Banks: 10:00 to 14:00, Monday to Friday; 10:00 to 12:00, Saturday
Post offices: 10:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday; 10:00 to 14:00, Saturday
Government offices: 07:30 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Business centres: 08:00 to 21:00, Monday to Saturday
Shops: 09:30 to 19:00, daily.

As with travelling to anywhere in the world, visitors are advised to take care of their personal belongings and stay aware when out and about. Baggage handlers are often among the greatest annoyance just after stepping off the plane at the airport. Say ‘no’ politely yet firmly if you do not need help. If you find yourself lost, look for a policeman or go into a shop for directions.

230 volts AC, 50Hz.

The major health concern in Kolkata, like much of the rest of India, is probably first and foremost an upset stomach. Many visitors often spend many days in bed or even hospital with severe stomach problems. To avoid this, take your meals in restaurants that have good sanitation facilities and safe methods of food production. Another problem that is quite common is malaria or dengue fever from mosquito bites. There are a wide range of hospitals in the city and many are of international standards. The private hospitals in the city offer by far the best standards of care and these receive the greatest numbers of patients.

Ruby General Hospital: +91 33 2442 0291/24426091/24426576

Emergency services: 100

Bengali and Hindi are the two most widely spoken languages in Kolkata. Most people, particularly in tourist areas, will have a fairly decent understanding of and capability to speak English. However, foreigners often find themselves having to compromise their English in order to communicate effectively. Speaking broken English may take some time getting used to but it is often the only way to make yourself understood. Using your hands and actions also help greatly in communication.

The Indian rupee (Rs) is India’s currency, and comes in denominations of Rs1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 notes. Coins come in denominations of Rs5, 2 and 1, as well as 50 and 25 paise. There are 100 paise in a rupee.

You can’t exchange Indian rupees outside of the country so if you’re going to need money to get to your hotel, you must head to the airport’s exchange bureau when you arrive. However, exchanging large amounts is not advisable as the rates at the airports are among the worst available. If your hotel has an airport transfer service, then arrange for pick-up before you arrive.

The best exchange rates are offered by the banks in India, however the cheapest option is to withdraw cash from the ATMs as they are convenient and give the most competitive rates. You’ll find no shortage of unauthorised money changers, but it’s inadvisable to use them as you could be cheated easily.

Don’t accept notes that are torn or damaged badly, as others will not accept them from you. It’s a good idea to keep a wad of smaller bills for tips. At small shops, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to change anything larger than a Rs500 note, so try and keep a good supply of Rs100s.

Ask for a receipt when exchanging money and hold on to it until you leave the country in case you want to change rupees back to your currency before leaving. It is illegal to take rupees out of the country.

ATMs are widely available in the big cities across India and they typically accept Cirrus and PLUS. Most ATMs allow you to withdraw Rs10,000 at a time, which is roughly US$200. Credit cards are accepted in the larger restaurants, hotels and shops, with Visa and MasterCard being the most popular; expect a two per cent service change. Traveller’s cheques are accepted at banks, hotels and some restaurants.

Those travelling with US$10,000 or more or the equivalent in a foreign currency are required to fill out a declaration form. Adults 18 years and over can import 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco; 2 litres of alcohol; and 60ml of perfume.

If you are carrying electronics such as cameras or video equipment or a laptop, you must fill out a Tourist Baggage Re-Export form. This is to ensure that you already owned the equipment before entering the country.

The first thing you should learn is the traditional greeting of ‘namaste’, done by pressing the palms together while bowing your head forward slightly. Men may shake hands with other men, especially if doing business, but Indian women never do.

Remember to always remove your shoes when entering a temple or private home. Indian people dress conservatively and so should you. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not acceptable attire. Public displays of affection or anger are taboo; using your utmost self control will find you great respect. The right hand is used for any interaction and to eat with. If you would like to take a photo of an Indian person, simply ask first.

Dining Etiquette Indians eat the majority of their meals in groups. If you are invited to join, you should be aware that the main dishes are served on the middle of the table while each person takes individual spoons from each dish to their own plate in front of them. Both pork and beef are generally not available in restaurants and if you don’t see them on the menu then you shouldn’t ask. Tips of 10 per cent are usual in larger restaurants, even for Indian customers.

Your Indian tourist visa should be applied for and obtained from the nearest Indian consulate in your home country before arrival in India. If you do not possess an Indian visa at check–in at the airport, you will be unable to take your flight. It is possible to have a travel agent arrange your visa for you. However, this nearly always works out to be considerably more expensive

Residents of most Western countries will be eligible for a 6-month tourist visa. Unlike other systems, the Indian visa is activated the moment it is received and not the moment you arrive in the country. Make sure that you do not apply for it too far in advance as it will be a waste of the document. It is advised that your passport has at least one stamp page free before travelling and is valid for up to six months upon your entry to India.

There are a number of tourist offices across Kolkata offering reliable and convenient information and services. The West Bengal Tourist Bureau, located on BBD Bagh street, is a good service for information on the city and surrounding areas. The Government of India Tourist Office is one of the main information centres in the city, while the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council Office offers advice on excursions to the surrounding countryside. The Government of India Tourist Office is located at 4, Shakespeare Sarani and can be reached at: +91 242 3521/242 1402.