Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING THERE & AWAY
South India is most easily accessed via its major international airports in Mumbai (Bombay) and Chennai (Madras). Some
countries may offer charter flights to Goa. The South can also be reached overland from elsewhere in and near India.
Flights, tours and other tickets can be booked online at
www.lonelyplanet.com/bookings
.
Entering India
Entering India by air or land is relatively straightforward, with standard immigration and customs procedures. A frustrat-
ing law barring re-entry into India within two months of the previous date of departure has now been done away with (ex-
cept for citizens of some Asian countries), thus allowing travellers to freely combine their India tour with side trips to
neighbouring countries.
Passport
»
To enter India you need a valid passport, a visa and an onward/return ticket.
»
Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in India. If your passport is lost or
stolen, immediately contact your country's representative.
»
Keep photocopies of your airline ticket and the identity and visa pages of your passport in case of emergency. Better
yet, scan and email copies to yourself.
»
Check with the Indian embassy in your home country for any special conditions that may exist for your nationality.
Air
Airports & Airlines
As India is a big country, it makes sense to fly into the airport that's nearest to the area you'll be visiting. South India has
four main gateways for international flights (see the following list); however, a number of other centres such as Goa, Ko-
chi (Cochin) and Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) also service international carriers. For detailed information log on to
India's national carrier is
Air India
( 1800 1801407;
www.airindia.com
), of which the former state-owned domestic
carrier, Indian Airlines, is now a part. Air travel in India has had a relatively decent safety record in recent years.
Bengaluru
(Bangalore; BLR;
1800 4254425;
www.bengaluruairport.com
;
Bengaluru International Airport)
Chennai
(Madras; MAA;
044-22560551;
www.chennaiairportguide.com
;
Anna International Airport)
Hyderabad
(HYD;
www.hyderabad.aero
; Rajiv Gandhi International Airport)
Mumbai
(Bombay; BOM;
022-26264000;
www.csia.in
;
Chhatrapati Shivaji Inter- national Airport)
