Travelling in India: things you need to know.

1. You can't change rupees before you enter India, and you won't be able to change them back once you've left the country. Make sure you either change back before exiting, or spend all you have in the bazaars before boarding the plane. 

2. Alcohol tax is a killer in some areas of India. In Delhi it is around 20%, and more often than not they'll add this to your bill at the end. Goa has the cheapest tax (if any at all). Make sure you either check the menu or ask the waiter before going completely mad on the 90rps G&Ts. 

3. Bhang is marujuna. (It's worth knowing before you order a few Bhang lassis 'because you're feeling crazy and want to try something new and authentic.')

4. Alcohol on trains is prohibited, or at least frowned upon. If you're planning to speed up the journey with a £1.50 bottle of rum, keep it concealed and be subtle. 

5. Tuc tuc drivers don't like to use the meter, because journeys would be much cheaper if they did. Most of them unplug it and then claim it's broken. It is worth asking though, and will at the very least show you mean business in terms of bartering the fare. 

6. Chai is a huge deal out here, and you're offered it almost everywhere. Accept it, because it's a gift and some consider it rude if you don't. 

6b. For almost everything else, you'll be expected to leave a tip.

7. If you're visiting villages it's worth taking some small presents to give away: school pens, sweets etc. The kids will ask and it's always hard to say no. 

8. The cows out here are considered holy and have the right of way. We saw one sat in a silver shop in Varanasi and no one even thought to ask it to move. 

9. Those of paler skin will often find themselves a bit of an attraction, with Indians asking to take a photo with them. It's your call if you agree, just anticipate that if you say yes to one, it's likely you'll end up running a weird photoshoot outside a temple or a fort or somewhere.

10. Foreigners are charged at least twice the entrance fee of Indians at most attractions and monuments. If you're carrying a camera you may be charged even more than that. The Taj Mahal is 750rps entry for foreigners, whilst Indians pay just 25rps.  

11. I'm not even going to start on how horrendous some of the toilets are out here. Just make sure you've got loo roll and hand sanitiser with you all, the, time.