Travel Information for Tourist

General Tips

CREDIT CARDS
Credit cards are widely accepted in India, particularly Diners Club, MasterCard, American Express and Visa are honored at all major/small restaurants, shopping malls, hotels, stores etc. With American Express, MasterCard or Visa cards you can use your card to obtain cash in rupees.

TIME
India is 5 1/2 hours ahead of GMT/UTC, 4 1/2 hours behind Australian
Eastern Standard Time and 10 1/2 hours ahead of American Eastern Standard Time. It is officially known as IST, Indian Standard Time and is consistent throughout the country.

HEALTH TIPS
• Prefer to drink bottled mineral water only manufactured by reputed companies.
• Prefer food that is boiled, cooked or fried than anything cold or raw.
• Carry a mosquito/insect repellent wherever you go to avoid diseases like malaria.
• Always carry a kit of the basic emergency medicines you might need for diarrhoea, fever, etc.
• Use a sunscreen at all times to prevent sunburn.
• Initially, at least, avoid excessive alcohol and strenuous activity.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THEFT
It is always wise to protect and keep an eye on your luggage, valuables and other essentials. Never leave your passport, tickets, health certificates, money, travellers' cheques etc lying around in your hotel room or elsewhere.
For emergency keep some cash and cheque numbers, passport number, proof of purchase slips etc in some other separate place.

RAILWAYS
Classes
The Indian Railways have 8 Classes of accommodation available. They are as under :- Ist Class AC Sleeper Car, AC 2 Tier Sleeper Car, AC 3 Tier Sleeper Car, AC Chair Car, First Class Ordinary, Sleeper Class Ordinary, Chair Car Ordinary and General Class Ordinary.

Reservation System
The Computerised reservation system of the Indian Railways today covers 92% of the reservation requirement on IR. The Computerised system is available at 270 + locations across the country including places such as Srinagar, Port Blair, Shillong and Panjim which do not have a direct rail link. The facility is available at multiple locations in all metros and most big towns. Master and Visa Credit Cards are accepted in most locations.

DOCUMENTS
• You must have a passport and must carry it with you all the time.
• A health certificate
• Student cards (if applicable)
• International driving permit - Should you get an opportunity to drive in India, an international driving permit would come in handy. It is issued from your local nation's motoring authority.