Safety tips for foreign travelers in India by TOPSGROUP

by Shrutee K/DNS

Travelling in India can be little difficult, especially for first-timers. You’ll have lots to think about, from where to stay to how to commute, with plenty of ups and downs in between. Most parts of India are safe to travel but staying alert is always recommended.

A number of attacks on tourists in India have led to questions over the safety of women travelling independently in the country.

TOPSGROUP being your safety and security partner suggest some protective tips for foreign traveler in India which will help you keep safe, healthy and happy in India.

Get a checkup and the appropriate vaccines:  Visit your doctor before you leave to get all the relevant vaccinations/immunizations for the destinations you're visiting, and to learn what health precautions you should follow.

Make electronic copies of documents: You'll be carrying important documentation with you when traveling to India. Create an electronic backup of your immunization record, itinerary, medical insurance card, passport, plane tickets, travel insurance, and visas before you leave.

Travel agents: It seems that Internet cafes and the like will set themselves up as travel agents with no official status. Ensure you only doing your booking from a registered and authorized travel agents. 

Be careful who you trust: While Indians are usually wonderfully generous, friendly and hospitable people you can't be naive and trust everyone.

Be alert when using public transportation: Hire a car, or get a bus or train. If you are getting a train, try to find a seat in a busy carriage somewhere in the middle of the train. Also ask your hotel or guesthouse to book a taxi or auto-rickshaw for transfers to bus and rail stations, especially after dark.

Get guidebooks: Guidebooks usually include maps, key words or phrases, and give you enough detail on certain sites that you won't need to purchase the pamphlet at the venue.

Get the addresses and phone numbers of your country's embassy: Contact your country's embassy (or closest embassy) upon arriving. Inform them of your location and your name, especially if you are in city undergoing unrest.

Keep emergency numbers handy: Keep contact numbers of all local police stations, fire stations, nearby hospitals, a local cab company and any other numbers you may need in an emergency!

Get traveler's insurance: Accidents can happen anywhere -- and your home insurance may not cover you in India. So kindly get Traveler's Insurance to avoid any crisis.

Prevent pickpockets: When you think of a pickpocket, you probably picture a sneaky thief lifting a wallet from the back pocket of your jeans. If woman carrying a backpack or purse, make sure it is accessible only to you. This requires some constant carefulness.

Proper reservation: Travel only with a proper reservation on Indian railways. Foreigners have a separate railway ticket reservation counter available in major cities so there is no need to line up at regular ticket booking windows at railway stations.

Always have local cash: Not every place takes credit cards. Especially important places like trains or buses.

Keep your personal information secret: No one but you needs to know where you are staying, where you are going. No matter how trustworthy a person seems, it's not important they should know your personal information. If somebody asks where you are staying, then lie.