| India |
Facts for the Visitor
Visas (costs in Nepali Rupee(NPR) because we applied in Kathmandu)| US citizen: | 15-day
transit: 2350 NPR (US$31.70), issued in 1 day. 6-month tourist: 4600 NPR + 300 NPR telex charge (US$64), takes 1 week. |
| Japanese citizen: | 15-day
transit: 100 NPR (US$1.30), issued in 1 day. 6-month tourist: 3050 NPR + 300 NPR telex charge (US$43.80), takes 1 week. |
| English is sufficient for any activity in India. |
| Cash machines connected to the Plus, Cirrus, and Maestro international networks are in Delhi, Jaipur, and probably other capital cities of each Indian state. There are none in other major cities like Varanasi and Agra. If no ATM exists, some banks can charge a credit card and provide the equivalent amount of Indian Rupees for a 1% commission. |
| US$ 1 = 47.945 INR (Indian Rupees) on December 7, 2001. |
| 230~240V, 50Hz. Plugs have 3 round pins that are slightly thicker than those in mainland Europe, but the 2-round pin European plug will fit in outlets. |
| International Certificates of Vaccination are not required. |
| More expensive places automatically add a 10% service charge on the bill. Tipping is optional and hardly expected at inexpensive places. |
| Pay-per-use telephone offices (PCO) are easily found everywhere. |
| All major cities (population of 1 million or more) have Internet points. Connection speeds are up to 28.8kbps. Standard rates are between 20~60 INR per hour. |
| Daily trains and buses go everywhere. Trains are the better value but reserved seats can sell out days in advance. Buses, even the express tourist buses, are filthy and stop regularly to pick up as many local passengers as can be squeezed into the driver's cabin and isle. It's best to wear dirty clothes on the day of bus travel. |
Copyright © 2000-2002 Wes and Masami Heiser. All rights reserved.