Travelling to India

Lavdogg

Hi Folks,

Travelling to Bengaluru in August for work, bit nervous as it quite a distance away.

Just wondering whats the best way to apply for a visa? Is there an online platform or do you have to go to the embassy, I have heard a few conflicting views!

From looking at flights hoping to connect in Dubai/Doha from Dublin and then onto Bengaluru, has anyone done either of these routes before?

Lastly as we are in the middle of good weather here at the moment, I am guessing it will be much hotter over there!

Any help/feedback is greatly appreciated!

Info on visa here

https://www.indianembassydublin.gov.in/page/visa-fee/

towger

The visa application is online. A bit long-winded, even questions on your parents’ religion, but easy enough.

As for India, if you open your mind it is an unforgettable experience. Crowded and noisy for sure, but fantastic, so diverse, fantastic food, people are amazing, and if you are stuck for conversation mention cricket …. They’ll chat away for hours about it.

long story short I’d love to go back some day ………..

Nigel Fairservice

I was in Doha airport during the week. It was my first time there. I had 55 minutes to make my connecting flight and made it in 25. Positive experience of the airport anyway. Seemed very efficient.

Jonathan2712

Doha is a very easy airport to transit. All of the ME airports are, as that's their core business. India is great place to visit, and if you can, I would tag a day or two of holiday on to the end. Too often on business trips you just see the office / hotel / office.

I probably do 30+ overseas business trips per year and will always try to tag a day or two on to the end / beginning if I'm somewhere new.

danoriordan1402

I was there for a month in March about 4 years ago with work, it hit 32 degrees but that was uncharacteristic as its a much cooler place than Mumbai for example, I would say in August it would be mid to late 20's. Arriving in the airport it will take a good hour to get through the immigration checks, that's normal.

Fantastic place and people, crowded and noisy, the never ending sounds of tuk tuk's beeping...... road driving in a free for all, junctions are mental. It normal as well to have your car/taxi's checked for devices as you drive into hotels and there are metal detectors all over the place as well. Head out for a few beers in the evening and it would be unusual to see groups of locals on laptops in the bars coding and boozing away. :)

Head to the zoo and go out on the safari jeeps as well and try to check out some of the temples. On a Friday after work we picked up a flight to Goa which is about 45mins away and stayed for a couple of days, back to work Monday.... rough as f* :)

Enjoy!

Been to India twice visiting Indian friends. Have travelled from Delhi to Kerala

Not once were we allowed out on our own. We always had an escort bar when we were in a small village in Kerala and everyone knew who we were friends with.

India , though a nice country is impoverished and in parts dangerous for foreigners.

Keep your wits about you when out and about. Otherwise, enjoy the trip

Lavdogg

Thanks everyone for the feedback so far!

Will take a stab at the visa application over the weekend

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120671934#Comment_120671934

Just be careful on the visa. If you're working you may not be able to use a tourist visa. Talk to your employer

alexago

I also wanted to visit India. And I think I'll do it in late September. I haven't looked for any info about the visa yet, so I'm gla dthat I've found this thread. Thanks for enlightening me and sharing your experiences.

Tipperary animal lover

August will be rainy season, weather should be under 30 degrees daily, have transit through bengaluru a few times, crazy city but still much better than Delhi and mumbai, as for visa, tourist visa very straight forward once you can upload your picture and passport page, not sure about work visa, how long will you be there? Take a weekend break to goa if you can its about an hours flight. You can buy suncream, mozzie spary etc over there at lower prices in any pharmacy, every price is on the back of items so you won't be fleeced. Just remember to wipe down everything when eating in local restaurants also bring hand sanitiser and cash is king in majority of places. Enjoy its an amazing country.