Time and Time Difference |
Climate |
Electrical Standards and Measurement Systems |
Getting Around |
Accommodation |
Eating Out |
Paying |
Speaking |
Emergency Numbers |
Communications
Time and Time Difference
- Current Local Time
-
It is %T:%M %A In New Delhi
- Summer Time
-
None
Map of the Time Zone

Climate
- Type of Climate
-
India has broadly three seasons: warm, wet and cool. Heat begins to rise in the plains of the North in February and becomes unbearable in April - May. The monsoon appear towards the end of May in the South, then heads to the North, then covers the whole country in the first week of July till the end of October. There are even some cold nights in December - January. The extreme South remains warm all year long.
Autumn and Winter are undoubtedly the best times to visit India.
Average Annual Temperatures and Rainfall

Getting Around
Transportation From Airport to City Centre:
Traveling By Yourself
- Recommendation
-
One must be very cautious when driving because of the bad condition of the roads and chaotic character of the traffic.
Driving around India is not recommended. Moreover self-drive cars are not generally available in the country. It is recommended to have a licensed and experienced local driver who has a "feel" for local roads and driving conditions.
The third party insurance liability is compulsory.
- Driver's License
-
One must have either a valid Indian drivers’ license or a valid international drivers’ license. India recognizes international driving permits.
- Conditions For Renting a Vehicle
-
18. An international driving license is required.
- Rental Agencies
-
Taxi Rental India
- Tolls or Taxes
-
The concept of toll roads is catching up in India. Recently built motorways are subject to tolls and the rates are quite reasonable.
- Road Maps
-
Maps of India
India Maps
- Find an Itinerary
-
Make my trip
Maps of India
- Parking Facilities
-
Parking is a paid service and facilities are available at all public places like airports, railway stations, shopping centers, etc.
Accommodation
- Hotels
-
Modern Western-style hotels available in all large cities and at popular tourist centres. Heritage Hotels, and 5 to 1-star hotels.
Hotels in India
India Hotels
- Tourist Bungalows
-
At almost every tourist centre in the country, under the control of the respective State government’s Tourist Development Corporation.
- Youth Hostels
-
Capacity for about 40 beds. A convenient and cheap base for organized tours, trekking, hiking or mountaineering.
Youth Hostels Association
- Camp sites /Caravanning
-
Throughout India.
India Tourism
- Hotel Rules
-
Prices are given per room, based on whether the room is occupied by one or two persons (single or double occupancy).
- For Further Information
-
Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India
India Tourism
Price Indications
| Economy Room |
USD 30 - 100 |
| Medium Price Room |
USD 100 - 175 |
| Good Quality Room |
USD 175 - 400 |
Source: Lonely Planet
Eating Out
- Categories of Restaurant
-
-
- Most restaurants are specialized according to the type of food they offer
- Continental, Multi Cuisine, Fast Food, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Mediterranean; South Indian, Mughlai, Punjabi.
-
- Bars which can also serve food.
-
- ‘Dhabas’ serve real authentic local food at very low prices. Favorite eating places for low-budget foreign tourists.
- Rules For Eating Out
- Rules vary from one establishment to another, but it is generally common to ask for the bill at your table after the meal.
A ‘tip’ is generally given after the meals; varies between 5-10% of the bill amount.
Price Indications
| Economy Meal |
USD 5 - 8 per person |
| Medium Price Meal |
USD 10 -20 per person |
| Good Quality Meal |
USD 25 -75 per person |
- Food Specialties
-
IEach region in the country has its own cuisine and style of preparation.
Food is broadly categorized into six tastes - sweet, sour, salty, spicy, bitter and astringent. Side dishes and condiments are chutneys, curries, daals and Indian picklesl.
Milk-based desserts and gulab jamuns are popular.
- Drinks
-
Tea (often ready-brewed with milk and sugar unless ‘tray tea" is specified) and coffee are most widely drunk. Butter-milk (called ‘lasi’ in Hindi ) is a popular drink in the Northern parts of the country.
All forms of alcoholic drinks including wine are easily available in the country. Large quantity of beer is produced & consumed within the country.
- Dietary Restrictions
-
The left hand is considered unclean and to use the left hand when eating or receiving food is considered vulgar and unclean.
Hindus consider the cow as sacred and never eat beef. Muslims consider the pig unclean and never eat pork. If they are not on the menu then one would not ask for them for risk of offending the restaurateur.
- Table Manners
-
Wash hands thoroughly before sitting at the table as some Indian foods are primarily eaten by hand.
It is considered unhygienic to use your spoon or fingers to share food from someone else's plate once you have started using your own.
Paying
- Domestic Currency
-
Indian Rupee
- ISO Code
-
INR
- To Obtain Domestic Currency
-
The import of local currency is prohibited. Currency can be changed at banks, airports or authorized money changers.
ATMs are easily accessible and are open 24x7.
- Possible Means of Payment
-
Payment is usually in cash. All major credit cards like American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are also widely accepted.
Traveller cheques are widely accepted and may be changed at banks and larger hotels.
To Find a Cash Machine Where You Need, Use the ATM locator
Speaking
- Official Language
-
Hindi (spoken by more than 50% of the country’s population) and English.
- Other Languages Spoken
-
17 regional languages are recognized by the Constitution of India, which include Bengali, Gujarati, Oriya, Punjabi, Telegu, Kannada, Malayalam and Marathi. Muslims largely speaks Urdu.
- Business Language
-
English
- Getting Some Knowledge
-
- Free Translation Tools
-
Shabdkosh : Hindi-English-Hindi free dictionary (46,000 terms)
Emergency Numbers
| Police |
100 |
| Fire |
101 |
| Ambulance |
102 |
| Railway Enquiry |
131 |
| Telephone assistance in English or Hindi or Regional Language |
197 |
Communications
- Quality of Communications
-
The use of mobile phones and internet is widely developed. Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Public telephones are accessible everywhere.
- Telephone Codes
-
To Make a Call From India, Dial 00
To Make a Call to in India, Dial +91
- Number of Digits of National Telephone Numbers
-
10
+ 0 + 2-4 digits corresponding to regional codes + local city/town numbers.
- Mobile Telephone Standards
-
Both CDMA and GSM
- National Mobile Phone Operators
-
AirTel, Reliance Infoecom, Idea cellular, Vodafone (earlier HUTCH), BSNL/MTNL.
Availability of Internet
- Internet Suffix
-
.in
- National Internet Access Providers
-
BSNL, AirTel, Sify, Tata Internet Services, Reliance, Netcom, Hathway.
- Access in Public Places
-
Internet cafes with Wi-Fi connection facilities spread across the country.
- Access in Hotels
-
Easily accessible from most of the large and medium sized hotels operating across the country.
Learn more about Travel in India on Globaltrade.net, the Directory for International Trade Service Providers.
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Last Updates: May 2012