India Travel Advice
All &Beyond lodges in India are easily accessible by air or by road. Most tourist destinations are on highly frequented routes and are easy to reach. Our travel consultants will create a safari where you are taken care of each step of the way.
Travel in India is relatively safe, although travellers are advised to take basic precautions, such as locking valuables in hotel safes and not carrying large amounts of cash.
Climate
India has four seasons.
Summer: March - May 32°C / 90°F - 40°C / 104°F
Monsoon season (rain): June - September 26°C / 79°F - 32° / 89°F
Post-monsoon season: October - December 16 °C / 60°F - 34°C / 93°F
Winter: January - February 10°C / 50°F - 25°C / 77°F
Currency
- Banking hours at most commercial banks are Monday to Friday from 10h00 to 14h00 and on Saturday from 10h00 to 12h00.
- Most big cities have ATMs and, in some states, you will even find them in some smaller towns. Make sure that you have a four-digit PIN for your card, as the ATM will require it.
- The currency is the rupee, which is made up of 100 paise. Please check with your hotel for daily exchange rates.
- Neither American Express nor Diner’s Club are widely accepted in India. Outside the main centres it is recommended that you have enough Indian money on you for any purchases and for tipping.
Safety
- Lock your money, travellers cheques, passports and precious jewellery in the hotel safe.
- Try not to walk around late at night, particularly in deserted areas or small towns, where everything closes early.
- Avoid travelling on the roads after dark.
- As anywhere else, never leave your suitcases unattended at an airport or train station.
Culture
Please bear in mind that you may have to comply with a dress code if you are visiting temples or other religious places. This may involve covering your head and shoulders, and taking off your shoes, or leaving any leather items outside. Please be sensitive when photographing people. In general, most Indians do not mind, but it is polite to ask for permission. Photography is not allowed at military installations, as well as some railway stations, bridges and airports. If you are using film, bear in mind that this may be difficult to obtain in the national parks and reserves, as well as in the smaller towns and cities. View our Tours.
Visa
Travellers need a valid passport and a visa to travel in India. You cannot apply for your visa on arrival, so please contact your local Indian consulate well ahead of your date of travel. You must arrive in India within six months of the date your visa is issued. See our accomodation in India.
What the Expert Says
- India is a shopper’s paradise, with inexpensive and often very beautiful goods on offer, but watch out for fakes when buying jewellery, leather goods or silk items.
- Be prepared to encounter a large number of beggars and hawkers. Should you want to contribute, consider supporting a local charity rather than handing money out on the street.
- India is a religiously conservative society, so do not dress in anything too revealing, particularly if you are visiting a temple or other religious site.
