You might want to travel to Delhi alone or with someone else, it is important to know about the important tips that would help you to sustain there for a longer period of time. You will first have to find out whether you want to opt for a budget stay or you want to stay in a luxurious hotel.
Another thing that a lot of people are concerned about when travelling to Delhi is whether it is safe to travel to this place. It is true that the incidents that have happened in the past few years in Delhi might be a matter of concern, however, actually, there is not much to worry.
It is true that you will have to be smart and careful but not be afraid of everything there. This city is extremely crowded. The first impression of this city can be a little overwhelming but if you know these important tips then it will certainly benefit you.
If you are interested to know about the tips that you should know before visiting Delhi, then going through the points mentioned below will certainly benefit you:
1. Make sure that you keep your phone and your purse secured throughout
This is quite an obvious tip but when you go to Delhi, your tour guide will keep telling you this. Bag snatching is quite common here. So it is a good option to keep a good grip on the bag and have a finger strap on the mobile phone. This way the phone will stay attached to your hand.
2. Make sure that you do a proper bargaining before you board into the rickshaws and the taxis
Many of you might not like bargaining, however, it is important to bargain in this city. You will have to understand that the rickshaws and the taxis will always charge you more than the actual price.
So you will first have to map the place where you will be travelling and after that, you will have to calculate the fair.
Again, if you are staying in a hotel and travelling from the hotel then ask the front desk how much the taxi or an auto driver will charge for travelling to the destination.
But it is important that you tell a fare lesser than that mentioned by the front desk because they might again have a tie-up with the rickshaw and may try helping the driver rather than helping you. If the driver says "No", you can simply move on to the next rickshaw.
There are thousands of auto rickshaws available and you can get something else. But the chances are that the moment you move on to the next, the auto driver will accept the fare that you are mentioning.
3. It is better to visit Delhi during the winter season over the monsoon season
If you are planning to visit Delhi then the best time to visit this place is between the months of November and March. This is all the more true for all those people who are not very comfortable with the scorching heat of the sun or the water logged Delhi streets.
But the winters in Delhi are both amazing and also pleasant. This is all the more true in the morning. You will love the winter mornings in Delhi with a cup of hot tea in a clay cup that is called "khllad wali chai".
In South Delhi near the Chittaranjan park there are a number of good teas and also coffees available.
4. It is important to drink package drinking water here
The tap water of Delhi might not be very good for the health. If you have isted Delhi as the guest of someone, then you can get to drink water from the purifier but other wise drinking bottled water is the best option. It is also recommended that you avoid ice in the restaurants and the bars. This practice will lower down your chances of falling sick. Do not accept drinks from strangers and do not keep your drink unattended.
5. Carry a pepper spray or a bug spray with you
It is always a good idea to remain conscious in Delhi. In order to stay away from the pests of all sorts bug spray and pepper sprays might prove to be extremely handy.
6. It is very important to carry cash and also understand the prices
It is very important for you to keep some cash handy when you are travelling in Delhi. It is also important to ensure that you do not over spend here. There are certain things that you should keep in mind. You can go through the points mentioned below to understand it better:
- The tip should never be more than 10%
- The rickshaw fare will be somewhere between Rs. 60 and Rs. 350
- The scarves should not cost more than Rs. 250
- In smaller towns the cost of the sarees vary between Rs. 100 and Rs. 600 but in the central part of the city, you will have to be prepared to pay double the price.
There are a number of shops in Delhi that do not accept debit and credit cards. Therefore it is important to always carry cash with you.
Also make sure that you lock your suitcase. You should also have changes in order to pay the small bills. You will have to understand that most people around you never have change with them.
Suggested tour to Delhi
7. If people want to take selfies then do not feel weird
Initially you might feel a little strange when random people would ask you to take selfies. But then you will realize that they ask it to any people including tourists. The Delhites often want to take photos with the tourists.
If you are with your partner, then before taking selfies with your partner, they will also ask you. When guys ask women about taking photos with them instead of a group, it might sound a bit creepy, but dont worry they, in most cases do not have malicious intent.
8. Make sure that you do not book the very first accommodation that you find
One of the best places to look for accommodation in Delhi is the Paharganj area. It is always better to check out the various accommodations in the posh areas of the city like South Delhi. Here you get accommodations with good prices for the various upscale amenities.
9. It is recommended that you dress modestly in Delhi
It is recommended that when you visit Delhi, you should wear something comfortable and at the same time modest. It is not necessary for you to wear traditional outfits only, however, the outfits you wear should at least be comfortable.
10. It is not at all a good idea to see everything in a day
There are a number of places in Delhi that are worth visiting and it is not at all a good idea to see everything in one day. Make sure to divide the markets and the areas and try exploring one each day. Delhi is quite a chaotic city and therefore it is not always necessary that things would go as planned.
Therefore it is a good idea to go with the flow. Before you start sight seeing, make a list of the must see places. Some of the places that you should not miss visiting in delhi are the Khan Market, Red Fort, Connaught Place, Humayun's tomb, Chandni Chowk, India Gate etc.
Conclusion
It is very much true that Delhi is not a perfect place, however, it is surely a good place to be in. This is a weird, unique and exceptional city and accepting it the way it is will surely make your experience here a truly memorable one.
Another very important thing that you have to remember when you visit this place is that you should forget about the concept of "personal space" for a few days at least till the time you are in this city.
