Is your social media feed filled with smiling faces at the beach or atop a scenic mountain? If yes, don’t feel left out. If travel is at the top of your agenda for this year, perhaps you will imagine where you will go next. This guide will help Indians planning a world trip.
No wonder planning a trip is one of the hardest work to do. But considering seasoned travellers’ tips will help you make the most out of it.
So, if you’re ready to step out of your state or region and need tips for budget-friendly travel while keeping it hassle-free at the same time, this blog is your ultimate guide.
Let’s dive into the tips!
How to Plan A World Trip: Travel Tips For Indians
Decide Where You Want To Go
Deciding where you want to go on a vacation sets a goal to give you direction. It’s common for people to talk vaguely about travel, and they never say where they are going. This might lead to sometimes unexpected and unpleasant travel experiences.
Therefore, you must decide the location and destination first. Mental clarity about the location will help you stay committed to the plan. This way, you will collect essential details of the location, which will help you plan smartly and make your trip pleasant.
Plan the Duration
The cost of your trip depends on the destination and the duration of your trip. Just like knowing where you’re heading this summer or winter is essential, planning your duration will also help you set a budget accordingly.
Therefore, assess your routine and schedule to find your availability. By exploring the right time and availability for travel, you will be able to enjoy the most time on your vacation. This way, you will set yourself free from any worry related to work or personal life commitments.
Choose Your Travel Buddies
Adventure becomes more memorable when you have buddies to share the experience. Once you have set your schedule and found the location for travel, now is the time to choose your travel buddies.
Whether you want to travel with your spouse, friends, or colleagues, make a list of people interested in traveling and ensure their availability. Make sure everyone is on board with your plan and ready to explore the new destination.
Set Your Budget
Effective budgeting is the cornerstone of a successful trip, and for Indian people planning a world-tour, it’s even more crutial. Before you start to save for the trip, first, estimate how much you will be spending and what your needs will be. You can begin the budgeting process by writing down all the current expenses.
This way, you can find the areas where you can cut back on your expenses to save more for the adventure. It is common for people to bleed a lot of money daily through small purchases. Therefore, understanding your costs is the key to setting your budget for the trip.
Book Your Services
Not many travel enthusiasts are fans of booking services in advance. However, this is one of the time- and money-saving factors that you should consider, especially for Indians planning a world-trip, because of our poor currency conversion rates. By researching the places in advance, you will be better aware of the quality of accommodation and availability of places.
So, if you want to save yourself from any hassle on your trip, consider booking your travel and accommodation services in advance for a smooth experience.
Research Your Destination
If you have chosen an unfamiliar destination for adventure, you must research the location in advance. There is always the risk of traveling to places where pickpocketing or street crime is common.
This might impact your travel experience if any mishap happened to you. Therefore, you are advised to research the location and surroundings of the accommodation you have chosen.
This way, you will ensure a smooth and stress-free travel experience with peace of mind.
Avail Deals Online
Saving money during your trip is always the most tempting thing. So, when you are booking your services, you can also use a VPN like CyberGhost VPN free trial to secure local deals and make the most of your budget.
Whether you’re planning to book a flight, hotel accommodation, or any other service, VPN can help you avail the best deals online.
So, if you want to save more money, ensure you look for travel deals online and opt for the one that doesn’t look too good to be true.
Automate Your Bills
There is no greater stress than dealing with your bills during the trip. But worry not, as you can get rid of your emails and set up online bill payments to ensure you don’t miss out on anything.
You can invest in smart bill payment management tools like Quickbooks that can collect and scan your email. Moreover, you can explore other options as well, such as sending emails to friends or family automatically.
This way, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free trip for yourself. You can also hire a virtual travel assistant on Indeed for your help if you want more ease.
Pack Smartly
Last but not least, if you want to have the most fun while travelling without the additional weightage of belongings, pack lightly. Not many people know, but they can still style the best without carrying additional dresses.
You can check online ideas to create a capsule wardrobe for yourself. This will allow you to carry less weight on a trip while having access to unlimited options to create new looks.
This way, you will be more relaxed and easy and focus more on creating memories rather than worrying about the outfit look.
Popular Travel Destinations for Indian Travelers
Indian travelers are increasingly exploring both domestic and international destinations. Here are some popular choices for a world-trip for Indians:
- Thailand: Affordable, vibrant, and culturally rich, Thailand offers beaches, temples, and street markets.
- Dubai: A hub for luxury shopping, iconic skyscrapers, and desert safaris, Dubai is a hit among Indian families and solo travelers.
- Singapore and Malaysia: These Southeast Asian countries are known for their clean cities, diverse cultures, and tourist-friendly attractions.
- Europe: Switzerland, France, and Italy are on the bucket lists of many Indian travelers, thanks to Bollywood’s influence and iconic landmarks.
- Maldives: A romantic hotspot, the Maldives is popular for honeymooners seeking overwater villas and turquoise waters.
Best Travel Apps for Indians Travelling Abroad
Planning and managing trips is easier with the right tools. Here are some must-have travel apps for Indian travelers:
- MakeMyTrip: A one-stop solution for booking flights, hotels, and holiday packages.
- Google Flights: Ideal for comparing flight prices and tracking fare changes.
- IRCTC Rail Connect: Essential for booking train tickets in India.
- TripAdvisor: Offers reviews, recommendations, and tips for destinations, hotels, and restaurants.
- Booking.com: Perfect for booking accommodations with flexible cancellation policies.
- OYO Rooms: Popular for budget-friendly stays in India.
- Skyscanner: Helps find the cheapest flights, hotels, and car rentals.
- XE Currency Converter: Handy for real-time currency conversion when traveling abroad.
- Zomato/Swiggy: For finding local eateries and food delivery options in India.
- PackPoint: A packing list app that suggests what to carry based on your destination and travel dates.
Travel Challenges for Indians Planning World Trip
Traveling abroad is exciting but comes with unique challenges for Indian travelers:
1. Currency Exchange and Costs
The fluctuating value of the Indian Rupee makes international travel expensive. High conversion rates can limit spending power, especially in developed countries.
Solution: Use forex cards or apps like Niyo Global for better exchange rates.
2. Visa Hassles
Visa requirements for Indians can be cumbersome, involving long wait times and extensive documentation.
Solution: Research visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations like Maldives, Mauritius, or Thailand.
3. Food Preferences
Finding vegetarian or Indian-style food can be challenging in some countries.
Solution: Apps like HappyCow or Google Maps can help locate vegetarian or Indian restaurants.
4. Cultural Differences
Adjusting to cultural norms, language barriers, and etiquette can be daunting.
Solution: Learn basic phrases in the local language and research cultural do’s and don’ts.
5. Connectivity Issues
High roaming charges and unreliable Wi-Fi can make staying connected a challenge.
Solution: Invest in international roaming packs or local SIM cards.
Real Travel Stories from Indians
1. Exploring Europe on a Budget
Priya, a software engineer from Bengaluru, traveled to Europe on a budget of ₹1.5 lakh. By using apps like Couchsurfing and FlixBus, she saved significantly on accommodations and transportation. Her highlights included solo treks in Switzerland and visiting the Louvre in Paris.
2. Family Road Trip to Ladakh
The Sharma family from Delhi embarked on a road trip to Ladakh, braving rugged terrains and high altitudes. They stayed in homestays to experience Ladakhi culture and shared that the Pangong Lake sunrise was worth every challenge.
3. Maldives Honeymoon Experience
Ravi and Sneha, a newlywed couple, chose the Maldives for their honeymoon. Staying in an overwater villa, they enjoyed snorkeling and private dining experiences. They emphasized that early bookings helped them save on luxury accommodations.
4. Backpacking Through Southeast Asia
Arjun, a travel vlogger from Mumbai, spent three months backpacking through Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. By leveraging work exchanges through platforms like Workaway, he reduced travel costs and connected with locals.
If you have a question or would like to connect, please find me on Instagram. You can also follow my YouTube channel for video updates.