INDIA TRAVEL ADVISORY
It’s essential for any traveler to exercise caution in a foreign land, and this applies to India. You must know about the India visa and India entry requirements, but also about local culture, traditions, currency, customs and more. In this India travel advisory you will find a diverse array of subjects with the goal of ensuring that you feel secure in India, an environment that can be very different to your own. Here are some general recommendations:
- Be aware of your surroundings, keep a low profile and monitor local news reports.
- Fulfill all India entry requirements and print out your India visa before traveling.
- Buy a prepaid Indian SIM card to be connected to the Internet.
- Remember India uses plugs type C, D and M, so you might need to take multiple adapters.
- Purchase travel insurance. It’s not mandatory, but it will give you peace of mind.
- Religion is a key part of Indian culture, so it’s no surprise that there are several rules each tourist should follow when visiting places of worship. For example, be dressed appropriately and always carry a scarf to cover your head. Additionally, you won’t be allowed entry at certain temples if you have leather items.
- Check periodically your home country’s travel advisories for India.
- The sanitary conditions of India are most likely not the same as your home country, so pack toilet paper, hand sanitizer and wet wipes. Also, pack Vick VapoRub since you might be congested due to the bad air quality.
- Making your embassy or consulate aware of your arrival can be helpful in case of unexpected situations.
- Try to travel with a bag and not with suitcases, as they are extremely difficult to maneuver in the streets of India.
- Avoid drinks with ice, fresh juices and uncooked foods (like salads). Basically, don’t consume anything that may have been touched by unpurified water. It’s the easiest way to get “Delhi Belly”.
General information about India
Time zone: India Standard Time (UTC +5:30)
Prefix: +91
Voltage: 230V supply voltage and 50 Hz
Capital: New Delhi
Official language: Hindi and English
Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)
Climate: tropical, subtropical and temperate regions.
Average temperature: ranging from 10º C to 25º C (Winter) and 35ºC to 50ºC (Summer).
Three official national holidays:
- Gandhi’s Birthday: October 2
- National Day: August 15
- Republic Day: January 26
Hindu holidays:
- Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors.
- Diwali (Deepavali or Divali), the Hindu Festival of Lights. October and December.
- Thaipusam. January or February.
Main attractions: Taj Mahal, Jaipur, Rajasthan: The Pink City, Amber Fort, Kerala Backwaters, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and Khajuraho Temples.
Entry and Exit Points in India
In India, there are a lot of entry and exit points: they depend on the mode of transportation you choose. The major entry and exit points in India include:
International Airports:
- Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) – New Delhi
- Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM) – Mumbai
- Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) – Bangalore
- Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) – Hyderabad
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) – Kolkata
- Chennai International Airport (MAA) – Chennai
Major Seaports:
- Mumbai Port – Mumbai
- Chennai Port – Chennai
- Kolkata Port – Kolkata
- Cochin Port – Kochi
India shares land borders with several countries, and there are multiple entry and exit points in these areas. Some of the major land border crossings include Wagah (on the border with Pakistan), Raxaul (on the border with Nepal), and Moreh (on the border with Myanmar).
Currency:
India currency: Rupee (INR)
Division: 100 paise.
Banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1.000 rupees.
Coins: 10, 25 and 50 paise; and 1, 2 and 5 rupees.
Exchange rate: check the current rate here.
Climate: tropical, subtropical and temperate regions
Average temeperature on Winter
10º ~ 25º
Average temeperature on Summer:
35º ~ 50º
Satellite phones and listening devices
The use and possession of satellite phones, personal locator beacons, and handheld GPS devices are prohibited in India. Operating satellite phones without a proper license is against the law. To obtain a license, individuals can contact the Department of Telecommunications in India.
Satellite phones can only be acquired through authorized dealers within India or imported into the country after obtaining permission from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
A Satellite Phone is a mobile phone that connects to satellites instead of land-based cellular stations, enabling communication in remote areas without cellular coverage.
Additionally, prior approval from Indian authorities may be required to bring equipment such as surveillance or recording devices, radio transmitters, high-powered cameras, or binoculars into the country.
India Visa: needed for most travelers.