Friday, December 14, 2007

Backpacker Tips

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Most backpackers come to India for that typical South Asian experience within a reasonable budget. As a backpacker, you do have a wide range of options available.

Your typical budget for every city you visit should not exceed $40 - $50 for each day in a reasonably good budget hotel. That should include food and other small personal expenses and also local bus/ train fare and taxi fare for short distances. 

Please keep the following points in mind :

Most hotels at this price range are usually within walking distance from the railway station you just arrived at.

If you've arrived by air, don’t look around the airport. Even if there are a few, you won’t find them. Don’t follow touts. Just head for the railway station and start looking. 

Stations for outstation trains are centrally located and convenient for stay in the city and for sightseeing. Walk around and you’ll find a lot of small hotels. Touts may follow you here too, but its their job, and its your job to ignore them.

You get a feel of the hotel from the entrance, reception lobby and general upkeep. If it doesn't look good, it isn't. Keep walking.

Always check the room and the toilets before you pay them a penny. Also turn on the taps. If they tell you the water will come, chances are, it wont. Most charge you for two days in advance, and this is standard practice. And they’re very, very negotiable.

Plan your journey such, that you arrive early in the day. After dark its difficult to pick and choose as you’d be in a hurry to settle down.

Most of these small hotels don’t have restaurants of their own but there are many restaurants outside that cater to their guests.

If you ask one of the room service boys to fetch you food, the price could double. Ditto with cigarettes and everything else. Just drag yourself out. You’ll save your dollars. 

Self help is the best policy here.

Buy a few stackable food grade plastic containers as soon as you arrive in India. Use these to store, biscuits, cookies, crisps, chocolates and other snacks in your hotel room. This is recommended for everyone and not just the backpacker.

Restaurants in India usually serve a generous quantity, which is appropriate for Indians, but may be in excess for you. Most restaurants will serve you – half – that quantity for nearly half the price of the dish. This will more than suffice for one person. If you’re two, simply order one full meal and an empty plate!

KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Dominos, Pizza Corner, Subway, Burger King and others have outlets across cities and bigger towns.

Low budget hotels are not always situated in the best of locations and If you’re a single female traveler, a group of women or a family, it’s wiser to upgrade to a budget hotel in the least.
Most hotels in this price range do not offer packages and charge on a per night basis. Some may have a basic travel desk or could arrange local sightseeing for you.

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