Shalu Sharma's Blog

India travel guide • Customs • Baggage rules 2026 India Customs Rules 2026: What Can Tourists Bring Into India? Free Declaration Checker Can you bring presents for relatives in India? What about a brand-new phone, jewellery, a laptop, prescription medicines or cash in British pounds or US dollars? Before you close your suitcase, it's worth understanding the difference between an ordinary personal belonging, a duty-free allowance and something that needs declaring to Indian Customs. This practical guide explains the 2026 Indian baggage rules in plain English, with an interactive customs preparation checker and a free one-page printable checklist. Know what you are carrying before you arrive Original illustration for the ShaluSharma.com India customs guide. Quick answer: What can tourists bring into India? Tourists can generally bring used personal effects appropriate for their journey, subject to the applicable ru...

India travel money guide • Foreign tourists How to Pay in India Without an Indian Bank Account: UPI, Cards, Cash and ATMs You've arrived in India. The shopkeeper points to a QR code. You have a British or American bank card and a perfectly good smartphone. So why can't you simply pay in the same way as everyone else? This guide explains the practical ways foreign tourists can pay for things in India, what to do when a payment fails, and why you should never depend on just one method. There's also a free payment chooser, a troubleshooting tool and a printable one-page checklist. TRAVEL CARD ₹ UPI wallet • International bank card • Indian rupees Original illustration for this India travel payment guide. Quick answer You do not necessarily need an Indian bank account to pay for everyday purchases in India. Foreign visitors can often use international cards, withdraw Indian rupees from compatible ATMs, a...

India travel tools • Indian Railways • IRCTC Indian Train Ticket Status Explained: GNWL, RLWL, PQWL, RAC and WL Decoder You have booked a train in India. Instead of a confirmed seat number, your ticket says GNWL 18, RLWL 7, PQWL 12 or RAC 4. What does that actually mean? This guide explains Indian Railways ticket status codes in plain English, including what happens when a waitlisted ticket is not confirmed. Use the free interactive decoder below, read practical examples, and print a simple one-page railway ticket reference sheet. TRAIN TICKET PNR STATUS GNWL 18 Original illustration: understanding your train ticket before you reach the station. Important boarding rule If every passenger on an IRCTC e-ticket is still waitlisted after chart preparation, that fully waitlisted e-ticket is not valid for boarding the train. A confirmed or RAC booking is different. Mixed-status group bookings need individual checkin...