Packing for traveling to far away destinations are a tough task. There’s always something that you remember while boarding your flight or train. Getting the right things to be carried in an unknown land is essential. Nobody knows whether one will get those in the coveted destination or not. Though, these days most of the countries have things that are worth it yet there is no harm carrying some must-have. If you have this worry too while travelling to India then here is a detailed list of 10 must have travel items for India. Some Essential Medicines Medicines are a must while travelling to anywhere in the world and India is no exception. Most of the people coming to India might suffer from Delhi Belly. So, it’s better to carry some for this condition. Anti-Histamin, Paracetamol or Aspirin, Anti-allergic, Anti-vomiting tablets and Anti-Spasm Tablets are a must. Also a good SPF protection Sunscreen cream/lotion preferably 50+ is very important. Above all don’t forget to carry an Insect or mosquito repellant cream. For other conditions it is easy to get medicines in India. You will get most of the common over-the-counter medicines without the need of any prescription. Proper Clothes India is hot so, it is always advisable to take cotton clothing which is breathable. Wear loose clothes for men Kurtas or cotton shirts are the best ones. Women can go with cotton Salwar or Kurtis which are perfect as per Indian weather. A pair of cotton trousers as well as simple cotton T-shirts too can be of great help. It’s a bit conservative in some areas (especially small towns and rural area). So, women better avoid clothes that show off the bare knees, shoulder or cleavage. If you want to avoid unwanted attention. Also, women do carry a scarf to cover your head in religious places. Travel Documents Apart from Passports, Visa and Tickets there are other things that are essential to be carried for a safe and peaceful travelling experience In India. Emergency contact number, Medical insurance, travel insurance, and travel vaccination certificates are a must in case of emergencies. Carry your International driving license if driving through India is in your plan. Keep the hotel address, photocopies of these documents handy so that in the event of any loss you can retrieve them. Tip: Scan and email the same to yourself or a family member for any further use. Luggage Though these days there are a variety of luggage available. But while getting luggage make sure they come with straps. It will be easier for you to carry those. Padlocks or baggage locks are important. So, make it a point to bring locks and even chains to tie the baggage below the sit in the trains. Zip-lock bags of all size and shape can be a lot of help. Maps and GPS Maps are an important need. It’s a large country with every city or town has dingy roads and narrow streets. It’s best to get a map. Nowadays all the Smart phones come with this technology so that will be helpful. Get a guide book or local magazines that provide a lot of information about the place. Moreover, internet these days are of a lot of help you can always find a help there. Travel Accessories The first thing that you need to do while travelling to India is to get an International Multi Adapter Plug. Get a local Sim-Card which is easy to get. If you are carrying a laptop, camera or other expensive items then carry the bag with you always. If you don’t want to risk those getting stolen. A wide brim hat for sun protection and a local phrase book will spell to be an essential need. Hindi is a universally accepted language. So, learning some Hindi words will be of help. English too is widely spoken so there are lesser chances of getting lost in translation. Some Toiletries This is the land of Masalas and spices so while packing your toiletries don’t forget mouthwash. Talcum power is a great way to feel refreshed in the hot Indian Weather. But India has other weather conditions too so a light skin lotion or cream will come to a great help. Female Hygiene If you use tampons then it’s better to carry those. There are lesser chances of getting them in a regular medicine shop or other shops. Unless and until it is any specific store in a big city, tampons might not be an easy find. Sanitary Napkins are the ones that are highly available and used by most of the women. So, getting the desired ones as per your need might be a bit difficult. Comfortable Shoes If you are an avid traveler who loves traveling by foot then comfort should a top priority in footwear. For men breathable sport shoes will work fine. Sandals and flip-flops are versatile if you think of visiting holy places. The same necessity goes well for women too but keeping the style need in mind. Carry some flat pumps or loafers which versatile too and serves a two-way purpose. Extra Tips These are some tips that come handy and turn out to be a savior. Swiss knifes. Bring a roll of toilet paper until you find those in India. Paper soaps and hand sanitizer. Always carry your own water. Buy whole fruits if the food doesn’t suit your stomach. Muesli bars can also help in such a need. Keep a pack of instant saline water. Long-lasting deodorant to counter the sweat and odor. Get the numbers of the local police station and embassy in case of emergencies. There is no extensive list to travel in India. These are some must-haves that will help you to counter most of the issues. But if you still find some more prefer add those too. Let India amaze you. Happy India Travel!

India is a land of options so you will never go out of any. If there are 7-star hotels, then there are cozy home stays too. How you want to make your travel experience worth every penny depends largely on you. This country has a unique approach to foreigners. It has everything from dirt and crowd to clean and serenity. You just have to find your purpose. There is no straightjacket guide to travelling in India. There are dos and don’ts but things are desperately changing. The ideologies towards foreigners in the cities are not similar to that of the small towns or villages. So, the best way to deal with India’s dichotomy as a traveler is to gather some hacks that might be helpful. So, here are 10 super useful travel hacks for India. Carry cash Though the Indian Government is urging and trying to make India cashless. But with a country of 1.2 billion people there’s still a long path to be covered. If you want to shop from street vendors or have street foods (which is in plenty) then cash is a must. Cards will work well in restaurants and hotels but not everywhere. You will have ATMs mostly everywhere so be a bit calculative. Carry some and dispense some more whenever necessary. Prefer small eateries than roadside stalls If you don’t want to get sick while travelling in India then avoid food from roadside stalls. They might look tempting but your stomach might not be accustomed to it. You will find small and cheap eateries that also serve same kind of food. Still if you think that you can take it then street foods are the best. Guest houses over hotels Is your trip to India a month-long? Then guest houses are cheap and perfect. Guest houses are comfortable and are not very crowded in comparison to the hotels. You will get proper service and it is more of a viable option. Not many travelers opt for guest houses thinking it to be a murky choice. But the truth is totally different. Get a water filter instead Though most of the tourists or travelers coming to India get bottled water. But apart from some trusted brands such as Bisleri, Kinley, Aquafina and others most of the non-popular brands aren’t trust-worthy. So, the best way to counter this problem is by getting a bottle water filter instead. This will not only save you from shelling-out money for bottled water. But at the same time will make your travelling lighter. There are numerous such water filter options available in the market. Get one of those and stay free from the worry of getting affected by a stomach bug. Take light-colored clothes but not white In India you will sweat a lot and the weather is usually on the higher side. The best option to stay cool is by taking loose, cotton-made and light-colored clothing. But whites are not preferable. As white will become dirty in probably one single wear. So, better avoid whites or wash it right after using it. Trains are the best option in India India is highly connected with both flights and trains. But flights are costly and travelling in trains are the cheapest. You can travel to the remote of places by train and the journey is sure to be an experience. These days booking train tickets in India are also an easy job as they are available online. But remember that there’s always a rush in train. So, whenever you plan your India trip and itinerary. Be outright to book your tickets. This will save you the hassle of Tatkal reservations (urgent reservation the day before the travel). Bargaining is a great option The moment a vendor or, a shopkeeper sees a foreigner In India the prices of the goods increases. This is something that has been happening since like forever. With, a huge influx of tourists in India every year it is a paradise for shopkeepers. Whenever as a traveler you come to India and try buying something, bargain. It’s very important especially from the street vendors. They make it a point to charge you more or rather double at times triple than the price offered to the locals. Don’t feel ashamed that’s how it’s done and it is fun too. Let the bargaining rush feel your senses like it does to the rest of the India. India is a paradise for vegetarian food Nowhere in the world will you find the variety in Veg cuisine like in India. Every part of this country has different kinds and versions of Veg delicacy which are mouth-watering. There is both variety of spicy and non-spicy food. Always make it a point to mention the variation of spices as per your need. The Veg dishes are delectable, rich, Cheap and it is widely available in every nook and cranny of the country. Befriend a local The best way to know and experience India is with the help of the locals. Make a local friend wherever you stay. Indians are very friendly people and are always ready to help. You will get to know the best food joints, shops and places to visit with their help. At times in an emergency they can also turn out to be your savior. Learning some local catch phrases and courtesy can be a bonus to this friendship. State transport buses are best for intercity visits Buses connect all the corners of India. If you fail to get a seat booked in the train, then take a bus. But make sure it’s a state transport bus. These buses are convenient and cheap. Apart from the low fare and connectivity the buses are always on-time. Moreover, the frequency offered by these buses set the right tone to travel in India. Travelling in India can be an experience of a lifetime. And with these hacks nothing can stop you from enjoying this country to its fullest.