Incredible India! It’s not just a phrase but a pure representation of India and its people. India is incredible for its unmatched culture, spellbound landscapes, scrumptious cuisines, rich heritage, traditions and the list goes on. One who wants to have an enjoyable, relaxing, spiritual and at the same time a fun-filled, enthralling and exotic travel experience, should visit India. Backpacking in India is now a trend prevailing all across the globe and wanderlusts look forward to exploring the Indian territories for unbelievable experiences.
Are you one such traveler? Great! Here are the 10 most essential tips for backpacking in India that will prove definitely helpful. Have a read.
Backpacking Tips You Need to Know
- Get an Indian SIM Card
- Eat at Local Places
- Train Journeys for Better Experience
- Always Haggle Before Paying
- Get Your Water Purifying Filter
- Get Your Own Toilet Roll
- Respect Indian Culture
- Better Accommodation Facilities
- Be Safe Travel Safe
- Get Ready for a Culture Shock
- Get an Indian SIM card
Before anything, get an Indian number (SIM card) for emergencies. If your plan is to stay for a month or more, maintaining communication with friends and family is essential and you bet ISD calls would hurt your pocket!
- Eat at places where locals eat and you dare not skip the street food!
When backpacking in India, one thing you will love is authentic food. But for that, you need to stroll around busy places where the locals generally go. Why? In simple words, empty restaurants and food stalls are empty for a reason! You will get a change from the regular restaurant food by tasting some regional cuisines of the states. The street food in Mumbai and Delhi are a must-try – pani-puri, dahi papdi and many more. Although a little spicy for foreigners, undoubtedly they are delicious.
- Train journeys are the best
India is a big country and while you are backpacking here, transportation comes under some of the biggest concerns. When traveling between cities or states; pre-plan the dates and book train tickets beforehand. Take this free advice – Trains in India book up really fast and the booking system might not make you quite happy during last minute bookings. While personally I prefer taking a sleeper class ticket and having an exciting journey by mingling with the diverse blend of fellow passengers. However, if comfort and privacy are your priorities, traveling in a 3AC coach would be the best.
- Agree before you pay
From booking a taxi, or auto-rickshaw to buying accessories from a marketplace, ensure you agree upon a price before paying and mark – always haggle. You need to be cautious about your expenditures as there are people, although rare, who might just look forward to filling their pockets and demanding higher prices for even the most nominal things.
- Get your own water-purifying source
Drinking tap water in India is not a good idea. You can go for mineral water bottles but think about the number of plastic bottles you’d have to get over a fortnight. To go green and save your pocket, have an effective water purifying filter that cleans even the dirtiest water of the lake. However, restaurants in India offer RO (reverse osmosis) filtered water which is safe to drink.
- Get your own toilet roll
Another important thing to know before going to India is to get your toilet roll packed. Indians follow a different culture when it comes to using toilet paper. They rather use their left hand (which is considered unclean) and water or simply a hose. So, it’s no harm in carrying your own toilet roll and hand sanitizer.
- Respect Indian culture
India is a country following high values and strong religious traditions along with its rich culture and heritage. While exploring the beautiful landscapes and learning about Indian history and culture, showing a little positive gesture and respect will help you abide by the social etiquette. If you are a female, try wearing clothes that cover your shoulders with a length below your knees as a sign of respect to Indian culture.
- No issues regarding accommodations
In the past few decades, India has been amongst the most traveled country by backpackers which has led to better accommodation facilities for the same. Now, you can get a budget hotel or hostel in almost every tourist attraction in the country. Popular backpacker hostels in cities like Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Kochi, Varanasi, and Goa include The Hostel Crowd and Zostel. There are others too, you just need to have good research for the cheapest ones.
- Be responsible for your safety
India is alleged to be a “dangerous” country to go backpacking but it is not completely true. Being responsible with your stuff is something that applies everywhere, any place, and at any time. Ensure you don’t carry huge amounts of cash with you and take care of your valuables when in crowded public places like railway stations, buses, etc. Women shouldn’t get out late at night into the dark alone and be confident to ask out for help when it seems to be in trouble.
- Get ready for a culture shock
It’s India, different from several other countries you have traveled to. Here, you will find some wonderful perks of following cultural values and some demeaning rituals that you will hate. So, get ready for building a love-hate relationship with this country and prepare yourself for both shock and surprises while you travel around unfolding the cultural layers of India.
Best Backpacker Hostels in India
People who don’t want to spend much on their accommodation yet want to enjoy their trip should go for hostels. Backpackers hostels in India are growing because of their ability to beat the high costs of hotel bookings. Backpacking hostels are not the alien topics anymore, these decent accommodation options are available on a minimal budget for people who love traveling. The best backpacker hostels in India are:
- Horn Okay Please, Mumbai – INR 900-2000 Per Person
- The Madpackers Hostel, Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Goa, etc – INR 600-2000 Per Person
- Backpacker Panda, Manali, Udaipur, Mumbai, Jaipur etc – INR 300-800 Per Person
- Bunkyard Hostel, Udaipur – INR 500-2000 Per Person
- Youth Hostels: It Started Here, Delhi, Manali, Ladakh, Goa, etc – INR 300-2000 Per Person
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much do I need to backpack in India?
Answer: If you are traveling via public transport, staying in a hostel, and eating normal street food, your backpack trip would cost you around INR 1,000-1,500 per day.
- Is it safe to backpack in India?
Answer: Backpacking in India is a bit different from backpacking in any Western country. However, when it comes to safety, it’s very safe.
- How long do you need to backpack India?
Answer: India is a diverse country. It is home to many monuments, national parks, World Heritage Sites, and other tourist attractions. Thus, it takes around 4-5 months to get an overview of the country.
- How much does it cost to backpack for a month in India?
Answer: Backpacking in India for a month costs around INR 9,000-10,000.
- What is the best time to backpack in India?
Answer: You can enjoy backpacking in India when the weather is a bit cool. So, you can travel here from October-November and February-April.
- What should I pack for backpacking in India?
Answer: Keep all your necessary things when it comes to backpacking. You can include hiking boots, a sleeping bag, a first-aid kit, emergency supplies, water bottles, and more.
Hopefully, you have got your Visa and booked the tickets as you go backpacking in India. If not, get your cheap flights to India from USA or from any part of the world through Indian Eagle today.
