(Last updated: 16 Apr 2011)

Visas

Passports and entry visas are required for all foreigners entering India. Tourist and business visas may be obtained from the nearest Indian High Commission or consulate in your country. Any foreign national arriving into India for a period of more than six months is required to register with the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within a period of 14 days of arrival. If the visit is under six months, the registration requirement will be as per the visa condition stamped on the visa issued.

Prior permission is required from the Indian authorities to visit certain parts of the country, particularly in the north-east. In particular, permits are required for Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, parts of Kulu District and Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh, border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, some areas of Uttar Pradesh, parts of Rajasthan adjacent to the international border and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The permit approval process for travel to certain parts of India can take up to two months. Advice on particular requirements should be sought from your travel agent or from the Indian mission in the city closest to you.

Climate

India's climate is tropical monsoon. There are four distinct seasons:

• Winter (January to February)
• Summer (March to May)
• Rainy south-western Monsoon (June to September)
• Post-monsoon (October to December)

For weather details in India, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.

Airports

Information on all airports in India is available at the Airports Authority of India website.

Ground transport

Although there are comprehensive local bus/train networks in most major towns, they are often overcrowded. It is advisable to avoid using public transport.

Taxis/hotel cars are the best mode of transport in most of the towns in India and are inexpensive by Australian standards. Taxis are metered in most major cities, but in some cities, fares are negotiable or have a surcharge. Pre-paid taxis and hiring chauffeur-driven cars are other options available.

To travel around a city it is best to hire a car and driver through the hotel. Hire a taxi for the day (but be precise about the period and negotiate the price) or hire a car and driver direct from car rental companies, like Hertz India, Orix India or Avis India.

India has an extensive network of railways. However, it is more efficient to travel by air as trains are slow by international standards.

Allow extra time when travelling during the peak hours, which are from 8.00am-11.00am and 5.00pm-8.00pm.

Hotels

India has a large number of good five-star hotels, and also cheap, reasonable and affordable hotels. The published rates vary between A$45-A$300. Special discounted rates are offered to diplomatic missions, MNCs, and large corporations.

The publication of Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India lists all the hotels in India along with their contact details and tariffs.

Security and health

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to India. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

The security situation in the north-east remains uncertain. Australian citizens should consider deferring travel to the states in the region (Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur and exercise due caution if travelling in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Mizoram). It is also advisable to avoid travel to the states of Jammu and Kashmir.

Health

A valid yellow fever certificate is mandatory for all persons (including infants) who have been, even in transit, to Africa, South America or Papua New Guinea before coming into India. The certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination.

Many of India's larger cities are highly polluted and travellers with respiratory ailments may wish to take precautionary measures. Eat only freshly cooked food and drink only bottled water.

For detailed information on prevalent diseases and inoculations, travellers should consult their doctor or a travel clinic. Travel and health insurance is strongly recommended for all overseas travel.

Tipping

Tipping 10 per cent is customary in restaurants and hotels in addition to the usual service included in the bill. The taxis and auto-rickshaws charge a fee over and above the metered amount; no tipping beyond the surcharge is required.

Time zones and time differences

India is four-and-a-half hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time.

To find out the current time in New Delhi, view the World Clock.

Dialling codes

India's country code is 91.

For calls to India from Australia dial: 0011 + 91 + area code + telephone number.

For calls from India to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.

For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.

Business hours

Businesses are open from 9.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Most government offices are open five days a week. However, private businesses may follow a five or six-day working week.

Public holidays

April 2 – Good Friday
April 5 – Easter Monday
April 28 – Buddha Purnima
August 15 – Independance Day
September 10-11 – End of Ramadan
October 2 – Mahatma Ghandi's Birthday
October 17 – Dussehra
November 2 – Guru Nanak's Birthday
November 5 – Deepavali
November 16-17 – Feast of the Sacrifice
Devember 7 – Islamic New Year
December 25 – Christmas Day
December 26 – Boxing Day

Currency

Oanda currency converter

Indian monetary system consists of rupees (mostly 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rupee currency notes) and paise (pronounced pay-say), which includes coins of 25 paise, 50 paise, 1 rupee and five rupee denominations.

Electricity and water

India’s power supply is 220 volts, 50Hz 1, 3 phases, generally 2, 3 and 2, 4 wires. The round two-pin plugs are the most common.

Dining

There are a number of restaurants across India that are good and cheap. Each city in India offers certain specialities. It is safe to eat freshly cooked food and to drink only bottled water.