as a first time traveller, i would like to hear from people
who have been to both india and thailand and which one you
would recommend more for an inexperienced person like me.
i plan to travel for 4-5 months and i have read both lonely
planets inside out and i can't decide which country to go
to. i only want to do one at a time so, i would appreciate
any advice on which one is easier to handle and which is
most rewarding and why. thanks heaps
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India is a major assault to the senses and is physically
and mentally exhausting! I started my world journey there 6
years ago and at the end of 6 weeks was burned out and sick
as a dog. My trip stopped there and every day I regret that
I didn't have the chance to continue. Do yourself a favor
and try elsewhere before India. With 4-5 months, you can
see a lot of South East Asia (not only Thailand). Or,
coming highly recommended from me, check out the beauty and
wonder of Nepal. It's laid-back atmosphere is nothing like
India!
I totally agree with Mags, I travelled around Rajasthan in
India for one month, by the end of it couldn't wait to get
out (sick and exhausted)then continued to travel around
Thailand, Laos and Vietnam which I found really easy after
India.
You're welcomed from the moment to arrive at Bangkok's
Airport. Excellent bus service outside the door.
Thais are friendly and tourist-oriented. Try to avoid
well known beaches.
India takes a lot of stamina. I have only been to New Dehli
and Agra but would suggest you start with Thailand. At a
later time brace yourself for India.
I haven't been to India yet, but I know from friends that it
is quite a culture shock if you get there. Anyway, I
travelled around Thailand for 4 1/2 weeks about a year ago.
I found it pretty easy to travel around there. For your
first trip I wouldn't choose India really. Go to Thailand,
Malaysia and Indonesia instead.
Agree with above postings about Thai vs India but I thought going for something as different as possible is half the fun. And you have sufficient time to adapt to India slowly.
have never been to india, but have been to south east asia
twice....as a first time traveller thailand will be enough
of a culture shock for you....save india for another
time...you will have a wonderful time in thailand and the
thai people will be delightful....have a great trip!
I say check out one of the seven wonders of the world...I
come from India, have lived there 22 years and am appalled
by these views. I have not been to Thailand, but spent a
while in Malaysia. It was beautiful, but like any country,
India has it's beauty, to be appreciated by travellers, not
tourists who claim to be gurus when they have merely lasted
no longer than a couple of weeks in country.
Indians are very hospitable people provided you show a
similar respect for their culture. Maybe since this is your
first trip, keep it flexible, spread your time in India,
Nepal, Burma or Bhutan. Perhaps, if you would like a few
contacts, i can offer them to you.
...it isn't that India isn't worth going to, but for a
first time traveller it is a bit too much! Sure many people
in India are very hospitable but it is everything about the
place, as a traveller, that is very tiring - walking around
(practically being assaulted by people trying to sell you
things or services), buying train tickets (even in the
special office for foreigners), the poverty and the
dirtiness of India are OVERWHEMING to even seasoned
travellers. Thailand and South East Asia are much easier
for the first time traveller. But, as I recommended above,
I would spent time in Nepal...it is magical!
India ia overwhelming but that can be a good thing if you
are travelling...it forces you out of your comfort zone!
Could I suggest that if you arrived in the south of India
(Madra/Chennai) and spent some time there before moving
north you'd probably find the place manageable.
I travelled a lot by myself in India, had very few hassles
and found the south very very pleasant as a sole female on
the road.
If you don't go now, when will you go??
Good luck!
I would actually recomend Indonesia (super easy traveland cheap) as a female traveller maybe bali, yogya (borobudur, prambanan) then fly to bangkok stay there 1 day take a taxi to see the wat po and the palaca, leve on train to north (chiang mai) stay at the galora, go on a trek! a lot less stressful and fun. India no
Most of these posts seem to be saying the same thing: India
is "difficult", Thailand "easy"--so, it's up to you, knowing
yourself best, which you think you want. Perhaps I should
qualify that--not many people want to have a "difficult"
time, but some people gain a greater sense of accomplishment
and feel they have learned more about themselves by trying
something really different and seeing how they cope.
Personally, when I travel, this is what I want. Going to a
place where everything is easy, everyone speaks your
language, etc. doesn't appeal to me at all. Don't be scared
of India; if you think you are adventurous and hardy and are
looking for something really beautiful and intense, go! I
spent a year there and cried when I had to leave. I also
noticed that India got quite a few votes on another thread
about which country you'd go back to if you had the choice.
Thailand is much more westernized, at least on the beaten
path. While in India I felt a much stronger sense of their
culture(s) rather than Western ones.
I just went to Thailand for the first time by myself just
recently. I thought for a women traveling alone it was a
really good choice for my first time out alone. I can't
imagine spending 4 or 5 months there. I really wanted to go
to India but chickened out. I did go to Nepal and had a
fantasic time!! I think that once you get your groove on
you become a little more adentureous. India (so I am told)
is hard, and it wears you down with all the hassle. So why
not start easier and then talk to travelers along the way
so maybe you can meet someone to hook up for a short time
in Inida with. It's cheap to get flights out of Bangkok so
you can always go to India. Don't rush into anything to
overwhelming. With 4 or 5 months your plans will change a
lot so start out with something you think you can handle
straight away. Have a great time!
You will forget about Thailand in a month. You will NEVER
forget India for the rest of your life.
I have travelled and worked in both India and Thailand. I
think that if it is your first big trip both countries will
shock you for all the extremes in cultural differences. I
love both of the countries! and you will just have to
adjust to the culture ... that's the fun/frustration of
travel! However, I would advise you if you are really
worried and not sure ... fly to Nepal first. It is a
gentler version of India. Much of the same northern Indian
culture but less hassles. Spend a week or two there and
then head to India! This will also give you more of a
breather to adjust.
If you like to plunge into things ... jump off the hippy-
tourist circus and explore India first!!!!
I have travelled in both Thailand and India. I agree with
the suggestion of trying Nepal over either of these
destinations for the first time traveler. The most
overwhelming thing about travel is manouevering through the
large cities to get 'out' and see really see the country.
Both Bangkok and Delhi(and the other large cities in India)
are crowded, polluted and full of people trying to take
advantage of tourists. I think the advantage of Kathmandu
is it's size (don't get me wrong- per capita it's probably
just as polluted, crowded and tourist hungry). The
Nepalese government also makes great effort at protecting
the tourist havens and they are generally very toursit
friendly.
No matter which country you decide to travel in- fly in and
give yourself a day or two to get organized then get out of
the city.
Have you ever thought of an organized tour? I travelled
India and Nepal as part of a group and Thailand alone. I
was able to see more, learn more and now return to India
and Nepal alone with no discomfort in the least. Since you
have 4-5 months you could start out with a tour to
'acclumatize'. You loose some independence travelling with
a group but I think the benefits of ease, comfort and
safety outweigh the disadvantages for a firsttime traveller.
Have a great time no matter what you decide.
I'd say ease into India with Nepal it is an amazing country
and you'll meet so many people!