Traveling to India
Doing Business in India Guide > Traveling to India
Our Top Tips for Business Travelers to India
- Indians have a much more relaxed attitude toward punctuality. If you are 15 minutes late for a business appointment, people may scarcely notice. If you show up on time for a social engagement, you might be the first to arrive; even the host may appear at least half an hour late.
- Even for a business trip, you should pack at least two bottles of mosquito repellent and always carry one on your person. You might find mosquitoes in an office restroom or on a tourist bus.
- Most three-star and better hotels have clean comfortable beds, full backup power, 24-hour air-conditioning (although your room lights and a/c may automatically turn off when you leave the room), and Western-style toilets, where you don’t have to squat.
- Buildings in India are not generally designed to be wheelchair-friendly; neither are toilets. Sidewalks may be uneven, and crosswalks generally don’t have ramps. You might consider hiring a helper when you travel in India if you have a physical disability.
- If you want to avoid “Delhi Belly,” drink only bottled water and carry a bottle with you at all times. To be safe, stick with mainstream brands, like Kinney or Aquafina, bought from mainstream locations such as your hotel or larger stores.
- When you are a pedestrian, remember that might is right in India, and the pedestrian is at the bottom of the pecking order. Cross streets carefully, watching not only for cars and trucks but also for bicycles, three-wheelers, and in some cities the occasional horse-drawn cart or stray cow. And watch for traffic to appear from the wrong direction, even from the sidewalk!
- Breakfast meetings are rare in India, and dinner is often eaten very late in the evening.
- At an Indian party, most socializing happens before dinner, and guests often leave immediately after dessert, which could be served as late as midnight.
- Buy a copy of the Lonely Planet Guide to India. Much of its advice is for tourists but there is plenty of information that business travelers will find helpful.
Useful Links
Third Party Resources
India - US Department of State
Traveling in India - WikiTravel.org
Tips for Business Travelers in India - American Express.com
