Travel to India: What you need to know
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| Taj Mahal |
Currency
» Indian Rupees (₹)
» Indian Rupees (₹)
Language
» Hindi and English
» Hindi and English
Money
» Most urban centres have ATMs. It’s wise to carry cash or traveller's cheques as back-up. MasterCard and Visa are the most widely accepted credit cards.
» Most urban centres have ATMs. It’s wise to carry cash or traveller's cheques as back-up. MasterCard and Visa are the most widely accepted credit cards.
Visas
» Most people travel on the standard six months tourist visa. Tourist visas are valid from the date of issue, not the date you arrive in India.
» Most people travel on the standard six months tourist visa. Tourist visas are valid from the date of issue, not the date you arrive in India.
Mobile Phones
» Getting connected can be complicated in some states due to security matters. To avoid expensive roaming costs get hooked up to the local mobile-phone network.
» Getting connected can be complicated in some states due to security matters. To avoid expensive roaming costs get hooked up to the local mobile-phone network.
Driving
» Don’t do it. Hiring a car with a driver doesn’t cost a fortune and India has expansive rail, bus and air connections.
» Don’t do it. Hiring a car with a driver doesn’t cost a fortune and India has expansive rail, bus and air connections.
When to Go
High Season (Dec–Mar)
» Pleasing weather, mostly. Peak tourists. Peak load pricing.
» In December and January northern parts of India can get cold due to snow fall.
» Temperature starts increasing from February.
» Pleasing weather, mostly. Peak tourists. Peak load pricing.
» In December and January northern parts of India can get cold due to snow fall.
» Temperature starts increasing from February.
Shoulder Season (Jul–Nov)
» July to early September is the great time to visit Ladakh.
» India’s south-east coast (and southern Kerala) experiences torrential rains any time from October to the beginning of December.
» July to early September is the great time to visit Ladakh.
» India’s south-east coast (and southern Kerala) experiences torrential rains any time from October to the beginning of December.
Low Season (Apr–Jun)
» April is hot; May and June even more torrid. Competing hotel prices.
» From June the monsoon passes from south to north. wearying humidity.
» Icy hills will help you to beat the heat but for sure not the crowds.
» April is hot; May and June even more torrid. Competing hotel prices.
» From June the monsoon passes from south to north. wearying humidity.
» Icy hills will help you to beat the heat but for sure not the crowds.
Your Daily Budget
» Prices ( especially accommodation) vary widely across the country – consult regional chapters for on-the-ground costs. Budget
» Stay at cheap guesthouses with shared bathrooms or hostels.
» Eat at roadside stalls or essential restaurants.
» Travel locally by bus, occasionally autorickshaw. Midrange
» Good accommodation (with private bathrooms) and restaurants.
» Travel locally by auto rickshaw and taxi. Top end
» Accommodation and dining out – the sky is the limit!
» Hire a car with the driver but don’t miss the adventure of an auto rickshaw ride.
» Prices ( especially accommodation) vary widely across the country – consult regional chapters for on-the-ground costs. Budget
» Stay at cheap guesthouses with shared bathrooms or hostels.
» Eat at roadside stalls or essential restaurants.
» Travel locally by bus, occasionally autorickshaw. Midrange
» Good accommodation (with private bathrooms) and restaurants.
» Travel locally by auto rickshaw and taxi. Top end
» Accommodation and dining out – the sky is the limit!
» Hire a car with the driver but don’t miss the adventure of an auto rickshaw ride.
Web sites
» Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/india) Destination information, the traditional Thorn Tree Travel Forum and more.
» Incredible India (www.incredibleindia.org) Official Indiatourism site.
» World Newspapers (www.world-newspapers.com/india.html) Links to India’s Englishlanguage publications.
» Art India (www.artindia.net) Performing arts information, especially dance and music.
» Templenet (www.templenet.com) Temple talk.
» Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/india) Destination information, the traditional Thorn Tree Travel Forum and more.
» Incredible India (www.incredibleindia.org) Official Indiatourism site.
» World Newspapers (www.world-newspapers.com/india.html) Links to India’s Englishlanguage publications.
» Art India (www.artindia.net) Performing arts information, especially dance and music.
» Templenet (www.templenet.com) Temple talk.
Important Numbers
From outside India, dial your international access code, India’s country code then the number (minus ‘0’, only used when dialling domestically).
Country code - 91
International access code - 00
Ambulance - 102
Fire - 101
Police - 100
Country code - 91
International access code - 00
Ambulance - 102
Fire - 101
Police - 100
Arriving in India
» Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata
India’s major international airports have prepaid taxi booths.
These enable you to book a fixed-price taxi (including luggage), thus avoiding commission or other scams. Some terminals also have a train, bus and/or auto rickshaw options. Many hotels will arrange airport pick-ups with advance notice. These are often complimentary with top-end hotels.
» Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata
India’s major international airports have prepaid taxi booths.
These enable you to book a fixed-price taxi (including luggage), thus avoiding commission or other scams. Some terminals also have a train, bus and/or auto rickshaw options. Many hotels will arrange airport pick-ups with advance notice. These are often complimentary with top-end hotels.
Don’t Leave Home Without…
» Getting a visa and travel insurance
» Seeking advice about vaccinations
» Nonrevealing clothes (both sexes) – covering up is respectful, and essential at holy sites
» Well-concealed money belt
» Sunscreen and sunglasses
» Small torch for poorly lit streets and/or power cuts
» Earplugs – noise can be a nuisance
» Slip-on shoes – handy for visiting sacred sites
» Expecting the unexpected – India loves to toss up surprises
» Getting a visa and travel insurance
» Seeking advice about vaccinations
» Nonrevealing clothes (both sexes) – covering up is respectful, and essential at holy sites
» Well-concealed money belt
» Sunscreen and sunglasses
» Small torch for poorly lit streets and/or power cuts
» Earplugs – noise can be a nuisance
» Slip-on shoes – handy for visiting sacred sites
» Expecting the unexpected – India loves to toss up surprises
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