A Love/Hate Relationship – Traveling to India
Oh India… you make me feel uncomfortable, give me severe diarrhea, make me take 30-hour train rides, but in the end you utterly amaze me. You are that really bad relationship that I keep wanting to go back to. But what is it about traveling to India that is so addictive?
Why Traveling to India Feels So Different
So what is it about traveling to India more than any other country that makes travelers have that mind-altering, life-changing experience? Many of those inspirational ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ type movies are based in India rather than, say, France or Brazil. Is it because you see extreme poverty in India? Is it because it is the cradle of so many religions? It’s that and so much more.
For instance, it’s also because India is like twelve countries stuffed into one. The food, the language, the festivals, the clothes—all of it changes every few hundred miles. One day you’re eating butter chicken in Delhi, and the next you’re on a houseboat in Kerala eating coconut curry. It’s impossible to lump “India” into one single idea, which is probably why it sticks with you so much.
The Wild Ride: Travel Experiences in India
In India you will get scammed, be stared at, pop anti-diarrhea meds as if it were candy, get groped, pose in an endless parade of pictures with babies and 20 year old men who will tell their friends they slept with you and for half the trip you are conscious of where a bathroom is in case you need to make a run for it…oh, and that dirty hippie look that you have never been wanting to try out, give it three weeks in India and you will become one. These things don’t sound fun, right? I mean, India even has its own acronym.
I’ll
Never
Do
It
Again
One time, I accidentally bought a train ticket for the wrong day and ended up sharing a bench with five strangers and someone’s goat for twelve hours. The guy next to me offered me some kind of spicy snack that burned my mouth for the next hour, but we still somehow bonded over Bollywood songs. It’s those moments that are pure India—completely ridiculous and somehow heartwarming all at once.
Love or Hate? Why Travelers Keep Visiting India
India is a country that you either love or despise; there is no middle way. Each day is different, too. One moment you are awe-inspired to the extent you can’t even explain it in words, and on other days, you just want to give up completely. Even the most veteran of travelers will be lost at some point.
I’ve met people who said they’d never return, only to spot them back in India a year later. It’s like a bizarre addiction. It’s also the conversations that stick with you—like chatting with a priest in Varanasi about reincarnation, or getting life advice from an old rickshaw driver who swears he used to work in Hollywood. Every day feels like another episode of a show you didn’t know you signed up for.
Challenges and Survival Tips for Traveling in India
Accept That Everyday Tasks Are an Adventure
The simplest of tasks needs an internal pep talk before embarking. “Alright, Jodie, let’s find that bus stop that has no sign or indicator that it is a bus stop, and the only explanation you have is that it is by a tea shop in the middle of the road.” It was constantly an Amazing Race competition. It usually took asking at least 5-7 people to find out where I was supposed to go.
Download Offline Maps
Cell signal isn’t always reliable, especially in smaller towns or on mountain roads. Having Google Maps or Maps.me saved offline can save you from wandering aimlessly while being chased by monkeys (true story).
Time and Toilets Work Differently in India
And don’t even get me started on finding bathrooms. Carry tissues. Carry sanitizer. And accept that sometimes it’s going to be a hole in the ground. And here’s another important thing in India: when someone tells you “five minutes,” it could mean anywhere from 5 minutes to… 2 hours.
Always Carry Small Change
You’ll need it for everything—water, chai, tipping, temple donations. Everyone will shrug and say “no change” when you try to pay with a big note, so keep a stash of 10s and 20s like your trip depends on it. Because it kind of does.
Go Easy on Street Food
And when it comes to food, ease into street food slowly—think of your stomach like a rookie in training camp. Dive in too fast, and you’ll be sprinting for the nearest toilet in record time. Stick to busy stalls where locals are eating, and avoid anything that’s been sitting out like a sunbathing lizard.
Don’t Wing It with Trains
Trains are a whole separate adventure. One word of advice: book your tickets in advance—like, really! Sleeper classes fill up fast, and last-minute panic is real. Also, double-check the schedule on the day of your trip. Indian Railways is charmingly unpredictable. Oh, and keep your ticket until you exit. Yes, even then.
Learn a Few Handy Hindi Words
Learn a few Hindi words like “kitna?” (how much?) and “nahin” (no). They’ll save you more times than you can count. And if all else fails—laugh. India will always win if you try to fight it.
Watch Out for Scammers
Trust your gut when dealing with touts or pushy guides, but remember—India isn’t one giant scam-fest (even if it feels like it some days). Some people genuinely just want to help… but some are definitely trying to make a quick buck. Learn to say “no, thank you” and, pro tip: if you can keep your cool and hold eye contact, people usually back off quicker.
Heads Up for Solo Female Travelers
If you’re a woman planning to travel solo in India, things can get a bit trickier—think dealing with unwanted attention or staying safe on those late-night rides. I’ve put together my top tips just for solo female travelers in my blog about traveling alone in India as a woman. It’s full of practical advice to help you stay confident, comfortable, and safe while still soaking up all the magic India has to offer.
Laugh It Off
India rarely sticks to the plan—actually, it almost never does. But if you just chill out and go with the crazy flow, you’ll end up with way better stories… and hopefully fewer breakouts than me!
If you want to dive deeper into exploring India, Lonely Planet’s India guide is a great resource to find more tips and inspiration.
Living in the Moment: The Magic of Traveling to India
In India, you have this extreme presence. You are not necessarily thinking about the future or the past, but you are “in the now.”
It’s because India doesn’t let you drift into autopilot. You’re too busy navigating cows on the road, dodging motorbikes, haggling over rickshaw fares, or being hypnotized by a temple ceremony to think about your taxes or your ex. It forces you into mindfulness, whether you want it or not. And sometimes that’s exactly what you didn’t know you needed.
So, should you travel to India? Absolutely! India is an amazing country that everyone should experience once in his or her life. If you go in with a good attitude and can take things with a ‘grain of salt,’ then you will do fine. Of course, not all of India is intense, and in the South and North, you can find many areas that are very tranquil, but at some point you will have that “I have no idea what I am doing moment” and as the Indians say “Shanti Shanti“…just relax! Happy travels!