Welcome to India!
In India, you’ll find a fusion of serene spirituality, delectable cuisine and a vibrant jubilance like no other place. Eat, pray and love your way around, with naan a worry in the world. Treat yourself to those creamy curries, attend a tranquil yoga or meditation session and discover temples that will take your breath away.
ATM access
3.5/5 stars – There are plenty of ATMs, though not evenly spread out. You should still be able to find one even in the smaller towns, but try have cash on hand at all times.
Tipping
Many expect it from tourists
Phone and Internet access
Wi-Fi is often free, otherwise signal is patchy
Daily cost
Your daily expenses won’t add up to too much, leaving you more dong for activities and shopping.
Coffee: AU$1.80 (regular cappuccino)
Water: AU$0.30 (330mL bottle)
Beer: AU$5 (pint in a pub)
Food: AU$2.40 (tandoori chicken)
Taxi: AU$9 (Delhi Airport – city centre)
Big Mac: AU$2.30 (the western favourite)
Daily budget
Budget: Around AU$80/day (2x cheap meals, supermarket snacks, a train ticket and entry to Taj Mahal)
Moderate: Around AU$150/day (3x cheap meals, supermarket snacks, a train ticket and a bicycle tour)
Luxury: Around AU$200/day (3x restaurant meals, supermarket snacks and Elephanta caves tour)
Safety rating
3/5 stars – Keep yourself safe abroad by being alert when in public places, especially if travelling alone. Roads can also be a little more chaotic than ours.
Travel Money Trivia
Paper(note)-weight
Old banknotes were shredded and balled together to make paper-weights and coasters.
Fair cash
Small geometric shapes in raised ink are printed on the notes for the visually impaired
Cutting edge coins
The INR 5 coins were once smuggled to Bangladesh to melt into razors.
Multilingual money
Banknotes have the amount printed on them in 17 different languages.
Globe trotting dosh
Zimbabwe added the Indian rupee as a legal tender in 2014.
Let’s talk money
You’re in for a spicy affair of a time in India. With super cheap daily costs, you’ll have plenty of dough to spend on naan. It’s important to remember unless you’re a citizen or permanent resident you can only bring up to INR 25,000 into the country, so you’ll have to get the rest out when you land.
- People will try carrying your bags for tips
- Cash is the most common payment
- Keep small amounts for shopping
- Declare any more than US$5,000 at customs
- Be ready for beggars on the streets
- Perhaps skip the tap water
- You can’t take rupees out of India, so treat yo’self on the last day
Must do
Taj Mahal
It goes without saying that the iconic mausoleum is something not to be missed.
The Himalayas
You can see them from a safe distance or bravely trek the mountain range yourself.
Kanha National Park
Your best chance of seeing the majestic Royal Bengal Tigers in their natural habitat.
Meditation and yoga
Heal your mind, body and spirit in the country which invented the practices.
Camel ride in the Thar Dessert
Immerse yourself in the Indian desert to experience something unforgettable.