Airports and water

yaduck23

I'm headed for India next week. I'm a getting a little nervous about the airport at Delhi. Is going through customs going to be difficult with language barriers or anything like that? Is there a money exchange booth easy to find in the airport? Is the airport pretty straightforward?

I also have some questions on water. Aside from buying bottled water what are your favorite ways for treating water. Will iodine tablets work fine with water I get from a hotel or something like that? Any ideas on how I could boil water in my room?

Thanks again for your input. I really appreciate it.

mercedes10

The airport isn't nearly as scary as everyone likes to make out! Language barriers will not be a problem. You'll find that most people in India speak at least some English (and certainly airport officials will). Immigration can sometimes take a long time, so it's more frustrating and tiring than anything else. Exchange counters are easy to find too. Don't worry!!

Can't help with the water question, I always use bottles.

Jorge Reverter

Customs in Delhi and Bombay are since one or two years very quick, everybody in the airport speaks english or indinglish, more than enough for a foreigner like me. You'll find easily three or four bank counters inside the airport. About the water, the best thing to do in my opinion is to drink always mineral water, is only 13 rupees and is available everywhere.

Jorge

capt_mahajan

every official you meet at the airport will speak english to some extent. exchange counters are available. the airport is as straigtforward as most western ones, even if the ambience and atmosphere are, shall we say, different.

and, regardless of horror stories of earlier days, if you are an honest traveller carrying stuff within declared and legal limits (will be given behind your disembarkation card given to you in the flight), walk through the green channel. nobody should bother with you.

Nick-H

English is widely spoken.

Expect to stand in a queue for immigration. When you get to the desk, expect nothing worse than relaxed perusal of your passport and a piercing stare. Queing takes the time; the immigration process is quicker and easier than a foreigner coming to UK

Customs: Just as th capt says. Just walk through. You'll be waved on with a smile

Once upon a time.... the immigration people were out to steal your passport, the customs people were out to fleace you... These days there will be notices telling you to complain to if anyione asks a bribe.

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aadil

These days they (the customs officials) still take a bribe but then it is only from the ones who are bringing in illegal items or more than the allowed stuff and not usually something to bother for the foreign tourist who is not even given a cursory look. There are a lot of counters just after customs for the money exchange where you can get your money changed at pretty good rates. And about the water at the airport in the arrival lounge it may be difficult to find a place inside the airport but just outside there are stalls that sell bottled water. It will be cheaper to buy the bottles after you get out of the airport area. I don't think you will be able to boil the water in a hotel room unless you have a tea/coffee maker in your hotel room or you use a small electric kettle for the same. It is better to buy the bottled water bottles to save you all the hassle of boiling water which will also need to be filtered to keep it clean too. Hope this helps. Have a safe and pleasant journey and enjoy your travels in India!!!

Cheers,
Aadil.

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Anders

You could by a steel jug and a small immersion element in India, just don't touch the darn thing when it is plugged in.
In reality it is easier to buy bottled water, no hassle and the water is cold.

ASighingBuddhist

I was lucky to arrive in Delhi at a reasonable hour of 8:30 PM on June 13, 2006. It was a breeze!!!

Nick-H

Forget boiling water in your room...

To purify water you have to boil for ---I forget, is it 20 minutes? Anyway, it is several minutes, and without a gas or electric ring that you can turn down to a simmer, you are just going to end up with a room full of steam.

Easy way out --- buy bottled water!

kidsan

how many times have i done that?! but they are handy the immersion coils, i always travel with one nowadays

yaduck23

thanks for all your input....definetely easing the mind.