Locals vs Tourist Rates

MineshK · Oct 23rd, 2007, 00:47

Why is it that there is a SUBSTANCIAL difference in the price of airfares, train fares etc if you are an Indian resident, compared with a tourist?

I plan on making at least 2 internal flights on my trip, but am really put off because the tourist rates are double that of locals.

I am Indian (British), so would I get away with paying the cheaper price, or would I be forced to pay that of a tourist, assuming I fly with say Jet Airways.

Edit - Apologies, can a moderator please move this to the internal flights forum please. Thanks

Thanks

Nick-H · Oct 23rd, 2007, 01:03

I don't think there is any difference in train fares, and, bit by bit, the airlines seem to be dropping the practice.

MineshK · Oct 23rd, 2007, 01:09

I honestly dont believe its the airlines who are the culprits... maybe the airports, I dont know.

Do locals have to show their passport at airports for Domestic flights? I've been told that's where the problems begin.

mairangi_vice · Oct 23rd, 2007, 11:50

You do have to show some id at the airport to check in. But I have never had any problems with this, and I have never paid the 'foreigner' fare, and I am quite obviously foreign.

In fact I never knew there was such a thing as foreigner fares until I read it on this site.

Just book the normal fare, but be prepared to pay extra if they ask for it (which they probably wont)

shashank.aggarwal · Oct 23rd, 2007, 12:02

What the fare is, its the matter of policy and what you would be trying to do is to cheat them.

I would advice against trying to get off by paying Indian fares..instead book with an airline that has same fare for all..and most of the airlines have the same fare...

Railways have the same fare for everyone..unless you are using the tourist quote, where they might have some difference, not sure about that thoug..

New-South-Welshman · Oct 23rd, 2007, 12:03

The only times I've paid as a foreigner is at touristy places like the Taj. That grinds my gears. I never noticed if I was paying a foreigner rate with SpiceJet.

the three b's · Oct 23rd, 2007, 14:28

Agree. I've just booked two different routes and as far as I know the only airline that does this is Indian. I'm going on Deccan and Spicejet booked through makemytrip, and saw Kingfisher and Jetlite as well at very good prices.

machadinha · Oct 23rd, 2007, 14:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.aggarwal

Railways have the same fare for everyone..unless you are using the tourist quote, where they might have some difference, not sure about that thoug..

I don't think so, as far as I know the Tourist Quota fare is the same, but you need to pay for it in foreign currency, or in Rupees by providing an encashment certificate issued to you by the bank when changing money (or an ATM slip, these days, I assume but can't be sure).

shashank.aggarwal · Oct 23rd, 2007, 15:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

I don't think so, as far as I know the Tourist Quota fare is the same, but you need to pay for it in foreign currency, or in Rupees by providing an encashment certificate issued to you by the bank when changing money (or an ATM slip, these days, I assume but can't be sure).

thats great...I did mention that I was not sure about it !!

actually what I thought was that the fares might be equal however there might be some quota charges OR something like that just like Taktal...

machadinha · Oct 23rd, 2007, 15:17

Yes, you had me wondering about it, but if memory serves me right (I'll gladly stand corrected) there's no extra charge no.

ps You also need to provide your passport for it, so I don't think this will work for Indian residents with some dollars to spare -- alas

wonderwomanusa · Oct 24th, 2007, 13:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

I don't think so, as far as I know the Tourist Quota fare is the same, but you need to pay for it in foreign currency, or in Rupees by providing an encashment certificate issued to you by the bank when changing money (or an ATM slip, these days, I assume but can't be sure).

The only place I've ever had to do that is at the Foreigner Booking Office in Delhi; nobody else has ever asked for an encashment certificate or ATM receipt.

I don't believe there is an extra charge for tourists, and we older folks are offered the same senior discount! What a surprise that was!

machadinha · Oct 24th, 2007, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by wonderwomanusa

The only place I've ever had to do that is at the Foreigner Booking Office in Delhi; nobody else has ever asked for an encashment certificate or ATM receipt.

Yes, but were you trying to use the Quota? If not, you can just pay in Rupees. It's true though, I seem to remember at smaller places they may not bother with the requirement, or presumably accept you're foreign at face value.

Quote:

and we older folks are offered the same senior discount! What a surprise that was!

So I hear yes, good for you. Now just for me to grow up...

Oct 23rd, 2007, 00:47	#1
MineshK Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Posts: 4	Locals vs Tourist Rates Why is it that there is a SUBSTANCIAL difference in the price of airfares, train fares etc if you are an Indian resident, compared with a tourist? I plan on making at least 2 internal flights on my trip, but am really put off because the tourist rates are double that of locals. I am Indian (British), so would I get away with paying the cheaper price, or would I be forced to pay that of a tourist, assuming I fly with say Jet Airways. Edit - Apologies, can a moderator please move this to the internal flights forum please. Thanks Thanks

Oct 23rd, 2007, 01:03	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,862	I don't think there is any difference in train fares, and, bit by bit, the airlines seem to be dropping the practice. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Oct 23rd, 2007, 12:02	#5
shashank.aggarwal Mr. Badboy :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,510	What the fare is, its the matter of policy and what you would be trying to do is to cheat them. I would advice against trying to get off by paying Indian fares..instead book with an airline that has same fare for all..and most of the airlines have the same fare... Railways have the same fare for everyone..unless you are using the tourist quote, where they might have some difference, not sure about that thoug.. __________________ Travelogue - Around India Random Reviews

Oct 23rd, 2007, 12:03	#6
New-South-Welshman Drunk Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney, NSW Posts: 1,376	The only times I've paid as a foreigner is at touristy places like the Taj. That grinds my gears. I never noticed if I was paying a foreigner rate with SpiceJet. __________________ Mr. Burns "Non-violence never solved anything!"

Oct 23rd, 2007, 14:28	#7
the three b's Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northampton, U.K. Posts: 40	Agree. I've just booked two different routes and as far as I know the only airline that does this is Indian. I'm going on Deccan and Spicejet booked through makemytrip, and saw Kingfisher and Jetlite as well at very good prices. __________________ frequently bothered & bewildered, but totally.....

Oct 23rd, 2007, 01:09	#3
MineshK Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Posts: 4	I honestly dont believe its the airlines who are the culprits... maybe the airports, I dont know. Do locals have to show their passport at airports for Domestic flights? I've been told that's where the problems begin.

Oct 23rd, 2007, 11:50	#4
mairangi_vice Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 284	You do have to show some id at the airport to check in. But I have never had any problems with this, and I have never paid the 'foreigner' fare, and I am quite obviously foreign. In fact I never knew there was such a thing as foreigner fares until I read it on this site. Just book the normal fare, but be prepared to pay extra if they ask for it (which they probably wont)

Oct 23rd, 2007, 15:17	#10
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,571	Yes, you had me wondering about it, but if memory serves me right (I'll gladly stand corrected) there's no extra charge no. ps You also need to provide your passport for it, so I don't think this will work for Indian residents with some dollars to spare -- alas

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