I want to go to India!

Missiechan

By myself, for a long weekend, on a budget. Is it possible?

Who would I fly with? Where's the best place to visit? Can I stay somewhere nice and safe on a budget? I'm not planning on drinking or beach-hopping, just lots of sight-seeing and soaking up the culture. I've researched a few options but I think the best person to ask is someone who's done it before.

So can anyone offer some advice?

jhegarty

It's going to lots of work to organise a visa , and the flights and long and expensive.

I wouldn't advise it for a weekend destination.

swanvill

Very long distance to go for a weekend why not consider visiting london and going to Indian areas such as Wembly, Southhall etc :-)

KavEnn

Just back from India in January and would even consider it for a weekend-you would need 2 weeks at the absolute min! Jetlag can be really tough on your 1st few days there too, so if you were only there for 3 to 4 days it would be wasted in bed!

H2G2

I did Dublin to New Delhi and back in 3 days (for work). Even with a business class sleeper bed it was hard going. Took a few days to recover. Economy seat would have been hell.
A weekend trip madness, IMHO.
Plus the costs... not just flight & hotel, but visa and vax shots... it just wouldn't add up for a weekend.

cfitz

Missiechan wrote: »

By myself, for a long weekend, on a budget. Is it possible?

Who would I fly with? Where's the best place to visit? Can I stay somewhere nice and safe on a budget? I'm not planning on drinking or beach-hopping, just lots of sight-seeing and soaking up the culture. I've researched a few options but I think the best person to ask is someone who's done it before.

So can anyone offer some advice?

Seen as everyone else is telling you not to do it, I'll give you suggestions of how to do it just in case you still want to

I was there for about a month last November/December. Turkish Airlines fly there and I find them quite good. How many days have you available? The long flights will eat into your time.

You'll only be able to visit a few places. Accommodation should be fine unless you are on a very low budget. Also, I didn't find safety an issue in India (well actually things like fire safety and hygiene might have been a bit of a worry but not crime).

A possible itinerary could be enter India through Delhi or Mumbai but connect straight on to Jaipur. Go to the markets, visit the fort, maybe head to the big cinema there for a dose of Bollywood. Next day head to Agra for the Taj Mahal. Then the following day head to Bharatpur wildlife park to see some snakes and eagles and turtles. That afternoon go to Fatepur Sikri and look at all the Moghul ruins. Finally, head to Delhi for your flight home - not a very nice place, but worth it just to see the madness of it (a walk around Paharanj would do the job if you didn't have much time, the muslim quarter is meant to be interesting but I didn't get there). The Birla Temple there is worth a look too.

So you could possibly do all that in about 5 nights. Doesn't cover a wide area but has a big variety of things to do. If you got your train tickets booked beforehand and did good research it might work out very well. I'd definitely recommend plenty of rest before and after that trip though.