A lot of merchants in India don't accept international credit cards. but we have seen VISA cards accepted in malls.
It's a good idea to have some cash with you when you arrive in India. You can get INR (Rupees) in cash at your local bank branch, or you can order it online/phone to be delivered to your home. If that's not possible, don't worry, you can always exchange USD at the airport or withdraw from an ATM in India. Do remember, however, that the exchange rates may not always be in your favor, and ATMs may have international transaction fees.
Transportation
Taxis are widely available but so are Ubers. Ubers are fairly inexpensive and can be called via the usual Uber app. Ola is an Indian competitor to Uber and offers another app based taxi option.
Airport Wifi
If you are flying internationally, assume the airport wifi does not work. The airport wifi needs you to enter an OTP (one time password) in order to connect. However, this system is broken because you need an Indian phone number.
In case of an emergency, if you do need the wifi, there is a wifi-helpdesk at the airport that can give you access.
Sim Card
You can continue to use your network’s international data plan. However, if you really need to get a SIM card, it is quite easy and straightforward. You can get a SIM card right after you land at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. There are several telecommunications counters in the arrivals area like Vodafone-Idea, Airtel, and Reliance Jio. Check out this blog on how to get a SIM card from Delhi airport.
If you do get a new phone number, please don't forget to call or text and update us with your new number.
Whatsapp
Our main form of communication will be via Whatsapp. Feel free to download it if you haven’t already.
Language
Hindi and English are the two official languages. You'll find a lot of people speak English, especially in the cities and tourist areas.
Visa
U.S. citizens will need a visa to travel to India. India has an electronic travel authorization system called an e-Visa and the process is entirely online. After the online application and payment, you will receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) via email. You must carry a copy of this ETA along you at the time of travel.
However, visa regulations can change, and the exact requirements may vary, so it's always recommended to check the current requirements on the official website of the Indian Embassy or Consulate in your country before planning a trip to India.
Vaccination
It is recommended that you be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
