General tips while travelling to Ahmedabad
Packing Tips
The climate is mostly warm and plain cottons or cotton /synthetic blends are the most practical and the coolest in summer. It’s best to avoid synthetic fabrics that don’t ‘breathe’. In the summer, a hat with a wide brim as well as sunglasses is recommended for protection from the harsh sun. When traveling during monsoons, a collapsible umbrella comes handy.
Taxi drivers don’t expect tips unless they go through a great deal of trouble to get to your destination, but if you hire a car with a driver, tip him about Rs.50-100 per day, depending on the distance traveled.
During the winter months, sweaters and light jackets are required.
For functions, carry formal suits for men, skirts, and tops for women.
Trekkers and travellers going on any outdoor adventure should bring a daypack that will hold a sweater, camera, a water bottle. Good pair of binoculars and sunglasses that block out ultraviolet rays are advised. Also carry strong sun block, sewing kit, premoistened towelettes, and pocketknife with can opener, lock and key for each duffel or bag, high-power impact-resistant flashlight, spare batteries (unless they’re a popular size). Sports enthusiasts should bring their own tennis or golf balls, which are expensive in India. Electronic Gadgets for electric-powered equipment bring a converter and an adapter. The electrical current in India is 220 volts, 50 cycles alternating current (AC), wall outlets take plugs with two round prongs.
Tipping in India
Tipping is virtually unknown in India, except in swanky establishments in the major cities. In tourist restaurants or large hotels, a 10% service charge is often added to bills. In smaller places, where tipping is optional, you need only tip a few rupees, not a percentage of your bill. Most major hotels include a service charge of 10%. Waiters, room service boys, housekeepers, porters, and doormen all expect to be tipped.
You should pay railroad porters Rs.5 to 10 per bag, depending on the weight. Be sure to set the rate before you let him take your bags.
Health precautions and other related information
Foreign tourists should carry their Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate conforming to International Health Regulation, if they originate or are transiting through Yellow Fever endemic countries.
Health risks
Cholera, dengue fever, dysentery, hepatitis, malaria and typhoid. Travellers with respiratory ailments may wish to take precautionary measures.
Health Certificate
Citizens and travellers coming from the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom, do not require any vaccination certificate or inoculations. Though normally an International Health Certificate is not asked for by immigration officials, its better to carry one. It contains valuable information incase one needs medical attention.
Vaccinations
As a precautionary measure vaccination against Hepatitis B is recommended, if staying for a longer duration. To avoid Malaria, Dengue, carrying mosquito repellents, nets, clothes covering the body and using sprays against insects in rooms is sufficient. A first aid kit carrying adhesive bandages, thermometer, water-purification tablets, antibiotics, antiseptic creams and mosquito repellents is advisable. Drinking only mineral or boiled water curbs down the chances of stomach ailments, thus whenever going out carrying a bottle always comes handy. This will also keep dehydration at bay. If in doubt, one can take a salt-sugar solution 1/2 tsp. salt and 4 tbsp. sugar in one litre of water to rehydrate.
At Eating Joints
Though sticking to a vegetarian diet is recommended, eating only thoroughly cooked meat is advisable.
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