Is it safe to visit India on holiday?

Is India safe to visit at the moment as a tourist?

• Is India safe to visit at the moment as a tourist? We are budget travellers so we wouldn't be staying in expensive hotels but the bombings of train stations is worrying. It's supposed to be a holiday right so we want to survive.

• Answer:

  Truth be told, there are few patterns that emerge in the way violence occurs which can meaningfully help plan around them. Thousands of tourists travel in India - both domestic and international, and you can only do so much, so I would suggest that you go ahead with your plans keeping the following few things in mind - If Kashmir is on your itinerary, keep your visit brief, and before you go, be sure to scan the news for any major incidents that have occurred there in the recent past that might affect the places you want to see, or if agitations/strikes are in the offing. This may be being too cautious, but security arrangements are usually stepped up around Independence Day (August 15), and you may want to avoid unnecessary anxiety and not have August 15 in your time there. Be careful, the way that you would be anywhere, and let local people advise you on places/times of the day or night etc. that are indisputably safe.