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India - Traveller information

Local laws and conventions: Traditions and rituals in India have become an integral part of everyday life and should be respected by all visitors. Visitors are advised to observe and respect local dress sense. All visitors should remove footwear before entering places of religious worship.

Penalties for drug offences are severe: there is a minimum sentence of six months for possession of small amounts for personal consumption only, and a ten-year sentence for larger amounts.

There are strict religious and social customs, and visitors must show great respect when visiting a person’s home. Indian women prefer not to shake hands. Most people remove footwear before entering houses.

English is widely used in business. Businessmen and women should dress formally for meetings or social functions. The best months for business visits are October to March. Office hours are Mon–Fri 0930–1700, Sat 0930–1300.

Immigration and customs: Business and tourist visas are usually required and are valid for six months. Passports need to be valid for at least six months on arrival into the country. Visitors are advised to make a copy of the photopage of their passport, Indian visa and any entry stamps, and keep their passport safe at all times. A yellow fever certificate is required from anyone travelling from an infected country.

Lone parents travelling with a child/children should carry documentation showing that they have the right to do so.

Prohibited imports include livestock and pig meat products, live plants, dangerous drugs, gold coins and silver bullion.

Travel within the country: Driving is on the left. An international driving permit is required to hire a car.

Buses connect all parts of the country and are often the only means of travelling to mountainous areas. Urban buses are usually crowded.

Taxis and auto rickshaws are available in larger towns and cities, and fares are charged by the kilometre. Chauffeur-driven tourist cars can be found in major centres and cost slightly more than taxis.

The Indian railway system is extensive, and there are six classes of travel. Super-fast trains connect the major cities and luxury tourist trains are available for sightseeing trips.

India Airlines is the state domestic airline and connects more than 70 cities. Outward flights should be reconfirmed, especially between December and April when all flights become very full.

Ferries operate from Kolkata and Chennai, and there is a catamaran service from Mumbai to Goa.

Travel health: Visitors should take out comprehensive medical insurance. Private medical care is available in the major cities but is expensive. Many endemic diseases require that adequate care be taken with water and food hygiene. Water used for brushing teeth or making ice should be boiled.

Dengue fever outbreaks occur and visitors will need to take repellent and appropriate clothing to protect themselves against insect bites. Vaccination for Hepatitis B is sometimes advised, together with Japanese encephalitis and tuberculosis.

All visitors over the age of 18 wishing to stay for longer than one year must take an AIDS test.

Valid certificates of inoculation and vaccination will be required for all those travelling on to countries that impose health restrictions on arrivals from India.

Prescription drugs should be in their original containers, clearly marked to avoid confusion.

Money: Currency can be exchanged at banks and airports and at authorised changers. It is illegal to use unauthorised moneychangers. US dollars and pounds sterling are the easiest currencies to change. American Express, Diners Card, Mastercard and Visa are accepted throughout India. Travellers cheques in dollars or sterling are the most easily changed, although some banks refuse certain brands. Banking hours are Mon–Fri 1000–1400, Sat 1000–1200.

There were 3,457,000 tourist arrivals in 2004.