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The best time to visit Delhi is between October and March when temperatures are in the 20-30°C range (68-86°F). The weather then is at its best and walking around is pleasant. Visit during holidays and festivals to experience the culture. In March the Holi spring festival is celebrated. Dates can be changed to suit the Hindu calendar. Independence Day is the 15th August and is celebrated with a big parade.
A visa is required by British Citizens when visiting India. Contact the Indian High Commission for details. Passports need 2 blank pages for the visa and have to be valid for at least 180 days at time of application. A valid polio vaccine certificate is needed if visiting from certain countries. Suggested vaccines are hepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus and diphtheria.
Women need to take care when travelling alone.
Prices in India are lower than in the UK, although quality electronics will cost about the same.
Delhi is at India Standard Time is UTC/GMT +5:30 hours. Daylight saving time is not practised, which means that Delhi is 4:30 hours ahead of the UK in the summertime and five and a half hours forward of time in Britain during the winter.
From the Indira Gandhi International Airport to Delhi Central travellers can take Metro line 2 from 4.40 am till 23.30 hours. A shuttle bus runs to Connaught Place or arrange to take a prepaid taxi. The range of accommodation is wide, starred hotels are expensive. Guest houses or hostels cost from around 500 INR per person per night. Cheap three star hotels on average cost about 1400 INR per person per night. The public transport network is efficient and cheap. The network includes buses, metro and rickshaws. Visitors will, of course, find that taxi fares are far cheaper than those in the UK. However, the Metro is also a good way to get around. The airport express train costs round 100 Indian Rupees and takes only 20 minutes to get to central Delhi. Buses will take around 50 minutes at a cost of approximately 50 Rupees. Visitors can purchase a smart card for 150 INR that includes 100 rupees of credit. This card saves buying a ticket for each journey travelled and thereby travellers can avoid long queues.