Dear Friend,
Namaste!
Welcome to India travelers paradise!
We want to make sure that you have a pleasant and enjoyable stay in our country. The below information will help in making your visit a memorable experience.
Safety & Security of Tourists:

• While in India, purchase air/rail/bus tickets through authorised travel agents/tour operators only
• It is advisable to hire transportation of any type from licensed operators only. The approved list of such operators is available on our website www.incredibleindia.org.
• In case of taxis and auto-rickshaws, it is advisable to hire them from the pre-paid booths, wherever available. Otherwise, insist on going by the meter. It is advisable to note the number of the taxi / auto rickshaw.
• It is safe to travel in India. It is, however advisable to take some precautions like avoiding isolated places and going out alone late in the night.
• Please avoid developing familiarity with strangers
• Use public transportation / transportation hired from approved and licensed operators at all places. Do not take / accept lifts from strangers
• Purchase food / drinks from authorised stores / vendors only and avoid accepting food / drinks from strangers or co-passengers
• Do not open your hotel rooms without the safety latch or without first verifying the identity of the person. Avoid entry of strangers into your room.
• Take care of your valuables and belongings.

Clothing

• Travel as light as possible. Clothing and laundry in India are both quite inexpensive.
• Some parts of India are still traditional and conservative. It is therefore advisable to dress appropriately.
• Dress codes for religious places can include covering your head, being barefoot etc. Check with the local tourism office or the concerned authorities.
• Make sure to pack some woollens if you are travelling to North India, in the winter months. It can get cold in the mountains even during summer.
• You may like to carry hats and dark glasses for protection against the sun.

Social Interaction

• Being from a different country, chances are that you might attract some attention, especially in the smaller towns.

Toilets

• It is advisable to use clean toilets available in places such as hotels and restaurants.

Beggars

• Do not encourage them by giving money, etc..

Food And Drink

• Drink only bottled water. Many popular brands are available. In restaurants insist that they bring a sealed bottle to your table.
• It is advisable to eat non-vegetarian food only in good restaurants.
• Good quality vegetarian food is easily available at restaurants and hotels all over the country.

Shopping

• Try to shop only in government handicraft shops, where the prices are fixed and the quality is certified. If that is not an option, check the prices at a few shops before making a choice. Bargaining is acceptable, particularly in markets and smaller shops.
• Insist on your credit card being swiped /imprinted in your presence in case payment is made by Credit. Please obtain a proper receipt for all purchases.

Tipping

• In hotels and restaurants, tips are not normally included in the bill.
• Some hotels includeservice charges on their bills. In such cases tipping is not necessary.
• Tipping of taxidrivers is not customary.

Sightseeing

• Some temples do not permit any leather articles at all on their premises.
• It is advisable to check local customs and traditions with the tourism office or concerned authorities, while visiting religious places.
• Many museums in India are closed on Mondays and Site Museums near archaeological monuments, on Fridays.
• The dry summer heat can drain you completely. Drink lots of water and fluids.
• During summer, remember to use sunscreen and wear sunglasses to screen out harmful rays.
• Photography is not always permissible. At many places it is permitted only at a fee. There is usually a higher fee for using a video camera.
• Smoking is not allowed at public places. All properties of the Indian Railways including trains and railway stations are strictly non smoking zones.
• English is spoken at almost all tourist centres, but you can also hire Government-trained and approved guides who also speak foreign languages.

Others

• Keep extra photocopies of the relevant pages of your passport and photographs. These will be required for permits, filling out forms, etc.
• Taxi and auto-rickshaw fares are liable to change and therefore do not always conform to readings on meters. Ask the taxi / auto rickshaw driver for the latest rate card and pay accordingly.
• Insist on the taxi/auto meter being flagged down in your presence and check the readings regularly to ensure that the fare is correct. In case there are no meters or the meters are dysfunctional, settle on the fare in advance.
• In cities you can change most major foreign currencies and brands of travellers' cheques. Most big cities have ATMs. The ATM network in the country is expanding and in some states, you can find them even in smaller towns.