How to Get Around on a Trip in India

When people hear the word India they automatically picture a land of spirituality, beautiful architecture, and a country rich in traditions, cultures, and foods. This is why thousands of tourists visit India each year. India is a heavily populated country, and tourists who aren't familiar with the rules of the road or the safety measures to take when traveling need to figure out the best ways to get around India while visiting. India provides a number of different ways to travel around, and tourists can get around by car, bicycle, motorcycle, bus, train, or boat.

Travel by Car or Motorcycle

The majority of tourists don't hire a car to drive because the rules of the road are pretty much non-existent in India. Drivers are usually reckless and careless, occasionally driving on the wrong side of the road or swerving around obstacles without looking for oncoming traffic. This can be a scary even for a tourist. The best bet is to hire a driver rather than rent a car. Don't expect seatbelts in the vehicles, so make sure you hire a driver who has a car with secure door handles so you can hold on tight while being driven around India.

Motorcycles are one way you can drive yourself around India. Motorcycles are popular because they handle the rough roads of India well and can go into mountainous areas easier than a car. India caters to motorcycle riders by offering biker tours and motorcycle rentals. If you want to tour a certain area for a couple of days, consider renting a motorcycle and joining a tour. Just make sure to get accident insurance, since the consequences of hitting someone are severe. You can even take your motorcycle on some ferries or boats, making it easy to travel to the islands with your motorcycle.

Travel by Bus or Train

Two of the easiest ways to travel around India is by bus or train. India has a huge train system that allows tourists to travel long distances. You can reserve spots on trains through travel agents, making travel through India quick and efficient. If you're traveling a very long distance, you can even reserve a sleeper car on an overnight train. The Indian railway is well-known, and many people believe every tourist should experience at least one ride on the railway. The railway specializes in taking tourists on an adventure to different parts of India, so it's one of the easiest ways to see notable landmarks.

Busses are a great way to get around in the cities and to visit mountainous areas. This type of travel is cheap, but it allows you to bring your luggage with you as you travel from one destination to another. Busses rattle and are often driven fast and with little discretion to the rules of the road. Government run busses are often the safest, but you may find it cheaper and more convenient to ride private busses. You can even combine bicycle touring with bus riding as most busses will allow you to put your bicycle on top for a small fee. With all of the travel options, you are assured of seeing India from land, air, and water.