Travel Guides: All Countries / Asia / India / Delhi
 |  | Fact File : Delhi |
|
| | | Delhi | | Did you know?
The last British Viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten, employed 50 boys to chase birds off the grounds of his New Delhi residency.
Language
Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and English
Visas
A six-month multiple entry tourist visa costs £30 at time of writing.
Getting there
Fly direct to Delhi
Flying time from London
Eight hours
Getting around
From Indira Gandhi Airport take the EATS bus to Connaught Place - or by taxi, get an accredited pre-paid one. Only use black and yellow metered cabs - eight hours hire should be around Rs750. Buses during rush hours are overcrowded but at other times can be useful, however only use DTC services, as the new privatised buses are often not roadworthy. In the old city, a pedal rickshaw is the only way to travel.
Currency
Rupee (Rs) divided into 100 paisa. Torn notes are not legal currency so don't accept damaged ones.
Costs
Bottle of beer 70-80p; roll of camera film £1.25; moderate restaurant meal 60p; litre of petrol 25p; four-mile taxi ride 20p. Prices do vary considerably.
Weather
Generally three seasons: hot, wet and cool. Delhi starts to warm up in February and can be in the high 40Cs (over 110F), and bone-dry, by May. Then comes monsoon season - hot, wet and humid. Around October comes the cool, from 20C-30C(68F-86F), dropping to as low as 8C in December and January.
Time difference
Five and a half hours ahead of GMT.
International dialling code from the UK
0091 11
Voltage
230-240V AC, 50 Hz. Expect power cuts due to demand.
Opening hours
Official business hours are 9:30am-5:30pm, unofficially 10am-5pm, but banks close by 2pm and travellers cheque transactions usually cease 30 minutes before closing. Licensing hours are from 11am-3pm and 5-11pm, unless you're also eating.
Health - Before you go
Take medical advice two months before you travel. Immunisations to consider include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, cholera and yellow fever. Make sure tetanus and polio jabs are up to date, and malaria is a risk in certain areas. Have adequate health insurance to cover emergency costs, and take a medical kit including syringes.
Health - When you are there
Diarrhoea is common but need not be serious. Replenish lost fluids, drink bottled water, avoid ice and ice cream, and try to eat only cooked or peeled fruit and vegetables. The embassy or any five-star hotel can recommend a doctor or clinic. If having a shot make sure you see the syringe being unwrapped or take your own. Aids is prevalent in India so take all the usual precautions.
Warnings
Delhi-ites are city slickers, with many scams to rip off tourists. Steer clear of the dozen or so "tourist information centres" across the road from New Delhi railway station - they're travel agents in disguise. Theft is common for residents and tourists alike. Women should dress appropriately in Muslim areas; elsewhere get used to being stared at but don't return stares - it will be taken as a come-on, as will protracted conversations.
Emergency
Police, Tel 100. The British Embassy, 50 Shantipath, Chanakyapuri. Tel: 687 2161; fax 687 2882
Customs
For religious reasons, do not touch local people on the head and never direct the soles of your feet at a person, religious shrine, or image of a deity. When eating without knife and fork, only your right hand should touch food. There are many Hindu and Muslim celebrations during the year - check to see if any fall during your stay and what they involve.
Pets
Pets returning from India will have to spend six months in quarantine, as the country is not part of the Passports for Pets scheme.
Tipping
In tourist restaurants or hotels a 10% tip is normal, elsewhere only a few rupees. Don't tip taxis but remember that if you are going to be using something/someone's services regularly an initial tip "baksheesh" will ensure standards are kept up.
Tourist office
Government of India Tourist Office, 7 Cork Street, London W1S 3LH. Tel. 020 7437 3677. 24-hour brochure line: 01233 211999.
|
|
|
|
|
| | Available rental properties in Delhi |
|
|
|
|
