Location Transport

what precautions to be taken while travelling in india by any mode of transport?

mode of transport could be bus, train, aeroplane or car

Public Comments

1. Well, India is an extremely dangerous place to travel by bus, what with the buffaloes and cows and the snake charmers on the streets !! Not to forget the stray dogs. You could be bitten by a dog that can get into your bus. If you are getting down from the bus, high chances that a cow or buffalo may pee over you ! By train, it is extremely over crowded. Your reservation seat will be taken by others. The bathrooms are smelly. By air, since there are cheap airlines flying these days, it has opened the door to every uncouth guy that is out there. I would suggest that you never visit India and stay where you are !
2. Keep your eyes on your luggage at all times. Keep large bags locked. If on a train, chain them under the seat (In Air con a chain is attached to the seat but you need a small padlock ) Have lots of small padlocks for your baggage. On the econony class you'll need to buy chains, available cheap on the station. Never trust anyone who wants to befriend you espescially if you are white foreigners. There are heaps of scammers who want you to use their taxi or their hotel so they will tell big lies. They fool hundreds,everyday. Keep your wits about you and don't trust.. Never take food or drink offered to you by felllow travellers. It can be drugged. That is how they can steal from you when you go unconcious (Same as other asian countries). Train and plane food are generally OK if you like that sort of stuff. (Not for me). Rickshaw, auto rickshaw and taxi drivers as well as porters (Koolies) at the train station will ask for much more than the fare is if you're not Inidan. For taxis, go to the pre-paid taxi rank at big stations and all airports. For autos request metre fare and for cycle rickshaws , check the price with other people or rickshaws before getting on then fix it and pay no more at the end. They make up so many excuses why you should pay them more but you need to firmly refuse and also avoid arguments. It is OK to get off and onto another rickshaw if he offers a cheaper price but make sure you pay something if you went any distance with the first one. Don't argue about small amounts. Sometimes you have to give in to quieten them. Buy bottled water, you need to drink a lot in summer and on long train trips especially. Take some electrol powder or glucose in it to keep hydrated. Don't share your bottle with anyone or drink from theirs. Keep it where no one may drug it. Don't eat out of boredom on long train trips or you'll feel bad at the end, and have to visit dirty public toilets more often. If you have an international licence, still I wouldn't recomend driving in most parts of India. Too many bad drivers on the road. Bad roads also. Be prepared for traffic jams. Especially peak hours in cities and Sundays in tourist places. Sounds like you can't trust anyone??? Just do what all the other good Indians do and trust God. PS By the way, don't let this put you off. There are millions of good people in India and also millions tolerate these inconveniences for the sake of doing pilgrameges. For us westerners that are not so strong, the experience makes you tougher. Generally if you just stay aware then you'lll be OK. India is amazing. It is worth the inconvenience.
3. why say India, precautions should be taken to wherever you travel and for that reason also where you stay. my luggage was stolen from Central Train Station in Rome and the police couldnt help a stranger from another world find it irrespective of CCTV's installed in the station. so take care! and dont be afraid. i was chased by few men @ 2am in London but kept cool and luckily .... here i am
4. It is not worse as reported by 1. SNM 2.Anne Precautions ;- 1. Do not accept biscuits, soft drinks or eatables from co-passengers It may make you faint 2.Do not give much information about you, insted you put queries about India.
5. train travel is by far the safest and best. By car - be very careful. The drivers can rip you off. also, road accidents are very common in india. buses are very uncomfortable. airplanes are often delayed by many, many hours.