Country Explorer

Passport, visa and customs
For entry to India, a visa is required. A tourist visa is valid for 6 months. Check that the passport is valid for at least six months after returning from India and that it has at least two blank pages. The passport must not be cracked, missing sides or otherwise broken. Keep a copy of your valuables such as passports and visas in a safe place. Applying for a visa to India is done online. You fill in the application forms and find instructions at: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html. Click on the e-tourist view. Fill in the form and send it online together with the scanned photo and scanned passport.
The Indian government decided on 20 / 8-19 to reduce visa fees. New fees for 1-month e-tourist visas are: July – March 25 USD April – June 10 USD.

Vaccinations and health
Review your basic vaccination protection well in advance of your departure and contact your doctor and / or the nearest vaccination center for consultation (at least one month in advance). When traveling in certain limited parts of India, some form of malaria prophylaxis may be relevant. Do not drink tap water and use bottled water when brushing teeth. Always make sure to bring unopened water bottles into the restaurant and avoid raw vegetables, ice cream and ice cubes. The bacterial culture in India differs a lot from that in Sweden and it can therefore be a good idea to eat lactic acid tablets that strengthen the intestinal flora a few days before departure for preventive purposes. Bring a small “home pharmacy” before the trip and feel free to pack hand alcohol and Resorb, which is an effervescent tablet that helps to restore the mineral balance in case of stomach problems. Check with the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and / or your private insurances that your health insurance coverage is valid in India. Find out if home transport in the event of a more serious illness or accident is included in your insurance. Do not forget to bring your insurance documents. Please inform Phoenix Travel if you have any kind of mobility impairment.

Weather and clothing:
From November to March, northern India usually has comfortable daytime temperatures with cooler evenings and nights. In southern India it is hotter with an average temperature of 25–35 degrees all year round. Bring comfortable shoes or sandals, light cotton clothes and a warm sweater (for cool evenings). When visiting temples, wear clothes that cover the knees and shoulders.

Delhi Climate Table:

Currency and exchange: The
currency in India is the rupees (INR) which is usually available at the exchange offices in Sweden, even though it is not really allowed to bring in Indian rupees to India. When you exchange money in India, you usually get a better rate if you exchange from US dollars, but in New Delhi and Mumbai you can also exchange from euros if you so wish. Save your receipts when exchanging money in India as you have to show your receipts when exchanging your rupees at the airport before returning home. Standard cards such as Visa Card, Master Card, American Express and Diner’s Club are accepted at hotels and in larger stores. ATMs are available to a limited extent in the big cities.

Transport and communications:
All buses during our round trips in India are equipped with air conditioning. Taxiing is usually cheap in the larger cities, but they are not always taxis have taximeters. In rural areas, the mobile network is still poorly developed, but GSM telephones usually work in larger cities. You can also call from “telephone booths” marked STD / ISD. These are a bit ubiquitous because most Indians still do not have a telephone at home. The cost of the call is shown on a display next to the phone, which is why they are fairly easy to use. When the call is over, you pay the staff on site.

Food and drinks:
The colorful Indian cuisine is one of the world’s most popular food traditions. How to combine different types of aromatic spices is crucial in Indian cuisine – especially when preparing curries. In India, curry is not bought as a powder, instead different spices and herbs (about 25 different ingredients) are mixed into specific combinations (masalas). Many of the ingredients are known for their healing properties and vegetarian dishes are common. The food can be served hot or mild, all according to your own wishes. Indian cuisine has an enormous variety and the different regions all have their own proud food traditions. In southern India, rice is the main staple food, but in the northern parts of the country it is also common for different types of flatbread (eg naan bread) to be baked in charcoal-fired clay ovens (tandoor ovens). In such ovens, marinated meat and fish are also grilled to perfection. For dessert, pudding, various kinds of pastries and pancakes are often served. Tea, mineral water and beer are the most common meal drinks.

Shopping gifts:
India is something of a shopping paradise. Here you will find beautiful fabrics, silver crafts, carpets, clothes, leather work, antiques – the list can be made endless. Popular products to take home are, for example, well-made jewelry from Rajasthan in traditional design, cashmere rugs, silk fabrics, tailor-made clothes, tea, spices and handmade paper. Inspect the products carefully and do not forget to bargain.

Other information:
Local time: 4.5 hours before Swedish winter time.
Baggage: It sometimes happens that checked baggage gets lost. Therefore, pack valuables and important medicines with a certificate from your doctor in your hand luggage. Keep track of your belongings, especially at airports and train and bus stations.
Electricity: Usually 230-240 volts, 50 Hz. Feel free to bring a universal adapter.
Wifi: Indian hotels often offer free wifi in the lobby but charge for in-room wifi.
Tips: It is customary to give tips to hotel and restaurant staff. Taxi drivers do not expect any tips.
Languages: In India, a very large number of languages ​​are spoken, such as Hindi and Urdu. However, they usually do well in English, at least in the big cities.