Advice on traveling to New Delhi, India?

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Marta

I loved the answer about the traffic! Very true, except they do get in a lot of accidents. I was there for a month earlier this year and my hired driver was hit 3 times. All minor, but you will see a lot of fender-benders.

Take lots of pictures. Everything is so beautiful- the architecture, the gardens- and you'll see things you've never thought you'd see with your own eyes. The people I was with (locals from our office) encouraged it and it was always okay, even in most temples (although some will have signs saying no "snaps"). However, if you see someone with a monkey doing tricks, etc, they'll probably ask you for money if you take a picture :)

Bring hand sanitizer, travel wet wipes and travel Kleenex wherever you go. Just trust me on this one!

Be prepared for a lot of attention and questions. Even if you dress conservatively, you'll get a lot of stares. I found everyone I had interaction with, from a salesperson in a store, to co-workers, to the driver, someone on the street, to a waiter, all wanted to know where I was from, what the US is like, if I am married, and what do I like about India. Everyone is very friendly and curious and would recommend things to do, places to go, things to try.

Shopping- Grover Cloth House in the TK Market (any good driver will know where that is) will custom make any clothing item for you (pics from a magazine are all they need!) and they are so reasonable. Blue Oyster, M1 Market, sells high-end designer bags, sunglasses, etc for very reasonable prices. Great stuff!!

Enjoy your trip!

jugadora3

I am not form Inida, but I went there 2 years ago and on my preparation, I received this email from an Indian friend =)

One of the things that India is famous for is its traffic. Truth or legend? Let's see

Protagonists are: pedestrians, cars, scooters, bicycles, bikes, cycle rickshaws, trivilas (Indian taxis), buses, carriages, trucks, horses, camels, elephants, donkeys, and of course, cows..

Now, here are 10 GOLDEN RULES:

Rule Nr. 1: No matter how crowded the traffic is, the cows have always priority.

Rule Nr. 2: If there are no cows involved in the traffic, the priority is given to the strongest car. Or to the car that has at least to loose in an accident.

Rule Nr. 3: When you cross the street, the rules is not that you have to look on the right side of the road first and then to the left side, like u usually do in countries that have a right hand drive. You have to look to the left, to the right, in front and behind you every second till you hopefully cross the street Crossing the streets in India is like playing Nintendo: you have to practice a lot to be good at this game, and you must always watch your back..

Rule Nr. 4: "Do no cross the continuous line" is a rule that exists in India, but that no one follows.

Rule Nr. 5: How many people can a scooter accommodate? One, two..? Try 4 better: the perfect vehicle for a family with 2 children Or ... maybe 2 adults with 2 large suitcases, a guitar and 2 large bags Don't worry if you see them on the highway It can happen

Rule Nr. 6: Do not get scared when you hear drivers using the horn all the time: you are not in immediate danger; people here use it to salute their traffic colleagues. Honestly, they would prefer to drive without brakes than without a horn!

Rule Nr. 7: Whenever you "FOREIGNER" are part of the traffic, plenty of people will ignore where they are heading to just to take a better look at yourself.. they look at you again and again and again.. you even wonder.. is he going to hit the next tree?

Rule Nr. 8: Indian buses do not have doors and most of them have their number framed in a broken heart sign! But the good thing about them is that, as a foreigner, you will always get the best seat on the bus...

Rule Nr. 9: No matter where you want to go, there will always be 3 people to point you out 3 different directions- and all of them are 100% sure they are right! And please do take a city map with you when you are using the services of a local taxi!

Rule Nr. 10: Signalization on the Indian road is done by hand gestures: for the right turn, the truck driver will signalize with his right hand for the left turn, the person seating on the left seat will signalize. If there is no such person on the left seat, the turn will not be signalized.

Despite all these rules, accidents in India almost never happen!!! Actually, foreigners here think that Indian drivers must be the best in the world! See for yourself

Nate D

Indians are generally liberal about you taking pictures of them. Some people would be delighted to be photographed. However, just like anywhere else, it's still best to ask before you photographed. Some temples that don't allow photography will have signs written outside.

For general etiquette and tips, I'd suggest these two videos by a local Delhi guy:

http://www.geobeats.com/videoclips/india/new-delhi/local-etiquette
http://www.geobeats.com/videoclips/india/new-delhi/traveling-tips

Nev

Take lots of photos. I have photographed innumerable people in India & have never had anyone object. In many cases people will ask if you might take their photo. I tried to take a candid shot of a road crew hard at work. The foreman got his entire crew out of the trench & off the truck & lined them up for me!! Not quite what I had in mind!!
The only thing to watch out for is military vehicles, tanks & other weaponery. Also lighthouses & other landmarks can sometimes have signs warning against photography. Don't point a camera at them - you may at the very least have it confiscated. Other than that snap away.

Amrit

I like the answer by "jugadora3" but this is not the right way to tell any thing to a new tourist.

champs_thebest

In India there is nothing lik that you can take photograhs everywhere but there are some places and temples where you are not allowed to take phtographs and there you can see the Notice. You can do whatever you want. We are new Delhi based roue operator you can contact if you have ny problem. you can visit holiday club india .net for more tour options

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