Comments on: Most Popular Travel to India Questions Answered

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Sun, 15 May 2016 10:23:52 +0000

In reply to Michael. It really depends on your bank. I use a bank which has no ATM fees or conversion fees whether I take out 500 or 10000 Rs. I would suggest looking into an ATM card with no fees. Typically though the fees on 10,000 Rs from an ATM are much less than the amount your get ripped off exchanging currencies at an airport booth.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 13 May 2016 21:59:45 +0000

Hello. Can you help here? When i travelled in India, use of ATM machines costs a double fee. One for their use and another for conversion fee of UK pounds to Rupees. The cost is not static and i have been charged one fee of £1.00 and a second fee of £3.18 for withdrawing 1000 rupees. Therefore , drawing out 10000 rupees at a time mounts up in fees. However, at ariports, i can change UK pounds for Rupees . Would it make more sense to take a load of cash and exchange it one time there, even though there is a charge, or simply use all those dodgy ATM’s everywhere? Even HSBC charges a lot. It says 2.99% in my bank statements and over my trip, it was quite a lot.
Rupee is a closed currency (How convenient) and so i can not take it from the UK and also this makes exchange rate costs higher. It may be a small fee, but it is still high when you HAVE to use ATM and can only take out 10000 at a time :(
No one seems to know or understand the difference between taking your own national currency and exchanging it live or using ATM’s over a longer period.

Any ideas ?

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 06:09:48 +0000

In reply to Mary Ker. I mostly wear closed shoes in Mumbai and Delhi because of the dirt. It will also be cold in Delhi, too cold for sandals. I would leave them! :)

By: Mary Ker

Mary Ker — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 04:09:05 +0000

You are a treasure! I will be taking my first trip to India in January 2016 (soon!) staying in Mumbai and Delhi, mostly. The one thing I can’t seem to find an answer to is whether the weather in January and February in those cities will let me wear sandals. I have terrible feet, so need my expnsive walking sandles; can’t just buy them locally. And no point hauling them if I am not going to wear them. I would love your advice.

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 08:25:08 +0000

In reply to Rekha Rajan. Yes, now i've been here almost 3 years.

By: Rekha Rajan

Rekha Rajan — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 01:44:39 +0000

This is really cool. and the advice resonates with an Indian woman like me too. The thing is…even a local girl like me has some questions while traveling solo in India.

Basis the way you handled the questions, I have a feeling you spent quite a long time in India – both physically and mentally.

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 14:32:45 +0000

In reply to Umang Trivedi. Great to hear! and thanks for subscribing

By: Umang Trivedi

Umang Trivedi — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 04:53:02 +0000

You know, I am an Indian and I like to travel. You have actually informed me about my own country! This post here might be the most useful post on internet about travelling in India. I was in Goa for two years and met many travelers like you. It is always fun to know about the experiences. I am subscribing to your blog and will look forward for future posts.

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 10:07:18 +0000

In reply to Jessica Festa. Thanks Jessie! Let me know when you come this way :)

By: Jessica Festa

Jessica Festa — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 02:09:08 +0000

Great post! I spent a few weeks in Kerala in early 2014. Hoping to get to northern India in 2015. Your blog really inspires me to want to go! :)

By: A NAIR

A NAIR — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 11:03:08 +0000

In reply to Rachel Jones. :-) That's very typical of AirIndia staff. They are really racist and I have experienced it first hand. Once on an Air India international flight I asked for a second helping of beer, the hostess curtly replies 'no, we don't give second drink'. The foreign guy behind me asks the same thing and he gets it and he gets it again and then again. At that point, I lost it and complained to the head steward.

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Sun, 03 Aug 2014 13:16:08 +0000

In reply to Liz. I'm glad you're coming this way- that's awesome!

By: Liz

Liz — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 19:30:27 +0000

This is awesome, Rachel! As a woman traveler, I initially had qualms about visiting India but I can’t resist its call. I just have to do it. I found your blog very helpful! Loved it! Thank you so much! :)

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 06:52:24 +0000

In reply to Katie. Im glad this post helped you. Let me know if you need anything!

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 17:28:49 +0000

Rachel,
Thank you so much for this post!! I am headed to India alone next winter and have just started doing some research. This post answered a number of my questions, and quelled my fears of riding the train or the bus alone. I think I will visit Goa too, maybe I’ll drop you a line :)
Katie

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 13:31:04 +0000

In reply to Alex, Speaking Denglish. Thanks Alex, and thanks for sharing the post on twitter and to your friends! sharing truly is caring lol. I hope you make it to Indian some day. It's not on many people's radar but once people come they don't want to leave!

By: Alex, Speaking Denglish

Alex, Speaking Denglish — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 08:22:18 +0000

This Q&A, I don’t even know where to begin – absolutely fabulous! I have no plans to go to India (although I would love to someday!) but found myself reading every last detail. Your honesty is refreshing and makes me even more intrigued. I share your blog with anyone who talks about going to India!

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 04:57:55 +0000

In reply to Dom. Your welcome Dom! glad you're finding it useful :)

By: Dom

Dom — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 18:31:05 +0000

This post has been really useful for answering some questions I had for my trip to India next month. Thank you – your blog has been a great help in planning my trip! Very excited to get to India now.
P.S. Happy birthday!

By: Empty Rucksack

Empty Rucksack — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 06:53:43 +0000

And happy 25th bday.

The funniest question was about eat, prey love.

About the language, its not a problem in India even if you cannot speak, people r more than eager to answer even if you don’t ask anything :P