Health
Please consult your physician regarding health precautions for visiting India. If you are from or have recently visited Africa, South America or an area infected with yellow fever, proof of vaccination is required within five days of arrival in India.
Click here for a map of the yellow fever endemic zones.
Drinking bottled water at all times is strongly recommended. Avoid eating uncooked food like salads at any location outside the Congress. Tea or coffee (including street food stalls) is safe, only if it is piping hot!
Electricity
The voltage in India is 230 volts. You will require a voltage converter if you are carrying a device that does not work on 230 Volts. Wall sockets accommodate plugs with two or three round pins. Should you wish to use appliances of 110 volts, most hotels will provide adaptors on request but it is better to carry your own for convenience. Most laptops have adaptors that accept 110-240 volts, but will still need plugs of the type shown below.
See http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/d/
Local Time
Indian Standard Time (IST) is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of GMT. During the Congress, IST is 4 hours 30 minutes ahead of London, 3 hours 30 minutes ahead of Paris, 9 hours 30 minutes ahead of New York and 2 hours 30 minutes behind Singapore. We do not change time during summer. All of India has just one time zone.
Smoking
All public areas are non-smoking except for specified smoking zones.
Alcohol
Liquor bought at shops is 50% cheaper than the same served in a restaurant or hotel.
As a result of current legislation in Telangana, it is illegal to serve alcohol in public places after 10.30 p.m. Therefore, kindly note that no alcohol will be available at any bar (including those in hotels) after this cut-off time. Individuals, who wish to partake of alcoholic beverages after such time, may only do so via room service within hotels.
Insurance and Liability
The organizers do not take responsibility for any individual, medical, travel or personal insurance. Participants are advised to secure their own insurance policies before departure from their countries, as required.
While every attempt is made to ensure efficient, trouble-free hospitality, including hotel accommodation, sightseeing and tours, participants are advised that no liability accrues to the organizers in the event of any necessary modifications, including change in itineraries for tours due to delays or cancellations of flights/other exigencies beyond the organizers’ control.
Security
Your security is paramount and all venues in the city give due importance to it. Please expect your bags to be checked / subjected to luggage scanners in airports, hotels, shopping malls and stores. The security personal may frisk you too, but then it is in your own interest and requires compliance.
Tips
Tips are normally 10% of the bill at restaurants, but tip less if the bill includes a service charge. This is different from a service tax levied by the government. One is not expected to tip taxi drivers. But if you have hired a cab/taxi for a long period, then it is only goodwill to tip the driver a small amount. Even if it isn’t much, a tip is valued and will be accepted graciously.
Phone Calls
India has both GSM and CDMA (WLL) mobile systems. Please contact your mobile service provider prior to travel, to ascertain their roaming partners and tariffs in India. In case you plan on making many local calls in India from your mobile phone, your service provider may be able to give you an Indian SIM card. This would save international roaming charges.
The country code for India is 91
The area or STD code for Hyderabad is 40
Dialling to India
To an Indian landline:
International access code 00 or +, then 91, then the area code followed by the landline number.
To an Indian mobile:
International access code 00 or +, then 91 followed by the 10-digit mobile number
Dialling within India
- From Indian landline to Indian landline:
Local call: Just the landline number.
Long distance call: 0, then the area code followed by landline number. - From Indian landline to Indian mobile:
Local or long distance call: 0, then the 10 digit mobile number - From Indian mobile to Indian landline:
Local or long distance call: 0, then the area code, followed by the landline number. - From Indian mobile to Indian mobile:
Local or long distance call: Just the 10 digit mobile number.
Dialling from India
The international access code when dialling from India is 00 or + when dialling from a mobile phone.
Getting Around
Radio Taxis: These services operate modern fleets with reliable drivers and government approved tariffs. Available on prior booking, they are clean, air-conditioned, equipped with tamper-proof meters and GPS -monitored, making them safe for tourists. If booking by mobile phone, you will receive an SMS with the driver’s name, mobile number and car number 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Since charges vary with distance, the estimated fare can be clarified with a customer care executive prior to travel. 25% night surcharge on the total fare is applicable between midnight and 5 AM.
Ola Cabs 91 40 3355 3355
Easy Cabs 91 40 4343 4343
Meru Cabs 91 40 4422 4422
Uber Cabs 91 40 39563956
It is recommended to download the App for booking cabs.
Private Taxis: Hotel front desks will usually arrange reliable taxis but will require advance notice in order to do so. Taxis are willing to wait at intermediate stops for a nominal charge. It is best to elaborate on the places you wish to visit, the total time you wish to spend sight seeing and the total number of passengers. A taxi can then be booked for a fixed rate.
Auto Rickshaws: Three-wheeled auto rickshaws or autos are a convenient way to travel within the city. They cost half the fare of a taxi, but are more expensive than taking a bus. Usually autos are metered, but it is good to fix the fare as they literally take you for a ride. The ubiquitous three-wheelers can be found clustered together at auto stands around the city. Hailing an auto is simply done by flagging down an empty one as it whizzes merrily past.
Language
Telugu is the lingua franca of Telangana. English and Hindi are also spoken here.
Currency
The rupee is the official currency of India. INR are available in paper denominations of 10, 50, 100, 500 and 2000.
INR are also available as coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5 and 10.
Money Exchange
Upon arrival in India, foreign currencies can be converted into rupees at foreign exchange counters at airports. These booths are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Currency can also be converted at front desks of star-rated hotels.
Please ensure that you receive a certificate of exchange which will be required for the re-conversion of any unused currency. It is illegal to exchange foreign currency other than through authorised money changers or banks. The current rate of exchange can be found at www.xe.com
Traveller’s cheques may not be accepted at all banks or hotels.
Banks
Banking hours are usually from 10:00 to 16:00 hrs Monday through Friday, but only until 14:00 hrs on Saturdays. Banks are closed on Sundays and public holidays
Credit Cards / ATMs
24hr ATMs dot the city of Hyderabad. Although these machines are linked to a specific bank, all major credit and debit cards, both domestic and international, are likely to work. Kindly note that certain credit cards may not be accepted and that exchange transaction fee may be charged.
International credit cards are widely accepted at hotels and shopping establishments. However, you are advised to carry local currency for taxis and street purchases.
Stay Safe!
- Keep your passport, money and credit cards safe at all times. Always carry some cash as smaller establishments may not accept credit /debit cards
- Beware of pickpockets in public places
- It is advisable to avoid street food
- Drink only bottled water and check that the seal is intact before consumption
- Avoid raw vegetables, uncooked seafood and peeled fruit outside the venue
- Do not leave your belongings unattended
- If travelling alone by taxi, it is advisable to always have the GPS navigation support on for safety purposes
- It is advisable never take lifts from strangers when travelling within the city
- Always hire a taxi with the meter on and do not allow strangers to share it with you