Hotel Classic Tips for Travelers

Tips for Travelers

Temperature
Delhi is situated on the banks of river Yamuna in the northern part of India. Once a part of the Aravalies, today Delhi has only the Ridge area to tell the story of the greenery this place once had. Himalayas are in the North of Delhi.

The capital of India is a land locked city. The distance from the sea gives Delhi an extreme type of continental climate. The summers in Delhi are very hot and winters very cold. The temperature range varies from 45 degrees in summers to 4 degrees in winters. The winters are marked by mist and fog in the mornings and often sun is seen in the afternoons. The cold wave from the Himalayan region makes winters very chilly. In summers the heat wave is immense and adequate precaution has to be taken before going out in the hot summer afternoons.

The best season to visit Delhi is during the spring seasons of February to April and August to November. The bloom season of February and March make Delhi colorful. This time of the year brings greenery on the face of Delhi.

Railways
The Indian Railways system is the largest in Asia and the second largest it the world among systems under a single management. Daily, ore than 11 million people - or more than 1.4 percent of India's population - board the trains.

Everybody more than 1 million tonnes of freight traffic are lifted by Indian Railways.

Nearly 11,000 trains crisis-cross about 62,500 kilometers of rail route, connecting 7,084 railway stations scattered over the far-flung parts of the vast country.

Indrail Pass
Indian Railways have introduced the facility of Indrail Passes which offer all budget visitors the facility to travel as they like over the entire Indian railway system without any route restriction and within the period of validity of he ticket. Indrail passes are sold only to foreign nationals and Indians residing abroad holding valid passports. Payment is accepted only in US Dollars and Pound Sterling. A tourist traveling on Indrail pass is exempt from paying reservation fees, sleeper charges and extra supplementary charges for traveling by super fast trains which are otherwise chargeable in the case of ordinary tickets.
www.indianrail.gov.in

Airlines

Indian Airlines
Ranked as the world's second largest domestic IATA airlines outside USA, Indian Airlines commands a large and modern fleet of A300, A320 and B737 aircraft.

Indian Airlines (IC) network, spanning the country's 3,000 km from Leh in the north to Thiruvananthapuram in the south, and about the same from east to west, covers all important places of tourist interest linking 55 cities in India and 17 in fourteen neighboring countries : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Also included is Kuwait and Kuala Lumpur.

Private Airlines
Jet Airways and Sahara Airlines are two major private carriers. They operate metro routes, tourist circuits and also offer special fares to discover India. Smaller airlines like Archana and Jagsons in the north and Gujarat Airways in the west provided feeder services to smaller towns. Jet and Sahara have either their own offices or representative offices in major countries abroad.

Currency Regulation
There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or travelers' cheques a tourist may bring into India provided he makes a declaration in the Currency Declaration Form given to him on arrival. This will enable him not only to exchange the currency brought in but also to take the unspent currency out of India on departure. Cash, bank notes and travelers' cheques up to U.S.$10,000 or equivalent need not be declared at the time of entry.

Any money in form of travelers' cheque, draft, bills, cheques, etc. in convertible currencies which tourists wish to convert into Indian currency should be exchanged only through authorized money changers and banks who will issue an encashment certificate. This certificate is required at the time of re-conversion of any unspent money into foreign currency. Tourists are warned that changing money through unauthorized persons is not only illegal but also an offence under Foreign Exchange Regulations Act 1973.It also involves the risk of receiving counterfeit currency.
Currency Converter

General Tips for Travellers

Besides the originals, a copy of your passport, travel visas, airline tickets and travel documents. A list of any charge or credit cards you are carrying. Remember to keep the copies separate from the originals.
An International Driving Licence, which can be obtained through the automobile association. Even if you are not planning to drive, bring your driver's licence with photo for identification.
Consider purchasing special international health insurance and medical evaluation plan programmes.
Avoid drinking water from an unknown source. When in doubt ask for "Bisleri, Kinley, Aqua Fina, Himalaya, etc" mineral water(check the seal). As a further precaution bring water purifying tablets.
As in any location, there are those who steal from others, so follow the same rules of safety that you follow traveling anywhere else with respect to using hotel lock boxes, and keeping travel documents safe. When in public places, keep them in your hotel, or with you all the time when moving about.
Men: Don't carry a traditional wallet with you, the kind you put in your pocket (front or back).
Women: Avoid keeping valuables in a purse, which can be easily snatched off your shoulder.
Consider using an "interior wallet", the kind that is either fastened around your neck, draped from a belt loop or worn, with a velcro fastener, around the calf or ankle. All three kinds are concealed underneath clothing.
Taxis (cabs)/Auto Rickshaw (3 wheeler) are available from all hotels, and you negotiate the rate before commencing your journey. Use only authorised, properly identified taxis and buses. Avoid taxis that pick up additional passengers. Don't accept an offer to share a taxi to your hotel unless you know the individual.
Be wary of imposter porters or guides. Assure they are properly uniformed or identified. Never leave your luggage, briefcase or other items unattended.
Train Journey: The image of the Indian Railways is rated poor with common complaints being making reservations is difficult or that the signage is only in Hindi. But the screaming need is for cleaning up the place or that it is just too dirty for comfort. Avoid traveling in the Second Class.
The voltage used is 220 volts (the U.S. uses 120 volts). You can purchase a converter at most hardware stores for appliances that do not switch to 220V.
There are some areas in India where malaria is still prevalent. Prior to your departure, get a prescription from your doctor for some anti malarial tablets.
Pharmacies or chemists are available in every little town and village and you can buy medication. In case you need to see a doctor for a specific condition, ask for help from your hotel (most have doctors on call) or your tour operator. The cost of visiting a doctor is fairly low(less than a dollar) compared to western countries.
Do remember to bring some insect repellent, mosquito coils or even an electronic repellent. Mosquitoes in India can be fierce.
Avoid foods which have been laid out in the open, avoid sweets and candies from local markets.
Wash fruits before eating them.
Do carry sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.
Always respect religious shrines and places of worship, Some places require visitors to observe a decent dress code. Take care not to violate any taboos in a mosque or a temple.
Change currency only from official moneychangers. Remember to retain the currency Exchange receipts after each transaction. You will need them for re-exchange on departure.
Tipping is a matter of personal discretion. Although bills normally include a service charge, it is customary to tip in restaurants and other places that cater to tourists.
Photography is prohibited in places of military importance, railway stations, bridges, airports and military installations.
If ever you land in trouble, contact your Embassy and nearest Police Station.