Are you a travel bug? Do you love exploring new spots close to and far from the comforts of your home? Then keep reading because this travel blog is just for you!

Ask anyone - it is a known fact that Indians love to travel. According to an Economic Times Survey, there is an unprecedented number of the population wishing to travel more than ever before. The numbers have risen, especially after the pandemic. A majority of Indians are indeed flushed with wanderlust!

The increased numbers also owe a fresh breath of motivation to Instagram bloggers who have created a specific brand out of travelling. Giving credit where credit is due, people of all ages who showcase a glimpse of their journeys heavily influence people’s desire to travel. Blogs show influencers visiting both well-known and hidden spots, romanticizing the experience of travelling with various paraphernalia.

Whatever may one’s reason be for bundling up a few necessities and hopping on the next train, some preparation is a must. Unless you travel regularly, you need to know how to sort through the mountain of work waiting for you efficiently. As an Indian traveller, you need to make readiness your best friend. Take a look at this detailed guide our experts have curated below for you. You will find both general tips as well as tips specific to the kind of place you will travel to on your vacation.

A General Guide for Indians Preparing to Travel

For an Indian, travelling is a completely different experience from other nationalities. We tend to be more focused on the destination rather than the journey. Perhaps our everyday travelling woes to and from work affect how we view travelling to another place. It is not only crucial to enjoy the travelling part of the entire experience but to also prepare for it. It will help us appreciate our destination all the more.

Below are some ways to deal with the various facets of travelling for Indian trotters. You should check them out for some invaluable tips to help you appreciate travelling in a better sense:

Pack with Time in Hand

Here’s a heads-up - you are going to see various discussions of packing in this article. That is because most Indians are generally terrible at packing. We tend to overthink this and start putting our entire wardrobe in our suitcases, perhaps stopping short of cramming our larger furniture pieces. This is more common among older travellers aged 50 and above.

Being efficient ensures that the act of preparing for a trip is as smooth and calm as possible. Too many worries can create a toxic environment before you set out on your sojourn. This is especially true if you are travelling in a large group or as a family. The best way is to take a breather and plan your things logically.

Remember that taking into account the general climate and the weather of the place you are visiting can help you pack accordingly. Avoid taking loads of clothes - not only do they become burdensome quite literally, but they can also raise baggage prices at, say, an airport. Also, let’s be real. Who ends up using all the clothes they packed for a trip? Certainly not us!

When picking out clothes, you can set aside a maximum of two items per day. Don’t be afraid to repeat clothes. If you think that’s too less, that is not so. Moreover, you can buy clothes where you are visiting. It is good to support local craftspeople, and the piece of clothing you purchase also acts as a memento of your stay there. Avoid putting anything in your bag that is:

● Strictly not essential
● Something you may not use
● You can easily purchase it at a nominal cost from the place where you are going.

Overpacking is a burden whether you are going to a place or returning home. Why travel with luggage weighing more than necessary when travelling light is so much better and helps you enjoy travelling?

Better to Be Early Than Late

Yet another ailment that Indians seem to suffer from is a lack of punctuality. In our interactions with one another, when we fix on a time, we tend to be rather vague. You may have had conversations where you plan to meet up at a certain time, which is usually around an hour. Say someone makes plans to visit a place at 4. For Indians, 4 o’clock offers a lot of navigation - meeting after 4 and somewhere before 5 is seen as acceptable.

However, this philosophy will fail to serve you if you wish to travel somewhere. Public transport will not hold up schedules in case of a passenger’s tardiness. You must always be sure to check the time of your arrival and leave with time in hand. Airports are very stringent about passengers arriving on time and rarely make allowances, save for emergencies. Trains and buses, on the other hand, may be late in arriving at the pick-up point, but will not wait more than a specified short period to pick up passengers.

You should always set aside time to reach the designated pick-up point. You can ask friends or family to help you or rely on multiple alarm clocks to ensure you reach on time. Reaching early to wait for your mode of transport is always better than reaching late, only to find your transport has gone along without you.?

Prepare Mentally for a Long Journey

Whether you are crossing state lines or going abroad, the journey will be lengthy. On paper, it may seem that a few hours of travelling is no big deal, but without preparation, it can soon become oppressive! It is crucial to mentally prepare for your journey to make it less taxing. You can sleep off a couple of hours, but what about flights with a travel time of fifteen or sixteen hours? Crossing train territories can easily take nearly 30 hours, depending on the location. This is why you should mentally prepare yourself beforehand. You can do some light stretches if you have the space without bothering other passengers. You can also watch movies quietly, read books or magazines, etc.

Set Aside Activities

Continuing from the last tip, it is advisable to have some sort of game at hand to distract yourself from the long hours accruing to mind-breaking ennui. To break up the lethargy, you can play games that will help to dispel boredom. Indians love to play board games and such, like chess, scrabble, puzzles and more. If you are travelling with friends and/ or family, it would be great if you bring along some games along. Make sure they are lightweight enough to put in your carry-on bag. Here are some popular card games you can play to keep the length of the journey out of your mind:
● Teen Patti
Teen Patti is one of the most outrageously popular games to exist in the Indian card game scenario. It is quite similar to poker, so if you are familiar with that game, teen pattishould not be hard to pick up.

○ How to Play - Three to six people can participate in teen patti. The dealer offers three cards to every player. Players need to bestow all minimum stakes in a pot. The pot goes in the middle of the table. The winner is the one that can stay for the longest and outlast the others in the game. They must also have the highest-ranking hand to win.

● Satte Pe Satta (Seven on Seven)
Satte pe Sattais a devilishly clever game that can keep you entertained for hours. Although the rules are simple enough, the fun (and trickiness!) begins when you play with a large group.

○ How to Play - Satte pe Sattarequires three or four players at a time. Every player receives a set of cards from the deck. The player who gets the seven of hearts makes the first move. The next player has to offer a six or eight of the hearts or begin with the seven of any other set. Another rule is that if you possess the seven of either spades, diamonds, or clubs, then you have to play it. You cannot miss your turn. As the game progresses, you must keep playing your card. A complete set requires all cards from ace to king. The winner is the player who completes their card first.

● Andar Bahar
Andar Bahar(Inside, Outside) is an Indian card game based on guessing and prediction making. It is a quick, easy, and simple game that requires no prior experience.

○ How to Play - A dealer will pick out a random card from the deck and place it face up in the middle of the table for all to see. This card is called a joker. A player can bet on either one of two sides, andarand bahar. The dealer will continuously pull up face-up cards on these two sides one at a time. It always begins with the andarside. The winner is the player who chooses the side that comes up with a card matching the first middle card that was put up. Sounds simple? It truly is that easy! You do not require any skill to play this game, just patience and the hope that Lady Luck will be on your side!

● Rummy
Rummy is perhaps the golden child of Indian card games. As the most popular card game in the subcontinent, Rummy is a superbly entertaining sport requiring skill and intellect to win.

○ How to Play - Four people can play this game, with 10 cards going to each player. The leftover cards in the deck remain on the table. There should be three decks of cards, one containing three Jacks, the second containing three aces, and the third four consecutive cards of the same suit 3, 4, 5, 6 of diamonds. When their turn comes, a player will pick a card from the deck to complete the set. If the player can use it, they can add it to their pile to complete the deck. If not, they can add it to the set in the middle. The next player may either pick the discarded card or choose a new card from the deck. The winner is the one who makes three sets.

● UNO
Although not originally Indian, UNO has a special place when it comes to card games. Children and adults alike can find great joy in this game that seems easy but hides many secrets and mysteriesry. You can play with any number of players, with a minimum of two.

○ How to Play - Each player may take seven cards from the deck. The leftover cards must be placed on the table, face down, and act as the draw-pile for the rest of the game. A player will draw a card from the pile and place their own card to match the colour, number, or symbol. If a player cannot match the card on the table, they must pick from the draw pile, and if they still cannot match it, the next player gets to lay down their card accordingly. This goes on until the person with no cards in their hands wins the game.

If you put down your second last card, you must declare, ‘Uno!’ If you don’t, the players may penalize you and make you draw two or four more cards. Keep an eye on the Wild Cards - Colour Change, Reverse, Skip, Draw Two, Draw Four, and Shuffle. These games will help determine the course of the game!

● Donkey
Just like the name, the game Donkey regales all people who play the game with laughter and great time. Similar to bluff, any number of players can participate and while away the hours on their journey.

○ How to Play
You can play the game with a large or small group. Players receive an equal number of cards from the deck. The player who wishes to make the first move must pass their card to the next player. The receiver has to check if they can make a pair of the same cards, e.g. two kings. If such a set is available, they should place it in the middle. If no such collection can form, they must pass the card to the subsequent player. The person left with one card is the ‘donkey’ of the game.

Tips to Remember When Traveling

Travelling requires a certain modicum of patience, discipline, and practice. As more and more Indians begin to explore new places, travelling to these spots requires a level of readiness to bear the journey. If you do not travel frequently, then you should keep a few tips in mind. Our experts recommend the following pointers to ensure smooth sails. It will help you reach your destination with no hitches at all!

1. Keep Necessities at Hand - When you travel to a place, you pack your clothes and materials in suitcases. But if you need to access, say, your toothbrush and paste, will you scramble through your luggage? This is why a small carry-on bag will come to your ai. You can put your brush, makeup, snacks, earbuds, etc., in this bag. When you need these things at any time, you can simply take them out from that bag in a jiffy without going near your luggage.

2. Make Sure to Triple-Check the Details - Oftentimes, Indian tourists lose their heads when they arrive at the airport or station because they messed up the information. When booking your tickets, check the details closely and confirm them before purchasing. Keep track of the date using a calender that you have an eye on most of the time. You should also keep tickets and itinerary on your person when you travel. You can take them out easily when required instead of lunging into hoards of baggage.

3. Know Where Your Luggage is at All Times - Your luggage is practically a lifeline when you are travelling. It holds all your important things like your clothes, some household items, fabrics, etc. You must beware of where your stuff is at all times. If you are going to board a flight, make sure your stuff is tagged in the right place. Keep an eye on your things if you have access to them, in case you travel on a bus or a train.

4. Keep Cash for Snacks and Tips - It is a given that travelling makes one peckish. If you travel for long hours, you can pack some food for yourself and take it in your carry-on. Make sure to check with the transport authorities to see if it is allowed. You can also purchase food and snacks when travelling. Keep your wallet or purse on you at all times. Also, keep some change in your bag to pay for small items.

5. Learn about the Destination - If the journey seems too long, use it by reading up on the destination. You can take the time to read some travelogues or brochures about the place you are going. Picking up a few tidbits about the culture, food, language, best spots, etc., will help you get the most out of your journey. If you intend to explore lesser-known paths and localities, especially abroad, knowing about the place will give the upper hand in case you face any issues.

6. What and How to Pack - Packing your bags may seem like an easy task. In reality, the truth is far from it. There is science behind a well-packed bag - it will help you access all that you need in a matter of seconds. With Indians infamous for overpacking, it is crucial to understand what and how much you need to pack for your trip.

Key Differences Between Traveling Across States vs. Overseas

We have given you many detailed tips about visiting a place. However, while all of them are vital, travelling overseas and within Indian territories brings along some differences in how you travel. You can add them to your list of things to keep an eye on when you begin your journey. Read below to know more about this -
Within India
● Booking Time: If you wish to travel by train within your state or cross borders, then you need to book tickets months before. You may get tatkal tickets at the last minute, but it is better to travel with a confirmed booking. You need to keep an eye out for the day when tickets are released if you intend to visit a place at a popular time. You can book off-season tickets with more ease.

● Transport Fare and Details: Within India, transport costs vary from place to place. Public and government transport should not cost an arm and a leg. But if you do choose private vehicles to carry you all over town, then you need to be prepared to shoulder the costs.

Jot down the details like car plates in case you need to register any complaints. You should always put your safety first when travelling. Keep cash handy; many places do not have machines to accept electronic money.

● Packing: If you are travelling to a state where the weather is usually pretty hot, remember to pack light. Whether the weather carries frost or the heat of the dog days, you can prepare accordingly. Buying clothes from the places you visit will ensure you travel light and have something to remember your trip by.

● Journey: Unless you travel on the ground via train or bus, the travel time to any state from yours should not take much time. You may have layovers for any reason, but you can expect a journey not to last more than a few hours.

Overseas

● Booking Time: Going abroad does not offer many choices. You can either hop on a plane or get yourself on a cruise. A cruise is a trip in itself, but a flight doesn’t offer such luxuries. Once you reach the country, you can avail of other means of transport.

● Transport Fare and Details: Visiting other countries usually requires significant amounts of money. The farther the destination, the more you have to fork over. Once there, you need to check out how much local transport costs. Some countries offer cheaper private vehicles but have expensive public transport. Remember to carry your cards - most places overseas prefer online or electronic transactions and do not accept cash.

● Packing: It is advisable to pack moderately when you are going overseas. You will have the opportunity to purchase clothes from high-end 1stores, but remember that they will be very costly. Moreover, you can get the same stuff for a lot less in India with the same brands.

● Journey: You should get ready for a long journey when travelling overseas. Plane rides can last longer than 10 to 12 hours, or more. Get your games and distractions ready while you settle in for a long flight.

Taking the Step to a Happy Journey

As we conclude our blog, it is clear from the above details that a journey to your chosen destination is as much a part of the entire experience. A travel guide for Indians requires a hefty amount of material to ensure you can have the best possible trip. You should go through our pointers in detail to make sure you can prepare for your trip.

The small things are what make a journey memorable. Make memories with your loved ones - play games, take pictures, look at your surroundings, etc. If you travel alone, keep your eyes and ears sharp to take in the experience fully.

Provided by: https://teen-patti-games.com