Do I need a visa to travel to India?
Yes. Almost all countries require a visa to enter India, please ensure you leave enough time to obtain your visa and check the requirements prior to booking your visa. Try not to leave your visa to the last minute as they can sometimes take longer than stated. If your purpose of visit is coming to the wedding and travelling you will need to obtain a tourist visa. Ensure that you have checked that your passports have enough validity before you travel.
Which airport shall I fly into?
Goa has it's own airport and you should be able to fly direct into Goa if this suits you. The closest main airport outside of Goa is Mumbai, from Mumbai you can take a domestic flight to Goa or if you have time you can take a train which is cheaper but obviously would take a lot longer (approx 11 hours). Zoe and her family live in Delhi which also has an international airport. You can also take a domestic flight from Delhi or again the train (but please note the train journey can take between 25-33 hours). If you do not have a lot of time in India it would be recommended to take domestic flights where possible. However if you are thinking of taking the train the closest station to the venue in Goa is Madgaon.
Is it easy to find money changers in India?
There are plenty of money changers in India. There is usually one at the airport but they may not give you the best rate however it is good to get some money when you arrive to tide you over until you find one. Usually you will find a money changer in the nearest town to you or at the bank. You should be able to draw from your card but double check this before you leave. You can also change travellers cheques here if you choose to bring these.
I am planning on travelling India, where would you recommend?
If you are planning on doing some travelling I would highly recommend getting a lonely planet guide which gives a really great overview of all the cities in India and also some recommended itineraries. It is a great guide and if you are planning on doing some travelling you should really research the places beforehand. December is the best time to visit Rajasthan which has some incredible cities to explore, however, if you wish to go further North into the foothills (places such as Shimla) it may be snowing at this time of year. If you wish you could travel further South into Kerala which is absolutely beautiful and explore the backwaters. The options are endless!!!
Do I need to get vaccinations?
Some people like to get vaccinations prior to coming to India. If you decide you would like to do this your GP or local health centre should be able to do this for you. In relation to whether you need Malaria tablets I have travelled to India many times as a foreigner and have never used them although there can be some risk of Malaria it is not high especially in the winter months. If you are worried just make sure you bring plenty of mosquito repellent.
Will I get sick if I travel to India?
It is a myth that everyone who comes to India gets sick. There are many people who do not get ill when travelling to India. However, it is good to realise that you may not have built up immunity to some of the bugs here. It is good to take precautions such as not drinking the water or eating the street food. You can buy water at all the local stores. Some people avoid having ice in their drinks. It may also be wise not to dose up on too much chilli and hot food to soon, a lot of tummy aches can be related to foreign stomachs not being used to all the wonderful spices and flavours used in Indian food, so you may need some time to adjust.
What should I wear when I am in India?
Goa is slightly different to other parts of India so you can pretty much wear anything here. It is pleasantly hot during the December month so ensure you pack your bikini and swim shorts! You are able to wear skirts/vests and shorts here no problem. However if you are travelling other parts of India I would recommend being more moderate with your dress sense. If you are a girl I would avoid wearing hot pants / mini skirts and spaghetti strap vests or low cut blouses. Vests with thick straps (that cover most of your shoulder) would be fine. If you plan to visit any hill stations it can get chilly so make sure you take something warm. You can buy plenty of clothing here that is suitable for affordable prices.
Is there anything useful I should bring that I am unable to buy there?
It may be useful to bring some mosquito repellent although you can buy this here. You may wish to bring hand sanitizer and wet wipes if you plan on travelling as there is often not toilet paper/soap in public toilets or on the trains. Ladies you may wish to bring spare supplies of your monthly toiletries as your regular brands may not be available here. Most other toiletries are available and cheap to purchase here - shampoo / conditioner / deodorant etc
