Let me take you back to my first trip to India—sweaty, wide-eyed, and completely unprepared.

I landed in Delhi thinking I’d nailed my itinerary: Taj Mahal in Agra, back to Jaipur for the palaces, maybe a spiritual detour to Varanasi. I had watched hours of YouTube videos and read dozens of blogs. I thought I was ready.

I wasn’t.

My SIM card didn’t work. I got overcharged by my first cab driver. I even tried to pay for a samosa with a 2,000 rupee note—and the vendor just stared at me like I’d handed him a bar of gold.

Here’s the truth: India is incredible. It’s magical, chaotic, beautiful, frustrating, and deeply moving. But if you’re not careful, a few missteps can throw your whole experience off track. So, let me share some real-world travel tips—lessons I learned the hard way—so you don’t have to.

1. Don’t Try to Do It All

India’s huge. You can’t “see India” in two weeks. Heck, you can’t even see one state properly in that time. I made the mistake of cramming too much into a short trip and spent more time in traffic than actually exploring.

What to do instead? Focus on one or two regions. Like, if you’re headed north, stick to Delhi, Agra, and maybe Himachal Pradesh. If you’re heading south, try Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Give yourself the space to soak it in.

2. Sort Your SIM Card Beforehand

This one nearly broke me.

Getting a SIM in India can be weirdly complicated for foreigners. You’ll need a passport, visa, and sometimes even a local address. And it can take 24 hours (or more) to activate. I wasted two full days struggling to get online.

Pro tip: Order an international eSIM before you fly in. Or ask your hotel to arrange a SIM in advance. Being connected helps with everything—from booking Ubers to translating signs when you’re stuck at a train station in Jaipur with no clue where to go.

3. Trust Your Gut, But Also Do Some Homework

You’ll meet some amazing people in India—warm, curious, and kind. But yes, scams happen, especially around touristy spots. Like the “your hotel is closed, I’ll take you somewhere else” trick. It happened to me in Paharganj, Delhi. I was jet-lagged and ended up in a shady guesthouse where I didn’t sleep a wink.

So here’s the deal: If something feels off, walk away. But don’t let fear close you off to real connections. Some of my favorite memories come from random chai chats with strangers on trains.

4. Mind the Monsoon

This one’s a biggie if you’re traveling between June and September. I once tried to reach Munnar in Kerala during a downpour—it felt like the entire state had turned into a river. Landslides blocked the roads, and all my plans went out the window.

Do your weather research. Monsoon is real. Beautiful, yes, but also disruptive. Plan accordingly and always have a backup

5. Pack Light, But Pack Smart

I overpacked. Big mistake.

Dragging a heavy suitcase across uneven pavements, up tiny hotel staircases, and into tuk-tuks is not the move. India’s weather varies wildly depending on where you are—Delhi’s winters are chilly, but Chennai can feel like a furnace all year round.

My rule now? One backpack. A few breathable outfits, a shawl for temples, sandals, and a pair of solid walking shoes. Oh, and always carry toilet paper or tissues in your daypack—you’ll thank me later.

6. Food Is Life—But Be Smart About It

Street food in India is legendary. Pani puri, samosas, vada pav… honestly, my mouth’s watering just thinking about it. But my stomach? Not so happy that first week.

Here’s what helped: Eat hot food. If it’s being cooked right in front of you, go for it. Avoid raw stuff like salads unless you’re at a reputable restaurant. And use bottled water—always. Even for brushing your teeth.

That said, don’t be scared. Indian food is divine, and it’s such a huge part of the experience.

7. Transportation Tricks

India’s transport system is wild and wonderful. Trains are an experience in themselves—book early and try to snag an AC class seat. I once booked a general class seat last minute and spent the journey squashed next to a goat (true story).

Ubers and Olas work well in cities, but in rural areas, auto-rickshaws or local cabs are your best bet. Just agree on a price before you hop in. Trust me on that one.

8. Respect the Culture—But Also Give Yourself Grace

India is deeply spiritual, and traditions are taken seriously. Covering shoulders and legs in temples, removing shoes before entering homes, and using your right hand to eat—these are all small signs of respect.

But you’ll mess up. I did. I wore shorts to a temple in Rishikesh and got politely turned away. Instead of freaking out, I learned. Locals usually appreciate the effort more than perfection.

9. Get Comfortable with the Unexpected

This might be the biggest lesson of all.

India doesn’t run on your schedule. Trains get delayed. Power goes out. Plans shift. But often, these moments bring the best stories. Like the time my bus broke down outside Pushkar and a local family invited me to their home for tea. One of my favorite travel memories.

So embrace the chaos. Laugh at the mix-ups. Go with the flow.

10. Budget Like a Pro (and a Local)

Travel in India can be super cheap, but prices for tourists can get jacked up fast. I learned to ask locals what they pay—whether it was for a ride, a thali, or a guesthouse.

One of the best pieces of advice I got was from a fellow backpacker who helped me find budget-friendly travel tips for Rajasthan. Thanks to that, I explored palaces and desert towns without breaking the bank.

Final Thoughts

Traveling in India is a journey like no other. It challenges you, changes you, and—if you’re open to it—transforms you. Yes, you’ll make mistakes. But those mistakes often lead to the best discoveries.

So, if you’re planning your first (or fifth) trip to India, keep your curiosity wide open. Pack your patience, your sense of humor, and maybe an extra packet of wet wipes.

 

And above all—let the unexpected become the unforgettable.