Immigration:
On arrival at any international airport of India proceed through immigration. There is a dedicated area and look for the sign mentioned TVOA (Tourist Visa On Arrival). You must have your visa letter (ETA - Electronic Travel Authorization) from the Indian Consulate - this needs to be provided with your passport. Processing is relatively simple however they do tend to have problems with their fingerprint scanner due to which there are some delays.
Travel Insurance:
Travel health insurance is mandatory for all travelers. Travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses, and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of US$200,000 for each of the categories of cover. We also strongly recommend it covers cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage, and personal effects. Sometimes there are some chances that luggage gets stolen or misplaces within the airport.
*You must have travel insurance and Visa before departure, without it won't be able to travel to India.
India Sim Card at the Airport
Airtel is one of the best network companies all over India. Since it is very useful in many ways to have networks and internet on the phone. We recommend buying India Sim Card at Delhi or any international airport. After coming out of the customs clearance, You can easily find the store of Airtel, they'll provide you the card right way which will be activated within a few hours.
Money Exchange:
You do not need to travel to India with any local currency or travel check. Now at the airport and almost all destinations have ATM Machine, One can easily withdraw cash or can use Debit or Credit cards for most places. The limit of withdrawing from ATMs is INR 10,000/- per transaction. Also, Visa and Bankcard are widely accepted in every place. This tip might save some of your money, try to get money exchanged from companies from the Markets to get better rates.
General Tips:
*At the Monuments, there are separate lines for foreigners. At most places, there are different prices for foreigners even if there are no different lines.
*It is always recommended to carry toilet paper with you at all times. There is less possibility that it will be in every bathroom in India, especially while traveling on Highways from the countryside.
*ALWAYS keep the Passport, Visa, Plane Tickets, and Money.
*There are some times when people try to Scam you, this happens mostly outside of Hotels, Tuk-tuk drivers, and outside the monuments. too much into a visit to India. It's better to gain a deeper understanding of where you are and have more time to build relationships with the people you meet. If something doesn't go right, smile and be persistent in what you want. Getting mad, yelling or fist pounding will only be met with resistance.
*As soon as you arrive someplace, arrange your way on to your next stop. Trains/planes/("first-class") buses tend to get booked up in advance. Travel agencies can usually get reservations for you as they book blocks of seats well in advance.
*Since it's very common in India to drink and use Tap-water but it is highly recommended for you to use mineral water only and any food that may have been washed in it, at all times. Always eat peeled fruits and boiled vegetables. Every person knows their spice tolerance kindly mention every place accordingly and inform them if you're allergic to anything.
*Toilets are notoriously bad in India, but they don’t have to be health hazards. Consider using the left-hand-and-water-jug method preferred by many locals (it is, after all, so much more hygienic than using dry paper), but don’t forget to carry soap with you so you can wash your hands properly afterward.
*When asking for directions to someplace, ask several people not only one person, and keep asking as you go.
* Many temples will ask you to take off your footwear before entering. So, it is a good idea to wear shoes that you can easily slip on and off, like sandals. If you are worried about your shoes getting stolen from the front of the temple while you are inside, you can keep them in your backpack or give the temple attendant a few rupees to keep an eye on them.
*Best is to hire a cab and English speaking professional for a private trip on a disposal basis cause this makes it more easy and enjoyable travel, the driver will be able to guide more about the locals, we provide transportation all over India as per your requirement. Contact us for the quotation.
