Off to India: packing and other travel tips

Two more days and we're off to India. The last few weeks have not been easy around here, so I can't wait to get away from it all. Today I started packing and as I was trying to decide what would be sensible to carry with me and what to leave behind, my mind went through all those memories from my first trip to Mumbai and Goa in September 2011. I think I will never forget the excitement I felt upon my first encounter this amazing and diverse culture, the warm hospitality I received and the beauty of certain urban and exotic locations.

This time I am even more excited as I am going to meet my husband's family for the first time, and one of my best friends from Greece who now lives in India. To get to Chennai - where they live - we will need to board 3 flights totaling about 24 hours, excluding layovers. What an adventure for love!

Even though I am an experienced traveller, I still feel a little terrified of long-haul flights and haven't found yet the most optimal way to spend time on a plane. Sleep doesn't come easily. I 've packed a sleeping mask, earplugs and a book, and am hoping for the best.

Packing, on the other hand, is one of the things I really enjoy. It so happened that in the last 6 years, my clothes have spend almost equal time in wardrobes and suitcases, and I am super-efficient with it.

Before I set out for my next trip, I'd like to share some travel trips for those who are considering visiting India in the near future.

Travel tips for India

Don't leave your Indian Visa to the last minute. Even though issuing a tourist visa takes only 3-5 days, you need to be prepared for some initial frustration with the application process. Before you take your documents to the local Indian Consulate, you will need to fill out an online application form which can be somewhat confusing. This is your first hint that India is not for the faint-hearted.

Make sure that your travel vaccinations are up-to-date. Thankfully, I did all that while preparing for my first trip to India, so I don't have to do it again. The advisable vaccinations for most areas are: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Polio, Diptheria and Typhoid.

In most parts of India - except in areas with high altitude (>2,000 m / 6,561 ft) - there is a risk of malaria. If you are travelling to an affected area you will need anti-malaria medications. Your doctor or travel health specialist can prescribe these. There are several options for tablets, depending on your budget and how many tablets per day you are willing to take. I would advise you to get the best you can afford. From my experience, MALARONE® (atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride) is the best option and I personally did not experience any side-effects the previous time. Keep in mind that mosquitoes are most active around 30 minutes before sunset to 2 hours after sunset and in the early morning. To avoid being a host, you will also need to apply mosquito repellent on your skin (one with around 30% deet is usually recommended).

Don't bother carrying too many dressy clothes to India. Light coloured cottons and linens are ideal. To stay clear from unwanted attention, I also slightly adjust my style and avoid short dresses, skirts, and shorts, as well as strapless and tank tops - not that you are not allowed to wear them, but it generally feels awkward in certain areas or social settings.

Sunglasses, sunscreen and a light cotton scarf are very essential. Whether you 're heading to the beach or the city, the sun is very strong, especially in South India.

If you are carrying a laptop or other electronics, you might want to use a surge protector to protect you devices from a power surge. You will also need travel adaptors in order to plug your appliances.

Carry some toilet paper or wipes. Most hotels have toilet paper, but trains and less fancy restaurants usually don't.

If you are staying in a hotel or resort basic toiletries (shampoo, shower gel, etc.) are normally provided, so there's no need to carry these from home. 

Even if you aren't OCD carrying a hand sanitiser is a good idea, especially if you're planning to join the locals in eating with your hands.

It's also a good idea to carry some emergency medications for upset tummy, allergies, insect bites and headache.

Legally you are not allowed to take rupees in and out of India. If you are going to some remote location away from the city, it's best to bring money in a major currency (dollars or euros) and then exchange it to the local currency. If you are staying anywhere near a city, you will not need to bring cash as there are plenty of ATMs around. It is also advisable to contact your bank and inform them that you will be using your card abroad, as they might block transactions in an attempt to protect your funds.

Travel with an open mind and avoid setting very specific expectations - you're gonna love it!