Last updated on December 7th, 2023 at 06:30 am
With many of us planning a road trip during long weekends like May Day/Good Friday/Independence Day/Republic Day/Gandhi Jayanti/ Dasara holidays/Christmas Week etc we thought of sharing our experiences while travelling during these long weekends and sharing these tips for road trips in India.
- Don’t travel If you don’t have an advanced booking in a hotel unless you want to end up in a crisis!! Getting a room in a good hotel at the last minute is next to impossible. Once you have made the booking online through online platforms like Makemytrip, Hotels.com, Bookings.com or Agoda.com, make sure to call the hotel and confirm your reservation. Take a printout or save a soft copy of all confirmed reservations in a folder.
- Leave early to beat the traffic at toll gates. Thanks to FASTag things are better. Still, you may end up in long lanes, people trying to jump lanes, arguments etc. If you want to avoid all this, leave early on the previous day. It is still better if you can take a day off and leave a day earlier.
- All the popular tourist places like Coorg, Chikmagalur, Wayanad, Pondy, Munnar, Ooty, Kodai, Kanyakumari etc will be crowded during this week. The same will be the scene in any popular tourist places in other places in the country You may have to stand in long queues to visit sightseeing places. For example, boating in Ooty or Wayanad lakes, ferry ride to Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari etc. Be prepared for it. Our suggestion is to go early in the morning before breakfast for any ticketed activity. It may be cold but worth the effort. If available, buy a ticket online.
- Pack your Breakfast when you start from home. Pack some sandwiches or Idli or Parota anything and don’t waste time for breakfast, especially in restaurants within 50 KMs from Bangalore or any other major metros. All these restaurants will be crowded, and you will waste at least one hour for this.
- Get your car serviced a week before and ensure you have recharged your FASTag with a sufficient amount. See this for more details on tips for a safe road trip https://www.team-bhp.com/safety/preparing-indian-road-trip
- All temples will be crowded too. Wherever there is a special darshan available, go for it. Buy tickets online where possible. The waiting period will be less. During Christmas time, being Shabarimala season, many prominent temples like Dharmasthala, Udupi, Kollur, Sringeri, Murudeshwar, Gokarna and other temples in South India will see a huge number of Ayyappa devotees which results in a long queue. Be prepared for it. Parking will be a major issue in all temples. Also, make sure that you carry dhoti and women a saree/churidar as many temples in South India insist on men wearing dhoti and women either Saree/Churidar.
- Work out travel time and make sure you drive safely. Get familiar with the route map. Save the map so that you can use it offline. Better still, print a copy!!
- Switch off geysers, gas stoves etc at home before you lock the door.
- Share your itinerary with a friend or a relative including details of hotels where you will be staying. In case of emergency, this will be useful.
- If you are going on a beach holiday, please be safe. Follow the local beach safety guidelines don’t enter deep sea and don’t swim in sea if it is not safe.
- If traveling with kids/toddlers make sure you have taken baby food.
- Don’t forget to take a basic medicine kit and if there are any special medicines required. A good kit like this available on Amazon will be helpful – https://amzn.to/3Q5NsWQ
- Take a good hat and if you are going to places which require walking take a good walking shoe.
- Always keep some cash. It will be useful if there is no network.
- Don’t forget to carry car mobile charger and a car laptop charger. If you do not have one, order on Amazon which has good deals
Bonus tip – Planning a trip to Goa to celebrate the new year? Don’t forget to check these practical tips If you are travelling to Goa to celebrate New Year. http://traveltwosome.com/new-year-in-goa/
The long weekend road trip is fun if planned well. Please keep the above in mind these Tips for Road Trips in India when you travel during this time!
Do you have any more tips to add? We welcome them. Please do share them in the comments below.
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Do you want some ideas for long weekend Road Trips from Bangalore? Please check out this list – 48 Road Trips from Bangalore with Detailed Itinerary!
Are you a driving enthusiast? Do you want the latest updates on road conditions in India? Please join the motorists group led by H V Kumar, doyen of Road Trips in India by clicking this link – https://www.facebook.com/groups/hvkumar
Here is an excellent detailed spreadsheet prepared by H V Kumar for road trips. Pls take a look
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