The Smart TravelerÂ’s corner is just right for you if you want to make the most of your budget and get the best deals that make your trip enjoyable as well as memorable.

Travel does not mean late running trains or jammed roads or very expensive hotels - travel is supposed to be fun as well as relaxing. A vacation is meant to energize and rejuvenate, making one ready to take on the rigors of daily life again. The Smart traveler will help you in planning your trip and getting to and around your destination so that you make the most of the trip.

What we are trying to present you is value for your money. The idea is to travel without spending large sums. You will be able to look at specific sections and topics for your particular needs and if you have any queries, please feel free to write to us.

Best Time to Visit
India has such a wide range of climatic factors that it's impossible to pin down the best time to visit weather-wise with any certainty. Broadly speaking October to March tends to be the most pleasant months over much of the country as it winter. Most of India’s colorful festivals are in this period. Dussehra is celebrated with dramatics from the epic drama of Ramayana, it is followed 20 days later by the festival of light, Diwali. In March, the festival of colors – Holi is celebrated across the country.

Besides these universal favourites, winters also see the Pushkar fair – the Asia’s largest camel fair. While harvest festivals, dance festivals are held across the country, various temple celebrations pepper Southern India. Winter is also a great time for wildlife enthusiasts.


India has three major seasons summer, winter and monsoon.

In a country where topography varies wildly, climatic conditions are only bound to vary wildly too. Classified by many as a hot tropical country, this definition that holds true for most of but not all of India. Exceptions include the northern states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir in the north and Sikkim in the northeastern hills.
The winter season (November to February) is pleasant throughout the country. Regions of North India remain moderately to extremely cold during winters. So it is the best time for tourists to visit India.

The summer season (April to June) is hot in most parts of the country. Tourists can visit principal Hill Stations of India during this season. The popular Hill Stations are Shimla, Moussoorie, Nainital, Kashmir Valley, Darjeeling and Shillong, Kodaikanal, Mount Abu and Khandala provide cool respite. But if you hail from a traditionally hot country, the heat may not bother you much and you can travel Rajasthan, Goa and Kerela at great off season discounts!

Monsoon (July to September) when monsoon rains sweep across the country with daily torrential downpours and a high possibility of flooding making travel difficult in all areas except the northwest. Duration of monsoons may vary in different regions by several weeks.

Northern India
The best times to visit most of North India, which would include Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and parts of Uttranchal and Uttar Pradesh is between April to October. Here the summer is mostly warm, giving you access to some of the most beautiful sights nature has to offer. The winters here are bitterly cold with temperatures going down to 30 below freezing!

Northeastern India
The northeast experiences high rainfall/humidity during both the Monsoon Season and there is sporadic rainfall in December and January. Views of the lush hillside, famous for its tea plantations, can be hampered during these wet periods. Waterproofs are an absolute necessity and a few warm layers are useful too.

Northwestern India
This region of India is predominantly dry and arid, with the Thar Desert occupying the far western expanse. The monsoon bears little or no effect on the weather and rainfall is minimal throughout the year. The heat can be extreme and if visiting this area during the hotter months, lightweight clothes are best. Many cities in Rajasthan are built around sacred lakes and these are at their best during the Monsoon Season.

Central India
The temperature here rises to oppressive levels during summers. The Monsoon season can begin as early as late June but generally the effects are not felt until mid-July. Rain tends to be intermittent but torrential. An umbrella is essential if traveling at this time as waterproofs would be too hot. Winters from October to March are mostly cold but enjoyable.

Eastern India
The best time for visiting Eastern India falls from mid September - end November. The Monsoon season suffers a large amount of rain and flooding is common. Humidity levels also remain high and the heat can get quite uncomfortable. An umbrella is essential as the weather is too hot for waterproof clothing, although sturdy shoes are a must.

Western India
The best time to visit Western India is from November to March. During summers temperatures can rise above the average, although it does not tend to get as hot as in central India. Humidity is high and lightweight clothes are necessary. Sturdy shoes and an umbrella are vital during the Monsoon Season as very heavy rain falls and flooding is commonplace.

Southern India
The best time to visit Southern India is from Mid November to March. The climate here experiences only slight seasonal variations. Temperatures and humidity remain relatively high all year round. Rainfall is common at any time of the year and the Monsoon Season has only marginally more precipitation than at any other time. Lightweight clothes and an umbrella are required throughout the year.

Places To stay
Being an ancient civilization, with a history of being a great host, India traditionally has great hospitality options. From the inexpensive to the top-of the line, there is a hotel to suit every need, at every price, at every place. ThereÂ’s enough variety in tourist accommodation in India for the visitor to always find comfort; degrees of luxury though will be directly proportionate to the degree of the depth of your pocket.
 
 Hotels are graded on the star system: There are numerous other options and youÂ’ll never be stuck in a heap because there isnÂ’t a choice.

Budget Hotels
Budget hotels could also be called "Lodge", "Cafe", "Boarding House" or "Guest house". Most offer simple accommodation, clean linen and may/may not offer attached bath and toilet. Prices vary considerably. Rooms in the South tend to be somewhat pricier than many places in the North, budget hotels in big cities like Delhi, Bombay, and Calcutta are inexpensive.

In major Southern cities budget rooms (doubles) run from roughly Rs 150 to Rs 400 and singles from about Rs 100 to 300. Prices are usually lower in smaller towns sometimes half of what you'd pay in urban areas.

Mid-range Hotels
There is no clear division between better budget hotels and mid-range ones. You can find great budget rooms with phone, TV, etc and the hotel may have one or more restaurants and even a swimming pool. Priced between Rs.500 and 1500 for a double, these would include many of the recent 'Resort' places that have sprung up across the country, catering to the middle class.

Even the smallest tourist destination has mid-rung establishments. Some have common bathrooms but there usually will be the option of renting a room with an attached bathroom at a small premium. Some of these will be better than others, but they all come with character which makes up for what they lack in frills.

High End Hotels
India has some of the world’s finest high end hotels. All major cities have luxury hotels, from 3 star to 5 star. They are pricier – starting at Rs.2500 they go up according to your requirements. The décor is classy, with significant ethnic touches, making the whole an experience in itself. Service too, is highly personalized and every conceivable service and comfort from a business centre to a spa is available.

Heritage and palace hotels are probably an Indian peculiarity, especially in Rajasthan, palaces have been carefully converted into hotels, without loss of character. This allows visitors to experience a bit of IndiaÂ’s rich legacy.
Home Stays are another new option being promoted by the government, where some pre-approved families, provide paying guest accommodation. This has taken off in a big way in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan.

There are beach resorts that give you access to exclusive beaches so you may sun and surf in style. Houseboats in Kashmir, hardy little huts along trekking trails and numerous camping sites only widen the range that the traveler can choose from.

Getting To and Around India
Traveling by rail or by bus will get you around the country even on a shoestring budget. The Indian rail system is the largest on the continent and the second largest in the world. The bus service operates connections with the trains to take passengers to the more remote parts of India, which are not served by India Railways. Travel by bus is the best way to get to every corner of the country.

Railways
The Indian Railways system is the lifeline of the nation with 10 million passengers daily. India has the world's most extensive railway network, both for long distances and intra-city commuting. Railway travel is also an excellent introducer to the people of India as most of them travel by trains. Long-distance railway travel is a superb illustrator of the geographical and demographic diversity of India, apart from being inexpensive in terms of money. It has a fully computerized reservation system.

• Classes
  The class at the top is the First A/C Class, offering you luxury travel in large, well air-conditioned coaches at prices to match. For a 1000 km the fare would be around $60
  
  Next is the First Class, here you travel in a fairly comfortable four-berth, or sometimes two-berth, compartment with vinyl upholstery. For a 1000 km the fare would be around $22.
  
  Second Class A/C Sleeper, offering seats in the day, and berths at night in a dormitory style air-conditioned carriage with bedding. This is a God-send during the hot summer months. For a 1000 km the fare would be around $30
  
  The budget service is Second Class Sleeper (no air-conditioning!), where you get a place to sit during the day and the carriage converts into a three-tier sleeper at night. Second Class Sleeper is extremely cheap. An overnight trip of 10-12 hours and around 400-500 kilometers will cost you less than $5.00.
  
  The lowest class on Indian trains is Unreserved. An unreserved ticket gives you the right to be on the train, in the general carriages. Your fellow passengers will most likely be country folk, colorful and gregarious, but unlikely to speak too much English. Guaranteed to be an experience. For a 1000 km the fare would be around $4.

• Getting tickets during the peak seasons can be difficult so get your tickets booked well in advance. You need to make a seat or berth reservation for all long-distance journeys on Indian trains. Train reservations are now completely computerized. All metropolitan cities of India are very well connected by rail.
   

• Intra-city commuting is quickest by suburban trains. These trains operate at a frequency of every few minutes. But they are almost always over-crowded during peak hours. Both Delhi and Kolkata offer the Metro (Underground), which is a quick way to travel even during peak hours. Mass rapid transport systems have been planned for other big cities.
   

• Checking your reservation
  Your train, coach and berth number will be printed on your ticket. Status of your ticket can also be checked on-line now. Last minute confirmations are posted on reservation boards only 02 hours prior to departure of the train and have to be checked physically.
   

• Food and drink on Indian trains
  Food and drink is available on long distance trains, which have a pantry car. On the premier Rajdhani Express & Shatabdi Express trains food is included in the fare, served at your seat. Avoid buying food from hawkers on stations, pre-packed food is always a better option. Carry or buy bottled water only.
   

• Train Time Tables
  “Trains at a glance” is a book and timetable issued by Indian Railways and contains all rail related information. Try getting the latest version, which is available at all, railway stations and leading book stores. Train timetables are also now available online.

Car
Traveling by car is a very good option for distances ranging from 0-500 kilometers, obtaining a car and driver is easy. India is well connected by roads except for remote areas.

Renting a car with a chauffeur in India is relatively inexpensive. Most of the chauffeurs and car rental agencies can communicate in English. Hotels also provide car rental services for their customers.

Cars are usually rented on a daily basis and come with a limited number of kilometers per day. You'll probably be responsible for the driver's expenses, so be sure to clarify how much this is to be each day before you set off. If you're planning a long trip, it's wise to go for a short spin with your prospective driver. It might be best to hire a car and driver who is familiar with the roads and language.