India is one of the most fascinating travel destinations in the world. Every year, millions of international visitors—including many travelers from Indonesia—visit India to explore the majestic Himalayas, the Taj Mahal, Kerala's backwaters, Kashmir's breathtaking landscapes, and the country's rich culture.

During my travels across India, I had mostly positive experiences with local transportation. Most taxi drivers I met were friendly, honest, and helpful. However, I also encountered a few situations that every first-time visitor should know about.

This article isn't meant to discourage you from visiting India. Instead, it's based on my own experiences and is designed to help foreign tourists and Indonesian travelers avoid unnecessary expenses and travel with confidence.

Always Book Taxis Through Trusted Apps

If you're visiting India, always book your rides through trusted ride-hailing platforms.

The most reliable options are:

• Uber India
• Ola
• Rapido (available in many cities for bike taxis and cab services)

These apps provide:

• Driver details
• Vehicle information
• GPS tracking
• Fare estimates before your trip
• Customer support
• Trip history

Avoid accepting rides from strangers waiting outside airports, railway stations, or tourist attractions, even if they promise a cheaper price.

Never Pay Extra Money Outside the App

One of the most common situations I experienced was receiving a phone call immediately after booking a ride.

The driver would say something like:

• “The app fare is too low.”
• “You’ll need to pay ₹200–₹500 extra.”
• “Otherwise I can’t come.”

My advice is simple: Don’t agree.

Politely tell the driver:

“I’m only paying the fare shown in the app. If that’s not possible, please cancel the ride.”

Then simply book another taxi. If you start paying extra every time someone asks, you’ll likely end up spending much more than necessary.

Never Cancel the Ride Because the Driver Asks You To

Another trick some drivers use is asking you to cancel the booking after they accept it.

They may say:

• “Cancel Uber and pay me directly.”
• “You’ll save money if we go offline.”

Never do this.

Once you cancel the booking, you lose all the protections provided by Uber or Ola, including:

• GPS tracking
• Emergency support
• Trip records
• Easy complaint options

Keeping the ride active helps protect both you and the driver.

Keep Google Maps Open During Every Ride

Even if you’re unfamiliar with the city, it’s a good idea to keep Google Maps open throughout your journey.

Most drivers follow the correct route. However, I experienced a situation where a driver took a significantly longer route than necessary, increasing the fare.

Sometimes this happens because of traffic or road closures—but sometimes it doesn’t. Simply following the route on your phone can help you spot unusual detours.

Verify Entry Fees Before Paying

This was one of the biggest lessons I learned.

While visiting a tourist attraction, the driver informed everyone in the vehicle that there was an entry fee of ₹500 per person. Everyone paid. Later, I discovered there was no entry fee at all. The money had simply gone to the driver.

Since then, I always check:

• The attraction’s official website
• Google Maps reviews
• Recent traveler reviews

before paying any unexpected fee. A quick search online can save you both money and frustration.

Be Careful When Drivers Recommend Hotels or Shops

Most drivers genuinely want to help. However, in some tourist destinations, drivers receive commissions for bringing visitors to certain hotels, souvenir shops, or travel agencies.

If someone tells you:

• “Your hotel is closed.”
• “This hotel is much better.”
• “This shop has government prices.”
• “Only this place sells authentic products.”

Take a moment to verify the information yourself before making any decisions.

Some Tourist Cities Require Extra Attention

From my own experience, these situations are more likely to occur in busy tourist destinations where large numbers of international visitors arrive every day.

Cities where you should stay a little more alert include:

• Delhi
• Agra
• Jaipur

This does not mean these cities are unsafe. In fact, I also met many honest and professional drivers there. It simply means it’s worth being a little more cautious in places that attract millions of tourists every year.

Use Trusted Apps for Hotels and Tours Too

The same advice applies when booking accommodation or activities. Instead of accepting random recommendations, use trusted travel platforms such as:

Hotels

• Booking.com
• Agoda
• Airbnb

Flights

• Skyscanner
• Google Flights
• Traveloka

Tours & Activities

• Klook
• GetYourGuide
• Viator

Reading verified reviews before booking can help you avoid unnecessary surprises.

Final Thoughts

After traveling through different parts of India, I can confidently say that most taxi drivers are honest, friendly, and willing to help. My goal isn’t to make you distrust everyone—it is to help you recognize a few situations that can happen in any major tourist destination.

Whether you’re visiting India from Indonesia, Europe, Australia, or anywhere else, a few simple habits can make your journey smoother:

• ✅ Book rides only through Uber, Ola, or Rapido.
• ✅ Don’t pay extra outside the app.
• ✅ Never cancel a ride because a driver asks you to.
• ✅ Follow your trip using Google Maps.
• ✅ Verify attraction entry fees before paying.
• ✅ Research hotels and attractions before changing your plans.

India is an incredible country with amazing people, diverse cultures, and unforgettable experiences. By staying informed and using trusted travel services, you’ll spend less time worrying about scams and more time enjoying your adventure.

Safe travels, and we hope to welcome you to India soon!