The Travel Thread

[dante77]

The average rate of return ticket eco class is 23k to 26k. Going from my place Lucknow, overall cost is around 60k for 2 adults return. 

 

The reason I am thinking of going in June end is because July August is off season and heat is unbearable as told by some of my friends there. 

 

Also, it will be first time intl trip with Missuss! 

[KunjanPSD]

8 minutes ago, dante77 said:

The average rate of return ticket eco class is 23k to 26k. Going from my place Lucknow, overall cost is around 60k for 2 adults return. 

 

The reason I am thinking of going in June end is because July August is off season and heat is unbearable as told by some of my friends there. 

 

Also, it will be first time intl trip with Missuss! 

Ahh, I was looking for December tickets and hence the higher price. Although it's gonna be hot in Dubai/Abu even in June.

Like in Dec, it wasn't even cold, just roam around in a Tshirt.

[KunjanPSD]

 

Saavdhaan rho, Sathark rho.

 

Best is to preconvert some money in cash and take it with you and use your card for everything else.

 

I personally have experience PoS machines asking which currency to use and the barista hit USD even though I told him not to. Charged me a conversion fee.

Always pay in local currency and decline any conversion on ATM in the off chance you really need cash.

 

[LordSpymaster]

1 hour ago, KunjanPSD said:

Also for forex, check out Bookmyforex. Best rates for card/cash load & unload.

 

Although, you can also use something like Fi or Niyo. They offer 0 markup on exchange rates which basically means you get the rates which are available on the Visa network for that particular day.

 

Visa rates are generally better but marginally like 77.57/USD on Bookmyforex vs 77.50 on Visa.

But you can always use your CC on Bookmyforex to earn regular reward points!

Never heard of these forex sites. Have you used it? Does anyone have experience using their Indian cards abroad? I have usually paid via cash for everything. Never cards, but may consider it next time...

[KunjanPSD]

Just now, LordSpymaster said:

Never heard of these forex sites. Have you used it? Does anyone have experience using their Indian cards abroad? I have usually paid via cash for everything. Never cards, but may consider it next time...

Have used Bookmyforex extensively for their cash service. You place an order, you get the currency delivered in a couple days at best.

Haven't used their card personally but Bookmyforex is very famous and reliable. My friends have used extensively in US and many people use it on Twitter, no problems whatsoever.

 

They are cheaper because of the same logic Zerodha didn't charge brokerage, discount vs full service exchanges.

 

Do consider their card or cash service next time or use Fi/Niyo accounts. 

As a rule of thumb never withdraw cash abroad until absolutely necessary.

[Lazyboy8134]

What are some good places to travel to in the month of June-July as a solo budget trip?

[dante77]

Query on hotel booking in advance. If I book online a non refundable hotel for few nights. Then in case of no show or cancel. The whole cost is gonna cut or just the one night cost? 

 

Asking because it is written in some hotel websites that they cut one charge while travel apps like MMT doesn't mention this  explicitly. 

 

Like if I book for 20k for 5 nights non refundable, then in case of cancel or no show. Will the whole ammout be deducted or just 4k (one night)? 

[Bird Bird Bird]

1 hour ago, dante77 said:

Query on hotel booking in advance. If I book online a non refundable hotel for few nights. Then in case of no show or cancel. The whole cost is gonna cut or just the one night cost? 

 

Asking because it is written in some hotel websites that they cut one charge while travel apps like MMT doesn't mention this  explicitly. 

 

Like if I book for 20k for 5 nights non refundable, then in case of cancel or no show. Will the whole ammout be deducted or just 4k (one night)? 

 

If it says non refundable while booking, everything is deducted. 

[KnackChap]

On 5/18/2022 at 4:43 PM, dante77 said:

Query on hotel booking in advance. If I book online a non refundable hotel for few nights. Then in case of no show or cancel. The whole cost is gonna cut or just the one night cost? 

 

Asking because it is written in some hotel websites that they cut one charge while travel apps like MMT doesn't mention this  explicitly. 

 

Like if I book for 20k for 5 nights non refundable, then in case of cancel or no show. Will the whole ammout be deducted or just 4k (one night)? 

 

If I may.... try to go for a serviced apartment when u travel there unless you're going for a luxurious holiday. Serviced apartments come with a fully functional kitchen & days over there will be extremely hot so visiting outdoor places are a strictly nov&  you'll end up spending most of days from morning till noon inside your room only so cooking lunch & breakfast or reheating dinner leftovers/ready to eat food are the way to go. 

[North]

On 5/18/2022 at 4:43 PM, dante77 said:

Query on hotel booking in advance. If I book online a non refundable hotel for few nights. Then in case of no show or cancel. The whole cost is gonna cut or just the one night cost? 

 

Asking because it is written in some hotel websites that they cut one charge while travel apps like MMT doesn't mention this  explicitly. 

 

Like if I book for 20k for 5 nights non refundable, then in case of cancel or no show. Will the whole ammout be deducted or just 4k (one night)? 

 

booking.com is the best when you're not very sure. you don't need to pay to book, and its refundable I think upto 24 hours before check-in.

 

varies from hotel to hotel, checking booking.com. they're super transparent and they have good pricing if you're looking to include breakfast, or even dinner with your room for some additional cost.

[Bird Bird Bird]

Peeps, any advice on a "colder" place to go in June (dates are flexible; looking at 4-6 nights) ?

 

We have looked at Kerala (red and orange alerts all around due to heavy rainfall, cyclone etc), Sikkim (same, heavy rainfall expected, landslides are common), Himachal (kept as an option, but the place is gonna be filled with tourists, and we are looking for a secluded place - even Chail is filled with tourists nowadays), Uttarakhand (the hilly areas are packed due to Char Dham Yatra - but can still consider it; Jim Corbett and the likes will be as hot as Delhi NCR, no point in going), Coorg/Kabini (OMFG EXPENSIVE AS f**k - can't afford a 25k a night room). 

 

Place has to be decent since we will be travelling with 2 small kids (18 months and 4 years). I am OK with around 15k a night pricing. Nothing beyond that. 

[dante77]

4 minutes ago, Bird Bird Bird said:

Peeps, any advice on a "colder" place to go in June (dates are flexible; looking at 4-6 nights) ?

 

We have looked at Kerala (red and orange alerts all around due to heavy rainfall, cyclone etc), Sikkim (same, heavy rainfall expected, landslides are common), Himachal (kept as an option, but the place is gonna be filled with tourists, and we are looking for a secluded place - even Chail is filled with tourists nowadays), Uttarakhand (the hilly areas are packed due to Char Dham Yatra - but can still consider it; Jim Corbett and the likes will be as hot as Delhi NCR, no point in going), Coorg/Kabini (OMFG EXPENSIVE AS f**k - can't afford a 25k a night room). 

 

Place has to be decent since we will be travelling with 2 small kids (18 months and 4 years). I am OK with around 15k a night pricing. Nothing beyond that. 

Try Srinagar, Kashmir. I went there at last December. Summers are Green and has totally different vibe than winters. It is perfectly safe. Army is all over the place!

Although, don't expect luxurious hotels and Ola, Uber and Zomato etc. But at the same time expect tourist prices (higher than usual) just like any other tourise zone. 

 

Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Srinagar. Make Srinagar as stay point and travel to other two places day basis. 

[Bird Bird Bird]

5 minutes ago, dante77 said:

Try Srinagar, Kashmir. I went there at last December. Summers are Green and has totally different vibe than winters. It is perfectly safe. Army is all over the place!

Although, don't expect luxurious hotels and Ola, Uber and Zomato etc. But at the same time expect tourist prices (higher than usual) just like any other tourise zone. 

 

Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Srinagar. Make Srinagar as stay point and travel to other two places day basis. 

 

Yasin Malik has just been convicted. I am really wary of going to J&K right now tbh. There can be a surge in terrorist activities. 

[KnackChap]

17 minutes ago, Bird Bird Bird said:

Coorg/Kabini (OMFG EXPENSIVE AS f**k - can't afford a 25k a night room). 

 

Place has to be decent since we will be travelling with 2 small kids (18 months and 4 years). I am OK with around 15k a night pricing. Nothing beyond that. 

Try mangaluru 3n - madikeri (Coorg)2n. You get both coastal town and a hilly region. In Mangalore you'll get Extremely clean beaches (if climate holds), pleasant climate, lots of temple tourism,  flood/ waterlogging free and people can easily converse in Hindi. Coorg is a tourist spot so you must be knowing but still you can find great rooms well below 15k unless you want to stay in kabini. 

[Ram Dante]

38 minutes ago, Bird Bird Bird said:

Peeps, any advice on a "colder" place to go in June (dates are flexible; looking at 4-6 nights) ?

 

We have looked at Kerala (red and orange alerts all around due to heavy rainfall, cyclone etc), Sikkim (same, heavy rainfall expected, landslides are common), Himachal (kept as an option, but the place is gonna be filled with tourists, and we are looking for a secluded place - even Chail is filled with tourists nowadays), Uttarakhand (the hilly areas are packed due to Char Dham Yatra - but can still consider it; Jim Corbett and the likes will be as hot as Delhi NCR, no point in going), Coorg/Kabini (OMFG EXPENSIVE AS f**k - can't afford a 25k a night room). 

 

Place has to be decent since we will be travelling with 2 small kids (18 months and 4 years). I am OK with around 15k a night pricing. Nothing beyond that. 

You can try Kodaikanal (TN), beautiful & a serene hill station. It should be decently cold enough in June.
Its usually crowded, but schools re-open by 1st week of June here. So, beyond that, the crowd would be minimal during weekdays.

[TheGothamChampion]

53 minutes ago, Bird Bird Bird said:

Peeps, any advice on a "colder" place to go in June (dates are flexible; looking at 4-6 nights) ?

 

We have looked at Kerala (red and orange alerts all around due to heavy rainfall, cyclone etc), Sikkim (same, heavy rainfall expected, landslides are common), Himachal (kept as an option, but the place is gonna be filled with tourists, and we are looking for a secluded place - even Chail is filled with tourists nowadays), Uttarakhand (the hilly areas are packed due to Char Dham Yatra - but can still consider it; Jim Corbett and the likes will be as hot as Delhi NCR, no point in going), Coorg/Kabini (OMFG EXPENSIVE AS f**k - can't afford a 25k a night room). 

 

Place has to be decent since we will be travelling with 2 small kids (18 months and 4 years). I am OK with around 15k a night pricing. Nothing beyond that. 

You can come to my city- Chamba. Lots of great places to visit like Khajjiar, Dalhousie, Kalatop wildlife sanctuary. Plus rooms won't be that expensive over here. 

[TheGothamChampion]

 

Recently visited Sach pass. A must visit place during summers.

[Bird Bird Bird]

39 minutes ago, TheGothamChampion said:

You can come to my city- Chamba. Lots of great places to visit like Khajjiar, Dalhousie, Kalatop wildlife sanctuary. Plus rooms won't be that expensive over here. 

 

Chamba June temps show around 36 in day 22 in night. Also, avoiding tons of hilly driving as my younger daughter has motion sickness. She is just 18 months, so have to careful with meds too. 

 

53 minutes ago, Ram Dante said:

You can try Kodaikanal (TN), beautiful & a serene hill station. It should be decently cold enough in June.
Its usually crowded, but schools re-open by 1st week of June here. So, beyond that, the crowd would be minimal during weekdays.

 

Thanks ! Kodaikanal looks like a good option. Temps should be around 20 degrees odd in the day. Will hunt for hotels. 

 

1 hour ago, KnackChap said:

Try mangaluru 3n - madikeri (Coorg)2n. You get both coastal town and a hilly region. In Mangalore you'll get Extremely clean beaches (if climate holds), pleasant climate, lots of temple tourism,  flood/ waterlogging free and people can easily converse in Hindi. Coorg is a tourist spot so you must be knowing but still you can find great rooms well below 15k unless you want to stay in kabini. 

 

Mangaluru also has red alert right now. Not sure if monsoons will play havoc in June. Coorg is going at insane prices - I looked at a bunch of semi decent properties, all upwards of 25k a night. Those which are 10-15k a night do not seem the value. They look more like 3k-4k properties in non season, with jacked up pricing owning to demand. 

[achilles]

1 hour ago, Bird Bird Bird said:

Thanks ! Kodaikanal looks like a good option. Temps should be around 20 degrees odd in the day. Will hunt for hotels. 

Kodai is fun but the closest airport is Madurai and it’s about a 3 hour climb from there in narrow and twisty mountain roads. The little one might not like that. 

 

For stay, Tamara Kodai is good. If you like camping or roughing it for a day or so try The Pear County. Great atmosphere, lovely people, and they serve genuine delish live barbecue, but their tents aren’t in top condition. 

Also the shrooms begin to come out in July  

[Vamos]

3 hours ago, Bird Bird Bird said:

Peeps, any advice on a "colder" place to go in June (dates are flexible; looking at 4-6 nights) ?

 

We have looked at Kerala (red and orange alerts all around due to heavy rainfall, cyclone etc), Sikkim (same, heavy rainfall expected, landslides are common), Himachal (kept as an option, but the place is gonna be filled with tourists, and we are looking for a secluded place - even Chail is filled with tourists nowadays), Uttarakhand (the hilly areas are packed due to Char Dham Yatra - but can still consider it; Jim Corbett and the likes will be as hot as Delhi NCR, no point in going), Coorg/Kabini (OMFG EXPENSIVE AS f**k - can't afford a 25k a night room). 

 

Place has to be decent since we will be travelling with 2 small kids (18 months and 4 years). I am OK with around 15k a night pricing. Nothing beyond that. 

 

Fly to Leh/Ladakh. 
The views from the plane alone makes it worth it. 

 

If you’re looking for secluded places, try booking a highly rated Airbnb, away from the tourist hustle-bustle. 
Most of the superhosts will have really nice private cottages, homesteads, etc.