Member Since: 04 Sep 2024
Location: England
Posts: 17
Driving in India vs Guided Car Tours
I am off to a 3-week vacation to India this coming November and torn between renting an SUV like https://cars.t2india.com/land-rover.aspx and having a guided car tour. I heard driving in India can be dangerous for foreigners especially at night as described here https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/i...d-security. I think I would feel safer if a local guide would show me around India. I have never done a guided car tour in my travels in the past as I am comfortable and enjoy freedom of driving in my own mostly in Europe. Has anyone got a recommendation on guided car tour or can share good experiences with renting a car and driving in India?
11th Sep 2024 2:11 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73075
If India is like much of “developing” Asia I’d not even think about driving. Craziest place so far we’ve been driven in is Indonesia, with Vietnam not far behind. “Foreigners” have no concept about how things work and our perception of how rules are followed is completely different from what happens on the road. And at night it’s even worse as lots of traffic forgoes the luxury of lights. Much better being driven, unless you want a nervous breakdown or worse. Not been to India but from what I’ve heard (BIL was there last year) it’s not somewhere I’d want to drive in.
But, more importantly, don’t forget the golden rule. No pics = didn’t happen.
PS Just reread and assumed you would be self driving, that might be a wrong assumption.
11th Sep 2024 6:34 am
KenR
Member Since: 17 Jan 2010
Location: Argyll Scotland
Posts: 331
Do not drive yourself, driving in India relies on the rule of size and while a SUV is above bikes, motor bikes and Tut Tuts they are below buses and lorries. Playing chicken with a lorry overtaking a bus which is overtaking a car on a corner is not recommended.
At night, lights are optional and if anyone has a puncture they roll a rock into the road to protect themselves while they change the wheel.
You are also a rich tourist so any accident will be your fault and therefore liable for monetary compensation.
11th Sep 2024 8:51 am
stick
Member Since: 13 Jan 2010
Location: hants
Posts: 604
Agree with others, and add that camels and elepahants also are on road - no tail lights-- and lorries tend to drive at night as cheaper taxes- drivers chew a narcotic to keep them awake and therefore judgement severly impaired. Strongly recommend not driving yourself.d4 HSE
11th Sep 2024 9:36 am
charlie3
Member Since: 04 Sep 2024
Location: England
Posts: 17
KenR wrote:
Do not drive yourself, driving in India relies on the rule of size and while a SUV is above bikes, motor bikes and Tut Tuts they are below buses and lorries. Playing chicken with a lorry overtaking a bus which is overtaking a car on a corner is not recommended.
At night, lights are optional and if anyone has a puncture they roll a rock into the road to protect themselves while they change the wheel.
You are also a rich tourist so any accident will be your fault and therefore liable for monetary compensation.
I appreciate the warning against driving myself in India, @KenR. You make very good points about road safety risks, liability in case of any accidents, and night driving conditions. A guided car tour does seem like the safer option overall, especially as a foreign traveler unfamiliar with local driving norms and rules of the road.
12th Sep 2024 1:30 am
charlie3
Member Since: 04 Sep 2024
Location: England
Posts: 17
DSL wrote:
If India is like much of “developing” Asia I’d not even think about driving. Craziest place so far we’ve been driven in is Indonesia, with Vietnam not far behind. “Foreigners” have no concept about how things work and our perception of how rules are followed is completely different from what happens on the road. And at night it’s even worse as lots of traffic forgoes the luxury of lights. Much better being driven, unless you want a nervous breakdown or worse. Not been to India but from what I’ve heard (BIL was there last year) it’s not somewhere I’d want to drive in.
But, more importantly, don’t forget the golden rule. No pics = didn’t happen.
PS Just reread and assumed you would be self driving, that might be a wrong assumption.
Thank you for the helpful advice, @DSL. While I’ve never been to Indonesia and Vietnam, I’ve been to the Philippines and wouldn’t like to drive there myself. I appreciate you sharing your brother-in-law's experience and recommendation, as well as the golden rule – I think I need to bring a dashcam in India.
12th Sep 2024 1:41 am
charlie3
Member Since: 04 Sep 2024
Location: England
Posts: 17
stick wrote:
Agree with others, and add that camels and elepahants also are on road - no tail lights-- and lorries tend to drive at night as cheaper taxes- drivers chew a narcotic to keep them awake and therefore judgement severly impaired. Strongly recommend not driving yourself.
You raise some valid points about the additional safety risks faced by visiting drivers due to uncontrolled animals on the road as well as impaired judgement by some local commercial drivers, @stick. A guided tour could certainly help ease navigation and cultural adaptation stresses, while still allowing stops for independent exploration. Anyone would recommend some reputable English-speaking local guides with their own cars?
12th Sep 2024 1:52 am
Gilgamesh
Member Since: 01 Feb 2024
Location: Beckenham
Posts: 16
Re: Driving in India vs Guided Car Tours
charlie3 wrote:
I am off to a 3-week vacation to India this coming November and torn between renting an SUV like https://cars.t2india.com/land-rover.aspx and having a guided car tour. I heard driving in India can be dangerous for foreigners especially at night as described here https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/i...d-security. I think I would feel safer if a local guide would show me around India. I have never done a guided car tour in my travels in the past as I am comfortable and enjoy freedom of driving in my own mostly in Europe. Has anyone got a recommendation on guided car tour or can share good experiences with renting a car and driving in India?
If this is your first time visiting India, I would recommend going with a guided car tour rather than renting a vehicle yourself. Driving is kinda hard, especially with all those tuk tuks and autos over there. they don't follow any traffic rules. Also a local guide will know best routes, areas to avoid, customs etc to ensure a smooth and safe experience. You can check https://gowithguide.com/India They have private car tours as well. You can still customize your itinerary and explore freely while having that security. It's worth paying a bit extra for the peace of mind in my opinion when visiting somewhere new.
12th Sep 2024 7:49 am
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4244
Having been to India and seen the traffic I would certainly recommend against driving there, even the short trips from the hotel to the office and back every day were a nail biting, frustrating episodes where there are simply no rules
As for venturing further out then even our colleagues who lived over there advised against it! As an example a new section of dual carriageway was treated as two single carriageway roads with traffic travelling both ways on each side! Major roads also tend to just stop with no warning as the local governments ran out of money
Agree with all the comments above regarding who will be at fault WHEN an accident occurs (not if)... think of a "crash for cash" scheme over here but on a national scale... just my experience...I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
I strongly recommend following the advice above and hiring a car & driver.
12th Sep 2024 8:04 am
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2812
I've been to India for work a couple of times.
I think 20yrs ago when I was younger and definitely more reckless I certainly would have driven myself in your circumstances as part of the adventure.
That's why you are going really - right?
But, even then I'd have avoided driving after dark.
My experience is of welcoming, lovely people that want you to enjoy being there.
And of a culture you just can't imagine and experience here.
However, remember their culture and religion includes Fatalism, they believe their day to die is set in stone from birth, so why would they take any notice of safety on the roads? They will be OK until their predetermined day arrives.
Actually, I'd be far more worried in rural areas about the ability of my bred in weak immune system and 'strength of stomach'.
Regardless of your decision about driving, enjoy it, but be very careful, and make sure you have really good insurance cover.
.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
12th Sep 2024 8:42 am
charlie3
Member Since: 04 Sep 2024
Location: England
Posts: 17
Re: Driving in India vs Guided Car Tours
Gilgamesh wrote:
charlie3 wrote:
I am off to a 3-week vacation to India this coming November and torn between renting an SUV like https://cars.t2india.com/land-rover.aspx and having a guided car tour. I heard driving in India can be dangerous for foreigners especially at night as described here https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/i...d-security. I think I would feel safer if a local guide would show me around India. I have never done a guided car tour in my travels in the past as I am comfortable and enjoy freedom of driving in my own mostly in Europe. Has anyone got a recommendation on guided car tour or can share good experiences with renting a car and driving in India?
If this is your first time visiting India, I would recommend going with a guided car tour rather than renting a vehicle yourself. Driving is kinda hard, especially with all those tuk tuks and autos over there. they don't follow any traffic rules. Also a local guide will know best routes, areas to avoid, customs etc to ensure a smooth and safe experience. You can check https://gowithguide.com/India They have private car tours as well. You can still customize your itinerary and explore freely while having that security. It's worth paying a bit extra for the peace of mind in my opinion when visiting somewhere new.
Thank you for the helpful recommendation, @Gilgamesh! I agree that having a local guide drive me around would be safer and more convenient, especially as a first time visitor to India. Not having to worry about navigation and traffic rules would allow me to fully immerse in the experience. It's good to know GoWithGuide offer private car tours that allow flexibility while still having security.
13th Sep 2024 2:16 am
charlie3
Member Since: 04 Sep 2024
Location: England
Posts: 17
nigethecat wrote:
Having been to India and seen the traffic I would certainly recommend against driving there, even the short trips from the hotel to the office and back every day were a nail biting, frustrating episodes where there are simply no rules
As for venturing further out then even our colleagues who lived over there advised against it! As an example a new section of dual carriageway was treated as two single carriageway roads with traffic travelling both ways on each side! Major roads also tend to just stop with no warning as the local governments ran out of money
Agree with all the comments above regarding who will be at fault WHEN an accident occurs (not if)... think of a "crash for cash" scheme over here but on a national scale... just my experience...
Thanks for sharing your first-hand experience of visiting India - it sounds extremely hazardous and stressful. A guided car tour with a local guide certainly seems like the safest option given how chaotic the traffic can be, I just hope it wouldn’t be too expensive. I'd hate to spend the whole vacation white-knuckling it behind the wheel or worse, getting into an accident.
13th Sep 2024 2:28 am
defector
Member Since: 23 Feb 2009
Location: Greater Manchester
Posts: 1471
When I went many years ago, I took the Lonely Planet Guide to India.
I found it invaluable and made things much easier by being prepared for the cultural norms and the history of various places the guide provides.
I followed it's recommendations for places to stay and eat which were rated by travellers.
Preparation is key, but it helps if you know someone there as well
13th Sep 2024 2:31 am
charlie3
Member Since: 04 Sep 2024
Location: England
Posts: 17
NJSS wrote:
I have visited India & Nepal 3 times.
I strongly recommend following the advice above and hiring a car & driver.
Thanks for confirming the recommendations to hire a car and driver. From all the feedback I've received, it's clear that navigating traffic as a visitor in India would be incredibly difficult and unsafe to attempt on my own. Are driving conditions in Nepal any better than India, @NJSS?
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