GENERAL INFORMATION
You will arrive at Terminal 2 of the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport (19 km from city centre). The terminal has 24 hour snack bars, 24 hour currency exchange, left luggage facility, first-aid and pay phones. Please go through the Green Channel if you have less than US$ 10,000 with you and if you have no unaccompanied baggage. Please use the Red Channel if you have anything to declare and if you are carrying foreign currency in excess of US$ 10,000.
In case you are arriving off a domestic (national) flight, you will arrive at Terminal 1 of the Indira Gandhi (Domestic) Airport (12 km from city centre). The terminal has a 24 hour snack bar and pay phones.
At both airports you will be received by welcome staff and escorted to the transfer vehicles to go to the Congress hotels, provided we receive the information of your arrival sufficiently in advance.
In case you wish to make your own transfer arrangements, please contact the welcome staff for information &
assistance.
Visa requirements
You are advised to contact the Indian Diplomatic Mission in your country in order to obtain a visa of entry. Please apply for your visa in good time. Your travel agent may also be able to assist you.
In case of difficulty in obtaining a visa, please contact the Congress Secretariat. Foreign visitors entering India must have a passport valid for at least 6 months after their date of entry in India.
Import Regulations
You may bring with you into India articles and gadgets for personal use, 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars or 250 gms tobacco) and liquor and wines upto 1 litre. In case you are carrying any items of high value, please request the Customs Officer for a Tourist Baggage Re-Export Form (TBRE) which you will have to show to Customs at the time of your departure to show that you are re-exporting the items.
Export Regulations
On your return you may take back souvenirs, including Indian silk, wool, handicrafts etc. without any limit, and gold and silver jewellery and handicrafts up to a value of Indian Rupees 100,000. Please note that the export of antiques and art objects more than 100 years old is restricted and that the export of wildlife products is prohibited.
Climate
India's climate can be generally defined as tropical. August is the time for the Monsoon rains with average temperatures ranging from 35º C during the day to 25º C at night.
Currency
The currency in India is the Rupee, which comes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000.
Please use authorised money changers and banks to exchange currency. They will issue a certificate of exchange which is required at the time of re-conversion of any unused currency. Under the Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999, it is an offence to exchange foreign currency other than through authorised money changers or banks. Banks are generally open from 10 am to 2 pm from Monday through Friday and from 10 am to 12 noon on Saturdays. Most international banks have branches in Delhi and have 24-hour ATMs.
The present exchange rate is approximately US$ 1 = Rs 45.
Insurance and Liability
Delegates are advised to secure their own insurance policies as necessary.
Language
Hindi is the national language. English is widely spoken in cities.
General Advice:
Drink only bottled water and check that the seal is intact when you receive it.
IDD
The Country Code for India is '91' followed by the Delhi City Code '11', followed by the telephone number, e.g. 91 11 XXXX XXXX.
Electricity
The voltage in India is 220 volts. Should you wish to use appliances of 110 volts, the Congress Hotels will provide adaptors on request.
Public Transport
New Delhi is a very large city. We advise delegates to use cars or taxis.
Local Time
Indian Standard Time (IST) is GMT + 5.30.
Smoking Policy
All conference rooms are no-smoking areas.
Tips
You are not obliged to tip anyone for any service rendered. The normal tip to your waiter in a restaurant is 10% of the bill.
Disclaimer
All information provided in this brochure is accurate to the best of our belief at the time of going to print, and is
subject to change.
