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2. Currency
What is the currency and current exchange rate? What is the best way to pay for purchases in India? Are there ATMs? The currency in India is the rupee. The exchange rate varies; it is currently 60 rupees to a dollar. Dollars are accepted everywhere. In reputable shops you can pay by credit card. You can also pay in cash, of course (dollars or rupees). You should keep some cash with you in case you want to buy anything on the street. There are ATMs in India but not with the same frequency or accessibility as in the U.S
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3. Electricity
What is the voltage? Should I bring a transformer or plug adapter? The voltage in India 220v, so bring an adapter plug (e106, Europe/Asia) and/or transformer. The hotels will often supply adapters if necessary
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4. Phone and Internet Service
Can I use my cell phone in India? Do the hotels have WiFi? You can bring your cell phone, but please check your plan with your phone company for international rates. It is complicated to get a local SIM card due to security reasons, but the hotels can help guests in that regard. If you have a Smartphone, you can download WhatsApp, which allows free texts and calls to anyone who also has WhatsApp from an area where WiFi is available. All the hotels have WiFi; The Taj hotels have free WiFi but the other hotels charge a fee.
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5. Language
What languages are spoken? Can I get by with English? English is widely spoken. Hindi is the official language but there are 18 major languages and 544 dialects.
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6. Food and Drink
Where will we be eating? How safe is the food? We will be eating in purely vegetarian restaurants; no non-kosher food will be served there. Breakfasts are at the hotel buffets. There will be two kosher meat meals in Mumbai. All the restaurants are top quality in terms of cleanliness and hygiene. We will provide you with bottled water in the restaurants and on the bus.
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7. Medical Precautions
What immunization should I have? What medications should I bring? Please discuss vaccines and medications with your doctor. There are no required vaccines, but please make sure that all your regular vaccines are up-to-date. Below is a link to Health Information for Travelers to India from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/india.
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8. Domestic Flights
What is the baggage allowance on domestic flights? The baggage allowance on domestic flights is 15 kg (33 lbs); hand bag allowance is 7kg (15 lbs.) Since the international weight allowance is usually 50 lbs, if you have extra baggage weight the charge is $5 per kg (about 2.3 lbs). Please try not to exceed this baggage limit.
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9. Time
What is the time difference between the US and India? The time difference between India and NY (EST) in winter is 10 ½ hours.
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10. Visa
How and when do I apply for a visa? Last year the Indian government instituted a new visa process that allows you to apply for your visa online and obtain it at the airport in India. You can apply up to four days but no more than 30 days before your arrival date in India. The system is working very well. The process is otherwise rather arduous. The link is:
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html |
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