Do and Don’ts

We at Fantastico India are always pleased to walk that extra mile to help our visitors to India enjoy their travels with us. So, we have compiled a brief guide that helps you understand some of the basics here in India.

1. Never buy travel tickets or book any kind of transportation with unauthorised dealers or touts.
2. Remember to carry all travel documents with you when you start your journey and update all important telephone numbers and carry them with you, in case you need to call home.
3. If you are on prescription medication, please ensure you have adequate supply of both prescription/s and pills for the entire duration of your India tour and perhaps a little extra to cover unforeseen delay periods during travel etc. Do remember to carry a doctor’s certificate along with you to avoid possible problems with any customs checking procedures in India.
4. It is easy to be tempted by the fascinating array of spices and dishes in India, but proceed with caution if you are a first-time visitor to avoid stomach upsets and make sure that you travel with a recognised medicine to deal with such eventualities. (Your pharmacist at home will be able to advise you).
5. If travelling to out-of-the-way places, make sure you ask for an interpreter (we, at Fantastico India can arrange this for you). Playing “Lone Ranger” in a strange country can expose you to all sorts of scams and crimes!
6. Mineral water is your best companion when travelling as tap water is not safe to drink in India. Make sure that you also clean your teeth in mineral water and avoid ice in drinks, as it may not be made from clean water.
7. If you wish to make changes to domestic tickets in India (flight or rail reservations), do seek the advice of your tried and trusted travel agent.
8. All foreign nationals can use credit cards or Traveller’s Cheques to settle their bills in India, but since demonitisation in November 2016, certain notes have been removed from the Indian economy including the old 500 and 1,000 Rupee notes. So, do change your money at a recognised dealer to avoid being handed these notes, which are no longer legal tender.
9. Please remember that banks in India are open from Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 12.00 (although some function after lunch). There are also numerous holidays when the banks remain shut, so please make arrangements for bank transactions keeping these business hours in mind. There are also ATM’s throughout India, where you can withdraw cash.
10. Pack smart, travel light and take note of local weather conditions, culture and etiquette. India can be hot, wet and humid, so you are well advised to travel with a hat, sunglasses and sun cream. Shorts are not permitted in many of the temples and shoes may have to be removed, but this is all part of the Indian tradition, so be prepared.