Comments on: Ask Me Anything: Should I Buy a Used Car to Tour India?

By: OLX Cash My Car

OLX Cash My Car — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 07:57:19 +0000

Yes you can buy or rent one. In a country like India there are several options for buying & renting cars in India. There are various car dealers & car renting agencies where you can get any car at fare price. Just negotiate smartly.

By: Barry Schofield

Barry Schofield — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 03:35:45 +0000

Oh boy!! After reading the tons of stories about how white foreigners get ripped off everywhere in India from paying 3 times more for chai to 10 times more for seeing monuments to 3.5 times more for taxis, I am actually beginning to develop a sneaking admiration for Indians. They are sure getting back at the white world for the colonial oppression, but doing it in a non-violent way!

Barry

By: Jayshree Makadia

Jayshree Makadia — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 06:12:29 +0000

Yes, eventually taking used car be too risky for long journeys. It’s better to avoid the used cars or old cars for long journey in India. As it was my personal experience when we all friends went for outing with the car that was too old and also used. It suddenly stopped on the middle of the road. Luckily there was a garage where we wasted an hour or 2 for solving the issue.

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 12:53:20 +0000

In reply to Betsy. sounds interesting, i'll have to check that out! have fun on the bike, hope it doesn't hurt your bum too much haha! I don't ride one but Ben has one and when I'm on the back, I get tired after a couple hours. it's really popular to tour india via bike, so i must be a wimp :)

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 12:50:52 +0000

In reply to Fernando. Yeah, I think safety is important .. not to say the buses are much safer but at least the driver knows the road rules

By: Betsy

Betsy — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 23:56:31 +0000

Hey! I agree that buying a car is a little crazy. Even though if everything works out I am going to travel around India on a motorcycle, however, I will be with an India and an expat who has been in India a while. I did read a book about traveling around India titled Never Mind the Bullocks: One Girl’s `10,000 KM Adventure Around India in the World’s Cheapest Car by Vanessa Able. I would suggest reading that and see what you think about her experience. Yes she breaks down, she gets lost, and all of the things Rachel touches on in her post. Take a train, plane, or bus!
Happy Travels.

By: Soumen Bhowmick

Soumen Bhowmick — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 09:44:22 +0000

Renting a commercial car with all India permit or Zoom cars are indeed very budget friendly for a long tour. If travelling in a group of 4 or six, renting a caravan/motorhome/RV is also another option….this way one can travel beyond the destinations really…no need to look out for hotels and deals and even better one can stop wherever they want and enjoy the beautiful scenery. With devices like Map my India, no fear of getting lost either.

By: Fernando

Fernando — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 08:59:36 +0000

Other than the rest of the issues you point out, Rachel, I think No. 1 is the most important.

Having seen what traffic is like in India, I’d not recommend anyone to try to drive themselves around.
Chances are, even if your readers initially decide to go ahead with their plan, they’ll change their mind as soon as they get out of the airport terminal and see all that chaos on the roads!

By: Usman Idrisi

Usman Idrisi — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 06:35:40 +0000

Hi,

I think you can buy or get a car on rent there is new company (zoomcar) in India who started renting car business as in US but you can get the car only in Metro cities but you can get a all India permit from them, the company is running by foreigner’s.

Second: Getting a second hand car is not easy for outsider if you have a known person in India they can help you getting good car which have low maintenance, all you need to do it invest more money like atleast 5k Dolors and after using it for you 2-4 months holiday sell it back there are many online classified website in like olx and others from where you can buy and sell.

The legality you need to learn from the Internet about the driving licences and other documents.

By: Travelfemme

Travelfemme — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 19:04:42 +0000

Hey Rachel! We really like your blog and inspiring travel posts, and would be so happy if you’d consider becoming one of our Travelfemmes :) Travelfemme.com is an online community for and by female travelers, all contributing and sharing travel memories. Check it out, and feel free to drop us a line on post@travelfemme.com if you have any further questions :)