Telangana is not your usual tourist destination. While Hyderabad attracts visitors from all over the country as well as abroad, tourists, especially from outside the state, are rarely to be seen in other places. Consequently, there are fewer facilities for travellers and getting around can be a bit of a challenge. However, if you know what to expect and are prepared to deal with unforseen situations, travelling through the state will be a blissful experience that you will cherish for years.
HOTEL FACILITIES
In major cities and towns such as Hyderabad, Warangal, Karimnagar and Nizamabad, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to hotels. In smaller towns such as Wanaparthy and Medak, your options are limited and hygiene standards vary greatly. In remote places, the most (or sometimes, only) reliable choice is the state-run Haritha Hotel, which has basic cleanliness, amenities and safety standards, though the service is usually tardy. Things move at a slow pace, so it might take some time for you to check in and check out. Even where hotels allow payment by cards, keep cash handy as the card machines often fail to work.
FOOD AND BEVERAGES
Western-style restaurants with air conditioning, waiters in liveries and menu cards can be found only in major towns, popular tourist spots and some district headquarters.
Many hotels have in-house restaurants or kitchens and you will find dhabas along most highways. Where there are no restaurants, there will usually be a ‘mess’ or ‘canteen’ that serves delicious, wholesome and cheap meals, albeit spicy. In fact, if you like spicy food, travelling in Telangana is the ultimate treat for your tastebuds. If you can’t handle your food hot, you could request the restaurant to go easy on the spice – the less busy places usually oblige.
If you are not used to drinking tap water in India, stick to bottled water or carry purification tablets.
TRANSPORT
Rail
While trains connect major towns such as Hyderabad and Nizamabad, they are not very convenient when one has to head to remoter destinations. For more information, see Getting There boxes in each chapter
Road
Unlike the roads in many states in India, the roads in Telangana are excellent. You might occasionally find bumpy roads or dirt tracks in the remoter regions, but for the most part, it is easy to get around in a car.
However, navigation can be difficult as sometimes direction-markers are in Telugu or there are no sign-posts en route. Therefore, it is not advisable to drive yourself unless you know the routes well. Even if you hire a taxi, you might often have to ask for directions, but people are quite friendly and helpful.
TSRTC buses connect all parts of the state, though on certain routes – such as the hinterlands of Adilabad, their frequency is quite low. Bus signs and routes are often written exlusively in Telugu, so if you don’t know the language, travelling by bus can be a challenge. Private operators ply buses on major routes.
Taxi
If your budget permits it, taxis are by far the best option for throughly exploring the state. For travel within a city, taxis range from ₹1,200 to ₹2,000 (for a maximum of 80km/ 8hrs). The prices vary depending on whether you opt for a hatchback, sedan or SUV. For outstation or long-distance journeys, the rate is Rs. 8–13 per kilometre(with the minimum chargeable amount being the fare for 250km) plus a driver allowance of ₹300. Booking a taxi for the entire duration of the trip is especially recommended if you want to cover a lot of far-flung sights in a short time.
There are many private taxi operators across the state. Most hotels in major towns can also arrange taxis for you. If your journey begins in Hyderabad, you can opt for Yellow Cabs (Tel: 040-46464646). There are many app-based taxi services in Hyderabad as well.
When booking a taxi, make sure that the driver speaks a language you know. It helps if he is conversant in Telugu as well, so he can translate for you.
Auto Rickshaws
Auto rickshaws are convenient for cheap travel within a city. However, it will end up costing as much as a taxi for long journeys.
SAFETY & ETIQUETTE
Telangana is quite safe – crimes against tourists are unheard of. However, it is not advisable to drive on remote or minor highways at night because if your vehicle has a breakdown, you might not be able to get it repaired or make alternative arrangements.
Outside Hyderabad, it is best to dress conservatively – loose fitting clothes that cover the arms and legs – especially in remoter regions and certainly in religious institutions. While norms vary from place to place, many people frown upon wearing shorts in mosques, temples and dargahs.
PUNCTUALITY
The catchphrase across the state is hallu hallu (slowly) and the state’s laidback residents take it quite seriously. So often, it might take time to get simple things done or a temple might be inexplicably shut even though the ‘timings’ at the entrance mention otherwise. Do not fret too much about the delays and laidback attitude – by the end of the trip, you too will imbibe it.