JaneB

at the Travisa office in Houston. Has anyone done this?
Thanks for any comments.

doug_stallings

They're really fast. I'd do it by mail unless you really absolutely have to have the visa immediately. I got the whole process done in less than a week by mail.

Marija

We did it in person in Chicago and it was easy. Complete the forms in advance, bring the money and return in the late afternoon for pickup.

JaneB

I think we'll give the "in person" a try. We don't go to India until Feb, 2013 so there's plenty of time to decide. I just want to figure out the best way for us, and Houston is not that far away.

Kathie

Consider getting the 10 year visa if you think you might go back.

JaneB

Thanks, Kathie, but this is our second and probably last trip to India--we are both over 75. This time we are on a tour to Southern India and Sri Lanka. Last time we traveled independently for 3 weeks with nothing pre-booked--quite a challenge--but we traveled from/to the US space available thanks to airline pilot son-in-law.

indianewbie12

Jane,

I'm trying to figure out a trip somewhere in between full-on tour and nothing pre-booked. I'm an middle-aged/older woman traveling alone so I need to be cautious... would love any insights you have!

FWIW I too intend to go in person for my visa -- wearing a good quality business suit and pearls!

Best

IndiaNewbie12

JaneB

LOL
I highly recommend using a tour to visit India. I liked the flexibility of traveling independently but the obstacles are great and numerous. Just my opinion.

peg

I applied directly in DC and didn't have any problems at all. Had all the paperwork filled out ahead of time, and they called the next day to say I could pick up my passport the following day.

indianewebie12 I traveled to India twice in the last 8 months, the first trip for two weeks on my own. I didn't have a problem with safety. Although I was a little worried when I was stuck in a train car with three other men, but after about 10 minutes I realized I was in no danger. I chose to go with a local agency after trying to figure out the train schedules and stations started to give me a headache. I'm glad I did, as it was so much less stressful. Traveled with them again in November when I went back.

thursdaysd

"the obstacles are great and numerous" - such as?

I travel in India independently, and while I have had some initial difficulties getting Indian drivers to do what I want, I haven't had difficulty figuring out and booking the trains (I used cleartrip.com last time). Nor booking hotels. You do have to be more alert for scams than usual, and willing to say NO to touts and beggars.

JaneB

....such as getting the occupants out of our reserved berths on the train, for starters.