These are my favourite travel resources that I use in Delhi and for travel around the world. These have made my life in Delhi and travel in general so much easier!
General Travel Resources
- Booking.com – my favourite tool for booking hotels, especially when I’m on the go and need to use the app on my phone. The rates are often less than on hotel sites and frequent users get a 10% discount.
- Airbnb – for booking apartments and bedrooms in homes owned by individuals. I often use Airbnb for stays of longer than a few days. It’s a great way to have a more immersive experience and they are often cheaper than hotels. I just used Airbnb for my 9 months of travel through the Balkans and saved a ton of money.
- SafetyWing – travel and nomad health insurance. This is the company I like and use.
- Kayak – a comprehensive and excellent site to search for flights, car rentals and hotels. I use this primarily to search for flight routing options and compare fares, and then see if can get the same deal through the airline.
- GetYourGuide – a great platform to book tours and experiences at your destination. I’ve used GetYourGuide a number of times while travelling and the tours are always terrific (as long as you choose one with a lot of positive reviews).
- SeatGuru – check your seat and type of aircraft on this website. I often check and compare airline configurations, seat pitch and depth when choosing flights and reserving seats (especially when travelling with my dog).
Delhi (and India) Travel Resources
- Archeological Survey of India (ASI) – use this website to buy tickets for any of India’s sites which are overseen by the ASI (which is most of the historical monuments, including the Taj Mahal). You won’t have to wait in the ticket lineups and you’ll save INR 50 per ticket.
- Delhi Metro Route Finder – use this website to check for metro routes. Take advantage of the Delhi metro! It’s one of the best systems in the world, and it’s the best way to get around the city.
- IRCTC (Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation) – the official government site for booking train tickets in India. You’ll have access to all trains and all classes of tickets on this site. Before using, you will have to register and pay a small fee, but after that you can book tickets with no service fee. The system is down every day between 11:30 pm and 1:30 am IST.
- MakeMy Trip – A great site to book domestic flights because they show all options. You can also buy some train tickets here. The site doesn’t always work from abroad, but give it a try or use a VPN and select an Indian server. There’s a small service fee.
- Air India -India’s flagship carrier. It was recently taken over by the Tata Group, India’s premiere conglomerate and is undergoing a makeover. Currently a number of new aircraft are being acquired for long haul routes. I have found their economy cabins to be roomier than many competitors and appreciate the amount of food they serve.
- IndiGo – the best domestic airline now that Vistara has merged with Air India.
- India for Beginners – my favourite small group and custom tour company in India. Owned by a fellow Canadian with many years of India under her belt, tours are thoughtful with a focus on authenticity and sustainability. They provide an exceptional level of service and work hard to support local businesses.