Country Information

  Airport taxes

No airport tax is levied on passengers upon embarkation at the airport.
 

  Security

• India has varying safety levels depending on the region. Petty crime such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, and mobile phone theft is common in crowded areas, markets, and public transport hubs.
• Violent crime is less common but can occur, especially in isolated areas. Avoid walking alone at night and stick to well-lit, busy streets.
• Keep valuables, passports, and travel documents secure. Use hotel safes and avoid displaying expensive jewellery or electronics.
• Be cautious at ATMs and avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Credit card fraud and scams are common—use ATMs in secure locations.
• Road conditions vary: urban traffic is chaotic, and rural roads can be poorly maintained. Driving at night is risky due to poor lighting and unpredictable traffic.
• Public transport can be crowded and unsafe for valuables. Use reputable private transport or pre-arranged transfers.
• Avoid political gatherings or demonstrations as they can turn violent without warning.
• Emergency numbers: Police 100, Fire 101, Ambulance 102 (or 112 for general emergencies).
• Drug laws are strict, and penalties for possession or trafficking are severe.
• Natural hazards include flooding during the monsoon season and occasional earthquakes—follow local advice and avoid affected areas.

Note to LGBT travellers: Same-sex relations are legal, but public attitudes remain conservative, and discrimination can occur. Discretion is advised, especially outside major cities.

Note to women travellers: Harassment and unwanted attention are common, particularly for solo female travellers. Avoid isolated areas, especially at night, and follow standard safety precautions.

  Health Precautions

Vaccinations

Compulsory:
None.

Recommended:
• Routine vaccines (including MMR and diphtheria–tetanus–polio)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid
• Influenza (seasonal)
• COVID‑19 (up to date)
• Polio (adult booster recommended due to circulation in some regions)
• Rabies (consider for long stays, rural travel, or potential animal exposure)
• Japanese encephalitis (consider for rural stays, monsoon season, or prolonged outdoor activities)
• Cholera (for higher‑risk travellers or deployments in outbreak areas)
• Varicella/chickenpox and shingles where applicable
• Pneumococcal (for those 65+ or immunocompromised)

Additional Health Considerations
• Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only for travellers arriving from, or transiting through, any country with risk of yellow fever transmission. South Africa is not a yellow fever risk country and travellers from South Africa do not require a yellow fever certificate.
• Malaria: Risk varies by region; higher in rural areas and during/after monsoon season. Chemoprophylaxis and mosquito‑bite prevention strongly advised.
• Dengue, chikungunya, Zika: Widespread mosquito‑borne risks; strict bite avoidance recommended.
• Air quality: Pollution levels can be high, especially in major cities; travellers with respiratory conditions should take precautions.
• Gastrointestinal diseases: High risk; maintain strict food and water hygiene.
• Heat and dehydration: High temperatures in many regions; maintain hydration and sun protection.
• Healthcare quality: Variable; high‑quality private care in major cities, limited facilities in rural areas.
• Medication availability: Good in cities, limited in rural regions; bring essential prescriptions.
• Medical evacuation: Recommended to have insurance including medical evacuation, especially for remote travel.

  Currency

1 Rupee (INR) = 100 paise.
Latest exchange rate: INR1 = ZAR0,1753 (25 Feb 2026 05:00).

Change money (preferably USD or GBP) at banks and authorised exchange offices only. Ask for an encashment receipt as it needs to be shown when paying large amounts of local currency, and will be required for re-converting unused INR. Avoid accepting damaged notes as change, or from currency exchange, as they may not be accepted in some establishments, and it is a good idea to get some small denomination notes. Major credit cards are accepted in large establishments, but smaller shops often only take cash. There are ATMs in large cities and towns. Some travellers have reported ATMs snatching back money if you don’t remove it within around 30 seconds. Conversely, other machines can take more than 30 seconds to actually release cash, so don’t panic if the money doesn’t appear instantly. Nobody in India ever seems to have change, so it’s a good idea to maintain a stock of smaller currency. Try to stockpile INR10, 20 and 50 notes; change bigger bills into these denominations every time you change money. Traveller’s cheques (preferably in USD or GBP) are accepted and can be exchanged at many banks and some major hotels.

Banking hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 to 15:30 and Saturday 10:00 to 13:00.

  Language

Hindi is the official language of India. English is spoken in tourist areas and is also used for a wide range of official business purposes. There are 22 regional languages. These include Bengali, Gujarati, Oriya and Punjabi, which are used in respective regions, and Tamil and Telugu, which are common in the south of India. Other regional languages include Kannada, Malayalam and Marathi.
 

  Electricity

230 volts, 50Hz (same as SA). Plugs are European 2-pin round, Indian 3-pin round, and South African 3-pin round.
 

  Telecoms/Internet

WiFi is widely accessible. It is usually free at hotels, guesthouses, hostels etc but some places do charge. Most restaurants, cafés and bars also offer free WiFi and there are a few public WiFi hotspots in major cities. A few Internet cafés are available. Scamming is an issue so try avoid accessing banking sites etc when using public WiFi or an Internet café. Local SIM cards can be purchased at airports and in supermarkets and stores.

  Public Holidays

2026: New Year’s Day (01 Jan); Republic Day (26 Jan); Maha Shivaratri (08 Mar); Holi (25 Mar); Good Friday (29 Mar); Idul Fitr (10-11 Apr); Labour Day (01 May); Dr Ambedkar Jayanti (14 Apr); Ram Navami (17 Apr); Eid al-Adha (17-18 Jun); Muharram (Islamic New Year) (17 Jul); Independence Day (15 Aug); Janmashtami (26 Aug); Eid e Milad (Prophet’s Birthday) (16 Sep); Gandhi Jayanti (02 Oct); Vijaya Dashami (13 Oct); Diwali (01 Nov); Guru Nanak Jayanti (15 Nov); Christmas Day (25 Dec). 

Public holiday note: Most states have their own holidays.

  Customs

Visas:

• South Africans require a visa to enter India.

e-Arrival Card

• In order to clear immigration, it is mandatory  to complete the e-Arrival Card, 72 hours before arrival in India. 

Duty-free allowances:

• 100 cigarettes or 25 cigars of 125g of tobacco
• 2 litres of alcoholic liquor or wine
• Medicines in reasonable quantities
• 250ml of eau de toilette
• 2 ounces of perfume
• Jewellery up to a combined value of INR50 000 for male travellers or INR100 000 for female travellers
• INR8 000 worth of travel souvenirs
• Goods for personal use

Prohibited goods:

• E-cigarettes
• Remote controlled drones and helicopters, without a WPC license issued by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology
• Satellite phones, without specific permission from Department of Telecommunication, Government of India.
• All kinds of birds and bird products (incl. eggs, feathers, meat etc.)
• Pigs and pig meat products.
• Indian coins which are covered by the Antique and Art Treasure Act of 1972

Special notes:

• Duty-free import is only permitted if travellers enter India for a stay of not less than 24 hours and not more than six months, provided they visit not more than once a month.
• Only travellers of 17 years and older may bring in alcohol and tobacco.
• Goods in excess of the maximum permitted amount will be subject to an import duty of 60%.
• A minimum of 48 hours is required by the Airport Health Office for the importation of human remains or ashes. A death certificate is also required (in English or translated into English). A death certificate indicating cause of death as unknown or pending will not be accepted. Please contact airline for further requirements that apply to the carriage and importation of bodies.
• Import of remote-controlled drones and helicopters is allowed with a WPC licence issued by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.
• Import of seeds and plants for the purpose of sowing, planting and propagation, consumption, research and breeding requires an import permit. Import is restricted to the airports of Amritsar (ATQ), Bengaluru (BLR), Chennai (MMA), Delhi (DEL), Guwahati (GAU), Kolkata (CCU), Mumbai (BOM), Patna (PAT), Hyderabad (HYD), Thiruvananthapuram (TRV), Tiruchirappalli (TRZ), Varanasi (VNS).
• Import of livestock and livestock products by any means, including cargo or baggage, is restricted and requires a sanitary import permit, as well as a No Objection Certificate (NOC). An NOC must be obtained in advance from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services. Products that include meat and meat products of all kinds including fresh, chilled and frozen meat, tissue or organs; egg and egg powder; milk and milk products; bovine, ovine and caprine embryos, ova or semen; pet foods of animal origin; gelatine, fur, animal skin, wool, leather, carpets, horns, bone and bone grist, feathers, shuttle cock, etc.
• Arms and ammunition regulations: Import Permit required from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in India.
• Pet regulations: Import licence issued by the Director General of Foreign Trade is required. Entry would be possible only from airports where there are Animal Quarantine and Certification Services officers posted for inspection. A veterinary health certificate issued by the country of export is required as well as a No Objection Certificate arranged at least seven days prior to import from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services. Upon arrival all pets will be examined by the Quarantine Officer.
• Baggage clearance regulations: Baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry. Exempt – baggage of transit passengers with a destination outside India.
• Currency import regulations: Local currency (Indian Rupee-INR) up to max INR25 000. Foreign currencies unlimited, however amounts exceeding USD5 000 (or equivalent) in cash, or USD10 000 (or equivalent) in traveller’s cheques must be declared. Foreign currencies include currency notes, traveller’s cheques, cheques, drafts etc. (Re)exchange only through banks and authorised money exchange points.
• Currency export regulations: Local currency (Indian Rupee-INR) up to max INR25 000. Foreign currencies up to the amount imported and declared. Foreign currencies include currency notes, traveller’s cheques, cheques, drafts etc. (Re)exchange only through banks and authorised money exchange points.
• Global liquid ban regulations apply. See below.

NB! This is only a brief overview of Customs requirements. If you need additional information, please contact the High Commission of India on (012) 342 5392.

GLOBAL LIQUID BAN REGULATIONS
Global security guidelines have been issued by the International Civil Aviation Organisation implementing restrictions on liquids, gels, pastes and aerosols that passengers are allowed to carry in their hand luggage.

The following rules will apply throughout most airports world wide:
Passengers may only carry small quantities (max. 100 ml per container) of liquids, gels, pastes and aerosols in their hand baggage. The packaging of these products must also meet specific requirements.

The new rules apply for liquids such as water, drinks, cream, lotion, oil, perfume, spray, hair gel, bath gel, various types of foam, toothpaste, deodorant, lip gloss or any product of similar substance. Exceptions will be made for baby milk, special dietary foods and medication, for which prescriptions are required.

The following rules apply for liquids in hand baggage:
– Passengers are only allowed to carry liquids and gels in containers with a volume of 100 ml or less.
– These containers may only be carried in a transparent plastic bag.
– Each passenger may only carry one such transparent plastic bag.
– The volume of the transparent plastic bag may not exceed 1 litre.
– The transparent plastic bag must be re-sealable.
– You may bring a transparent plastic bag from home.

Liquids and gels that you purchase after passing through passport control or aboard the aircraft will be packed and sealed for you in the shop or on board, if necessary. The package seal will remain valid for 24 hours. If you have to catch a connecting flight, you will not be allowed to break the seal until you have reached your final destination.

Note: Please consult relevant airline for hand baggage rules regarding liquid ban.

  Doing business

Office hours: Monday to Friday 09:30 to 17:30. Some offices open Saturday 09:30 to 13:00.

Dress: Men tend to wear smart, but comfortable and cool clothing. Any foreign businessman should wear a lightweight suit when visiting although ties are not compulsory except in more traditional sectors such as banking and the law. Women should wear conservative dresses or trouser suits.

Greeting: A firm handshake is a common greeting. Another greeting is to hold the palms of your hands together and say Namaste while bowing slightly. Men and women do not generally shake hands with each other. Address Indian counterparts by their title, such as Professor or Doctor. Use Mr, Mrs, or Miss followed by their last name if they do not have a title. English is used to conduct business. 

Communication and etiquette: The majority religion is Hindu. Dress is generally conservative and women should not wear revealing clothing. Take off shoes before going into religious buildings and people’s houses. Only use the right hand for eating and giving or receiving items. Be sensitive to the fact that Hindus do not eat red meat, and leather products are not appropriate gifts. Avoid discussing religion or local politics. Be punctual for business appointments. Avoid touching people or moving/passing objects with your shoes. Winking and whistling should be avoided.
 

  Getting around

• Driving is on the left-hand side; roads are generally good in cities and major routes, but rural areas may have variable conditions
• International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended for non-Indian license holders and may be required by rental agencies
• Car rentals are available in major cities, though self-driving is less common due to traffic and local driving styles
• Public transport includes extensive rail networks, metro systems in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, and widespread bus services
• Taxis are available in urban areas; metered fares are common in some cities, but negotiation may be needed elsewhere
• Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Ola are widely used and reliable
• Domestic flights are frequent and connect all major cities and many regional destinations
• Auto-rickshaws are a popular and inexpensive mode of transport in towns and cities
• Ferries operate in coastal regions and across rivers, especially in Kerala and West Bengal
• Walking is common in markets and historic areas, though pedestrian infrastructure varies
• Customs are diverse and regionally influenced; modest clothing is generally appreciated, especially in rural and religious areas

  Accommodation

• There’s a vast infrastructure of accommodation in India with a range of hotels, guesthouses and hostels. The most luxurious options can be found in modern cities like New Delhi and Bangalore.
• Most international hotel brands can be found in the major cities.
• There are also heritage hotels that have been approved by the Ministry of Tourism. These offer a unique experience for visitors.
• Guesthouses and hostels vary from budget to more luxurious.
• The many beach resorts range from basic to five-star luxury.
• Many accommodation options cater for an authentic Indian-experience and, for those wanting a more unique experience, there are tree-top lodges, homestays, retreats, and eco-villages.
• Hotel bills may be subject to a 10% expenditure tax, 7-15% luxury tax, and a service charge.

  Useful tips

• Tip 10% in restaurants if service charges are not included in the bill.
• Round up taxi fares but give a bigger tip for longer journeys.
• Tip hairdressers and guides 10% and tip porters about INR15 per bag.

  Disability awareness

Airports and train and metro stations are equipped for those with disabilities, offering ramps, designated parking areas and dedicated toilet facilities. Most major trains offer wheelchair access and dedicated areas. There are wheelchairs for hire and many tour operators can provide minivans for those with limited mobility. Hotels and some guesthouses will be able to accommodate travellers with disabilities. Make sure you ask about all facilities available. Unfortunately, pavements and roads are not always in great condition, making it difficult for wheelchair access. Attractions, too, are not always wheelchair friendly. It is best to speak to a tour operator about what attractions are most accessible.