India Local Customs - Travel Advice

TRAVEL ADVICE

Visa Requirements

To enter India all travelers require a passport valid for at least 180 days and at least..

Travel Health

Recommended vaccinations for travel to India are Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Malaria..

Local Currency

The official currency for India is the Rupee. Notes are in denominations of Rs1,000, 500..

Weather

The weather is hot throughout the year in India with variations in each region. The..

Local Customs

The people of India are friendly and helpful and are generally happy to assist tourists..

Languages

The main language in India is Hindi with about 40% of the population speaking it. English..

Transport Options

The International Airports for India are: Chjatrapati Shivaji International Airport in..

Travel Tips

Major airports, train stations, popular restaurants and tourist sites are common areas..

Local Food

India offers a wonderful range of culinary diversity. There are varying degrees of spices..

Local Timezones

India Standard Time is 5.5 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+5.5). India does not..

Dutyfree Limits

The following goods may be imported into India without incurring customs duty: 200..

Local Customs

The people of India are friendly and helpful and are generally happy to assist tourists and answer any questions. There is no need to tip taxi drivers however airport, hotel and train station porters should be tipped around Rs20 per bag. A tip of approximately 5-10% is acceptable in restaurants however this is not mandatory.

The main religion in India is Hindu with 82% of the population being followers. Other religions include Muslim (around 12%), Sikh, Christian, Jain, Parsi and Buddhist.

When traveling through India visitors should be aware and respectful of the country’s customs. When visiting temples and mosques you should dress appropriately by covering your head, removing shoes and dressing conservatively. In general Indians eat with their hands and it is important to serve with your left hand and only use your right hand to eat with. Most restaurants provide cutlery. It is considered rude in India to wink, whistle, or point with your fingers, as well as touching someone's ears.

When having conversations with Indians be aware that Pakistan is a sensitive subject that most Indian’s have a very strong view on particularly about the politics. You should also avoid topics about religious beliefs.