Business offices: 09:00 to 17:30, Monday to Friday
Banks: 10:00 to 14:00, Monday to Friday; 10:00 to 12:00, Saturday
Post offices: 10:00 to 19:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 10:00 to 20:00, Monday to Saturday

Aurangabad is generally considered to be a safe destinations, meaning most travellers should not experience problems. Foreigners are much more likely to be approached by locals interested in testing their English skills than petty criminals or scam artists. To be on the safe side though travellers here are advised to be particularly careful after dark, a warning that is especially applicable to single females. In general, Indians are not used to women travelling alone after sundown, which means they can attract unwanted attention.

Given that many of Aurangabad’s top attractions are located at various distances outside the city, the greatest threat to physical safety is likely to be caused as a result of the poor driving and equally bad roads that get decidedly dangerous during the monsoon season between June and September. Generally the more you pay for a vehicle to see these sites, the more likely you are to get a serviceable, sturdy vehicle.

Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz.

Aurangabad has a proud tradition of medical expertise and today boasts a number of medical colleges that specialise in just about every medical discipline there is, with a high number of alternative courses such as homeopathy. This doesn’t necessarily always translate to good medical facilities, of course; however, in the case of Aurangabad, the city does boast facilities that are above average.

Along with the medical schools, there are a large number of hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, both state-run and private, meaning there is generally no need to consider heading to Mumbai instead, except in complicated or specialist cases. This can easily be arranged here and in the private clinics almost all the doctors will speak at least some English.

Travellers should, however, make sure to sort out any necessary, regular medication before they depart, which would usually include malarial medication – be warned that Aurangabad does not stock the latest drugs used in the prevention of the disease. Also make sure that all necessary immunisations are fully up-to-date, including hepatitis A and tetanus.

International travellers not used to the region can expect to experience bad stomache aches that rarely become debilitating or serious in nature – usually the cause is lower standards of hygiene than you may be used to in the West rather than serious food poisoning. Make sure therefore to bring diarrhoea medicine such as Imodium and do not risk the local tap water but instead stick to sealed, bottled water. 

Kodlekeri Memorial Hospital: +91 02402335751

Marathi is the official language of Maharashtra state and of Aurangabad, and is the fourth most widely spoken language in India. Some locals will be able to speak Hindi and English. Those locals that speak the latter usually track down foreigners for a chat and will no doubt therefore be able to help with directions around the city.

Like the rest of India, the rupee is the currency of choice here. The lowest denomination is 1 rupee with 5, 10, 20 and 100 rupee notes the most commonly used. Changing larger sums like the 500 or 1000 rupee notes often proves difficult in Aurangabad.

There are nearly 50 banks listed for Aurangabad but few will be able to change international currency. Travellers should make the US dollar the currency of choice when visiting the city, the next best being euros and British sterling. The best place to change money is at the State Bank of India branch located at N-5 in the CIDCO area of the city close to the centre.

When changing money in Aurangabad and indeed just about anywhere in India, make sure to check the opening times as branches are rarely open for more than 4 hours a day; and in small cities like Aurangabad the clerks are often not used to exchanging foreign currency and therefore can take time to do so.

If you are flying all the way to Aurangabad then you will almost certainly go through Indian customs at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai where you will be asked to fill out a customs declaration form. Failing to declare illegal items or goods on which you have not paid the necessary duties will result in their confiscation along with a possible fine and imprisonment.

While Indian airport officials often look friendly, they will undoubtedly turn serious should you breach their regulations. This includes the requirement that all cash over the value of US$5,000 must be declared upon entry to the country.

Up to two litres of wine or spirits can legally be brought into the country but avoid bringing in more than that as it will likely be confiscated. All psychotropic substances are banned in India and carry severe punishment, which almost always includes imprisonment.

As a small provincial city, Aurangabad is less used to the peculiarities of Western behaviour, meaning all travellers from Europe and North America should avoid acting abrasively or in a disrespectful manner. Like many Asian cultures, India operates by a system of saving face, meaning that you should never get angry with someone who doesn’t understand a request or is slow in doing what you may have asked. Remember: you are a guest in their city and therefore should be required to abide by local laws, customs and etiquettes.

Visiting temples in the city presents perhaps the greatest possibility for inappropriate behaviour for the uninitiated. Make sure to dress modestly, which requires covering shoulders and your chest, and generally wearing long trousers, even if it blazing hot; and women should be especially conscientious. If in doubt, it is likely you are under-dressed, so cover up more. Some temples and places of worship will require that you walk in a clockwise direction. Wait to see what the locals do before you go, and then copy as best you can. Remain humble and covered up and you shouldn’t go too far wrong.

Dining Etiquette
As a foreigner, you will always be offered a spoon and fork or a knife and fork when you sit down at a restaurant in Aurangabad but you will almost always see locals eating their meal with their hands. Either way is suitable but if you decide to try the local way, make sure you always use you right hand to pick up food and to place it in your mouth. The left hand is considered incompatible with the dinner table.

When using your right hand scoop food up, try to avoid anything dropping below the palm or otherwise you will be forced to lick your lower arm. This isn’t necessarily rude but will cause great embarrassment on your part as no doubt your follow diners will take great amusement from your ineptitude.

Never bring alcohol to a restaurant in Aurangabad. Few will serve beer or wine except those located in the top hotels in the city. Tipping at such places is considered normal and the average tip is about 10 per cent; however, you need not do so at standard cafés and restaurants.

All foreign visitors to India require a visa of sorts, whether it’s a standard tourist visa or a business visa. The only exceptions are nationals of neighbouring Nepal and Bhutan.

If you don’t have a valid Indian visa when you reach the check-in gate in your home country you will not be allowed to board the plane: unlike other destinations in Asia, India does not provide for visa-on-arrival, meaning you will have to sort out the necessary paperwork in advance. This means visiting an Indian consulate or embassy abroad or going to a travel agent that will do this for you, although the latter method almost always ends up being considerably more expensive and no faster.

The majority of Western tourists will be eligible for a 6-month visa for visiting India, which is activated from the moment it is placed inside your passport and not the moment you enter immigration as is the case in numerous other countries. Do not therefore make the mistake of getting your visa more than 6 months in advance thinking you’re well prepared only to find out that by the time you travel it has expired. Sometimes Indian missions abroad will issue 1-year tourist visas upon request but usually not; meaning if you want to stay longer you will have to go to immigration once in the country and the nearest office to Aurangabad is located in Mumbai.

Make sure you have at least one passport page free to receive the visa stamp and that your travel document is valid for at least 6 months after your intended departure from India.

Aurangabad’s main Government of India Tourist Office is located on Station road at Krishna Villas in the centre of the city. The office can be reached on: +91 243 233 1217.