TRAVEL GUIDE
8 Essential Tips for Backpacking in India
This incredible country has plenty to offer, especially if you take the advice of someone who’s been there
India is an incredible country full of amazing landscapes, delicious food, and beautiful people. With over eight main religions practiced and more than 19,500 languages and dialects spoken, India seems more like a continent than a country.
The colors will blind you. The music will enchant you. And the people will warm you.
Where in the world will you find a more colorful land?
I’ve taken several long backpacking trips through India over the past ten years. Every trip has been unique, and I never know what to expect. Traveling through India can be a challenge, but the rewards are well worth it, especially if you follow a few suggestions from travelers who have gone before you.
1. Define Your Itinerary.
India is a vast and diverse country, and you won’t be able to experience it all on your first trip. When deciding where to go, ask yourself a few questions, such as:
- What is my budget for this trip?
- How much time do I have?
- What do I want to do?
- What parts of my ideal itinerary would I be willing to give up if need be?
Once you’ve pondered the answers, you can tailor your trip accordingly.
Travelers can participate in an astonishing variety of activities in India. Every time you visit a new state, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a different country with a new set of challenges. You’ll definitely get more from a first-time visit by concentrating on either the north or the south.
However, flights within India are cheap and plentiful, and they allow you to hop from north to south. So, if you’re ready to face a little culture shock, you can experience both worlds on one longer trip. But keep in mind that it’s easy to run out of time when you visit India. Even if you give yourself three months, you may want to stay in a centralized area, such as the beach, the desert, or high up in the Himalayas.
You can get a more authentic look at Indian life if you stay local and entertain yourself with day and overnight trips to exciting places nearby. You’ll still have an amazing first-time experience, and you’ll meet new friends you wouldn’t have if you moved around a lot. Besides, you’ll feel much more relaxed on your return home, and your back will thank you.
2. Pack Light.
Once you’ve decided where you’re going to go in India, you’ll have to consider what to take with you. My advice is to keep it light. India is a fast-moving, noisy, chaotic, and crowded country. You won’t want to be burdened with a 40-kilo backpack!
Instead, you’ll find it easier to pack a simple capsule wardrobe. If you’re headed to the beaches in the south, you’ll be fine with a swimsuit, a sarong, a pair of shorts, a sweatshirt, a couple of t-shirts, and a pair of light long-legged pants. At the other extreme in the far north, you’ll need to add heavier clothes like sweaters, jeans, and a coat.
You can always purchase additional items while you’re on the road. If you arrive in India with a lightly packed backpack, you’ll have a much more enjoyable experience. Plus, you’ll have room to bring a few souvenirs home.
You’ll also have to keep in mind that India is a conservative country. Sure, shorts, bikinis, and bare-midriff tops are okay at the beach. But locals will see wearing beachwear in the cities and other parts of the country as rude. When traveling to holy places, you’ll definitely need long-sleeved shirts and pants or dresses that cover the knees. Scarves also come in handy for visiting temples and other sacred sites.
3. Keep an Eye on Your Expenses.
Fortunately for cost-conscious backpackers, India is an inexpensive place to travel. On a shoestring budget, you can probably get by on $10–20 a day. The best way to stay within a tight budget is to travel slow and stay away from popular Western hotel chains, tourist-oriented restaurants, and overpriced attractions. Eating and sleeping like a local is the most efficient way to keep expenses in check.
Rickshaws are your best bet if you can’t walk to your destination once you get to town. Avoid the main markets and take your time when you’re shopping for supplies. If you explore the town and take the back streets, you’ll find what you’re looking for, and you’ll get a better price for it.
Budget travelers will want to limit trips to the most costly attractions. Your expenses will quickly add up at popular tourist sites such as the Taj Mahal or Mughal Gardens. You’ll save a considerable amount of money if you minimize visits to major attractions and explore the towns, parks, and lakes instead.
4. Get Some Information on Traveling within India Before You Leave.
Getting from point A to point B within India can get frustrating, but it’s part of the overall experience. Thankfully, India is well-connected by air, train, and bus. Almost all destinations can be reached by at least one of these modes of transportation.
Air Travel in India
Air travel is the most expensive, but you may want to use this option if you’re pressed for time or have a long distance to cover. With a bit of planning, you can get some fantastic deals on flights within India. Keep in mind that some airports can be quite a distance from where you’re staying, and ground transportation costs will add considerably to your daily expenditures.
I’ve found some cheap flights on Kayak.com and Skyscanner when trying to book air travel within India. However, I’ve recently discovered another way to find discounted airfare through a company called Jack’s Flight Club.
Featured in Lonely Planet and Time magazine, Jack’s Flight Club is a membership site that finds incredible deals on flights that connect the US, UK, and Europe with the rest of the world, including India. Please note that if you purchase a flight through our affiliate link above, I will receive a small commission to continue my travels.
Traveling by Train in India
India has an extensive train route system, which offers the most affordable option for getting around the country. However, train seats sell out fast, sometimes months in advance, especially during festivals, religious holidays, and peak travel seasons.
Most major cities have an International Tourist Bureau for foreign tourists to book and buy rail tickets. In addition, the Man in Seat Sixty-One is an excellent site for information on Indian train travel.
Bus Travel in India
Bus travel is also a viable option, and there are both state and tourist buses. State buses are the most affordable but the least comfortable. They can become incredibly crowded and sometimes standing-room-only. You’ll be glad you took my advice and packed light when you’re traveling by bus. Unfortunately, bus travel is your only option when traveling in the Himalayas.
Other than that, I wouldn’t recommend long-distance travel on Indian buses, but trips under five hours can be tolerable. Tourist buses are more comfortable and useful for short day trips if a train isn’t available. However, tourist buses can be pretty expensive at times, depending on the route.
5. Pay Attention to Your Hygiene
You’ll want to take certain precautions to stay healthy while traveling in India. Travelers will need to pack a portable water purifier because straight tap water in India isn’t suitable for drinking. A water purifier will allow you to purify the tap water. Then, you can avoid buying expensive bottled water, and you’ll help reduce the buildup of disposable plastics in the environment.
Travelers will want to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer often. Water and soap won’t be as effective as it is at home. Since you’ll probably be eating the Indian way, using only your right hand, the sanitizer will be most efficient at killing any leftover bacteria.
Backpackers in India will need to carry a toilet roll at all times. Most Indian toilets only consist of a hole in the ground and a jug of water to clean yourself. The locals use the water to clean with the left hand, but most westerners feel more comfortable with toilet paper, which can be very hard to find outside of major tourist destinations.
6. Choose Your Food Carefully.
India’s cuisine is amazingly delicious, whether you’re in the north or south. Eating India’s street food is one of the easiest ways to stick to a budget and sample authentic Indian home cooking. You just have to know which stalls to choose. Resist the urge to pick the empty place to skip the crowds. You’ll find the best street food where the locals line up to dine or pick up takeout.
Go for the stalls that are constantly cooking fresh food. Travelers should avoid any dish that looks like it has been sitting for a while. You can always ask the chef to cook something fresh if you’re in doubt. Additionally, you’ll have a better chance at staying healthy if you avoid meat and try going vegetarian for your trip.
Remember, Indians eat with their right hand, and you should too if you want to avoid offending the locals. Like toilet paper, napkins are hard to come by, and you’ll need to have something in your bag for cleaning your hands before and after your meals.
7. Prepare Your Sleeping Arrangements Beforehand.
India has a wide range of sleeping options, from hostels to budget hotels to luxury accommodations. Lower-end hotels can be pretty noisy and not always that clean, so it’s a good idea to carry a pair of high-quality earplugs and your own sheet.
Regardless of your budget, you’re sure to find something in your price range. It’s always better to have at least one night booked in a new town before your arrival. I typically use both Kayak and Booking.com when looking for a hotel in India. Once you explore the location for a day or two, you can switch to accommodations that more closely suit your needs.
8. Stay Safe and Sane.
India has a reputation for touts, scams, and other hassles. Unfortunately, the rumors are true, especially in heavily touristed areas. So, always keep your wits about you, and remember that deals that sound too good to be true usually are.
Be wary of taxi or rickshaw drivers who give you false information. For example, some will tell you that your hotel burned down or a particular city is closed to visitors, and you’ll need a special permit to enter. Ignore these guys and walk away.
Visiting India offers an unparalleled cultural experience, but many parts of the country are crowded, chaotic, and noisy. You’ll have to make your best effort to remain calm and keep your cool. If you feel your frustration boiling over, take a deep breath and find the nearest chai shop to take a few moments to calm down.
Written by Jeffrey Whitaker
