Travel Information From Belgium to India

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Routine Vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (Influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Shingles

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

Cholera

Vaccination may be considered for adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission. Cholera is presumed to be present in India. Cholera is rare in travelers but can be severe. Certain factors may increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease. Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera.

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to India.
Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.
Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.
Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages to India.

Malaria

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of India take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Infants 6 to 11 months old traveling internationally should get 1 dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before travel. This dose does not count as part of the routine childhood vaccination series.

Rabies

Rabid dogs are commonly found in India. However, if you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in India, rabies treatment is often available.
Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.
Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include
• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas
Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to India.

Typhoid

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Yellow Fever

Any traveler (except infants <9 months old) arriving by air or sea without a yellow fever vaccination certificate is detained in isolation for up to 6 days if that person—

1) arrives within 6 days of departure from an area with risk of YF virus transmission,
2) has been in such an area in transit (except those passengers and members of flight crews who, while in transit through an airport in an area with risk of YF virus transmission, remained in the airport during their entire stay and the health officer agrees to such an exemption),
3) arrives on a ship that started from or touched at any port in an area with risk of YF virus transmission up to 30 days before its arrival in India, unless such a ship has been disinsected in accordance with the procedure recommended by WHO, or
4) arrives on an aircraft that has been in an area with risk of YF virus transmission and has not been disinsected in accordance with the Indian Aircraft Public Health Rules, 1954, or as recommended by WHO.

Japanese Encephalitis

Recommended for travelers who
• Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live
• Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis
• Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis
Consider vaccination for travelers
• Spending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risk of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets
• Going to areas with Japanese encephalitis who are uncertain of their activities or how long they will be there
Not recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season.

You will need 6 months validity remaining on your passport at the date of visa application.

Local Phrases Language : Assamese, Gujarati, Bengali, Hindi, Kashmiri, Kannada, Konkani, Manipuri, Marathi, Malayalam, Odia, Nepali, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Bodo, Urdu, Sindhi, Santali, Marathi, and Dogri

Local Phrases :

Greetings

Hello = namaste
Good morning = subah bakhair
Good afternoon = namaskaar
Goodbye = alavida
Nice to meet you = aap se milakar achchha laga

Conversational

How are you? = kya haal hai?
I am good thank you = main achchha hoon dhanyavaad
What’s your name? = aapaka kya naam hai?
My name is … = mera naam hai …
Do you speak English? = kya aap angrezee bolate hain?
I don’t speak … = main nahin bolata...
How do you say… in … = aap kaise kahate hain ... mein ...
I don’t understand = main samajha nahin

Basics

Yes = haan
No = nahin
Please = krpaya
Thank you = dhanyavaad
You’re welcome = aapaka svaagat hai
Excuse me = maaf keejie
Wait = rukana
Hurry up = jaldee karo
Go away = chale jao
Let’s go to = ke lie chalate hain
I want to go to … = main jaana chaahata hoon …
A little bit = thoda sa
A lot = bahut

Shopping & Eating Out

Restaurant = restorent
Do you have? … = kya aapake paas hai? …
Not too spicy = jyaada masaaledaar nahin
It was delicious = yah svaadisht tha
The bill, please = krpaya bil den
How much? = kitana?
Very expensive = bahut mahanga
Can you reduce the price? = kya aap keemat kam kar sakate hain?
Please can I have a beer? = krpaya kya mujhe beeyar mil sakatee hai?

Transportation & Directions

Taxi = taiksee
Car = kaar
Bus = bas
Right = daeen
Left = baen
Straight = seedha
Stop here = yahaan ruko

Places

Downtown = shahar
Street = sadak
Hotel = hotal
Museum = sangrahaalay
Mall = mol
Market = baazaar
Hospital = aspataal
Doctor = chikitsak
Police = pulis
Post office = daak bangala
Bank = baink

Time & Dates

What time is it? = kya samay hua hai?
Today = aaj
Tomorrow = kal ka din
The day after tomorrow = parso
Yesterday = kal/pichhale din
When? = kab?

Emergencies

Where is the toilet? = shauchaalay kahaan hai?
Help me, please = krpaya meree madad karen
Call an ambulance = embulens bulao
I don’t feel goo = mujhe achchha nahin lagata

• New Delhi: +911142428000
• New Delhi emergency: +919810117931
• Chennai: +914440485500
• Chennai emergency: +918056234805
• Mumbai: +912226521016
• Mumbai: +912226521017
• Mumbai: +912226521019
• Mumbai emergency: +919821429785
• Hyderabad: +914049002066
• Hyderabad: +914049002402
• Kolkata: +913322822404
• Kolkata: +913322827531
• Kolkata: +913322827535

Type C / Type D / Type M View Plug-Type

The laws governing alcohol vary from state to state. Consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram, Nagaland and the union territory of Lakshadweep. There is a partial ban in some districts in Manipur. Consumption or possession of alcohol in prohibited states can lead to arrest without bail and charges which carry a sentence of 5 to 10 years. In some states foreign nationals and non-resident Indians are able to buy 30-day alcohol permits. Seek advice from your local travel agent/hotel or the authorities to ensure you're aware of any alcohol prohibition in the state. During major religious festivals, national holidays and elections, a ban on the sale of alcohol is often imposed. Hobbies involving cameras and binoculars, like bird-watching or plane spotting, may be misunderstood particularly near military sites, government buildings, airports and railway stations. Smoking is banned in public places, with the exception of airports, hotels and restaurants with designated smoking areas. E-cigarettes and related products are banned. You will be unable to buy e-cigarettes in India or bring them into the country. Don't get involved with illegal drugs. There is no categorising of drugs into Class A, B and C. There is a minimum sentence of 6 months for possession of small amounts deemed for personal consumption only. A 10-year sentence for possession of other amounts applies. The judicial process is slow and pre-trial detention lasting several years is normal. Indian customs has strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of the country. Failure to declare contents you're carrying which may be prohibited or subject to a tax or duty payment can lead to heavy penalties including imprisonment. It is illegal to possess and operate satellite phones in India. You may need prior permission from the Indian authorities to bring equipment like listening or recording devices, radio transmitters, powerful cameras or binoculars into India. Seek advice from the Indian High Commission in London. In September 2018, the Indian Supreme Court decriminalised homosexuality. Although homosexuality is no longer prohibited by law, same-sex marriage is still illegal. Indian society remains conservative and public attitudes towards LGBT people can be less tolerant than in the UK. This is especially the case outside of big cities. LGBT travellers should be mindful of local attitudes and be aware that public displays of affection may attract unwanted attention. It’s illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade its parts without a licence. India has a strong legal framework to regulate and restrict wildlife trade and is also a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). If you're caught purchasing or trafficking such goods illegally, you will be prosecuted and receive prison sentences or fines. The penalties for child sex offences are severe. Legislation prescribes a minimum jail term of 20 years, which may go up to life imprisonment, or a death sentence to those convicted of raping a child below 12 years of age.

1,366,417,754

New Delhi

New Delhi is best known as the location of India's national government. New Delhi has great historical significance as it was home to powerful people, such as the Pāṇḍavas and the Mughals. The city has many historical monuments and tourist attractions as well as lively marketplaces and great food, such as chaat.

Customs Allowances : Click Here

Taxi scams

A good place to start your preparation for India's scams is with taxis. Almost every traveler will catch one at some point, and it's likely this will be your first encounter with the locals upon leaving the airport.

It's almost guaranteed that if you take a taxi or rickshaw from the airport or train station to your hotel, you'll be told some silly reason why it can't be done. "No, sir. There are Hindu riots there." or "That hotel has burned down." or "That hotel is fully booked and closed for the evening."

The driver will do anything to take you to hotel/hostel/guest house where he can receive a nice kickback from the owner.

It's a good idea to do your research on the accommodation before you land, that way you can insist that they take you there; providing them with the correct address, and the phone number for them to call the accommodation themselves.

Otherwise, another option is for you to get out of the taxi, and find a driver that's willing to cooperate with your itinerary.

Taxi drivers will also try to charge you more on arrival at your destination. Be sure to agree on all fares and payments for services clearly in advance; some people go as far as writing them on paper and carry a notebook with them for that very purpose. Others choose to record what's been quoted to them, ready to play it back if there's a dispute.

Being told that you can "pay as you like" is a sure warning sign.

When you're out and about you'll find scam artists waiting for you.

The poor student scam

One example is the "poor student" that offers to take you sightseeing for hours in exchange for school books.

Unfortunately for you, when you come to buy their books you'll find they're tremendously overpriced, and sold from a bookstore the "student" is affiliated with.

While we're talking about money, always check your change because almost everyone will try and shortchange you.

The fake train captain scam

Beware of fake "train captains". While it's common to pay to upgrade your train ticket on board, beware of uniformed train captains coming to check your ticket and offering to accept money in exchange for an upgrade. Make sure you know the going rate, otherwise you could pay the wrong person.

A few key giveaways to identify the difference between a real train captain, and a fraud:

Real train captain has a seating chart with a stack of papers in his hand to check which seats are empty and which are taken
Real train captains will have a badge with his name and number
Real train captains checks everyone's ticket, not just the tourists.
Frauds at tourist attractions
Be particularly wary of frauds at tourist attractions.

Gem scams

The gemstone regions of Jaipur and Agra could get you in even more financial strife.

Tourists have reported being approached by a "gem dealer" who convinces them to buy some gemstones from him, and transport them back home under their duty free allowance.

They're told that when they arrive back home, one of the dealer's partners will buy them back for much more money than they originally paid.

Of course the details that you'll be given about the "partner" are fictitious, and you'll be stuck with a heap of worthless gems when you get home.

Sometimes you won't be asked to buy the gems, but instead to provide a financial guarantee of your credit card number and signature. No prizes for guessing what happens after that.

Street scams

Popular scam in Delhi is for someone to throw garbage or faeces on your shoes while you're not looking, and then graciously offer to clean your shoes for a small fee.

Watch out for the "milk for baby scam". You may be approached by a young child who will be holding a baby.

They will tell you they aren't begging, but "Please could you buy some milk for my baby sister?"

They will then conveniently show you where to buy the milk – which, of course, will be available at a vastly inflated sum.

In any case, giving money to beggars of any kind in public is not safe, as it will result in a stampede of beggars from all directions.

International Driving Permit 1949 is required

• The most common religion in India is Hinduism
• Avoid crude humour or swearing. Indians may take offence to this manner of speech quite easily.
• Do not directly criticise India as a country. This form of criticism from a foreigner is usually unwelcome and may be interpreted as an insult.
• Avoid negative comments or criticisms about a person’s ability, appearance or attributes. Such comments are often taken to heart and will give your Indian counterpart the impression that you are insensitive.
• Do not assume that the work ethic of Indians is more laid-back than that of Australians. On the contrary, many Indians are very hard-working and a significant portion of the country is highly educated.
• Do not directly ask someone what caste they belong to. It is more appropriate to ask about their occupation.
• Do not criticise or patronise someone for their profession or vocation. Someone’s occupation is usually an important part of one’s personal identity.
• Try not to be intimidated by the process of haggling (persistent bargaining over the cost of something). For many people in India, haggling is part of daily life and often an enjoyable process.
• Avoid making judgements in absolute terms of right or wrong until you have a clear understanding of the circumstance. For many Indians, the context and situation are important in understanding whether something is moral and just.
• Drawing parallels between India and other countries on the Indian subcontinent such as Pakistan or Bangladesh may offend your Indian counterpart.
• Avoiding discussing tensions between Pakistan and India. This is a sensitive or heated topic for some Indians and can evoke a strong emotional response.

Do I need travel insurance to travel to India?

Travel insurance is very important when traveling overseas. We strongly recommend that you take out cover to travel to India. You can usually take out single trip or annual multi-trip cover to give you peace of mind should anything happen.

It can be a better and cheaper option to take annual multi-trip cover as it usually covers any number of trips taken in one year with a maximum of up to around 60 days away per trip.

We work with the top names in the industry and have already pre-selected the easiest, cheapest and best quality travel insurance on the market to save you time and money trying to find the best cover.

Travel insurance typically covers the following; however, you can tailor a policy to suit your needs depending on where you are traveling to, your activities and how long you are away.

• Medical Expenses
  Medical treatment can be extremely costly and add up very quickly, and include Overnight stays in hospital, minor or major surgery, accident and emergency treatment, drugs, COVID-19 treatment, journey home if you cannot use the original ticket, dental treatment, and many more unexpected expenses.
• Baggage and personal belongings
  If your baggage is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed it is extremely frustrating. If you must buy new clothes, toiletry products or personal belongings it can be very expensive and time consuming.
• Cancellation
  Sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances you may need to cancel your trip. This could be due to several reasons such as illness, injury, a bereavement or many other scenarios. Usually airlines, tour operators and hotels have large cancellation fees, so buying travel insurance that covers this is recommended.

Health Care

Healthcare System in India

Healthcare of India is ranked 101th in the world. India has a mixed health-care system, inclusive of public and private health-care service providers. However, most of the private health-care providers are concentrated in urban India, providing secondary and tertiary care health-care services.

Health Risk

Leptospirosis

Caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira.

Chikungunya

Caused by Mosquito bite.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever

Caused by touching the body fluids of a person or animal infected with CCHF.

Dengue

Occurs from insect bites, including mosquitoes.

Leishmaniasis

Occurs from sand fly bite.

Zika

Occurs from mosquito bite.

Avian/Bird Flu

Occurs from being around, touching, or working with infected poultry.

Hantavirus

Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Caused from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.