Traveling to India is an exhilarating, life-changing adventure, but navigating its bustling cities, historic monuments, and vibrant streets can sometimes feel overwhelming. But we have some great contacts to recommend!
Having visited India six times as a family, we have spent years exploring this incredible country from top to bottom. Along the way, through our platforms awaytoindia.com and awaywiththesteiners.com, we have built up a network of fantastic local contacts, drivers, and guides whom we are genuinely proud to share.
Whether you are navigating the historic alleys of Old Delhi, gazing at the Taj Mahal, or heading out on a desert safari, having a local in your corner changes everything. Here is our personal directory of the absolute best people to know when traveling in India.
Should You Go Alone or Join a Group Trip to India?
Independent travel is highly rewarding, but the logistical heavy lifting can wear you down. If you are not joining a group tour, our best tip for independent travellers is to hire local drivers and trusted guides in each destination.
Having a trusted, private driver takes the stress out of navigating chaotic traffic, protects you from common travel headaches, and leaves you free to enjoy the incredible views.
These contacts are a mixture of guides and drivers in each place. Over our visits, these are the local hosts, drivers, and guides who have made our trips so special and whom we recommend to everyone.
Delhi: Sunny, Vinny & Family
This is our best tip and amazing local contact for Delhi! Because navigating the energetic capital of India requires a reliable team, and you will not find a better family than Sunny, his brother Vinny, their two other brothers, and their dad.
All of them are drivers who operate a full network of rickshaws and private taxis capable of taking you anywhere you need to go.
- What They Do: They can organise seamless day tours taking you all around Delhi, bring you to great shopping spots, and handle evening dinners out where a safe driver waits for you while you eat. They can also arrange private taxis to Agra or Jaipur.
- Why We Love Them: They are protective, highly reliable, and make conquering the capital as smooth as can be. Beyond their stellar service, they are just genuinely lovely, warm people who take exceptional care of you.
- Contact Sunny (WhatsApp): +91 95997 59259
Jaipur: Raja
When it comes to the Pink City of Jaipur, Raja is our absolute go-to contact. Raja is not a tour guide, but rather he is an awesome, friendly, and trustworthy driver who can take you everywhere.
We always use and highly recommend Raja because he knows the Pink City inside out. He is like a tour guide in disguise!
- What He Does: Raja does awesome day tours of Jaipur, taking you all over the city. We recommend booking Raja for all the days you are in Jaipur so he can take you to all the hilltop forts, great local lunch spots, and famous lassi spots (essential!).
- Group Travellers: If you have a bigger group (like when we did our group trips), Raja can easily organise more rickshaws, so everyone stays together.
- Why We Love Him: He is super friendly, very kind, and an amazingly reliable person to have with you in Jaipur.
- Contact Raja (WhatsApp): +91 99281 30309
Amritsar: Anil Sharma
Amritsar is home to the stunning Golden Temple and a deeply rich cultural history. Anil Sharma is a fantastic and very knowledgeable guide based in Amritsar with @FeelMyCityTours.
We have been many times to Amritsar, and each time go on (multiple) tours with Anil. He is very passionate and very knowledgeable!
- What He Does: We always go with Anil whenever we are in town. We have been on epic food tours with him, taken guided tours of the Golden Temple, volunteered at the Langar community kitchen, and attended the Wagah Border ceremony.
- Border Crossings: Each time we cross the border into Pakistan, Anil organises our driver for us and takes us personally right to the border.
- Why We Love Him: He is very kind, thoughtful, and a great guide to connect with in India.
- Contact Anil Sharma: +91 97802 34705
Varanasi: Ravi Gaur
For Varanasi, we highly recommend our trusted local guide, Ravi Gaur. Varanasi is one of the most spiritually intense and rewarding cities on earth, and having the right guide is essential to understanding its ancient rituals along the Ganges River.
I would say you need a guide when visiting Varanasi. Navigating the intense crowds, understanding the complex rituals, and managing the logistics is exhausting on your own.
Albeit it isn’t officially a ‘need’ – but it is our best recommendation for a visit to Varanasi!
- Why We Recommend Him: Ravi is extremely knowledgeable and very caring. We have been all over the city with Ravi and regularly send anyone going to Varanasi to meet him, knowing they will have an insightful and gentle experience.
- Contact Ravi +91 85769 16590
Jaisalmer: Padam & Phoenix (Bhawani)
Jaisalmer holds a very special place in our hearts. In fact, we loved it so much that we took both of our mums to Jaisalmer! Our time in the Golden City is anchored by two legendary contacts.
Padam at Wanderlust Guesthouse
Padam is the owner of Wanderlust Guesthouse. You cannot find a better team than Padam and the crew at Wanderlust Guesthouse! Padam is a legendary host who treats you like family, and his team provides the absolute best service, incredible desert camel safaris, and quite seriously our favourite place to stay in all of India.
- Contact Padam (WhatsApp): +91 94611 57753
Phoenix (Bhawani)
Phoenix (Bhawani) is the owner of the Desert Art Gallery and a great local guide.
He does awesome tours of the Golden Fort and can even organise a homemade lunch at his family home! Sitting down for a home-cooked meal with his family is an awesome, memorable experience in India.
- Contact Phoenix (WhatsApp): +91 94147 63000
Bikaner: Atik from Prince Haveli
Bikaner is a fantastic desert outpost rich in historic charm, and exploring the Old City with a local guide is the best way to see it.
We went on a morning tour in Bikaner to the Old City with Atik from Prince Haveli and enjoyed it so much that we asked if he could take us the next day to the Karni Mata (Rat) Temple in Deshnoke.
- Our Experience: It was a great experience going with Atik and one that we highly recommend.
- Contact Atik (WhatsApp): +91 98290 05026
Agra: Where to Stay & Driver Contacts
When visiting the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, staying at a family-run homestay with trusted in-house driver services makes your visit smooth and relaxing.
Aman Homestay
Aman Homestay is our personal favourite stay in Agra. It is run by a lovely family and is located just a short rickshaw ride from the gates, with rooftop views to the Taj Mahal. They provide a reliable rickshaw driver service and delicious home-cooked meals. We always stay here with our Group Trips to India!
The Coral House Homestay by the Taj
Located only 700 meters from the Taj Mahal, The Coral House Homestay features a relaxing homestay feel with comfortable common areas. They offer great dinner and breakfast options, and we also really enjoyed staying here during our travels.
Quick Reference Contact List
Save these numbers into your phone before you land in India! You can click the WhatsApp links below to message them directly:
- Amritsar (Anil Sharma): +91 97802 34705
- Delhi (Sunny & Family): +91 95997 59259
- Jaipur (Raja): +91 99281 30309
- Jaisalmer (Padam – Wanderlust Guesthouse): +91 94611 57753
- Jaisalmer (Phoenix / Bhawani): +91 94147 63000
- Bikaner (Atik – Prince Haveli): +91 98290 05026
Having trusted local guides and drivers transforms your journey from a stressful trip into the adventure of a lifetime. Head over to awaytoindia.com and awaywiththesteiners.com for more detailed itineraries, travel guides, and family tips!
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- What To Wear In India.
- 10 Tips To Avoid Delhi Belly In India.
- 10 Best Things To Do in Delhi.
- The Varanasi Burning Ghats: What To Expect, Honestly.
- Visiting the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab.
Travel Planning for India & Beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in Asia through 12Go.
- Skyscanner – Our favourite flight search engine. They can search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide – A huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for short or longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have travel insurance as well as booking these fantastic guides, drivers and contacts in India!
Hi! I’m Sarah. I am the self-confessed dreamer, travel-schemer and the main editor behind this blog. I love to write, and it is a dream come true to share so many experiences together and inspire others in our stories.
