Dehli for work

[TourangaLeila]

I have the very exciting opportunity to visit Delhi for 7 weeks on a work trip.

I'm looking for all the tips!

How do i avoid dehli belly?

Places to go on a weekend

Where should I look to stay? (work will be paying but I can search for hotels and see what they have on our booking systems)

What foods should I try?

How does the transport and such work?

Oh and what should I take! Clothes and supplies wise?

It's been a while since I've been. Difficult to totally avoid DB, bring meds for d and v with you, don't drink the water obvs, stay in a good hotel which will send for a local doctor who will patch you up in no time. Enjoy every minute, wonderful city, amazing country.

We were in India for a couple of weeks earlier this year, including a couple of days in Delhi.

Nothing can prepare you for the chaos on the roads. The way you as a Westerner (even if you are of Asian appearance) get around is by taxi or Uber, which is cheap and as safe as you're going to get. I would not recommend a single woman to attempt to take public transport, and you don't need to.

For a weekend day tour you can ask a local incoming tour agency to get you a driver and/or guide. Look up Erco Travels, for example. Internal flights are cheap and you could consider going to Mumbai or Kerala for a weekend. It would be a shame not to see some of the country while you are there.

The food is great, and often not as spicy as you might imagine. Go into places that say "family restaurant" as opposed to "dhaba", which are a bit more rough-and-ready. "Family restaurants" don't have Michelin stars either but you will attract less attention as a woman on your own. You can also go into a 5-star hotel and pay about 2/3 of what you would in the UK for a meal in entirely unchallenging surroundings.

Street food is OK if it's cooked in front of you. Vegetable-based is safer than meat. Throw away any salad-type garnish. Freshly made sodas at a stand are delicious. To our surprise, all of the breads (including western-style "pav") and the pizzas were excellent.

You will find both western and local hotel brands in the luxury category. They are equally good and the service is generally of a high standard. You can pay by card in most places that receive tourists but carry cash for more informal settings and for tipping. We used to refer to ₹10 or 20 coins or notes as "loo money" because you will be expected to tip for the loo in many places.

If you get homesick there are branches of Costa and Starbucks and McDonald's (no beef!) in the western-style shopping malls. You will also find all of the big international brands there at pretty much western prices. Go to local department stores like Peter England or Shopper's Stop for good value clothes. (Don't take too much with you and leave some space in your luggage for shopping.)

Some great suggestions thank you!

Anyone any ideas on what sort of clothes or sundries to take?

I was in Delhi in March. I was advised to take charcoal tablets to avoid Delhi Belly which I did. I also only ate food prepared in the hotel or where we knew the province. Drink only bottled water including for teeth brushing. I only had one dodgy evening quickly sorted with Imodium and possibly more due to unfamiliar food rather than bacterial infection.

We stayed at the Taj Palace and it was excellent. Can echo the comments the re getting around as a single woman.

I wore cotton and linen dresses, generally maxi but certainly midi. That is my usual attire to be fair. When we arrived all the other women in the group were wearing cotton trousers and t-shirts but after a few days they were all going out buying loose cotton dresses as in the heat dresses were much more comfortable (and look much nicer!)

There are loads of options for taking tours and Delhi’s so vast I think you would fill most weekends. Obviously you need to take a train to Agra and see the Taj Mahal. Breathtaking and very moving.

Oh and take a water bottle. You are generally able to fill with potable water in the hotel. Also antiseptic wipes to wipe your hands after handling money which can be pretty filthy.

You can get a cholera vaccine called Dukoral (it’s a drink) that protects against a few types of Delhi belly. Also don’t eat meat unless in a hotel catering to westerners. Don’t ever take sweets in temples (or if you do, don’t eat them!). Take hand sanitizer and use after being on any transport. Do take Imodium and some rehydration sachets and use if you feel a bit dodgy. I’ve been to India numerous times and avoided Delhi belly but also love eating the street food! Agra v doable for a weekend by train - book in advance. Lots of places in Delhi to visit as well. I love the Gandhi museum and also the Indira Gandhi museum. Enjoy!

Just tried to look up the train situation. I am very confused by all the class choices!

Any help there gratefully received.

Take some Imodium every hour, on the hour 🤣.

You can get clothes tailor made for you, either take something for them to copy or let them do a Punjabi suit (also has other names) which you’ll be inconspicuous in. It’s baggy trousers and a long shirt, with cotton shawl if you want.

In tourist places that involve taking your shoes off, pay for someone to look after your shoes.

Go shopping! Indian handicrafts are incredible. Post things back to the UK if too heavy or bulky.

I wouldn’t take too many valuables eg jewellery as it might make you too anxious.

What time of year will you be there?

There’s help in the New Delhi railway station, depends where you want to go.

Due to fly out in 4/5 weeks. We are just waiting for visas ect to come through.

DH’s Top Tip for India: keep your mouth shut in the shower/when washing your face!

Also stay as veggie as you can and only bottled water with a checked seal. Swerve the salad.

Ooh that’s going to be warm 😂

And I think the monsoon in Delhi will start early July??? That is incredible, life just goes on while you’re all paddling through the streets.

So take a brolly, and remember to keep really well hydrated.

Fresh orange juice with black salt is an acquired taste, but it’s good for you in the summer.

I know 😂 I looked earlier today and it's still 27 degrees at 10pm at night. Oof

I went mid July once, you do acclimatise, I remember I took some face cream and never used it as I was permanently sweaty.

I’d also add to not become so reliant on air conditioning. I’m sure you’ll have it for work, but you don’t want to be going from air con car to air con office, restaurant, hotel all the time. It’s such a wonderful country (and city) and to not get out a bit because it’s hot would be such a shame.

Any photos would be most appreciated on this thread I’m sure!

I would say avoid taking trains on your own, salads, street food that includes water as this won’t be made with bottled water. Avoid very busy markets as there’s a risk of getting groped.

Travel by uber and not on your own (especially when it’s dark) most big hotels there will call you a taxi if you need one. Ensure the meter is working as sometimes they try and overcharge by saying the meter doesn’t work

many big shops don’t allow haggling anymore, but definitely haggle with street sellers or if you go to a market. There will be beggars there too so be prepared to be followed around as this happened to us frequently. We had to tell them off at one point as they were following us and waiting for us outside shops.

take insect repellent

apart from looking after your safety, it is a busy and vibrant city with many nice bars and restaurants and clothes shops

I’ve been to India a lot with work and never had Delhi belly - I always follow these rules. Only vegetarian, only cooked, typically stick to veggie curry. No salad, no washed fruit. Bottled water unless the hotel has their own filtration system. I love the little milky coffees :)

@samarrange what's this freshly made soda?

You will see it at every roadside drinks stand. Lime and ginger are the most common flavours. Sometimes you will see the ginger steeped in syrup. A couple of dashes of that, topped up with sparkling water (which you know is from a bottle - a stand won't be using a Sodastream with tap water!). Cheaper than a can of coke and much nicer.

Also make sure you try masala chai, the spiced (cinnamon, cloves, etc!) milky tea which is everywhere. In Delhi it often comes in a clay cup that looks like a little flowerpot, which you are meant to throw away (it's not glazed so can't be washed) but we brought a couple home as souvenirs.

Places I remember from 20 years ago:

Dilli Haat for souvenir shopping
Connaught Place for pirated dvds and dodgy “designer” goods
The Imperial Hotel for lunch in the 1911 bar or dinner in the Spice Route
Red Fort, Humayunn and Sarfajung’s tombs, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple for sightseeing

Weekend trips: Agra, Jaipur and Ranthambore

Don’t forget your malaria tablets - with Malarone you only have to take for 7 days after you get home rather than 4 weeks with other types. Try not to get bitten in the first place though.

We asked about malaria tablets and our travel agency told us that it's pretty rare nowadays in places like Delhi and Mumbai. The medicine has some side effects and it's not considered worth it for healthy visitors.

Most of the hotels provided an anti-mosquito liquid plug-in for overnight, and we had also brought one ourselves, so with two we were set. We didn't get bitten once apart from on the first evening in the lobby of the hotel, when we were bitten three times just checking in — not an auspicious start, but after that we were fine. Overall we weren't troubled by insects etc any more than you would be in somewhere like Spain.

I’m in Delhi right now, travelling with one other female. Our experience so far has been good and we are managing with the weather- I would imagine July will be very hot!

We are wearing linen or cotton, keeping knees and shoulders covered. You do get looked at but we have not felt this has been in a threatening way. I think dressing modestly helps. The only place that I felt very self aware was India Gate, however I think having a guide stopped too much interaction. July is quiet season for them as it’s so hot, it may be worth using your time to visit different areas and using guides at weekends.

We have been asked for photos many times but just politely decline.

Another poster asked about trains.

Train information- the seat classes I looked up on seat 61, and there are some pictures. We have travelled 1AC and found it to be comparable to UK trains. The only catch out is there are lots of scammers at the station. You do not show anyone your ticket or tell anyone where you’re going except the conductor on the train. Do not let anyone touch or carry your bag for you.
At New Delhi station there is an enquiry office and just past there, the main hall. You can access the tourist bureau from there as foreign visitors are on a quota. We booked before we went online using 12go. There is a fee but it wasn’t too expensive.

All bags are scanned at the station, you put it on yourself and then just walk through to collect and go to the platform, the same as airport style security. Seats are allocated and carriages are clearly marked.

I felt safe on the train and many hotels will come and collect you if they ask, just give a tip. The platforms do not need a barrier to access like they do in UK.

I’ve been a couple times with work as well as to other locations in India for work as well. If you’re going to offices of your company then they may well be able to sort you with drivers etc. we have always found our India colleagues are super hospitable and keen to help you see as much as possible safely.

Adding to the advice to keep your mouth shut in the shower and to brush your teeth with bottled water. The hotel will typically provide you with as much bottled water as you need and you can always ask for more.

Security can be very tight - expect to have to put your bag through a scanner every time you arrive at the hotel and office. Likewise cars are often stopped at hotel entrance and the boot checked and underneath as well. When you leave to fly home there is normally armed security (in army type fatigues) at the entrance to the terminal and you have to show boarding pass and passport to them before you are allowed in.

Other things I’ve learned over my visits, even though it’s called an e-visa print it out for on your arrival. Keep passport and boarding pass handy until you’ve passed into the main terminal. There are multiple checks of these. Also vaping is illegal and they will confiscate these from your hand luggage in India.

It may be a stereotype but if you have any knowledge of cricket most Indians will be delighted - a great ice breaker.

Do not get into discussions of politics. Especially around Pakistan but also within India - they are extremely sensitive topics.

In Delhi do visit Humayun’s tomb if you can. It is the original site the Taj Mahal was modelled on. We had a guide and it was fascinating. Do any sightseeing in mornings if you can as it does get very hot.

Some good advice here. In terms of Hotels the Tajs are good. The Taj Mahal is better than the Palace. ITC Maurya is good and has an excellent restaurant called Bukhara. Recently when I’ve been I’ve stayed in The Claridges which is a nice heritage hotel and not as massive as some as the others. It does depend where your office is though as the traffic can be terrible so try to make sure it’s not too far.

For help with trains try https://www.seat61.com/India.htm. You should definitely go for a weekend in Agra, which you can either do by train or with a driver. It’s worth trying to go to Fatepur Sikri which is about 30 miles from Agra and on the way/way back if you get a driver.

Other weekend/long trips from Delhi- head to Jaipur, Udaipur or Ranthambore in Rajasthan, Mussoori or Rishikesh in the mountains. Some of these you might need long weekends for but there are lots of public holidays as you get them for festivals of all the main religions.

it will be hot. A lot of Delhi heads up to the mountains in the summer for their holidays and that might be the place to concentrate your breaks.

Foodwise some good advice here. Salad and ice is generally fine in the 5*hotels and good bars and restaurants now. I will also eat meat happily in those places generally. As you are there for a while it can pay to start off veggie and gradually introduce more adventurous things as you acclimatise. Yoghurt is good to help your stomach settle. The thing to watch out for IMO is rice in buffets. It’s stirs around for ages being kept warm and in some places I am sure they reuse. In contrast the bread is freshly made and delicious so I just focus on that!

Someone else said and I second Dilli Haat as the best place for handicraft/souvenir shopping. It’s a government run market with paid entry which keeps out hassle and I have got some really beautiful things there at good prices. You do need to bargain.

I think I would try and negotiate a driver with your company rather than getting Ubers everyday. It would be safer and easier, and although a bit more expensive it won’t cost that much and I’d easily be able to write a risk assessment that justifies it! Uber is ok but the cars don’t always have seatbelts etc!

Hope you have a great time. It will be a culture shock at first but I love Delhi and sure you will have a blast!

OK, so talk to me about toilets. Someone mentioned to me that if I needed to go when out and about that I'll be having to free wee!