New Delhi Travel Tips

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(Note: when calling from outside India prefixes 91-11 to all Delhi Tel. Nos.)

Climate: Winter in the Indian capital is truly delightful. Woollens are required in January-February when the temperature could drop to 50 C (40 0F). Cottons of light tropical will be comfortable the rest of the year. The summer temperature is between 25.60C (average in April) and 440C (maximum in May and June). The rainy season is from July to September, For weather information dial 461-1322.

ARRIVAL / DEPARTURE
Visa: Citizens of all countries (including Commonwealth) require a valid passport and an appropriate (entry, transit or tourist) visa. The visa must be obtained abroad from an Indian Mission. Tourist visas are generally valid for 120 days stay in India. If planning to visit a neighboring country such as Nepal and then re-entering India, a double/multiple entry visa should be obtained, For extending the visa apply for a letter of permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market (Tel. 469-3334, 461-2543, 461-7649). Thereafter the letter is to be presented to the FRRO. The Foreigner’s Regional Registration Office (FRRO) is located at Hans Bhavan, Tilak Bridge, New Delhi (Tel, 3319489, 331-8179). Timings: 9.30 am to 1.30 p.m.
and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., weekends and national holidays closed.

Health Regulations: A valid yellow fever certificate is mandatory for all persons (including infants) who have been, even in transit, in Africa or South America or Papua New Guinea in the last six days. The certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination. India does not require immunisation against smallpox and cholera. A person arriving in India, who is required to possess a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate in accordance with these requirements will, IN THE ABSENCE OF A VALID VACCINATION CERTIFICATE BE QUARANTINED FOR A PERIOD UPTO SIX DAYS, WITHOUT EXCEPTION. Inoculation centers for Yellow Fever Palam Airport (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.) Tel. 329-5507, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (Wednesdays and Saturdays, 11 am - 12 p.m.) Tel. 336-5525 and International Inoculations Center, Town Hall, Sansad Marg.

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Customs Clearance: Visitors who do not have any dutiable goods or high "Value articles" or foreign exchange in excess of US$ 2500 or unaccompanied baggage, all of which need to be declared, can simply walk through the Green Channel. Others must go to the Red Channel for clearance.Each traveller can bring in, without duty, goods valued upto Rs. 750 (Rs. 6000 for persons of Indian origin) for personal use or giving as gifts; these include 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars or 250 gms tobacco) and liquor and wines upto 32 oz (0.95 litre). Import of other: high value articles: are permitted duty free on a written undertaking that they will be taken back on departure. Drugs and narcotics and the import of firearms are prohibited. The duty rate beyond the free baggage allowance is 50 per cent plus 2 per cent special duty.

Passengers coming from Nepal, Bhutan, Meaner or China is not entitled to any free allowances. The duty free allowance for passengers arriving from Sri Lanka and the Maldives is Rs. 6,000 provided their stay abroad is more than three days. If the stay does not exceed three days, the allowance would be Rs. 3,000.

A TBRE (Tourist Baggage Re-Export Form) is to be completed on arrival and must be produced along with the entered articles before Customs, for verification at the time of departure. Please obtain a Landing Certificate if you are expecting unaccompanied baggage and for mishandled baggage.

Currency Regulations: You can bring in any amount of foreign currency, traveler's cheques, etc., and take out as much as you brought in. However, if you are carrying more than US 2,500 (or equivalent) you should declare it, on arrival, on the Currency Declaration Form (CDF), to be attested by the Customs Officer. No Indian currency may be brought into or taken out of the country. When remitting money to India, indicate the bank, branch and full address.

Changing Money: In India, the unit of currency is the Rupee (Re) divided into 100 paise (P). Change money with AUTHORISED MONEYCHANGERS (at the airport, most banks, hotels and certain large shops) and insist on a receipt, as it will help you reconvert unused rupees into the original foreign currency at the time of departure. Avoid any people on the street who offer to change your money at a temptingly high rate of exchange.

Transfer from the Airport: Taxis, buses and autorikshaws are available at the airport to take you to town. Bus charges are fixed. A prepaid taxi service facility is available for all passengers. Contact the Pre-Paid Taxi booth at the arrival building.

Export Regulations: The visitor can take back all articles brought in by him. For these items a RBI permit should be obtained in advance and thereafter declared to Customs.

There are restrictions on the export of antiquities and art objects more than 100 years old. In case of doubt, consult the Director, Antiquities, and Archaeological Survey of India, Janpath (Tel. 301-7220). It is advisable to obtain a certificate of proof.

Export of most wildlife products is prohibited or strictly regulated; therefore generally avoid buying anything made of ivory, reptile skin, tortoise shells and any part of wild animals.

There are DUTY-FREE shops at the airport both in the Arrival and Departure lounges.

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Income-Tax Clearance Certificate: You will need this at the time of departure if your stay in India exceeds 120 days. The Foreign Section of the Income-Tax Office (ITO) issues Indraprastha Estate, Tel. 331-7826 the certificate, Indraprastha Estate, Tel. 331-7826. Observe the instructions under Currency Regulations and Changing Money (above) to facilitate its issue.

Foreign Travel Tax: Rs. 300 (Rs. 150 in the case of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, the Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan) is payable separately at the time of departure.

IN DELHI
Banks: are open 10 am to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 am to noon on Saturday. Central Bank in Ashok Hotel (Tel. 60-1848) and State Bank of India at the Airport are open round the clock. Banks in residential areas generally observe the weekly holiday of the area.

Credit Cards: American Express, Masters Charge Visa and Diners Club Credit Cards are generally accepted by large establishments, including hotels, shops and at lines.

International Student’s Identity Card: For issue and renewal of the card contact students Travel Information Center, Hotel Imperial, Janpath, Tel. 332-7528, 332-4789, 332-5559, 332-7909, 3766/69.

Sightseeing: You can rent a chauffeur-driven car or join a conducted tour that is probably the best way to see most in the least amount of time. Both facilities are provided by, among other, the ITDC (Tel. 332-2336) Karachi Taxi (Tel. 332-03429).

Tourist Guides: English speaking guides approved by the Govt. of India can be hired at all important places of interest. The Tourist Office (88 Janpath, Tel. 332-0005, 332-0342) assists in hiring guides speaking other languages.

Taxi/Scooter: Both are metered. Ensure that the driver flags down the meter before he starts. Minimum fares are Rs. 8.00 (taxi) and Rs. 5.00 (auto). The old meter readings will be Rs. 5.00 and Rs. 3.00 respectively, to which approximately 70 per cent of the reading are added. Revised meter reading fare charts are available with all public transport drivers. Extra charges are payable for halting, baggage and vehicles engaged between 11 am and 5 p.m. (20 per cent extra for autos and 25 per cent for taxis). To complain about overcharging or misbehaviour call 331-9334 (during office hours) or 301-4896.

Ring Railway: A number of trains, clockwise and some anti-clockwise are run by Northern Railway originating and terminating at Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station.

INLAND TRAVEL
India offers many facilities for tourists’ travel with the country. However, special permits are required for visiting certain border areas as specified from time to time. These can be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs Office at Lok Nayak Bhawan, opposite. Khan Market. (Tel. 461-2543, 469-3334, 461-7469) from Monday to Friday 10 am to 5 p.m. Port Blair does not require a permit for stay upto 15 days.

Indian Airlines offers foreigners packages for travel anywhere in India. ‘Discover India’: 21 days unlimited travel, at a fixed package rate; India Wonder Fares (limited region wise) 7 days and Youth Fares - 25% off for those under 30. For enquiries call 329-5121.

Northern Railway Reservation and Enquiry: Computerised Reservation Office and Enquiry at IRCA building. Tel. 334-8787 (for enquiries about II class sleeping berths and seats) and Tel. 334-8686 (for enquiries about Ist class Ac, AC 2-tier sleeper, Ist class and AC chair car)/. Recorded information on trains due within the next two hours of calling is available on Tels: 1331 (from North), 1332 (from East), 1333 (from West) and 1334 (from South). Call 131 or 1335 (Hindi (, 1330 (English) for information on arrivals and departures, and 1330 for reservation enquiries as well, For recorded information on departure timings of trains call Tel. 1336 (for North), 1337 (for East), 1338 (for West) and 1339 (for South).

Apart from of important trains may be checked out on Doordarshan Channel II (Metro).

Foreign tourists and NRIs only: Call the International Tourist Bureau (1st Floor, New Delhi Railway Station, and Paharganj side. Tel. 373-1-4164,334-6804 Fax. 334-3050) Between 7.30 am and 5 p.m. for advice and bookings. You can also enjoy unlimited travel on Indian Railways from 7 to 90 days with an Indrail ‘Pass’. Fares range from US 135 upwards according to the class of accommodation and period of validity. Also check out the Circular Journey Tickets.

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Palace on Wheels: A unique experience in holiday travel is the Place on Wheels, a luxury train that journeys through Rajasthan between October and March. Bookings can be made at Rajasthan Tourism Development. Corporation, Bikaner House, near India Gate, Tel. 338-1884. For reservation on the Royal Orient call Gujarat Tourism.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Doctor/Chemist: If you need a doctor, your hotel can contact a house physician. The medical stores in Super Bazar, Connaught Circus and in AIIMS and at some private hospitals such as Batra (Tughlakabad Institutional Area) and Spring Meadows (East of Kailash) are open 24 hours.

Electricity: 220 V AC - 50 Hz.

Festivals: Some of the festivals you will enjoy in Delhi are the Republic Day Celebrations (26-29 Jan); Holi, the festival of colours (Feb-Mar); Phool Walon Ki Sair (Oct); Diwali, the festival of lights (Oct-Nov).

Food and Beverage: India has an amazing variety of non-vegetarian and vegetarian cuisines. Contrary to what you may have heard, all Indian food is not hot and spicy-most dishes are only richly garnished to provide an exciting flavour. You will find excellent restaurants that serve Indian, Chinese, and Continental and other cuisine. Liquor is available freely in wine shops. It is also served in bars and restaurants in all major hotels. The 1st and 7th of each month and specified holidays are dry days when all liquor shops remain closed. CONSUMPTION OF LIQUOR IS PROHIBITED IN PUBLIC PLACES.

Shopping: India is a shopper’s paradise. Of particular interest are carpets, handicrafts, jewellery, readymade garments and leather goods. It’s best to buy goods only from the more established shops and official Indian government outlets. Refer to the Shopping and Services section for select establishments. Do visit the local bazaars, however, for interesting bargains.

Postage Rates: Foreign air mail rates: Letter Rs. 11, Aeorgramme Rs. 6.50, Card Rs. 7, Post Card Rs. 6. Inland postal rates: Letter Rs. 2, Aerogramme Rs. 1, Post Card containing printed communication Rs.1.50, Letter Postcards Rs. 0.75, Standard Yellow Postcard Rs. 0.25.

Speed Post: ensures delivery of time-bound mail including registered letters and parcels within 24 to 72 hours. Round-the-clock speed post service is now available at the Safdarjung Airport Sorting and at the Eastern Court Post Office and Indraprastha Post Office up to 1 p.m. During the day 10 am to 5 p.m. on working days: at the speed post booking centers including the two above and the P.O. at Hauz Khas, Indraprastha, Karol Bagh, Lodhi Road, Kalkaji, Lajpat Nagar, Nehru Place, Parliament Street and Vasant Vihar among others. Call 329-5499 & 329-5587. Facilities include a money back guarantee in case of delay. The International Speed Post Service offers delivery to UK, USA, Germany, Japan, Hongkong, and other countries within 48 to 72 hours. International articles are also accepted at the Foreign Post Office. A Speed Post Money Order facility is available in Trans Yamuna Areas, Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place, Nehru Place and South Extension.

Telephone and Telegraph: You can direct dial to most cities in India, and too many other countries abroad, for elsewhere book a call through the operator. On the direct dial facility within the country, note that while during the day-6 am to 7 p.m. - the full rate is charged Monday to Saturday, on Sundays and National Holidays there is a concessional charge of 50%. Half rate is also applicable daily 7 am to 8 am and 7 p.m. to 8.3 p.m. daily. The tariff from 6 am to 7 am and from 8.30 p.m. to 11 p.m. is 1/3 the rate, and from 11 p.m. to 6 am it is ¼ the rate. Contact the International Telegraph Office (Tel. 336-2881 or 336-2754) to send a telegram, telex or fax. The Telecom Center, Arunachal Bldg, Barakhamba Road, and offers all telecommunications facilities including fax, 10 am to 7 p.m. all days except Sundays & public holidays. Bureaufax facilities are available at the main telegraph offices. The Eastern Court PO, Janpath, has a multi-media telecom centre that offers desktop video conferencing, high-speed transfer and other facilities.

Time Difference: Indian Standard Time (IST) is the same throughout the country and is 4 ½ hours ahead of Paris, 5 ½ hours ahead of London, 3 ½ hours behind Tokyo and 4 ½ hours behind Sydney.

Tipping: is generally expected at hotels and restaurants. Ten per cent of the bill or around Rs. 5 for other services is in order.

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