DELHI TRAVEL TIPS

For a new person visiting Delhi, it can be very confusing despite the well laden infrastructure and ease of transportation after the commencement of the Delhi Metro Rail Link. It is important for any traveller visiting Delhi to be aware of its diverse culture and traditions and ensure that they are able to blend well with the locals to avoid any uncomfortable situation for themselves and the others as well.

The climate in Delhi sees a very hot and humid summer season blending into monsoons and autumn that transcends seamlessly to the extreme cold winter season owing to its strategic location that is surrounded by a massive desert on one end and the Himalayan Ranges on the other end. During summers, Delhi can experience a peak temperature of 46 degree C and during winters, it gets very foggy during early morning hours, pleasant towards the afternoon and cold at night.

As a metropolitan city, Delhi is well connected by Air, Road and Rail Link. The main Airport is the newly constructed Indira Gandhi International Airport situated in Palam. The city has numerous Railway links of which the main ones are New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway Station and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station. By Road, Delhi is well connected to nearby places like Jaipur, Agra, Mathura, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Chail, Shimla, Dehradun, Dhanaulti, Haridwar, Jim Corbett National Park, Kasauli, Mussoorie, Nainital, Rishikesh, Solan, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary and may more.

Delhi also offers transportation by local buses (Green Coloured – Non A/C and Red Coloured – A/C), various taxi services that can be hired on call, auto rickshaws and the Delhi Metro Rail making your commuting experience in Delhi easy and comfortable.

Below is the list of important travel tips for tourists visiting Delhi:

• Ensure that your current passport is valid and was issued within the last 12 years. The passport should have been issued when you were either 16 years old or above.
• Before booking any ‘best fare’ offers, ensure to read the fine prints and Terms and conditions carefully. Ask questions to ensure no hidden charges are applicable.
• Always check that your tickets are ‘refundable’ and dates of journey can be changed. It is recommended that you always book an open return ticket which is refundable despite the cost. The reason being is that in case you fall ill or any emergencies occur, a cheaper non-refundable ticket will not serve the purpose. You will need to forfeit your tickets and book another last minute ticket that will definitely cost you triple the amount.
• Always keep a note of all your credit card numbers, respective CVVs, Expiry dates of all your cards, the card type (MasterCard, Visa, Diners, American Express and so forth) and Customer Service numbers in a notepad or diary in case you lose any of your cards during your vacation or stay abroad.
• It is recommended that you inform the customer service department of all your credit cards about your vacation and the places you will be visiting in case they might block your card due to security reasons and misuse.
• Ensure that your diary or pocketbook that contains your personal info and important info is kept safe in your inner pockets.
• Always carry a traveller’s cheque that can be traced in case stolen and a few cash in hand in case of emergencies though it is recommended not to carry too much money as a precaution measure.
• Please do not carry any valuables and jewelleries while travelling. Use inexpensive and artificial jewellery instead.
• Ensure that you wear clothing or a jacket with hidden inner pockets where you can stash your cash safely. Please never keep your purse in the rear or front pockets as these are easy spots for pick pockets.
• Prior vaccination is not required for travelling to India. However, Nationals from designated places in Africa, South America and Papua New Guinea irrespective of whether they are travelling to India or on Transit need to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate else they will be quarantined for six days before they are allowed on their onward journey or to holiday in India.
• Always carry a first-aid kit and registered medication with prescription from an authorised medical centre and Doctor in case of emergencies.
• Always approach the ‘May I Help You’ counter at Airports and Railway Stations for assistance regarding your stay and do not indulge in open talks with touts and frauds outside and around the Railway Stations and Airport area.
• Always book the ‘Pre-paid’ taxi services from the Airport and Railway Stations as these are authorised services provided by the government wherein you need to pay according to your luggage and distance of travel in advance which is calculated as per current service transport rules.
• Never take any advice from the taxi drivers regarding your stay or tour. However, please book your journey in advance and carry a copy of your itinerary for reference purpose along with the customer service number of the Travel and Tour Company from where your Tour was booked and it is advisable to reconfirm your journey itinerary at least a few days before you embark on your travel to India.
• Delhi is filled with numerous ATM networks of all Indian Banks as well as major International banks and hence is advisable to use them while travelling and avoid carrying cash on your person.
• Purchase a Delhi Map and Guide book that will aid in your travel and stay and ensure to book taxis or cabs that are authorised to avoid untoward situations.
• Always ask for the person’s Identity before opening the door of your Hotel room.
• Be conscious of your luggage and other belongings at Airports, railway Stations and Bus Terminals.
• Ensure that you find prior information about the credentials of a company if you are on a business trip to Delhi. Never book your meetings in your Hotel Room but ensure to Book a meeting place in a restaurant or cafes to avoid any unwarranted situation (if any).
• Delhi Nightlife is enjoyable as long as you never travel alone at night especially in less populated areas of Delhi. Try to use the discos and pubs of your respective Hotels.
• Please never indulge in a conversation with unknown people or trust them blindly irrespective whether you are alone, in a group or as a couple vacationing in Delhi or India. Approach a Police Patrol Van for any assistance or to lodge a complaint (if any).
• Female travellers must avoid wearing obscene clothes like short pants, mini-skirts, low cleavage clothing and figure hugging clothes. Stick to the normal T-Shirt, Trousers, Long Skirts and Jeans.
• Ensure that you abide to all the Rules and Guidelines of the Indian Government in order to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable.

Please note the important contact numbers especially for foreign Nationals travelling in Delhi.

Railway Assistance (For Train Reservation and Indrail Passes Only)
International Tourist Bureau
1st floor, New Delhi Railway Station Paharganj side
Timings: 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM

International & Domestic air Ticketing
Delhi Tourism
N-36, Bombay Life Building, Middle Circle, Rajiv Chowk (Connaught Place), New Delhi – 110 001
Timings: 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM

For Extension of Visa
F.R.R.O (The Foreigner’s Regional Registration Office)
Hans Bhawan, Tilak Bridge, New Delhi
Timings: 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Permits for Restricted Areas
Ministry of Home Affairs,
Lok Nayak Bhawan, opp. Khan Market, New Delhi
Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Monday to Friday Only)

Money Exchange (After Banking Hours)
1. State Bank of India, I. G. I. Airport (24 hours)
2. Central Bank of India, Ashok Hotel (24 hours)
3. Delhi Tourism
N-36 Bombay Life Building, Middle Circle, Rajiv Chowk (Connaught Place), New Delhi – 110 001
Timings: 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM (Monday to Saturday)

Prepaid Taxi/Auto Rickshaws
Prepaid Taxi and Auto Rickshaws are available at the Indira Gandhi Domestic and International Airport as well as all the Railway Stations (Please Beware of touts and frauds)

Delhi is a wonderful place to visit and the experience is exhilarating due to its rich ancient and historical presence. It is a city that has always welcomed Tourists and Visitors from across the Globe through the ages and hence is definitely worth a visit.