Organize your stay South India
Money South India
Exchange rate: 1 € is worth approximately 91.5 Rs (May 2023). Beware, inflation is rampant in India.
The unit of currency is the rupee. 1 rupee is divided into 100 paise. Banknotes are available in denominations of 2,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 rupees. Coins are available in denominations of 10, 5, 2 and 1 Rs. Following the demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 bills in November 2016, the Indian government has not yet put Rs 1,000 bills back into circulation.
Banknotes in too poor a condition or torn are not valid, so refuse them wherever possible as you'll find it difficult to sell them. However, the State Bank of India and the Reserve Bank of India, present in the major cities, will accept them for exchange.
Check the change you receive and avoid large-denomination notes, as there are many counterfeits in circulation throughout the country.
It is forbidden to take currency out of the country if you are not a resident. In theory. In practice, you have little chance of being checked on leaving the country.
Budget & Tips South India
Although it's not really high, the cost of living in India is rising sharply.
For €25 a day, you can stay in India in Spartan conditions: you'll have to sleep in the cheapest guesthouses (with beds that are often hard as wood and sometimes of dubious cleanliness), travel in second-class buses or trains, and eat only basic street food or in local restaurants. In some cities, however, you can find decent places to sleep at low prices.
With €30 to €70 , you can sleep in mid-range hotels, eat out regularly, travel without counting the kilometers, take cabs and treat yourself to extras from time to time. It's a budget that will give you a very comfortable stay.
For more than €80 a day , you can stay in chic hotels and restaurants and fly domestic routes.
Passport and visas South India
Obtaining a passport
All passports issued in France are now biometric. They include your photo, fingerprints and a secure chip. To obtain your passport, go to the town hall with a tax stamp, proof of address, proof of identity and two passport photos. The passport is issued in around three weeks. It is valid for ten years. Children must have a personal passport (valid for five years).
Tip. Before you leave, photocopy all the documents you'll be taking with you. Take one copy of each document with you and leave the other with someone in France. In the event of loss or theft, this will make it much easier to renew them with the consular authorities. You can also keep copies on the official website (mon.service-public.fr). Simply create an account and scan all your identity papers and other important documents into the confidential area.
Formalities and visas
India regularly changes its visa procedures. Find out more before you apply.
Holders of diplomatic passports must go to the consular section of the Indian embassy in Paris.
In any case, make sure your passport is in perfect condition, has two blank pages and is valid for 6 months after arrival in the country. Whatever type of visa you apply for, you'll need to fill in a very detailed online form (www.indianvisaonline. gov.in). The procedure is long and tedious (allow almost 25 minutes). Instructions for use can be downloaded from the site (it is advisable to read them in full before starting the procedure). If even one item is missing, the visa will be refused and not reimbursed.
Before arriving in India , all international travellers are now required to complete the Air Suvidha form (www.newdelhiairport.in/airsuvidha/apho-registration), which tracks your movements in the country.
Different visas. In addition to special visas (business, medical, education), travelers are offered 3 online visas: a 30-day e-visa (costing between US$1 and US$10, depending on length of stay), a one-year e-visa (US$40) or a 5-year e-visa (US$80), each allowing a maximum stay of 90 days.
It is also possible to apply for a visa at the Indian Embassy in France via VFS, the official body in charge of processing visa applications (services.vfsglobal.com/eng/ind/).
Driver's license South India
Get an international license before you leave. Find out about licensing and insurance requirements. Even for short stays, both French and international driving licenses need to be converted.
Health South India
For advice before your trip, don't hesitate to consult your doctor. You can also contact the travel medicine society at the Institut Pasteur medical center at ✆ 01 45 68 80 88 (www.pasteur.fr/fr/sante/centre-medical), or visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website under "Conseils aux voyageurs" (www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs).
Dengue fever. This fever, fairly common in tropical countries, is transmitted by mosquitoes. Dengue fever is characterized by a flu-like syndrome (fever, headache, joint and muscle pain). There is no preventive treatment or vaccine. Never take aspirin. As this disease can be fatal, it is strongly recommended to consult a doctor in the event of fever.
Japanese encephalitis. Present in rural areas during the wet season, particularly in tropical regions of Southeast Asia, this disease is transmitted by mosquitoes. Signs of onset include chills, fever, headache and malaise. Most forms are asymptomatic, but in the worst cases, it can lead to neurological sequelae and even death.
Hepatitis A. For hepatitis A, prior immunity makes vaccination unnecessary. It is common if you have a history of jaundice, a prolonged stay abroad or if you are over 45. Hepatitis A is usually benign, but it can be serious, particularly over the age of 45 and in cases of pre-existing liver disease. It can be caught through water or poorly washed food.
Hepatitis B. High risk in the country. Hepatitis B is more serious than hepatitis A. It is contracted through sexual intercourse or blood. The hepatitis B vaccine is given in two doses, one month apart (although there are accelerated one-month vaccinations for travellers in a hurry), followed by a booster six months later to reinforce the duration of protection.
Malaria. Malaria is also known as malaria. Consult your doctor for the most appropriate preventive treatment: it differs according to the region, the period of travel and the person concerned. Avoiding treatment is possible if your stay is less than seven days (and provided you can see a doctor if you develop a fever within a month of your return) In addition to pills, reduce the risk of contracting malaria by avoiding mosquito bites (repellent and covering clothing). The risk of being bitten is highest between sunset and sunrise, near stagnant water and shady areas.
Rabies. Rabies is still present in the country. Avoid contact with dogs, cats and other mammals that may carry the virus. The onset of the first symptoms (phobia of air and water) varies between 30 and 45 days after the bite. Once these symptoms have been observed, death occurs within a few days, in 100% of cases. In the event of any doubt following a bite, it is essential to consult a doctor, who will administer an anti-rabies vaccine combined with appropriate treatment. Preventive vaccination does not exempt you from curative treatment in the event of a bite.
In the event of illness
Contact the French consulate. They'll be happy to help you and provide you with a list of French-speaking doctors. In the event of a serious problem, the consulate will also inform the family and decide on repatriation. To find out about emergency services and establishments that meet international standards, visit www.diplomatie.gouv.fr and www.pasteur.fr
Repatriation assistance - Medical assistance
If you have a Visa® or MasterCard® bank card, you're automatically covered by medical insurance and repatriation assistance for any trip abroad lasting less than 90 days (you don't have to pay for your trip with your card to be covered; simply holding a valid card ensures you're covered). Ask your bank for details, and carefully check the overall amount of coverage and deductibles, as well as the conditions of coverage and exclusion clauses. If you are not covered by one of these cards, don't forget to take out medical assistance before you leave.
Mandatory vaccination South India
In addition to having your standard vaccinations up to date, you should also be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, and even typhoid fever, depending on the type of trip you're planning. Vaccination against yellow fever is compulsory if you have already spent time in certain African or South American countries.
Security South India
A special permit is required to visit the Lakshadweep archipelago (Laquedives Islands).
South India is a safe destination, but we recommend that our readers keep abreast of local news before visiting a place, to avoid certain situations (floods, political demonstrations, etc.), which can make your stay difficult.
Time difference South India
Despite its vastness, the whole country is in the same time zone, 4.30 hours ahead of French time. So when it's midnight in Paris, it's 4.30 a.m. in Chennai. The difference is 3h30 when France switches to summer time.
Most flights from Europe arrive in India late at night. After a journey of around 9 hours (non-stop), many passengers feel the effects of jet lag. So it's important to get some rest when you arrive in the country, or risk spending the next 2 or 3 days rather disoriented.
Note: your relationship with time may be disrupted in India, as may your sense of punctuality. But don't panic. Remember, there's no point getting worked up about train delays and the like. And when you happen to be on time or even ahead of schedule, just be happy. As for "wasted" time, spend it chatting to the locals. You'll soon realize that being openly impatient to get something done or to speed up a process is pointless. On the contrary, you'll get nothing but contemptuous silence and absolute lethargy. Patience is golden in this country.
Spoken languages South India
Throughout the country, you can communicate in English, but the first official language is Hindi. Hindi is very little used in South India, and it is sometimes even frowned upon to speak Hindi, particularly in Tamil Nadu. For use in certain official functions, the Constitution recognizes 18 "scheduled languages", including Kannada in Karnataka, Malayalam in Kerala, Marathi in Maharashtra, Tamil in Tamil Nadu, Telugu and Urdu in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and Konkani in Goa. Four major language families officially include 112 "mother tongues", each with 10,000 or more speakers; and 33 languages spoken by 1 million or more individuals.
The total number of languages and dialects varies according to the sources available and the way these languages are counted; between 179 and 188 languages and between 49 and 544 dialects have been listed; the results of the 1961 census provided the names of 1,652 different "mother tongues". In any case, most people in the big cities understand enough English for simple conversation. French is little known. However, you will hear French spoken in Pondicherry, due to its colonial past under French rule.
Communication South India
Thetelephone network coverage is of good quality, except for some remote areas (national parks, rural or isolated mountainous areas).
The Internet network is quite good but the quality of the connection is often fluctuating. Wi-Fi is becoming more and more widespread, often free of charge, in hotels, guesthouses and restaurants and even in some shops and public places.
Electricity and measurements South India
Electricity is 220-240 volts. Since its privatization, electricity is no longer a problem in the big cities, and you can enjoy it at your leisure for most of the day. Sockets are of the two- or three-pin type, but you don't need an adapter. Parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are subject to long power cuts. Variations in current intensity are also frequent, so if you have very sensitive equipment (laptops), it would be wise to use a current stabilizer.
For weights and measures, road distances are measured in kilometers and weights in kilos. On the other hand, the current numerical system is still imperial. For numeration, one lakh equals 100,000 and one crore equals 10 million, or 100 lakhs. It is common, for example, to hear "this thing is worth 2 lakhs " (or 200,000 rupees).
Luggage South India
Unless you're planning to visit the Western Ghats between November and March, there's no need to pack warm clothes when traveling through southern India. The high temperatures and humidity will encourage you to opt for clothes made from natural materials (cotton, linen, silk). Don't take anything too fragile, as washing methods can make life difficult for your clothes. Bring a hat or cap to avoid sunstroke, sun cream and sunglasses, as well as waterproof clothing and a tarpaulin to protect your bag, as rain can be sudden and heavy depending on the season. A few freezer bags can be useful to protect your electronic equipment (camera, phone, laptop, tablet...). Add a flashlight (power cuts are frequent) and a padlock to secure your bag in transit or your room in some guesthouses. If you're planning a low-budget trip, a sheet, pillowcase and towel will come in handy, as cleanliness isn't always up to scratch in budget hotels.
A small first-aid kit is essential. You'll need your medication if you're on medication, plasters, disinfectant, sterile compresses, a few tablets of paracetamol, antidiarrheals, antihistamines and a tube of soothing cream against mosquito bites. Don't take on too much, because if anything goes wrong, you'll be able to get the medicine you need locally and at low cost. Mosquito repellent creams and plugs are available at any pharmacy or grocery store.
