"India is Not for Beginners": My Wild Welcome to Delhi

India is not for beginners.” Those were the words a local in Jaipur said to me after I shared my arrival story. And mate, after what went down at Delhi Airport, I couldn’t agree more. It was equal parts chaos, culture shock, and cunning scams—but hey, I lived to tell the tale (and even laugh about it now).

Here’s the score on how my dream trip to India started off as a full-blown survival course.

Touchdown in Delhi: Dreams and Dramas

After nine long hours in the air from London, I finally landed in India—a country I’d been itching to visit since 2015. I had grand plans: wandering through ancient Hindu and Buddhist temples, stuffing my face with incredible curries, and soaking in the kaleidoscope of colour and life in the streets.

But before all that, I had one mission: get to my hostel. Simple, right? Well, buckle up.

It was 3 a.m., deep in monsoon season, and Delhi was buzzing like it was midday. The heat hit me like a slap, the humidity was thick as treacle, and even at that hour, the streets were alive with people. I whipped out my phone, checked Uber prices for a rough idea, and set out to haggle for a ride.

Eventually, I settled on paying double the Uber rate—not ideal, but I was shattered and just wanted to crash. What could go wrong? Oh, sweet summer child.

The Great Driver Swap

I climbed into the car, thinking my journey was finally underway. But instead of hitting the road, the driver pulled over and handed me off to another bloke. Alright... weird, but fine, I thought. The new driver was polite, his car clean, and he even had a professional air about him. What a relief. Or so I thought.

Cue the red flags.

First, he asked for my hostel’s phone number, claiming Google Maps wasn’t reliable at night. I had an eSIM with data but no credit for calls, so I handed over the number. He called and had a lengthy conversation in Hindi, after which he casually dropped this bombshell: “Your hostel is flooded from the rain and closed for the night.”

Hold up. That didn’t sit right. I’d already confirmed my late check-in directly with the hostel before flying. Flooding? Nah, mate. I knew something fishy was going on.

“Let Me Help You”: The Scam Unfolds

I stayed calm and played along, but my gut was screaming. When I didn’t bite on the “flooded hostel” story, the driver pivoted. He suggested we pop by a 24-hour travel agency so they could “help me find a new hotel.”

At 3:30 a.m.? A travel agency? Pull the other one, mate.

We rolled up to a sketchy basement office where I was ushered in to meet a so-called travel agent. They tried selling me overpriced hotels, train tickets, tours—anything to fleece me. Meanwhile, I was discreetly emailing my hostel, and their urgent reply hit my inbox:

“GET OUT! THIS IS A SCAM!”

My heart sank, but I stayed cool. I refused to give them any details about my plans, which seemed to annoy them. Suddenly, more blokes started appearing in the room—like I’d stumbled into some dodgy crime thriller.

Then, the driver casually announced, “Welcome to India, my friend. I’m heading home now; I can’t drive around all night.”

That’s when it hit me: I was completely on my own, with no ride, no backup, and a roomful of dodgy geezers trying to scam me out of my last quid.

The Escape: From Scammers to Safety

I hatched a quick plan. I told the driver I’d pay him for his trouble but needed an ATM. This got me out of the office and back on the street, where he handed me off to yet another driver—this time in a tuk-tuk. Great, I thought, another bloke to deal with.

As we headed off, another random guy stopped us, claiming the main road was closed due to “rioters.” I didn’t buy it for a second. More lies, more drama.

Eventually, I spotted a hotel up ahead: The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa. I grabbed my bag, leapt out of the tuk-tuk, and legged it.

Inside, the hotel staff were absolute legends. They welcomed me with open arms, even though I clearly looked like I’d been through the wringer. They offered a complimentary late check-out and got me settled into a room, where I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The Damage: Lessons Learned

In the end, the scammers only got about 1,000 INR (a tenner), but the night at the hotel set me back a hefty 10,000 INR (about £90). Still, that £90 bought me safety and peace of mind, and that’s priceless when you’re in a sticky spot.

Looking back, it’s all part of the adventure. India is a country of contrasts: the chaos of my first night was balanced by the warmth and kindness of the people I met later. From sharing meals to swapping stories, I encountered so much generosity that my rocky start faded into just another travel tale.

Tips for Travellers: Staying Safe in India

If you’re planning your own trip to India, here are a few pearls of wisdom to help you avoid my 3 a.m. fiasco:

• Pre-arrange airport transfers: Many hostels and hotels offer pickup services. It’s worth the extra cost for peace of mind.

• Stick to trusted apps: Uber and Ola are your mates. Use them when possible, and avoid haggling with random drivers at the airport.

• Know your destination: Call ahead to confirm your booking and get clear directions to avoid falling for the “your hotel is closed” trick.

• Keep your wits about you: Stay calm, trust your gut, and don’t let scammers pressure you into making snap decisions.

• Have a backup plan: If things go south, have a bit of cash set aside for emergencies—and know the location of a reliable hotel.

The Silver Lining

After that wild first night, my trip to India turned into the adventure I’d always dreamed of. I explored Jaipur, rode camels in the Thar Desert, and marvelled at the Taj Mahal. And despite that rocky start, I left India with nothing but fond memories (and a few hard-earned lessons).

India truly isn’t for beginners, but that’s part of its charm. It’s a place that challenges you, surprises you, and leaves you with stories you’ll be telling for years.

So, would I do it all again? In a heartbeat. But next time, you’d better believe I’m booking that airport pickup in advance.

Cheers to the adventures that keep us on our toes!