Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BUSINESS
OPENING HOURS
Airline offices
9.30am-5.30pm Mon-Sat
(nationalised)
10am-2pm or 4pm Mon-Fri, to noon or 1pm Sat
Government offices
9.30am-1pm & 2-5.30pm Mon-Fri, closed 2nd and 4th Sat in some places
Museums
10am-5pm Tue-Sun
Post offices
10am-4pm Mon-Fri, to noon Sat
Restaurants
lunch noon-3pm, dinner 7-10pm or 11pm
Shops
10am-7pm or 8pm, some closed Sun
Sights
10am-5pm or dawn-dusk
Credit Cards
»
Credit cards are accepted at a growing number of shops, upmarket restaurants, and midrange and top-end hotels, and
they can usually be used to pay for flights and train tickets.
»
Cash advances on major credit cards are also possible at some banks.
»
MasterCard and Visa are the most widely accepted cards.
Encashment Certificates
»
Indian law states that all foreign currency must be changed at official moneychangers or banks.
»
For every (official) foreign-exchange transaction, you'll receive an encashment certificate (receipt), which will allow
you to change rupees back into foreign currency when departing India.
»
Encashment certificates should cover the amount of rupees you intend to change back to foreign currency.
»
Printed receipts from ATMs are also accepted as evidence of an international transaction at most banks.
International Transfers
»
If you run out of money, someone back home can wire you cash via moneychangers affiliated with
Moneygram
(
www.moneygram.com
)
or
Western Union
(
www.westernunion.com
)
. A fee is added to the transaction.
»
To collect cash, bring your passport and the name and reference number of the person who sent the funds.
Moneychangers
»
Private moneychangers are usually open for longer hours than banks, and are found almost everywhere (many also
double as internet cafes and travel agents).
»
Upmarket hotels may also change money, but their rates are usually not as competitive.
