For first-time travellers, getting to your hotel is, unfortunately, a challenge to overcome when you land in India.
You might already have that nervous feeling as you walk through the airport, but it really hits when you look out the exit door and see the organized chaos of India for the first time. This blog will ease that fear.
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India Survival Guide Table of contents
- Introduction
- Travel Essentials: Before You Travel to India
- Arriving in India: Getting to Your Hotel & Airport Amenities (You’re here)
- Tourist Scams to Avoid in India
- Avoiding Fake Money & Ripped Notes in India
- Avoiding Bad Accommodation
- How to Bargain, Get Refunds, and How Much Rickshaws Cost
- Avoiding Counterfeit Souvenirs in India
- How to Be Street Smart in India
- Buses and Trains in India Explained
- Food and Drink Safety for Travellers
- What to Do If You Get Sick in India
- How to Deal with Air Pollution in India
10 replies on “Arriving in India: Getting to Your Hotel & Airport Amenities”
Thank you so much for this travel tips it helps me a lot and give me idea how to avoid and what to do cos im planning to visit soon
Thanks Kath! Glad I could help. Enjoy your trip.
Hi Karl! Making my own trip, solo soon & am feeling a tad nervous. Any advice on navigating customs into India from the USA? I have read horror stories on having to carry receipts for all your electronics or to be warned if you’re wearing any jewelry as you may have to pay a duty fee? I could use some tips from someone who has actively experienced customs in India. 🙏 Thank you
Hey Sally. It’s not like that anymore. It’s just like any other country, they’re just looking for smugglers.
Thank you so much for your swift response Karl. Just have one follow up question if you don’t mind- have you had any experience with the Mumbai Airport? Do the customs agent speak English? And it is normally the standard questions of where you are staying, how long, and why?
Thank you again for being so helpful, just trying to lessen my travel anxiety the best I can through more knowledge.
Hey Sally, yes, I’ve been through Mumbai. They speak English. Usual questions, same as any other airport, although most of the time they don’t ask anything.
This priceless Bhai. Bahut dhanywad. On behalf of all Indians out there, I apologize for all the slime ball people who try to take advantage of foreigners.
Do you still need photographs to get a SIM? (2024) Many Thanks
Your advice about SIM cards is useful but are there reasons to use them over e-sim? Also, can I expect to get local cash from an ATM at the airport or do I need to use the currency exchange desks?
Hi Aubrey, yes, you’re correct. E-sim is the way to go now. It saves so much hassle and works as soon as you land! I’ll update this post with that information. I use Nomad and if you use this promo code KARL94JF we both get $5 off. Yes, you can use your credit or debit card in ATMs to withdraw cash at the airport when you arrive. There’s a maximum withdrawl amount per transaction for foreign cards. It’s between INR 10,000 and INR 20,000 per transaction depending on the banks ATM rules. Have a great trip!