Traveler's Aid: India and Dangerous Places (6/7/02)

Listen in RealAudio          Need audio help?

Are you as worried as me about what's going on between India and Pakistan right now? Widespread violence, the threat of nuclear war ... But, a bit of good news this week as the two nations took some baby steps back from the brink.

We've received a dozens of letters from listeners planning trips to India, and the area surrounding it -- everything from, "Should we go?" to "How do I cancel?" to, you're not going to believe this, "Where are the deals?"

Here's a typical letter from Bridget, who lives in Salem, Ore. She writes:

My husband and I are planning a trip to Turkey and Greece this coming September. People look at us like we are crazy to do this right now because of the potential wars with India and Pakistan, and its proximity to Iraq. Should we be worried?

Rudy Maxa, our Travel-Expert-in-Residence, helps us answer Bridget's question, and other questions about India and your vacation. Rudy discusses U.S. State Department travel warnings for the area (what are they what do they mean?), the possibility of canceling the trip and travel insurance.

Here are warnings from the U.S. State Department and the Australian Foreign Affairs Office:

• U.S. State Department: "The Department of State warns American citizens to defer travel to India and strongly urges that American citizens in India depart. ...the Department has authorized and strongly encouraged the departure of all U.S. government personnel in non-emergency positions and family members in India.'

• The Australian Foreign Affairs Office, which is usually more liberal: "Australians should defer all travel to India. Australians in India are strongly advised to consider departing using available commercial means. ...Australians should not travel to the border areas between India and Pakistan and should avoid all travel to Jammu and Kashmir. Travellers should avoid large public gatherings or demonstrations."

Savvy Resources: Travel warnings and phone numbers to all U.S. embassies in India: U.S. Department of State Travel Warning: http://travel.state.gov/india_warning.html British Foreign Office Travel Warning: India Australian Department of Foreign Affairs Travel Warning: http://www.dfat.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/India Phone numbers to all U.S. embassies in India: New Delhi: The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 Tel: 91-11-419-8000 F fax: 91-11-419-0017 http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/in1/wwwhmain.html Mumbai (Bombay): The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai is located at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Rd., Mumbai 400026 Tel: 91-22-363-3611 Fax: 91-22-363-0350 http://usembassy.state.gov/mumbai Chennai: The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai is located at 220 Anna Salai, Chennai 600006 Tel: 91-44-811-2000 Fax: 91-44-811-2027 http://usembassy.state.gov/chennai Calcutta (also known as Kolkata): The U.S. Consulate General in Calcutta is located at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Calcutta 700071 Tel: 91-33-282-3611 Fax: 91-33-282-2335 http://usembassy.state.gov/calcutta

If you'd like us to address your travel questions or concerns, send us an email. Or call us at 888-SAV-TRAV.