Counted amongst the major tourist destinations, Delhi is the capital of India. The bustling city is quite synonymous to versatility as there is hardly anything that one cannot find in Delhi. It can be best described as a fusion of ancient and modern, which is evident in Old Delhi and New Delhi respectively. The city is well-suited for all types of tourists, irrespective of age and interests. Delhi has several historical monuments, which boast of the rich heritage of the country. Delhi represents a conglomerate of different cultures, each of which has something unique to delight tourists. Shopaholics and food junkies can also have a fair share of amusement in Delhi. In all, the capital city provides tourists with a one-of-its-kind experience.
Here is all the tourist information that you may need about Delhi.
Explore & Travel Delhi
Delhi Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
- #BEST TIME TO VISIT
- #CLOTHES
- #DOMESTIC FLIGHTS
- #ELECTRICITY
- #FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
- #FOOD
- #GENERAL
- #GUIDES
- #HEALTH, WELLNESS AND HOSPITALS
- #HOTELS
- #INSURANCE
- #LANGUAGE
- #MONEY AND CREDIT CARDS
- #MONUMENTS
- #MOVING AROUND
- #NIGHT LIFE
- #PHOTOGRAPHY
- #RELIGIOUS PLACES
- #SAFETY
- #SHOPPING
- #TELEPHONE AND MOBILE/SIM CARDS
- #THINGS TO DO
- #TIPPING
- #VACCINATIONS
- #VISA
- #WATER AND DRINKS
- #WEATHER
BEST TIME TO VISIT
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Q.Which is the best time to visit Delhi?A.October and November or February and March are considered the ideal months to visit Delhi. The temperature ranges from 20 to 25 degrees in these months.
CLOTHES
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Q.Which type of clothes should we carry while travelling to Delhi?A.Pack light clothing with an eye on heat if you are travelling in the summer months. Bring a scarf and long sleeved sweaters to beat the winters.
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Q.Suggest the type of clothing one should carry while visiting religious places in Delhi?A.Certain religious places follow dress codes; anything traditional such as long tops/kurtis with stoles and t-shirts & trousers for men serves good.
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS
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Q.How much baggage is allowed in the domestic flights?A.Generally, the cabin baggage allowance in Economy Class is 15 kg and carry-on hand baggage is 7 kg. Refer to the airlines guideline for more.
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Q.Is it safe to travel by domestic flights and are the airfares expensive?A.Delhi is one of the international tourist hubs and the airlines follow the safety protocols. The prices are lower during off seasons and promotional offers are common for special days.
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Q.Are the domestic airlines safe and on time?A.Delhi being an international transit, most of the domestic flights are fairly punctual.
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Q.Do the domestic airlines offer meals or snacks?A.Most of the domestic airlines are budget carriers. So, it is better to pre book your meal.
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Q.How early should I reach the airport counter?A.The check-in counters close 45 minutes prior to departure. Mostly all airlines have web check-in facility. Find out more from the respective airline.
ELECTRICITY
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Q.Is the electricity 110 v or 220 v and which type of power points/plugs/sockets are used in Delhi?A.Carrying a universal travel adapter is always useful. Check the label; if it reads "125/250V | 50/60Hz", it can be used all across. Power plugs and sockets are of type C, D and M in India.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
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Q.Which are the fairs & festivals in Delhi?A.October celebrates Dusshera, closely followed by Diwali. Lohri in January is an age-old celebration. World Book Fair at Pragati Maidan is very famous. Republic Day, Holi, Phoolwalon-ki-Sair are also popular.
FOOD
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Q.I have specific dietary requirements. Will you be able to cater to my needs?A.Yes. Please mention your requirements to our representative.
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Q.Can we eat raw food fruit or vegetables in the streets of Delhi?A.Yes. Fruits and vegetables are readily available. For particular raw food, you can look for the multi-cuisine restaurants.
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Q.Is the food spicy in Delhi?A.From street foods to the restaurants, you can thoroughly enjoy the real taste of India. For specific choices, look out for restaurants near you.
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Q.Is vegetarian food or vegan food available in Delhi?A.Yes. However, you have to look for the particular vegetarian or vegan restaurants.
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Q.Is meat or fish available in Delhi?A.You will get a whole lot of variety in meat and fish. Delhi is loved place for all foodies and you can taste cuisines from all over India.
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Q.Is Kosher food available in Delhi?A.Yes. There are a lot of Jewish people living in Delhi. Jew tourists also come here. You can find the kosher food in select restaurants.
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Q.Is Halal food available in Delhi?A.Yes. The shops and restaurants specifically mention if they offer Halal food.
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Q.Is non-spicy European food available in Delhi?A.Being the capital city, you will find non-spicy European cuisine restaurants as well.
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Q.Are there Pizza Huts/Dominos/Mc Donald in Delhi?A.These shops and other globally popular food chains are also available. You can find them in almost all corners of the city.
GENERAL
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Q.What to pack while travelling in India?A.The local stores in urban cities mostly have everything you might need.
• Quality spinner suitcase, locks and cable
• Comfortable sturdy walking shoes
• Layered clothes (cotton/woollen)
• Sunscreen, mosquito repellent, power bank,
• Prescription drugs -
Q.Etiquette for visitors in India I should be aware of.A.Religious Etiquettes: Menstruating women are usually not allowed inside religious places. Covering head is must for Gurudwara or a Mosque. Leather items are not allowed in Jain temples. Don't photograph cremation ceremonies.
Table Etiquettes: Food is generally eaten with hands. Hindus usually avoid beef. 5%-10% tipping is common in restaurants.
Greeting: Bow head and fold hands to greet elderly people
Business Etiquettes: Business meetings in India are slightly less formal than the occidental. -
Q.Can the physically challenged visit the monuments?A.Physically challenged people are allowed to visit monuments but most of the places are not very disabled friendly. There are, however, some places which offer wheelchairs, disabled-friendly toilets, Braille signage, tactile floors and more.
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Q.I want to visit the local educational institutions. Is it possible?A.Rural tourism allows seeing around the local schools and colleges. You will require proper permission to visit the private educational institutions.
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Q.Are tourists allowed to pay the beggars?A.It's best to avoid the panhandlers. It's not illegal to pay the beggars or children on the street, but there's always a better way around.
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Q.Top five basic Hindi words I should know while travelling.A.• Hello – Namaste or Pranam
• Thank you – Dhanyawad
• What is your name – Aap ka naam kya hai
• What’s this – Ye kya hai
• Can you help me – Kya aap meri madaad karenge -
Q.What are the major religions in India?A.Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Jainism, and Sikhism are majorly practised. India is a secular country and you will find many other religions all across the nation.
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Q.Common styles of toilet in India.A.You can avail both the traditional squatting pan and the western commode while in India. Residents commonly use water to wash, instead of toilet paper. The big hotel chains offer all the world class facilities.
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Q.Is India safe for LGBT travellers?A.It's difficult to comment on homophobia on a socially traditional country like India, however it has been decriminalised in 2018.
More hotels, cafes and bars are becoming LGBT-friendly. LGBT visitors are urged not to involve in physical intimacy publicly. Choose hotel accommodations where your perceived sexuality wouldn't bother. Couples who do not present in a gender non-conforming way are advised to remain alert. -
Q.What are some of the lesser known places of India?A.The North Eastern part is much less travelled than any other part of the country like Meghalaya.
• Halebid, Karnataka
• Chembra Peak, Kerala
• Champaner – Pavagadh, Gujarat
• Khajjiar, Himachal Pradesh
In Delhi, you can go to:
• Hauz Khas Village
• Majnu ka Tila: Tibetan Colony
• Agrasen ki Baoli
• Mirza Ghalib ki Haveli
• Bhardwaj Lake Asola
• Jahaz Mahal -
Q.Is India safe as a Family Destination?A.It is a safe place to travel with your kids, given you has made your arrangements accordingly. For some, the constant sound pollution might be troublesome while others can find it difficult to enjoy the densely populated regions.
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Q.What is the pollution condition in Delhi and other parts of India?A.Delhi has hazardous level of pollution with AQI (Air Quality Index) of around 468. Most of the urban cities in India are also polluted.
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Q.Can I wear shorts and not get eyes on me?A.Although it is conservative at its heart, each state has its own style of dressing. Covering your skin is a good idea for both cultural and hygiene reasons.
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Q.Will I get tourist police if needed?A.Although 13 states in India have deployed tourist police in one form or another, this has not translated into visible improvement in security for visitors. It is advised to keep the telephone number of the local police station handy.
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Q.What is the chance of seeing snake charmers, cows, camels, elephants, bears and other wild animals on the street?A.Rural areas do have these old world professions. Some tour packages involve these vintage heritage experiences. But it is rare to sight elephants or camels as a method of transportation.
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Q.Do Indian roads have stray dogs, cats and other animals?A.Yes. Dogs, cats, cows are most commonly found.
GUIDES
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Q.Can I hire linguistic tour guide in Delhi?A.Yes. English speaking guides are most common. For other languages like French, German, Chinese etc., you have to place your requirement while booking.
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Q.Can I find women travel guide?A.Yes. She will not only show the sights, but also to accompany to shopping, eating, exploring, while you are there.
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Q.Can I get audio guides while visiting the Delhi monuments?A.Guiddoo - an audio-text guide of almost 20 popular monuments in Delhi within a single app is available.
HEALTH, WELLNESS AND HOSPITALS
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Q.Are there good hospitals in Delhi?A.Yes. Delhi offers world class health care options.
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Q.Is Medical Treatment - Dentistry, Cosmetic Surgery, Oncology, Cardiology, MAS-Laparoscopy, Hair Transplant, etc. available in Delhi?A.Yes. Delhi is one of the top destinations for medical tourism. You can find state-of-the-art medical instruments for mostly all kind of diagnostic procedures.
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Q.Are medicines for rabies, fever, migrane, diabetes aspirin, dispirin etc. available across the counter in the pharmacies in Delhi?A.Mostly yes. However, some vaccines such as rabies might need prescriptions to get it.
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Q.Are there good Ayurveda Treatment Centers in Delhi?A.Yes. Let our representatives know if you wish to visit some of the top Ayurveda Treatment Centers.
HOTELS
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Q.What international hotel chains are there in Delhi?A.You can find the major international hotel chains in Delhi. Depending on your choice of amenities, location and budget, we can help you find the best option.
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Q.Are the hotels expensive in Delhi?A.The various portals offer various discounted rates for the hotel rooms. Compare before booking to get the best deals.
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Q.What is the average cost for accommodation?A.Starting from the budget hotels, OYO rooms to the five star properties tourists can find an assorted range of options. From 500 per night to Rs15999 room rates are available.
• Less than Rs 3000 - Double room in budget hotel and Dorm bed at Rs 400 – Rs600
• Midrange (Rs 4000–Rs 10,000) - Double hotel room Rs 1500– Rs5000 , Meal in midrange restaurant Rs 600 - Rs1500
• More than Rs 10,000 - Deluxe hotel room Rs5000 - Rs 24,000, meal at top restaurant Rs 2000 - Rs 5000 -
Q.Are there old palace, heritage hotels in Delhi?A.There are some of the finest heritage hotels in Delhi providing regal services.
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Q.Do the hotels have a good hygiene and modern amenities in Delhi?A.Blend of various architectural patterns and the royal Indian culture, outdoor swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, fitness centre, exquisite interiors, impeccable service and fine cuisine the five star and heritage hotels will provide a world class stay.
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Q.Are the hotels safe in Delhi?A.5 star hotels have surveillance camera in entire public space for the safety and security of the hotel and the guests. You need valid ID proof to stay and follow international paying standards. Even the Airbnbs and mid-budget hotels have the basic safety in place.
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Q.Is a lady traveller safe in staying in hotels in Delhi?A.There are hotels which have exclusive floors and rooms for women. They have special in-room facilities provided in addition to the hotel chain's commitment to excellence, attention to detail and personalised service for the added comfort of women guests.
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Q.Are there handicapped friendly hotels in Delhi?A.Yes, you can find many disabled friendly hotels with all the required facilities.
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Q.Are there handicapped friendly toilets in hotels in Delhi?A.The hotels which have disabled friendly amenities are also equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for handicapped friendly toilets. Not all hotels have the toilets for the physically challenged people.
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Q.Can I find western toilets in public places?A.Mostly yes.
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Q.Are the bars and restaurants open all night?A.There are some bars and open lounges which are open 24 hours.
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Q.What is the easiest way to book a hotel or holiday in Delhi?A.Leave your worries, dates and budget to https://www.india-tours.com/
INSURANCE
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Q.Do we need medical and travel insurance for travelling to Delhi?A.Prevention is always better than cure. Also, there is always a risk of contracting rabies, influenza, malaria, and tuberculosis if you have never been exposed to such conditions before. It is never worth the risk to travel without travel insurance.
LANGUAGE
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Q.Do the local people speak English in Delhi?A.Mostly yes. The urban folks are fluent in English, but it might be difficult to make the best of the conversations with shop keepers or auto drivers If you speak some different language, try the Google translator for easier communication.
MONEY AND CREDIT CARDS
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Q.Can I withdraw Sterling Pounds or US Dollars or Canadian Dollars or Australian Dollars or Euros from ATM machines?A.Most of the ATMs in the country accept international debit and credit cards but you can only withdraw Indian rupees in the 2000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 denominations.
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Q.Which is the best place to exchange Euros, Sterling Pounds, US Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Australian Dollars in Delhi?A.Bookmyforex has nationwide tie-up with Axis Bank that provides money exchange and remittance service in Delhi and all other major cities of India. Ask4Forex, Thomas Cook, Extravelmoney, CurrencyKart are some of the common places to exchange your currency.
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Q.Can I exchange Sterling Pounds or US Dollars or Canadian Dollars or Australian Dollars or Euros in the banks or hotels in Delhi?A.Yes, you can exchange the foreign currencies. Make sure to carry proper Id and other required documents.
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Q.Can I use credit cards and is it safe to use the credit cards in hotels, shops and restaurants in Delhi?A.Usually it is safe to use the credit cards in the hotels, shops and restaurants. Make sure you do not disclose the personal details of the card to any stranger.
MONUMENTS
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Q.Which days are the monuments closed and the timings in Delhi?A.Akshardham Temple (Tuesday to Sunday, From 11 am to 8 pm)
Red Fort (Tuesday to Sunday, 9.30 AM to 4.30 PM)
Jama Masjid (Daily, 7 am to 6:30 pm, except from 12:15 pm to 1:45 pm when Prayers are being held)
Humayun's Tomb (8 a.m. to 6 p.m )
Qutab Minar (7am–5pm everyday )
India Gate (Always Open)
Gandhi Smriti (Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.)
Garden of Five Senses (Daily, From 6 am to 9 pm)
Lotus Temple (Daily, From 9 am until sunset)
Birla Mandir (Daily, 6 am to 10 pm)
Old Fort (Purana Quila) Daily, 9 am to 7 pm (April to Sep), 9 am to 6 pm (Oct to March).
Jantar Mantar (Daily, 6am–6pm)
Lodi Tomb (Daily, 6am–8pm)
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Q.Are there public conveyances available at the monuments in Delhi?A.Yes.
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Q.Are there wheel chairs available at the monuments in Delhi?A.Almost all the places of tourist interest are wheel chair accessible. But if you have any specific places that you may like to visit, contact them to find out is they have extra wheel chairs.
MOVING AROUND
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Q.Which is the best way to travel in Delhi?A.Metro and buses are the most economical ways to travel. App-based cabs and private cars are expensive but comfortable option.
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Q.Is it advisable to rent a self drive car in Delhi?A.There are reputed car rental services in Delhi and is commonly used by tourists for road trips.
NIGHT LIFE
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Q.Are there cinemas, classical programs or a night life in Delhi?A.Yes, you can find night show times at theatres. Delhi's nightlife is varied, but you'll find the classiest bars and clubs in luxury hotels open 24/7 entertaining guests.
PHOTOGRAPHY
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Q.Can we take photographs in the public places of Delhi?A.Mostly yes. There are clear signs of restriction / prohibition of photography in certain places, which if not obeyed are subjected to penalty.
RELIGIOUS PLACES
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Q.Which are the Churches, mosques and temples where we can pray in Delhi?A.There are plenty of places to offer prayers. Some of the touristiest options include:
Popular churches - Central Baptist Church, St Stephen's Church, The Cathedral Church of the Redemption
Popular mosques - Fatehpuri Masjid, Jama Masjid, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya dargah
Popular temples Akshardham Temple, Gauri Shankar Temple, Lotus Temple, Hanuman Mandir, Jhandewalan -
Q.Is there a dress code to visit religious places in Delhi?A.When visiting religious sites, avoid dresses with short sleeves and shorts. Always carry a scarf/ stole in case you need to cover up for unplanned temple / masjid visit.
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Q.Are all the religious places open for foreign tourists in Delhi?A.Mostly yes. If there are any specific guidelines, it will be mentioned separately on their website.
SAFETY
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Q.Is it safe for a single woman or a girl or a family to travel to Delhi?A.Being the capital, the roads and most of the public places have CCTV camera. For both solo and family travellers, keep the local police telephone number handy.
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Q.Should we accept if young boys/men ask for selfie with women traveller?A.Dicey situation such as this always demands presence of mind. It is, however, advisable, to avoid complete strangers.
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Q.Is it safer to go out in the night if invited by local people?A.Unless you are completely aware of the place and situation, it is not very safe to go out with unknown people. Even if you are in a group, try to avoid undue situations.
SHOPPING
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Q.What can I buy in Delhi?A.From traditional Indian attires to crafty home decor items, Delhi markets are full of souvenir shops. Sandalwood products, Indian tea, Indian sweets, Junk jewellery, Traditional lamps, Handicraft puppets are some of the suggestions from our experts.
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Q.Is haggling allowed? How do I do it?A.Yes. There is no laid down rules, for bargaining. It adds to the fun factor of shopping. You can start quoting half the said price and continue until both you and the shopkeeper seems satisfied.
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Q.Are cigarettes or cigars or tobacco easily available in Delhi?A.Smoking in public places was prohibited all across the nation in 2008. However, you can find shops selling tobacco at almost all grocery and roadside stalls.
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Q.Should we visit tourist shop suggested by driver?A.There is generally no harm visiting shops suggested by the driver. But you can also look for other items in the local shops to compare the prices before actually buying.
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Q.Do you suggest travellers what to shop in Delhi?A.If you are not completely aware of the specialities of Delhi, you can ask for suggestion from our representatives.
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Q.How genuine are the shops from where we by the product?A.As much as you can be tempted by the low prices of the roadside counterfeit products, always look for the original marks in case of electronics. The established brick and mortar shops are rarely associated with such shams.
TELEPHONE AND MOBILE/SIM CARDS
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Q.Is it easy to buy a SIM card? Where can I buy a SIM card and are the SIM cards expensive in Delhi?A.There are many cellular connections available. Depending on your budget, you can choose from the prepaid/postpaid plans. Plenty of mobile stores are available in every part of Delhi.
THINGS TO DO
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Q.Can we visit the local markets in Delhi?A.Yes.
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Q.Can we attend a culinary class in Delhi?A.Yes. If your stay time permits, you can attend such classes.
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Q.Can we attend Yoga classes or naturopathy/wellness/ayurveda therapies in Delhi?A.Yoga, naturopathy/wellness/ayurveda therapies are loved by tourists. You can book session as per your convenience.
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Q.What are things to do in Delhi?A.There is plenty of scope for religious tours, heritage sight seeing, medical tourism, cultural tours, business tourism and even adventure travel. Find your favourite niche and indulge in the package tour with https://www.india-tours.com/.
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Q.Can we contact NGOs or schools or hospitals or orphanages, old age homes for charity activities.A.Yes. Charity or aid tourism and voluntourism can be arranged by https://www.india-tours.com/.
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Q.Can we learn classical Indian Dances in Delhi?A.Yes. There are dance classes specially for the tourists.
TIPPING
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Q.What amount should we tip the waiter or driver or guide or the airport representative in Delhi?A.5 - 10% of tipping is common in Delhi. There are, however, no guidelines on the amount as such.
VACCINATIONS
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Q.What vaccinations are need to travel to Delhi?A.The common courses or boosters usually advised for visitors travelling to Delhi includes Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, and Typhoid. Selective vaccines of Cholera and Japanese Encephalitis is advised for individuals.
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Q.Which vaccinations are not necessary but recommended to travel to Delhi?A.Oral polio vaccine (OPV), Typhoid vaccine, Varicella vaccine, Yellow fever (YF) vaccine are some of the recommended vaccines.
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Q.Which medicines should we carry when travelling to Delhi?A.Analgesic tablets, Antihistamine tablets, Cold and flu tablets, Cough Medicine, Motion sickness tablets, Diarrhoea Medicine, Antacid, Antiseptic Solution and Ointment are some of the common tablets you can carry.
VISA
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Q.With the E-Visa can I arrive in Delhi?A.Passport holders from 167 countries and territories such as the US, UK, European Union, Canada, Australia, Thailand, Philippines and more are permitted with Indian on arrival visa.
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Q.What is the validity of E-Visa in Delhi?A.E-Tourist visas and e-Business visas are now valid for one year from the date of grant.
WATER AND DRINKS
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Q.Can we drink bottled water in Delhi?A.Most definitely.
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Q.Is it safe to drink tap water in Delhi?A.Not always. It is always good to drink water from taps labelled as drinking water?.
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Q.Can we get bottled water in Delhi?A.Yes. You will get various companies bottled water.
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Q.Can we brush our teeth with tap water in Delhi?A.Yes, but be careful not to swallow the tap water unless you are not sure about the source.
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Q.Can we buy whiskey, vodka, gin, wine, beer in shops or restaurants or bars or hotels?A.Yes. Alcohol is available.
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Q.Is it safe to drink tea and coffee in Delhi?A.Yes.
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Q.Is it safe to drink milk in Delhi?A.Yes.
WEATHER
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Q.Which is the best time to travel to Delhi?A.October and November or February and March are the best time.
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Q.Give more information on weather.A.In Delhi, the wet season is oppressive and deeply covered with smog and often cloudy. The dry season is warm and mostly clear. Over the year, the temperature typically varies from 46 F to 103 F and is rarely below 42 F or above 110 F.
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Q.When are the monsoons in Delhi?A.The monsoon likely makes an onset by the first week of July.
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Q.Does it rain all the time during monsoons and when are the monsoons in Delhi?A.There is generally incessant raining for some days in the monsoon season.
Tour Booking
