You pay for what you get. Nowhere is this truer than in India. In India, everything, not only accommodation, is available at prices ranging from super budget to super luxury.
Sometimes it seems like a competition to see who can sell the cheapest and the worst quality product. You can buy a dirt-cheap pair of scissors, but they aren’t going to cut well, if at all. Or you can buy a sturdy steel pair that will last for decades with regular sharpening.
A lot of the time, if prices for self-rated “3 or 4-star” hotels look too good to be true, they probably are. The photos and description will look great, but when you arrive, it’s an entirely different story.
Here is what you can expect for your money in India:
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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
- Tourist Scams to Avoid in India
- Avoiding Fake Money & Ripped Notes in India
- Avoiding Bad Accommodation (You’re here)
- 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 “How to Avoid Bad Hotels in India”
Thanks, so much Karl. I have travelled all over the world and plan on going to India for 10 weeks, next February. India is the country I’ve wanted to see the most. Your guide makes me feel like I’m on track!
Have a great trip!
Hi, I believe there is a typo.
“You can buy a dirt-cheap pair of scissors, but they aren’t going to cut well, if at all. Or you can buy a sturdy steel pair that will **large** for decades with regular sharpening.”. I think large should be “last”!
So far enjoying this read – I dont have any plans to travel to India any time soon but it’s so intriguing regardless.
Thanks Jason! I appreciate it. I’ve fixed the typo. Come to India sometime, you’ll enjoy it mate. Thanks again.
Thanks Karl
I love reading your guide and watching your videos. I am finally visiting India in October. Going to be as a solo traveller. So much to work out!
I’m flying into Delhi at 2am, do most hostels/hotels have 24/7 transfer and customer service? And what would you recommend as a young 28 y.o traveller ? I plan to stay in Delhi for 1 night, then move around and do the golden triangle!
Hey Thomas. Thank you. All good hotels will have a 2am pickup. There’s a number of hotel just outside the airport which you could stay at, they should all have free transfers. The area is called Aerocity. Whichever hotel you choose, just message them in advance to make sure they can do a 2am transfer. Have a great trip!
Thank you Karl for your very informative India travel advice. My husband and I are planning our first trip to India and land in Mumbai at 1am. We think we’ll stay in the Fort area near Colaba. Any thoughts on this, or do you still think Bandra or other suburbs would be a better choice. Thanks again!
Hi Samantha, I’d stay closer to the airport if arriving at 1am. Bandra is a good option for your first time in India. Fort is just a little far. Have a great trip!
Namaste Karl, thank you for your good Work and inspiration. I have experienced great difficulties to get an Indian Sim Card. It was easy at the Delhi Airport but other places like Bengaluru and Kolkata, how ever, were Impossible, without the help of someone lokal. Do you have any Suggestions? Thank you 🙏🏼
Namaste Ji. Thank you. I only use eSIMs now whenever I travel now. You can buy them and set them up before you even arrive in the country – so they work the second you land. Check out Holafly, https://holafly.sjv.io/bOO6Em (there’s a 5% discount using my link too).