Getting around
Getting around
Distances in India are long and the roads are busy, so how you travel has a real effect on how you experience the trip. The train lets you see the country from the window and feel its rhythm, a domestic flight saves time between distant regions, a car with a driver spares you extra changes, a bus helps on short stretches and a rickshaw gets you around town. Below you'll find a comparison of the options, tips on getting around cities and a note on how the heat affects travel. We don't name transport companies or services, or give fares.
In India the journey is part of the trip, not a pause between cities. Time in reserve turns it from an ordeal into a chance to watch the world go by.
How to get around
| Option | Best for | Bear in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Train | Journeys between northern cities; long trips with a view from the window | Tickets on popular routes go early; trains can be delayed, so don't plan a train journey right before a flight |
| Domestic flight | Long distances, for example between the north and the coast | Getting to the airport in big cities can take a long time; allow for traffic and check the baggage rules |
| Car with a driver | A route through several towns; trips to forts and villages | Agree the terms in advance and in writing; driving yourself is not advisable on a first trip |
| Bus | Short stretches between neighbouring towns | Journeys can be cramped and hot; keep documents and money on you, not in your luggage |
| Rickshaw | Short trips around town | Agree the fare before you get in and confirm exactly where you're going; at night choose well-lit, busy places |
In town
- Cross the road together with local people and don't assume traffic will stop for you
- Download an offline map: it makes it easier to check you're being taken the right way
- Save the address of where you're staying in the local language or as a pin on the map
- Don't agree to a ride if the driver insists on a “quick stop” at a shop
- Keep small change separate from your main cash so you don't have to take out your wallet in public
- In crowded places carry your bag in front of you and don't keep your phone in your back pocket
Read next
- Planning
A step-by-step plan for your first trip to India, with examples, common mistakes and a pre-departure checklist.
- Routes
Three routes by type of place: a week on the Golden Triangle, the north plus the sea, and a slow beach holiday.
- Local guide
Traveller's rules: sacred sites, clothing, the right hand, photographing people, 112, heat and water.
Sources
- Buddhatour editorial notes
This guide covers independent travel to India in general terms. Visa rules, visiting arrangements at monuments and sacred sites, the weather and conditions on the road all change, so check them against official sources shortly before you fly.