All important monuments in India are guarded by security agencies, and you may not be allowed to carry your backpacks, cameras and other audio video equipment including cell phones inside.
There are manned counters provided at all such places, where you can deposit these, for which you’re given a token. Keep this carefully as it will identify you as the rightful owner of your belongings
You may also leave your backpacks in the tourist coach, as these are generally locked once empty, or even at your hotel, unless it’s a very low budget place.
Do not attempt to carry cameras, pen cameras or anything inside, as security is strictly enforced. You are however, allowed to photograph the monuments from outside. There are professional photographers around, but you shouldn't need them.
If you need someone to take your pictures, approach other tourists like you. And unless you can run really fast, dont hand over your equipment to strangers.
The best place for your passports and travel documents is always your trouser pocket or handbag.
At some places, like the Taj Mahal at Agra and temples, you are required to leave your footwear outside. Again, there are facilities for depositing them, usually for a small fee.
Select a hotel as close to the main road as possible. It's a little more expensive but they're better and safer and where you choose to stay will decide how safe you are. Never attempt to save a few pennies here.
The check out time for most hotels in India is 12 noon, though some do offer 24 hour check out facility. Unless you can’t avoid it, try to retain the room till its time to head to the airport or railway station.
If you’re unwell or suffer from a mild headache, you may need to get back for some rest, and finding another place can be cumbersome and expensive. There are no good public facilities in India, and once you check out, you’re out on the streets, quite literally so.
Some tourists check out in the morning, even though they’re booked on a night flight. Most hotels will accommodate you a little longer if rooms are available, for a small extra and this is advised, as it’s always better to check out from your hotel directly to the airport or station
When you use your hotels restaurant, always make it a habit to pay upfront. Never tell them to add everything to your hotel bill. While Indian cuisine can be an unforgettable experience, names often aren't. Can you remember the veg makkanwalla, rogan josh or paneer palak you were served last night? Ditto for other paid facilities like telephone, internet, pubs, laundry etc.
Another reason being, at the time of check out, you may not have enough time to run through the bill in detail. The lesser you leave to the imagination, the better.
While shopping and paying for services you may use on a regular basis, like cab fare, travel agents fees, sightseeing charges, porters and other sundry expenses, avoid the tendency to convert everything into your currency. If you do that you may assume India to be a very cheap country. And you’re wrong.
The cost of living in cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore is among the highest in the world. Real estate prices in prime areas of Mumbai, India’s commercial capital, both residential and commercial, have been compared to Manhattan in New York.
India is not cheap anymore. Its just that your dollar goes a little further here, but remember – its still a dollar in your own country, so be careful and spend wisely.
Except for train/ bus fare, utility bills and essential items of grocery, almost everything else in India is perfectly negotiable. While shopping, one third of the quoted price is usually a nice place to begin.
Private airlines offer discounts, or if you know how to ask, they’ll create one for you. Try telling them of another airline offering lower fares, and they’ll tell you about the offer they forgot to mention, or the memo that just came in from the head office.
And yes, please don’t bring any electronic items like cameras and watches, hoping to sell them here for a profit. That was a bygone era. All brands worth their name from Sony and Canon to Tag heuer, Gucci and Rolls Royce are available in India, and you could end up making a distress sale, for much less than you bought them for.
Vaccinations - Consult your doctor who will be in the best position to advise you based on your requirement and medical history. Do not rely on website information and please do not self medicate.
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