Location of where you stay in Delhi is crucial.
Delhi is a large, surging, sprawling city and has many fascinating neighbourhoods that showcase the various periods of Delhi.
Most tourists land up in Paharganj or Karol Bagh, primarily due to lack of information & budget constraints.
But these locations do not reveal the glorious Delhi. Delhi can be very complicated, difficult to navigate & a local’s knowledge comes in very handy. Therefore, most tourists fail to do Delhi well & it is not their fault.
The recommendation is to stay in upscale leafy neighbourhoods of South Delhi. Homestays, guest houses, boutique hotels, bed and breakfast, are your choices. The host families are helpful and a source of lots of valuable information.
Shopping Tips for India – Delhi You can buy these in Delhi.
A few little tips that may lessen your baggage weight when you come to India.
Camera
It is not necessary to bring in your heavy cameras. India has good sunlight all day, and a disposable Kodak camera (Can be bought on Delhi street for a nominal price) is more than enough unless you are planning unique effect night shots.
Clothes
Can buy for pennies at Delhi PALIKA BAZAAR (underground)—Even ready-made corporate looking suits are available from starting $ 20.
Toiletries
Virtually all brands are available–and OK prices.
Delhi air is polluted & occasionally even dusty.
Be ready to face sand dust in Delhi roads since there are significant road diggings for ever-ongoing DELHI METRO work. But you can buy facial cover tissues from pharmacies.
Your mobile phone?
Yes, if you have international roaming. Make sure you check out the compatible network in New Delhi with your service provider.
Extra security measures such as Electric shock gadgets—-not needed really.
Delhi is generally safe, and a Londoner said that you are more likely to get mugged in London.
Basic knowledge of Hindi?
Would be OK but not ESSENTIAL—- you can use patchy English to communicate. But take care since most people “THINK” that they are good at English but may fail to understand you correctly.
For instance, try asking for directions —you’ll know what I mean!
Road Map
You will need a ROAD MAP (Delhi)—since Delhi roads are a pain + confusing. But you can get free from Tourism info centres–Eg: Connaught Place. Google maps navigation on your phone is the saviour.
Water
Is a concern—–But bottled mineral water is available from $ .20 (500 ml) everywhere—make sure the seal of the cap is INTACT when you buy. If it’s seal is broken, run.
Antibacterial medicine/Delhi food poisoning pills
Can purchase from any street pharmacy but since its no such heavy luggage, you are better off bringing them–REMEMBER TO BRING THE LABELS OF YOUR MEDICINE/PILLS + prescriptions—immigration procedure can get quite nasty if otherwise.
You do not need to bring condoms, torches or any fire extinguishers either.
If you need English books/mags, they are available in N/Delhi–but non-English, Euro language books –they are hard to find in Delhi.
Even cheap walkmans/personal mp3 players + headphones are available in PALIKA BAZAAR.
TV
Most hotels have free TVs with at least 100 channels that include BBC, CNN, German DW, French TV ASIE and even Japanese NHK (24 hrs).
Laptop
If your primary use of it is e-mail/webmail, then not necessary since cyber cafes in bazaar areas give you access (high speed) at inexpensive rates.
Printer
The cyber cafes have them. Pay a few more rupees for your colour printouts.
Camcorder
You need to bring it. Preferably buy sufficient tapes in your own country.
Baby tissues/hygiene tissues
Very useful. But available from any street pharmacy for low prices.
Bus travel
The public bus service provides plenty of buses at meagre cost (10 km costs you only US $ cents .10!)—but if you want luxury travel, and are specific about CLEANLINESS, then there might be issues.