India Costs
 

I would welocme some advice about the costs of meals and drinks and shopping in India. We are planning on travelling during January and will probably eat and stay in good 5* hotels, how much do we need to allow for lunches and dinners and for drinks?
Also although we do not want to do very much shopping we will want to do some, what are the costs e.g. for silk or cottons or other possible souvenirs?
Any avice on things that are really worth buying?
Thanks in advance
Fiona

you will find things to be very reasonable....it is a bit difficult to tell you specifically.... a printed cotton table cloth big enough for a standard dining room table could cost between $5-20. a leather jacket might cost $125. a ladies cotton purse at anoki might range about $15....

meals at 5* hotels are expensive by indian standards but moderate by american standards... sticking to indian fare of course brings the price down...

You may as well ask 'how long is a piece of string?'

Read rhkk's bizarre but true report of his 'guzzle and shop' tour of India for prices - allow 20% extra for the time lag.
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...a---rhkkmk.cfm

He's our resident Indian expert.

You may, of course, choose to do things differently - in which case a meal will cost you anything from $1.50 to $200.

How much to allow for drinks? Well, strangely enough, that depends on what and how much you drink.

Things that are really worth buying? Were you planning on an investment here or the purchase of things you really like? If it is the latter it's a bit hard to advise, not being you. The things in India that are really worth buying are the things that speak to <i>you</i>. They say 'buy me'. When you see that thing, the price doesn't really matter. Buy it. If you see the salesman laughing and high-fiving his assistant as you leave, you'll know that you paid too much.

What are the costs of silks, cottons etc? Well, whatever you are foolish enough to pay. Price in India is an infinitely malleable concept. Quality costs more, Indiacrap costs less. Of course, you have to be able to tell the difference. A good salesman will always cost you more. Believe not one word that comes out of their mouths.

If you're lucky, Cicerone will come in here and probably write a short novel which will help you more. She'll have some good suggestions as to where to shop and eat. Click on her name and look for the India posts to start with.

Basically, if you stay in your 5* bubble, you'll pay squillions more than you need to. But, if you're happy with that, nobody does luxury travel like India.

This is a useful phrase to remember in the sub-continent: Caveat emptor.

What's worth buying? That all depends on what you like. You can get very good silk and cotton IF you yourself know how to feel the fabric and know it's good. You can't expect the sales clerk to advise you with much truthfulness.

You have to have a keen eye for workmanship and not waste time in the rows of vendor stalls along the sidewalks. You will have to seek out the higher end shopping places for the better things.

That said, I have found some well made little treasures at Cottage Industries Emporium. I often go there because I don't have time to go all over Delhi. There must be a million stores in Delhi alone.

I would say the thing to do is shop quality first and then try to get the best price possible. Prices vary tremendously as well depending on quality, and the level of shopping comfort you choose.

Silks and cottons for daily use are priced unbelievably cheap in India. Basically "shop till you drop" and you will still have money left to enjoy the rest of your trip. Enjoy!!!

If you don't like to haggle, go to Cottage industries emporium as Jaya has advised above. There are some other fixed price stores as well.

If you are staying at "good 5* hotels" do you have to worry about lunch prices? Have you checked into tariffs of those hotels?


BTW, a hotel in India doesn't have to be 5* to be "good."

You should not have to pay more than $5 or $10 per person ( that would be pushing it) for a delicious restaurant lunch.

I found prices for the few mixed drinks I had were relatively, to what i expected, quite high (equivalent to chi chi bar prices in the USA) and the alcohol content quite low.

Fav Indian drink, esp'lly for queasiness (brought on by winding roads, too much spicy food, etc) is bottled lime soda with extra fresh lime and lots of fresh shredded ginger, or a hot drink mixture of water, fresh lime juice, shredded ginger, and honey. These were our driver's favorite tummy soothers, tested on many tourists... and they work great!!!

For excellent quality--and no bargaining-- cotton print clothes and gifts (tablecloths, etc) go to Fabindia. Many branches in the country, but store atmosphere and selection and staff helpfulness varies from store to store. If you go in New Delhi, do NOT go to the one at Connaught Circle. There's a better one at one of the upscale market areas in the city (can't recall which). You'll find a branch at nearly every large city in India. If you are in Kerala, try the one at Kottayam--our fav so far. These are clothes you can wear back at home too. It was just 100 F here in Calif, and my Fabindia kurta was as cool and light and soft as a feather. .

many would consider lcuy, ciccerone, dogster, magical, and others to be our experts

Rhkkmk--dont be so modest. Your reports andknowledge are fantastic!!

And please let's all nix the label of "experts." (Time to put the protective gear on now!!)

We can read and judge for ourselves who is knowledgeable and expereinced. For example, i'm hope to go to Assam and Sikkim next winter, and I hope that Dogster and others who've been, will see that post when it happens, and fill me in based on their travels and experiences and knowledge of that area.

In the past (and hopefully not as much now) some forums (eg USA/Hawaii) had SELF-proclaimed "experts" This forum one doesn't have the self-proclamation...but the vetting and occasional "just who are you, anyway" questions, while understandable, can be intimidating and feel judgmental putting to those eager to share their knowledge, but afraid they won't sound "expert"enough.

Uh..sorry for the grammatical boo boos in above post.

CaliNurse - ooh, just the mention of those bumpy roads can bring on nausea! Depending on the trip, I sometimes will pre-medicate with Benadryl to ward off any chance of motion sickness.

Agreed Java. There are major twists and turns in the HP mountains. Bonine (meclizine) was my drug of choice. Our driver gave us advance notice fortunately, although i think he (being a native of Himachal) would have prferred that i stick strictly to the lime soda and ginger regimen!

Like Calinurse, I liked Fabindia for easy finds at reasonable prices. I bought one of my punjabis there and two skirts that I wear a lot once home. Also bought shawls there-as well as elsewhere. I actually found a couple of reasonable things I loved (elephant for $ 20) at the gift shop at the Udaivillas (Oberoi). Also had two punjabis made at a shop in Indore (off the beaten path--taken there by a local auntie)--sewing cost only $ 4.50 apiece plus fabric. I LOVE the silver jewelry I bought in Udaipur. Cost more than cotton things, but I'll wear it forever.

Hey traveling India isn't much expensive. I live in Canada n I've been to India in 2008 for a business trip. I had to stay there for 3 DAYS. My client booked Taj Palace Hotel in new delhi for me. Great place luxurious amenities and elite standard services & a comfortable stay. Moreover centrally located so all shopping centers are near by. As said by pattyroth, Fabindia is a good option and I've heard from my clients about the changes in Delhi.. Go for it...

Hey it just strike me about the food and drinks at Taj Palace Hotel.. Well I guess best place in town be it food at Orient Express and Masala Art be it vietnameese food at Blue Ginger, no words for the drinks menu at The Blue Bar n not to forget the morning cup of coffee at the Tea Lounge at the lobby level.... I just loved it all..

Well Bob nobody can beat your expertise on Restaurants and shops that's where you really shine.

Ashish, for guests staying at Taj,(or for your next trip) right across the road is a branch of the omnipresent Caffe Coffee Day in lovely garden setting, and Moti Mahal on Malcha Marg. We stayed very nearby at ITC Maurya. I love that very green and lush diplomatic area--a little mini-oasis.

CaliNurse, True that I've been to the cafe coffee day just across the road I guess that's the only open cafe coffee day in Delhi... N I've also been to Flemingo at malcha marg. N yes the greenery at the diplomatic avenue is just awesome its so peaceful. I guess that's the best area to stay in Delhi if you are planning a vacation. Also I would like to share few facts supported by pictures with you all of the view from Taj Palace hotel. There are many interesting facts that I came to know during my stay at Taj.

I don't know how to share pictures on this forum but yes I just found Taj Palace Hotel on facebook, so sharing the link for the same..
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...4&id=551454781
You'll see an elephants face on the golf course from this image.. Not people know about this.. Its awesome...

I'd also include Kathie, St.Cirq, and thursdaysd as experts.

There are those who stay only in five star hotels and those who don't. Some people go to India to shop and dine as well as sightsee, others are on a spiritual journey, others want to see wildlife. Read as many trip reports as you can. No one is an expert on all there is to see and know.

I haven't been on the site in a while, but I'm back as we leave on our trip to India in November and I'm looking after all those last minute details.

Dogster, your response to the question asked is the best reason for following the threads on this site. You give wonderful information when asked direct questions and never fail to 'tell it like it is' when you have the opportunity. I love it.

By the way - how long is a piece of string???