I’ve been planning a trip to India for over a year. My flight is booked, I’ve got my visa, and all my shots. Everything is set to go…except that I am going with a friend from India…and his Visa is stuck in Richmond B.C. due to the Canada Postal Workers strike. I’m a bit intimidated to travel to India on my own if he has to bail. So here are my options as I see them.
Just go anyways…I feel a bit intimidated going there by myself. I’d be worried about getting sick and being by myself.
I land in Newark before I transfer to Dehli…I could just exit the plane and explore eastern America.
Try to arrange for a tour when I land in India. I don’t know where to begin though.
Just not go at all.
I leave in a week! Help! I have no trip cancellation insurance. What advice / options do dopers have for me?
They do have travel agents in India. Or you could arrange something before you go since you have a week. Call up some travel agents in your city and see if any of them have suggestions for tour companies that you could call directly or contact once you are in India.
I agree - start making calls now. Some of the big tour companies might even have last minute cancellations where they could work you into one of their tours. If nothing else, they should have references for you to contact.
The tours work with last minute visa problems and cancellations all the time. I’m sure a travel agent could find a place for you. Have fun!
I’m not sure if you’re allowed to do this. Last I heard, this would cause your return flight to be cancelled. Check with your airline before considering this!
I think its is a good bet you can arrange something before you leave. Maybe your Indian friend can point you to a resource, otherwise, try Tripadvisor forums for a recommendation. I’m sure there are many experienced and professional companies. TheLonely Planet India FAQ has lots of helpful general travel tips.
When you travel with someone you get to know the person you are traveling with. When you travel alone you get to know the locals and other people who are also traveling alone.
Totally agree with Turble: Just go. India can be overwhelming but it is not a dangerous place to go. Meeting other people is quite easy - for starters you could look at guest houses etc. recommended at indiamike.com and Lonely Planet’s “Thorn tree” site. We have had a few threads here about travelling to India - try searching the site. Some of them have excellent advice and recommendations for all sorts of itineraries and budgets.
I just got from my second business trip to India and it’s pretty easy to get around and be understood. Just relax and don’t have a rigid time table or itinerary and you’ll be fine.
Have your buddy contact his MP’s office and see if they can’t help him. My mother did this years ago when we were going on a trip to Ireland. My mother and sister already had valid passports and this was the first time I had ever applied for one. It was coming pretty close to the departure date and even though we thought we had sent it off with sufficient time, it had still not arrived. I think they would be able to help especially with the complication of the postal strike. Never hurts to ask
Another vote for just go. I’m planning a trip there for this November-December and I’m going alone; I plan on having a blast and meeting people as I travel. Unless you really hate spending time by yourself, you’ll have fun and see lots of col stuff.
Also, the curry is better in India than it is in Newark.
Can he call up the office and arrange a courier service? I’ve only looked on Passport Canada’s site, but they say if you go to a passport office in person, you can request urgent service if you bring proof of travel. I’m sure the same would happen if he went to where he applied for his visa.