Tours to India: General India Travel Tips

An India Trip will be full of wonderful memories especially if you are well prepared. If you decide to return to India within 2 months of departing India, you must apply for a special visa to enter India. A regular visa will not allow you to enter India within a 2 month period. The following tips will be most helpful in planning your India trip. 

India Entry Requirements

A valid passport is required for U.S. citizens along with an India Visa. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after departing India. India Travisa Outsourcing, www.indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com, is an excellent place to obtain your visa. They are efficient with offices in New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Houston, and San Francisco. You can apply in person or by mail. 

India Time

The entire country of India is on one time zone. India Standard Time is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time in the U.K. or 10 hours and 30 minutes ahead of New York time. When it is 8am in New York, it is 6:30 pm in India. During daylight savings time, India is 9 hours and 30 minutes ahead of New York time. 

India Climate

The best time to visit India is from October – early April. Most of the country has moderate weather. However, the south has wonderful hot sunny days. In December and January, Delhi and Agra have cool days and nights until February when the weather warms up to the 70’s. Rajasthan has great weather in the 70’s during the day but at night a jacket or sweater is needed. The Himalayas has snow during this time. April – August is considered summer and is particularly hot in India’s north – central region. This is great time to go to the Himalayas and hill stations in Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Sikkim and Uttarakhand. The monsoon begins in June starting in Kerala. The rains arrive in Rajasthan in July until early September. Though monsoon season is not one of the peak tourism seasons for India, Goa and Kerala can be mesmerizing during the rains. 

India Currency

The INR or Indian Rupee is the currency for India. $1.00 = INR 46.5. For up to date money conversion rates, go to www.xe.com. You receive better conversion rates at ATM machines or banks rather then hotels. ATM machines are the easiest way to obtain money. You can receive better quotes on buying merchandise in India if you pay with cash as you will be charged an extra 3% for all credit card charges. It is important to let your credit card companies and Bank (ATM) know when you will be in India. Otherwise, you maybe blocked from using these cards. 

India Electric Outlets

India electricity is 220 AC. Wall plugs are the 2 or 3 round prong plugs. It is important to bring an adapter. 

India Telephones

To call India from the U.S., you must dial 011 91 (country code) and then the number. You can buy a SIM card for your cell phone while in India or you can rent a phone at the airport. To call the US, you dial 001 + area code + number. 

India Emergency Numbers in India

Police: 100
Medical and fire emergency: 101

India Vaccinations and Medical Insurance

It is important to have all your vaccinations before going to India. Usually, Hepatitis A and B, typhoid and tetanus are recommended. A polio booster is recommended for adults over a certain age. Please check with your doctor for the necessary shots. You can also go to www.cdc.gov to see what is recommended. In certain areas of India, malaria prophylactics are suggested by the CDC. Trip cancellation insurance is always recommended and this includes medical care and evacuation insurance while abroad. 

India Water and Food Precautions

Only drink and brush your teeth with bottled water unless the hotel has a purification system. Most hotels supply complimentary bottled water per person. Eating street food is not recommended unless it is a place that someone has suggested. Do not eat unpeeled fruits and vegetables or raw vegetables that are not washed with purified water. Do not drink from soda or water bottles that have a broken seal.

Tipping in India

The following is only a guide line and you can give according to how pleased you are.
- Driver for city sightseeing: Rs 300 to Rs 500/day 
- Driver for long drives not just city sightseeing: Rs 500 – Rs 800/day 
- Helper in car or van: Rs 250 to Rs 400/day
- Guide: Rs 500 – Rs 800/day 
- Airport or train transfer: Rs 100 to Rs 150/transfer 
- Restaurants: 10% of the bill
- Bell Boys: Rs 20 – Rs 50 per bag
- Taxis or auto rickshaws: No tipping.

Shopping in India

Always bargain unless the price is fixed. Start at half the given price and work your way up. Unfortunately, tourists do not receive the same quotes as Indians. If you are touring and the guide wants to stop at shops and you do not, politely say no. Guides do receive kick backs from shop sales. On the other hand, you may be taken to a shop you would not have known about. Be very careful buying gems in India. You must go to a reputable store.

Museum Hours in India

Most museums are closed on Mondays. Site Museums and archaeological monuments are usually closed on Fridays. The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. The Delhi Red Fort is closed on Mondays.

Books:

It is a good idea to read a novel or non-fiction book to have a feel for India before you go. On Geringer Global Travel’s website, there is a list of fiction and non – fiction books. It is also recommended to look at a Frommer’s, Fodor’s, Lonely Planet or Footprint India Guide.

Your trip should be planned and booked before arriving in India. Geringer Global Travel has the expertise along with a tour operator in Delhi to help plan a very special custom India tour. Personalized service while in India will ensure that you are well cared for as excellent drivers and guides will be provided to meet all your needs. You will be met at all airports and helped to check into hotels and airports. With Geringer Global Travel’s help and following the above advice, your India trip should be hassle free filled with amazing experiences and life long memories of India.