Canada to India Travel Checklist: How Prepared are you?

Canada to India is one of the busiest international routes. A large number of passengers on such flights are students and Canadian residents of Indian origin. Then, there are other passengers flying for leisure, or perhaps a business convention.

But, whatever your reason to travel may be, there are a few key things to know advance. They will not only make your trip to India seamless but also make you a smarter passenger. So, by the time you finish reading this article, you will know:

How prepared you are to fly to India from Canada?

• How to get started with the Indian Visa?

Look for e-Visa for a hassle-free journey. Since everything is online you don’t have to go through the cumbersome process of sending your passport anywhere.

Start the process at least a month before your travel! E-Visa has replaced visa on arrival and has become the fastest method of obtaining a visa for India. However, you wouldn’t want to do the paperwork at the eleventh hour.

There are three types of e Visas, namely e tourist visa, e medical visa and e-business visa.

However, before you fill out the form online, make sure that:

1. Your passport has at least 180 days of validity left.
2. Your passport has two blank pages and is machine-readable

As for the payment, you can use your credit card or PayPal. Also, you can hire a visa agent for help. It will make things easier for you, as you won’t have to dig the details. However, if you are looking to unearth insights about Indian Visa from Canada, you can do so, here.

• Did you go to the Doctor?

It is necessary to see your doctor before you plan a trip to India. So, if you haven’t booked an appointment with your doctor, yet, do it now!

You must be up to date with the standard vaccinations. Also, you may need vaccination against Typhoid, and Hepatitis A. If you have a chronic condition or any other disease, carry extra medication. Also, ask your doctor for an anti-malaria medication.

Although local pharmacies in India are convenient, you must not take risks when it comes to your health. Moreover, always carry your prescription.

Healthcare in India is good in metros and urban cities. If you are traveling somewhere rural or so, it is wise to carry a first aid kit.

Finally, consider health insurance. No one wants to fly back due to health concerns.

However, if you have travel health insurance, you will get reimbursed for the treatment in the country which otherwise may upset your budget and travel plans.

• Did you brief yourself about the Indian Laws?

You do not want to get on the wrong side of the law in India, not even unintentionally. Therefore, you must update yourself with a few Indian Laws that will help you a lot on your journey from Canada.

Here are a few of them:

1. Do not use cameras in prohibited areas. Therefore, do not get carried away with this one.
2. Do not import or export the local currency. It is strictly prohibited for non-residents.
3. If you are a woman, a male officer cannot escort you to the police station. You can refuse if no female officer is present to escort you to the police station.
4. Also, women can file a complaint via email or post. So, check out the local police station online and go through the contact details to make a complaint.
5. Carry your passport with you all the time.
6. Stay away from beef.
7. Always know the current exchange rate.

• Do you know the Indian Exchange Rate?

It is important for you to know the latest exchange rate. Usually, 1 Canadian Dollar converts to 50 Indian Rupees. Despite being one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, India is still largely disorganized and non-digital in comparison to Canada.

Even though there are ATMs, it is wise to carry plastic money. Moreover, carry extra cash. If you are worried about pickpockets, and petty thieves, get yourself a money belt.

Further, when it comes to online transactions, you can conveniently use major credit cards. Don’t forget, India is a hub of Information Technology.

Also, major cities and vendors accept plastic money. Therefore, notify your bank and service providers about your travel plans well in advance.

• Do you know the best Canada to India Flight Itinerary?

Numerous airlines operate between Canada and India. These include Jet Airways, Air India, Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and so on. The point being, know what airlines you can target. Moreover, know what flight routes suit you the best.

If time is your priority, nonstop flights work the best. If you want to minimize your airfare, layover flights are your best bet.

Furthermore, if you opt for a layover in the United States of America, you will come across the best-value flight deal.

Air India operates nonstop flights from Toronto to Delhi on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On the other hand, Air Canada is the most-preferred air carrier for Canada to India flights.

For passengers opting layovers, know that the minimum connecting time at the Delhi Airport is 4 hours.

Further, most of the flights from Canada to India depart in the afternoon.

However, if you wish to travel early, look for Emirates plane tickets. The best airports to check Emirates flights are Montreal and Ottawa.

• How is the Climate Like in India?

As diverse it is culturally and geographically, the climate follows the same trend. Climatic variations are immense, ranging from tropical to temperate to alpine.

As you progress from the North to the South, you will come across glaciers, snowy mountains, and frozen lakes to sunny beaches, grasslands, and backwaters.

Therefore, it is important you know the climatic conditions at your travel destination in India.

One of the key benefits of such diverse weather is that you can visit the country all around the year. Different places are best visited during different weathers.

For instance, book flight tickets to Mumbai for springtime, whereas Goa flight booking for winters is ideal. The climatic conditions will also guide what you pack. Similarly, North India is best enjoyed from February to June.

Then, July to September brings showers of rainfall in South India and Northeast India. It is the best time for a pluviophile to visit the country.

• Do you have a SIM Card that Works in India?

Consider buying a SIM card. It will solve a lot of problems for you. Any contact you make in India, you can feed it in the local SIM. You can use it to order food, transportation and much more. Moreover, you can make calls to Canada at cheap prices, as Indian Telecommunication services are very affordable.

Further, you can access unlimited high-speed internet connection through your SIM card. This is more than half of your problems solved. You can even look for directions if you feel lost.

So, ask all of the above-mentioned questions while preparing for Canada to India travel. There are several other things you can do to make your journey comfortable. The key is to invest some time in research and start looking for cheap air tickets to India well in advance.