Safe Family Travel in India

Don’t let the fear of travel or far-off destinations hold your family back from vacationing. Is India on your must-visit list? Relax and enjoy the trip, but first prepare with these for tips for safe travel.

Do Your Homework

For those looking to travel light, shop around for hotels offering family-friendly products and services. If you think you will need a car seat, baby carrier or special requirements of any kind you would rather leave at home, call first. Confirm several times with your hotel they have what you need. If they cannot meet your needs, be flexible and pack your own. In the long run, it will be well worth it to pack and be prepared for any occasion on your trip. If you have little ones, pack an inflatable booster seat and plenty of snacks.

Skip the Stroller

If you can do without a stroller, leave it at home. Depending on your location, most city streets can be quite crowded in India and you’ll make your way through the pack with ease if you have an alternate carrier for the little ones. If not, plan breaks and keep them entertained in transit so they don’t get too tired or anxious trekking from site to site.

Know Your Surroundings

Once you narrow down a location — or several — to visit, survey the neighborhoods around your hotel. This will help you feel confident in where you want to explore, when to visit and what to take with you.

A family walks through Qutab Minar near Delhi, India Photo: Paul Bielicky | Dreamstime.com

If you’re within walking distance of landmarks, restaurants and top-tourist destinations you will save yourself some time and money loading into cabs or hired cars.

Book a Tour

It’s ok to be a tourist and book a tour — it’s actually a great way to enjoy the city safely. You’ll have the expert guidance of a local and an itinerary to abide by, places to be and specific times to meet up. You’ll see some of the top sights on your family’s list with the ease of someone else organizing everything.

Embrace the Culture

Without completely throwing all of your children’s dietary needs out the window, make sure your family embraces the local culture of India. The vibrant colors, spices, traditions, bazaars, ornate temples and holy mosques are a treasure-trove of history and culture and truly the greatest draw to the country to begin with.

© Marina Pissarova | Dreamstime.com