GENERAL FAQs

WHAT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS DO I NEED ?
On arrival in India you must produce a valid national passport or other document satisfactory establishing your identity and nationality , Indian visa from the Indian Consulate in your country.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT INDIA ?
The best time to visit INDIA is from October to March. However, if one is looking for best value for money then April, July and August are also not bad months as one can stay at Palace hotels without spending a fortune during those months.

HOW SHOULD I TRAVEL AROUND IN INDIA ?
The best way to travel around is to hire a car with driver as this enables you to have a glimpse of real INDIA including villages, their houses and small forts at your own pace which is not possible by air or by train. One can also go by public transport as that is quite cheap but then one has to follow their schedule and cannot stop where one feels like and at the same time it is quite hectic.

I HAVE HEARD LOT OF PALACE AND HERITAGE HOTELS. IS IT TOO EXPENSIVE ?
Palace hotels are definitely expensive but we can offer you special discounted rates for these hotels and during off season (from April to September the rates are even cheaper). Heritage hotels which are small palaces are easily affordable.

DO I NEED AN INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF VACCINATION ?
Yes, yellow fever vaccinations would be required if you are coming from infected or endemic areas.

DO I NEED MEDICAL/TRAVEL INSURANCE ?
Yes. It is advisable to take both to cover theft, loss, or illness.

IS THERE A FOREIGN TRAVEL TAX ?
Yes Rs. 500 has to be paid at the airport as Foreign Travel Tax.

DO I NEED TAX CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE ?
If your stay in India exceeds 120 days you would be required to furnish a tax clearance certificate to leave the country. This is to prove that you did not earn money while in India.

HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I BRING ?
You may bring is as much money as you wish. There is no restriction on the amount of travellers" Cheques changed.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE INDIAN MONEY SYSTEM ?
Though the rates keep fluctuating , one dollar is roughly equivalent to 45 Indian rupees. Indian rupees are available in denominations of 1,2,5,10,20,50,100,500,1000.

WHAT ARE THE WORKING HOURS OF BANKS AND POST OFFICES ?
Opening hours from all banks are 10 am to 2 pm on weekdays. Till noon on Saturday. All banks are closed on Sundays and public holidays.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP ?
It is generally advisable to pay 10% to 15% of the billed amount.

WHAT IS THE VOLTAGE ?
The standard voltage throughout the country is 220 volts.

WHEN ARE THE NATIONAL HOLIDAYS ?
JAN 26 : REPUBLIC DAY AUG 15 : INDEPENDENCE DAY OCT 02 : GANDHI JAYANTI

IS IT NOT BETTER TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT THAN HIRING A CAR FROM YOU ?
Public transport is certainly cheaper and gives you a unique experience to mingle with local population but at the same time it is quite hectic. You have to follow their schedule.You loose precious time as well as it does not allow you to stop on the way wherever you feel like. Then you have to hire taxi from tramsfer from bus / railway station and for city town. If you take all that into consideration then you may not like renting a car is not an expensive option.

IF AT ALL, I HAVE TO USE A TRAVEL AGENT / TOUR OPERATOR, WHY STATE EXPRESS ?
State Express is a leading travel agency specializing in inbound tours and recognised by department of Tourism, Government of India . We are also a member of IATO (INDIAN ASSOCIATION OF TOUR OPERATORS) and TAAI ( TRAVEL AGENTS ASSOCIATION OF INDIA). We are IATA (14 3 52542) approved travel agency and have our own fleet of cars and coaches with experience drivers.

IF I COME ACROSS ANY PROBLEM DURING MY TRIP , HOW WOULD YOU HELP ME ?
Our office is open 24 hours a day and that means you will always find someone to assist you even at odd hours. Besides this we shall give you mobile nos. of executives whom you may contact for any emergency .We also have own / associate offices in all major tourist cities.

WHAT ABOUT PAYMENT TERMS ?
This depending on the services you may require. But normally , we need a token advance (10% of token payment ) except for services for which advance payment is must .But can be paid through bank transfer (before arrival ) credit card, traveler's cheques or cash.

WHAT IF I HAVE TO MAKE ANY CHANGES IN THE TOUR FOR ANY REASON ?
We shall try to cooperate to make changes as per your request and shall not charge you anything unless the principal suppliers levy cancellation / amendment charge.

WHAT ABOUT CANCELLATION POLICY ?
We shall charge you only what is charged by principal suppliers i.e airlines, railways or hotels, etc. We can let you know at the time of reservation as what services and how much cancellation would be applicable.

DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED GUIDES IN DIFFERENT CITIES OF INDIA ?
yes we have English speaking guides all over INDIA .At Jaipur, Jodhpur , Jaisalmer and Udaipur , we also have french , German , Spanish ,Italian and Japenese guides. We can also offer accompanying tourist guides for groups.

WHY SHOULD I BOOK HOTELS THROUGH STATE EXPRESS ?
There are plenty of hotels in most of major tourist destination of INDIA .But if you are looking for a particular oF heritage hotel then you may be disappointed by not finding any room if even a large group is booked there . Besides this we have very special discounted rates from these hotels (upto 70 %) which can be offered to you.