I remember taking my first flight with my mom. While writing this I called mom to ask if she remembers when we took that first flight. Was amazed when she told me that she not only remembers the year but the exact date too.
Travelling to foreign country is common for many of us but there are many more who are yet to make their first travel out of India. I have helped get a passport for few of my colleagues so someday they can fulfil their dream of going abroad.
People tend to avoid foreign travel due to many reasons. Asking my colleagues and friends, the top reasons were no passport, cost, fear, family issues etc
Let me help you plan your first foreign trip. Send this to your friends, colleagues who are yet to embark on their first foreign trip
I am writing this for a solo traveller but travelling with friends or family can be done the same way
Passport
Mandatory document required for you to visit a foreign country. Apply today and get your passport. Even if you have no plans to travel get a passport.
It’s a simple and easy online process and you get your passport in few days (Once application is accepted)
Process can also be done with agent for a fee. I have got all my passports without any agents even before the process was online. Online now makes it much simpler. Your call
Do it yourself:
Quick step by step guide with screenshots for processes:
Application form booklet: https://portal2.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/pdf/ApplicationformInstructionBooklet-V3.0.pdf
Go through this
Once you know the processes by checking the above link get ready for applying for passport
Get required documents ready
Create your account on passport.nic.in
Locate your nearest Passport Seva Kendra - https://portal2.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/locatePSK/locatePFCInp
Check fees that would be required - https://portal2.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/fee/feeInput
Check if appointment are available at your Passport Seva Kandra - https://portal2.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/online/apptAvailStatus
Fill details in online passport form
Book appointment
Take necessary printouts
Visit Passport Kendra on day of appointment with docs and proofs
Wait for passport :)
Planning your trip
Start with a country which has visa on arrival for Indian passport or which have ease in visa processing. List of countries which have visa on arrival for Indian passport is attached at the end of this article.
Choose a destination which fits your budget and taste. Do some basic checks on internet. If I were to choose I would sort them as
Dubai = Malls,desert, tall buildings, shopping, gold
Bangkok = Nightlife,parties,food, beaches
Maldives = Romantic,beaches,relaxation
I just choose the destinations that are cheapest to fly to from India. You can choose any. Once you have drilled down go to costs
Still feel planning is not your cup of tea for the first foreign trip then you can book your travel with a travel agency. There are multiple travel agencies. Understand the plans and the package inclusions. Check the below
Return airfare
OTB charges (Ok to board charges)
Conversation rates if package is to be paid other than INR
Visa charges
Airport pick-up and drop
Hotels included (Search them and see reviews/pics)
Occupancy in hotel rooms (If travelling solo)
Number of meals included
Sightseeing tours included if any are chargeable
Vehicle used for sightseeing tours
Extra charges if any (Local taxes etc)
Once the checks are done you are good to go :)
I would still prefer you plan it. It’s a different experience. Researching about the new country. You will learn so much in the process. Having your own time to explore things.
It's your call finally !!!
Flight booking
Gone are days when travelling out of India was a costly affair. With low cost airlines and offers, return flights from many cities have become cheaper
Check flights to your chosen destination from the nearest airport.
How to book cheap flights? Check the video where I explain it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqovNJ2x_Bw&t=30s
Follow my twitter account @outofofficedaku where I keep posting airfare deals
Start searching cheap flights and book it
Now that flights are booked time to plan more for your trip
Travel Insurance
Never travel without a travel insurance out of India. I repeat never skip buying travel insurance to save a few bucks even if it's not mandatory to buy one to the country you're travelling.
God forbid if anything happens on your trip you will end up having the worst time paying for the same. Search and buy a travel insurance from your date of leaving India to few extra days of your arrival back in India. Why the extra days? In case you miss your flight or some delay causes change in plans etc.
Better safe than sorry
Visa
If you have chosen a destination which has visa on arrival make sure you read the terms and condition properly. Check
Do I need to show any docs on arrival
Does the country require specific amount of currency with me
What currency I need to pay my visa charges
If your country chosen need visa check the details and try applying yourself. Saves money. Again you can get it done via agents for a fee.
Planning your trip
I have detailed how I plan my backpacking trips. Check it https://www.outofofficedaku.com/blog/planningmytrip
Final words
If you have read till here means you wanna go on your first foreign trip soon. Once you take your first trip you would want to go out there again. You will learn different things and see cultures. You will gain confidence in taking more trips on your own.
Still need any help tweet me @outofofficedaku and will help you
Happy Travels !!!
List of countries with ease of visa on Indian passport
Country - Visa Type
Bahrain - eVisa
Cote d’Ivoire - eVisa
Gabon - eVisa
Georgia - eVisa
Kenya - eVisa
Moldova - eVisa
Myanmar - eVisa
Rwanda - eVisa
São Tomé and Príncipe - eVisa
Zambia - eVisa
Zimbabwe - eVisa
Bhutan - No Visa
Dominica - No Visa
Ecuador - No Visa
El Salvador - No Visa
Fiji - No Visa
Grenada - No Visa
Haiti - No Visa
Jamaica - No Visa
Mauritius - No Visa
Micronesia - No Visa
Nepal - No Visa
Saint Kitts and Nevis - No Visa
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - No Visa
Trinidad and Tobago - No Visa
Vanuatu - No Visa
FYRO Macedonia - No Visa
Svalbard - No Visa
Montserrat - No Visa
Turks & Caicos Islands - No Visa
Sri Lanka - No Visa but special permit required
Samoa - Permit on Arrival
Bolivia - Visa on Arrival
Cambodia - Visa on Arrival
Cape Verde - Visa on Arrival
Comoros - Visa on Arrival
Djibouti - Visa on Arrival
Ethiopia - Visa on Arrival
Guinea-Bissau - Visa on Arrival
Guyana - Visa on Arrival
Indonesia - Visa on Arrival
Jordan - Visa on Arrival
Laos - Visa on Arrival
Madagascar - Visa on Arrival
Maldives - Visa on Arrival
Mauritania - Visa on Arrival
Palau - Visa on Arrival
Saint Lucia - Visa on Arrival
Senegal - Visa on Arrival
Seychelles - Visa on Arrival
Somalia - Visa on Arrival
Tanzania - Visa on Arrival
Thailand - Visa on Arrival
Togo - Visa on Arrival
Timor-Leste - Visa on Arrival
Tuvalu - Visa on Arrival
Uganda - Visa on Arrival
Antarctica - Visa on Arrival