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Useful
Travel Information
Language
The official language is Hindi but
there are approximately 17 other regional
languages spoken by the people of different states
in India. English is used for official and
commercial purposes. Most people on the streets
understand and converse in decent English.
Time Zone
India has a single time zone. It is 5.5 hours
ahead of the GMT, 4.5 hours behind the Australian
Eastern Standard time and 11.5 hours ahead of
American Eastern Standard Time (winter). Check http://www.timezoneconverter.com
Climate
Weather throughout India is very pleasant in
December. The Southern India will be cool.
Temperature in Hyderabad in December ranges from
14 degree C to 26 degree C. The Northern parts of
India will be much cooler with temperatures
ranging from 6 degree C to 12 degree C. The
sub-Himalayan belt may experience snowfall. Check http://www.weather.123india.com
Health
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Problem
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Special
Precautions
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Certificate
Required
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Yellow
Fever
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Yes
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1
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Cholera
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Yes
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2
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Typhoid
and Polio
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No
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3
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Malaria
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No
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4
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1.
Any person (including infants over six months old)
arriving by air or sea from an infected country
must obtain a yellow fever certificate. Those
countries that are considered infected are all
African countries (except Algeria, Botswana,
Djbouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi,
Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, South
Africa, Swaziland, Tunisia and Zimbabwe) and all
South American countries (except Argentina, Chile,
Paraguay and Uruguay). When a case of yellow fever
is reported from any country, that country is
regarded by the government of India as being
infected.
2. Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a
cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition
of entry to India.
3. Typhoid immunization is generally recommended.
4. Malaria risk exists, mainly in the benign vivax
form.
Food and drink:
Consume packaged water bearing ISI
standardization. Some of the popular brands are
Bisleri, AquaFina, Evian, Bailey, and Bibo.
Powdered or tinned milk is available and is
advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted
with pure water. Avoid dairy products that are
likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only
eat well cooked meat and fish, preferably served
hot.
Note: All visitors aged between 18-70 years
of age who are wishing to extend their visa for a
year or more are required to take an AIDS test.
Health care:
Travelers are strongly advised to take out full
medical insurance before departing for India. It
is advisable to bring specific medicines from your
country. There are state-operated facilities in
all towns and cities and private consultants and
specialists in urban areas.
On leaving India:
Visitors leaving for countries which impose health
restrictions on arrivals from India are required
to be in possession of a valid certificate of
inoculation and vaccination.
Electricity
Usually 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Some areas
have a DC supply. Plugs used are of the round two
and three pin type. Adapters and voltage
converters come handy if plan to operate
electrical and electronic appliances.
Communications
Telephone:
International Direct Dialing service is widely
available all over India. Otherwise calls must be
placed through the international operator. Country
code: 91. Outgoing international code: 00.
Hyderabad City code: 40.
Mobile telephone:
India operates on GSM 900 networks. Network
operators include Hutch (www.hutch.in),
Airtel (www.airtelworld.com),
and Idea Cellular (www.ideacellular.com).
Coverage is extensive. Check with your service
provider for details of international roaming on
Indian networks. Your cell phone should support
GSM 900. You can hire cell phones at the domestic
airports in most major cities and tourist
destinations in India. Typical cell phone rentals
in India vary between Rs. 100 and 150 per day.
Fax:
Facilities are available in most hotels, post
offices, and even roadside telephone kiosks.
Internet:
Nowhere in India are you away from an Internet
Cafe. E-mail can be accessed from any Internet café
across the country. In addition, most hotels
provide a dataport to access your ISP or an Indian
ISP if you have a Roaming arrangement. Indian ISPs
include VSNL (www.vsnl.com)
and Sify. For the nearest browsing center location
in Hyderabad, check http://www.outofindia.net/hyd/htm/ptoip.htm
Telegram:
International 24-hour service from large hotels
and telegraphic offices in major cities.
Mail:
Airmail service to Western countries takes up to a
week. Stamps are often sold at hotels. FedEx and
DHL Courier pick-up and delivery is possible in
most hotels.
Press:
There are numerous local dailies published in
several languages. Many newspapers are in English,
the most important include The Times of India,
Indian Express, The Hindu, Hindustan Times, The
National Herald, The Economic Times and The
Statesman.
Radio:
BBC MHz 15.31, 11.96, 6.195, 1.413, Voice of
America MHz 17.74, 11.71, 9.645, 6.110
Money
Currency: Rupee (Rs.) = 100 paise. Notes
are in denominations of Rs.1000, 500, 100, 50, 20,
10, and 5. Coins are in denominations of Rs. 5, 2
and 1, and 50, 25, and 10 paise.
Click
here for currency converter
Currency Exchange:
Currency can be changed at banks, airports or
authorised money changers. It is illegal to
exchange money through unauthorised money
changers. US Dollars and Pounds Sterling are the
easiest currencies to exchange.
Money Changers:
All money in bills or traveler check should be
changed into Indian currency only through
authorized money changers and banks. For the list
of money changers check http://www.outofindia.net/hyd/htm/f_exch.htm
Travelers check:
These are widely accepted and may be changed at
banks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges,
travelers are advised to take travelers check in
US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Currency restrictions:
Import of local currency is prohibited. Export of
local currency is also prohibited, except for
passengers proceeding to Nepal (excluding notes of
denominations of Rs100 or higher), Bangladesh,
Pakistan or Sri Lanka (up to Rs. 20 per person).
Foreign currency may be exported up to the amount
imported and declared. All foreign currency must
be declared on arrival if value is over US $5000,
and when exchanged the currency declaration form
should be endorsed, or a certificate issued. The
form and certificates must be produced on
departure to enable reconversion into foreign
currency. Changing money with unauthorised money
changers is not, therefore, advisable.
Exchange rate indicators
Check http://www.oanda.com
for exchange rate updates.
Banks:
The bank timings are usually from 10.30 - 15.30
hrs from Monday through Friday and from 10.30 -
13.00 hrs on Saturday. Multinational banks such as
ABN-AMRO, HSBC, Scotia, and Citibank have branches
in all major Indian cities and in Hyderabad. Visa,
MasterCard and Amex compatible ATMs abound. For a
list of major banks in Hyderabad, check http://www.outofindia.net/hyd/htm/banks.htm
Credit and debit cards:
Most hotels, travel agents, airline offices,
commercial establishments and shops welcome
MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and
Visa. Check with your credit or debit card company
for details of merchant acceptability and other
services that may be available.
Tipping
Taxis and restaurants do not expect to be tipped
however hotel and airport porters should be tipped
around 20 rupees, and guides and drivers 100
rupees per day where service is not included.
Traveling
in India
The domestic airline is Indian
Airlines (IC). The network connects
over 70 cities. Indian Airlines also operates
regular flights to the neighbouring countries of
Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar,
the Maldives, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and
the Middle East. Other major domestic airlines
include Jet Airways (9W), Sahara Airlines (S2) and
Alliance Airlines (3A), a subsidiary of Indian
Airlines.
Special fares: There are various special
Indian Airlines fares available to foreign
nationals and Indian nationals residing abroad.
All are available throughout the year, and may be
purchased either abroad or in India, where payment
is made in a foreign convertible currency (such as
US Dollars or Pounds Sterling). With the exception
of the Youth Fare India (see below), discounts of
90 per cent are available for children under two
years, and of 50 per cent for children aged 2 to
12. Full details of all the special fares are
given in the India brochure, available from India
Tourism. A summary of each is given below. Group
discounts of up to 30 per cent are also available.
Discover India: There are two types of
tickets available: a 21-day ticket costs US$750
and a 15-day ticket costs US$500. These offer
unlimited economy-class travel on all domestic
Indian Airlines services. No stop may be visited
more than once, except for transfer.
Youth Fare India: This is valid for three
months, offering a 25 per cent discount on the
normal US Dollar fare. It is available to those
aged 12-30 at the commencement of travel for
journeys on economy/executive class of domestic
air services and Indo-Nepal services.
India Wonderfares (North, South, East and
West):
Costs US$300 and are valid for seven days,
offering unlimited economy-class travel within the
north, south, east or western regions of India. No
town may be visited more than once, except for
transfer. Details of the main air centres included
in the deal can be obtained from Indian Airlines
offices.
Waterways:
There are ships from Kolkata (Calcutta),
Vishakapatnam and Chennai to Port Blair, the
Andaman Islands, and from Kochi and Calicut to the
Lakshadweep Islands. Services are often seasonal,
and are generally suspended during the monsoon.
One particularly attractive boat journey is the
'backwaters' excursion in the vicinity of Kochi in
Kerala. Several local tours are available.
Railways:
The Indian internal railway system is run by
Indian Railways (www.indianrail.gov.in).
It is the largest rail system in Asia and the
second largest in the world. There are over
62,000km of track, over 7000 stations and over
11,000 locomotives, including 5000 steam engines.
Its trains carry over 12 million passengers every
day. The network covers much of the country and is
a quintessential part of the fabric of India, as
well as being relatively inexpensive. Express
services link all the main cities and local
services link most other parts of the country.
Buses connect with trains to serve parts of the
country not on the rail network. Children five to
11 years of age pay half price, children under
five travel free. There are six classes of travel:
first-class air-conditioned, second-class
air-conditioned, third-class air-conditioned,
air-conditioned chair car, first-class sleeper and
second-class. Major trains carry restaurant cars.
Indrail Pass:
This special pass consists of a single
non-transferable ticket which enables a visitor to
travel on any train without restriction within the
period of validity. First-class sleeper tickets
are: US$135 for seven days; US$185 for 15 days;
US$198 for 21 days; US$248 for 30 days; US$400 for
60 days and US$530 for 90 days. A/C tickets are
twice as much and second-class tickets are much
cheaper. Children (aged between five to 12) are
entitled to half-price fares. Children under five
travel free. It is sold only to foreign nationals
and Indians residing abroad holding a valid
passport, and replaces all other concessional
tickets. Payment is accepted only in foreign
currency (US Dollars or Pounds Sterling). Refunds
can be given only if cancellation is made before
the starting date. Validity period is from the
date of commencement of the first journey up to
midnight of the date on which validity expires. A
ticket can be used within one year of its issue.
Advance reservation is essential, particularly on
overnight journeys, arranged through travel
agents. Reservations are on a
first-come-first-served basis. The passes can also
be purchased in India at all the main railway
stations and authorised agents.
Special trains:
The Palace on Wheels is an expensively decorated
Edwardian-style luxury steam train with 14
coaches, which travels to Rajasthan. Each coach
consists of a saloon, four sleeping compartments
with upper and lower berth, bathroom, shower,
toilet and small kitchen. Room service is
available. There is a dining car, a bar, an
observation car and a fully-equipped first-aid
centre. Modern amenities include air-conditioning,
four-channel music and telephone intercom
throughout the train. Tariff includes cost of
travel; full catering; elephant, camel and boat
rides; conducted sightseeing tours; and entrance
fees.
Itinerary: Delhi-Jaipur-Chittaurgarh-Udaipur-Sawai-
Madhopur -Jaisalmer- Jodhpur -Bharatpur-Agra-Delhi.
Bookings: Several tour operators/travel
agents organise escorted tour facilities which
include the Palace on Wheels.
Royal Orient Express:
This luxury train journeys through Gujarat and
Rajasthan take you to the sights of Chittargarh,
Udaipur, Palitana, Sasangir, Ahmedabad and Jaipur.
The trip takes eight days and accommodation is in
furnished carriages with lounge, mini bar and
kitchenette. Multi-cuisine restaurants and a
library are also available. Contact Indian
Railways for further information.
Hill Trains:
Narrow-gauge rail lines completed in the 19th
century linking numerous hill stations and various
mountain landscapes. For example, the Kolkata
(Calcutta)-Darjeeling route takes eight hours,
crosses over 500 bridges and offers ample
opportunity for photos as the pace is leisurely.
Other trains:
The Rajdhani Express trains are deluxe super-fast
trains connecting Delhi with Mumbai, Kolkata
(Calcutta), Chennai, Bangalore, Bhubhaneswar,
Guwahati, Jammu Tawi, Secunderabad,
Thiruvananthapuram, Ahmedabad, Ajmer and many
others. Shatabdi Express: Super-fast trains
connecting major and secondary city centres.
Visitors can travel chair car or executive class.
Snacks and meals are provided. Konkan Express:
This connects the states of Marharshtra, Goa,
Karnataka and Kerala along the coast of the
Arabian sea. The route includes 72 tunnels and
many bridges often crossing ravines of over 50m
deep.
Roadways:
Traffic drives on the left. An extensive network
of bus services connects all parts of the country,
and is particularly useful for the mountainous
regions where there are no rail services. However,
public transport is often crowded and can be
uncomfortable. Details of routes may be obtained
from the local tourist office. Tourist cars: There
are a large number of chauffeur-driven tourist
cars (some air-conditioned) available in the main
tourist centres. These unmetered tourist cars run
at a slightly higher rate than the ordinary taxis,
and are approved by India Tourism. Self-drive cars
are not generally available. Driving around India
is not recommended due to the erratic nature of
Indian driving standards.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is
required.
Urban travel:
Taxis and auto rickshaws are available in large
cities and fares should be charged by the km. They
do not always have meters but, where they do,
visitors should insist on the meter being flagged
in their presence. Fares change from time to time
and therefore do not always conform to the reading
on the meter, but drivers should always have a
copy of the latest fare chart available for
inspection.
Traveling
in Hyderabad
Useful
Contact Addresses
India Tourism
88 Janpath,
New Delhi 110 001,
India
Tel: 91-11-23320005 or 2332 0008.
Fax: 91-11-23320109.
E-mail: goitodelhi@tourism.nic.in
India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (ITDC)
Jeevan Vihar, Third Floor,
Three Sansad Marg,
New Delhi 110 001,
India
Tel: 91-11-23361607 or 23344433.
Fax: 91-11-23343167
Website:
www.theashokgroup.com
Office of the High Commissioner for India
India House, Aldwych,
London WC2B 4NA, UK
Tel: 020-78368484.
Fax: 020-78364331.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1200 (personal
callers); 0930-1730 (telephone enquiries).
Visa section:
Tel: 020-72401012 or (09068) 444544
(recorded visa information).
Fax: 020-72401012 or (09068) 444543 (visa
application forms).
Website: www.hcilondon.net
Opening hours for visa applications and
collections:
Mon-Fri 0930-1730.
Consulate General of India
The Spencers, 20 Augusta Street,
Jewellery Quarter,
Hockley, Birmingham B18 6JL, UK
Tel: (0121) 212 2782. Fax: (0121) 212 2786.
E-Mail: cgi@congend.demon.co.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1300; 1330-1730 (visa
collection only).
Consulate General of India
17 Rutland Square,
Edinburgh, EH1 2BB, UK
Tel: (0131) 229 2144. Fax: (0131) 229 2155.
E-mail: indianconsulate@btconnect.com
Website: www.consulategeneralofindia-edinburgh.org
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1230.
India Tourism, United Kingdom
Seven Cork Street,
London W1S 3LH, UK
Tel: (020) 7437 3677 or 0870 010 2183 (brochure
request line).
Fax: (020) 7494 1048.
E-mail: info@indiatouristoffice.org
Website: www.indiatouristoffice.org
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1200 and 1300-1800.
British High Commission
Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021,
India
Tel: (+91-11) 2687 2161.
Fax: (+91-11) 2687 0065 or 2687 2882 or 2611 0660
(consular section).
E-mail: conqry.newdelhi@fco.gov.uk
(visa section).
Website: www.ukinindia.org
Deputy High Commissions in: Kolkata, Chennai and
Mumbai.
Embassy of India
Chancery:
2107 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
20008, USA
Consulate:
2536 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
20008, USA
Tel: (202) 939 7000 or 939 9806 (consular
section).
Fax: (202) 265 4351 or 387 6946 (consular
section).
Website: www.indianembassy.org
Opening hours: 0930-1800.
Consulate General of India
Three East, 64th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA
Tel: (212) 774 0600. Fax: (212) 861 3788.
E-mail: visa@indiacgny.org
Website: www.indiacgny.org
India Tourism, USA
Suite 1808, 1270 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, NY 10020, USA
Tel: (212) 586 4901.
Fax: (212) 582 3274.
E-mail: ny@itonyc.com
Website: www.tourindia.com
Office also in: Los Angeles (Tel: (213) 380 8855).
Embassy of the United States of America
One Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi 110 021, India
Tel: (+91-11) 2419 8000. Fax: (11) 2419 0017.
Consulates General in: Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai.
High Commission for India
Ten Springfield Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1M 1C9,
Canada
Tel: (613) 744 3751/3. Fax: (613) 744 0913.
E-mail: hicomind@sprint.ca
Website: www.docuweb.ca/India
Consulates in: Toronto and Vancouver.
India Tourism, Canada
Suite 1003, 60 Bloor Street West, Toronto,
Ontario M4W 3B8, Canada
Tel: (416) 962 3787. Fax: (416) 962 6279.
E-mail: india@istar.ca
Canadian High Commission
Seven/Eight Shanti Path, PO Box 5209,
Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi 110 021, India
Tel: 91-11-6876500.
Fax: 91-11-6876579.
E-mail: delhi@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Consulates in: Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
Translation Services in
Hyderabad
Alliance Francaise de Hyderabad
Indo French Cultural Centre
(All translations from French to English and from
English to French)
10-2-9, Plot No.9, Road No.16,
West Marredpally, Secunderabad
Tel: 91-40-27700734, 27700735, 27700736
Fax: 91-40-27700731
e-mail: afhyd@sol.net.in
Hyderabad Translation Bureau
1-7-9 Surabhi Sapphire, 303
Opposite. Musheerabad Telephone Exchange,
Hyderabad
Tel: 91-40-27604654, 55505400, 55633221
91-984802332
Fax: 91-40-27613355
Ram Reddy Translation of documents in foreign
languages
(French-English, Spanish-English)
4-30/A Snehapuri Colony
P. P. Saroornagar,
Hyderabad
Tel: 91-40-24036466, 24031017
Email: ramreddy2000@hotmail.com
Sharayu Ghurye
(Translation from German to English)
303 Pushpakalyan Apts
East Marredpally
Secunderabad
Tel: 91-40-27730561
91-9848020089
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