. See your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow any vaccinations that need time to take effect to do so. If you need to start taking medicine for malaria, this is the time to do it.

Bring Your Medicine Chest

If you get sick or anxious on planes, talk to your doctor about what you can take with you. Bring any prescription medicines that you take – enough for the whole trip. Make sure they are packed in your carry-on luggage in their original prescription bottles, and follow any instructions for bringing liquid medications. Depending on the area that you are going to, you may need anti-malaria drugs, and you should always have a diarrhea medicine with you. Other stomach aids include a mild laxative, antacids or any of your preferred medicines for heartburn. Don’t forget the acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen. Allergies could rear their ugly head, so bring an antihistamine, throat lozenges and a decongestant. And for those times when you go sea-traveling, bring an anti-motion sickness medication. This may sound like a lot, but better safe than sorry. Lastly, make sure to bring alcohol-based hand sanitizer or antibacterial hand wipes, and use them often.

Research Your Destination

Trips are fun, but they can be stressful, too. The one thing you don’t need is to be completely surprised when you get there about what to wear, how to act, etc. Once you know your destination, then research it. Find out what to expect when you reach customs, how to dress, what kind of weather is likely for the time of year, etc. There are over 1.12 billion people in India, so you will probably be seeing a lot of people! Research as much as you can to dial down the culture shock.

Stay Healthy and Comfortable

You’ve taken care of everything before coming over, but there are things you need to do to stay healthy in India as well. Always, always drink bottled water; even brush your teeth with it. Bring a portable water filter and iodine in case you can’t get your hands on any bottled water. Be careful of drinks with ice, too. Next, make sure you bring your sunblock (with a high SPF), wear a hat and keep yourself covered. Some parts of India are very hot. Make sure you have plenty of bottled water when you go sightseeing or for long trips; you don’t want to wind up with heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Take good care of your skin, and make sure you block out as much of those UV rays as you can. In addition, bring your sunglasses; they’ll help immensely.

Watch Out for Scams

Scams can be found everywhere, and India is no different. Be especially careful of people who try to befriend you. Sometimes it may seem like they are only trying to help you, when in actuality they are trying to help you give them something – most often money. Vendors selling things on the street, people trying to help you get to your hotel, or even waiters at a restaurant; some of them will be legit, but a lot of them have honed their craft very well, so make sure that you don’t fall prey to their attempts.

Transportation and Prices

You may find that the prices for a taxi or rickshaw are exorbitant, and you may be right. When you are at a major tourist attraction or hotel, often the drivers are part of a group that all charge the same incredibly high rates. The manager of your hotel can personally help you or recommend someone who can. The drivers tend to take advantage of Americans because they are used to higher fares. As for getting around, if you would like to take a bus, then just go to a bus terminal; don’t go to a tourist or travel agency because their prices will be higher.

In short, think ahead as much as you can, and try to prepare for anything that may come up. This will ensure that your experience in India is one you’ll never forget.

This guest post article was written and provided by Erica Gustafson who is a freelance writer, avid traveler and online media consultant for Expedia.  When in India she loves to stay at the Trident, Agra Luxury hotel.