Important information while preparing your Trip to Hyderabad, IndiaHyderabad is a mix of cultures, just like Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, etc. Hyderabad was ruled by Nizams for a long time. The four languages English, Telugu, Urdu & Hindi are commonly used. Based on which area in Hyderabad you are talking about, any of these four languages are spoken here. Banking & Money Changing Banks throughout Hyderabad generally open at 9.30am and close at 3.30pm Mondays to Fridays, and 9.30am to 12.30am on Saturdays for transactions of travellers' cheques and other financial matters. For convenience, Automated teller machines (ATM) are open round-the-clock, offering the MAESTRO or CIRRUS network system. Apart from the convenience of exchanging money at all banks and hotels, money can also be exchanged wherever the sign "Licensed Money Changer" is displayed. Most shopping complexes have a licensed money changer: Weizmann Forex Ltd Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshbad, Hyderabad - 500252, International Arrivals Area, Level D. Phone: + (91)-40-66603911, 1800229222 Western Union HITEC City, Hyderabad, Telangana 500081 Phone: 1800 325 6000 Shanti Forex P Ltd 1-82/2, Above ISUZU Motors, Beside HDFC Bank, Madhapur Main Road Hitech City Hyderabad Telangana 23111197, 23111172, 6661118 Exchange rates can be found at: www.buyforex.com Airport to Venue and Hitch city Radio Cab: You can hire a Radio Taxi Sky Cabs (040-49494949) or Pre-paid Taxi to reach the venue or respective Hotel. Fare ranging between INR 600-700 each trip City Transportation The yellow coloured Auto Rickshaw usually referred to as an "auto", is the most widely used taxi in Hyderabad. They can be found in any part of the city and at any time of the day. Taximeters are compulsory for all taxis in Hyderabad and this applies for autos too. In case you want a private vehicle and to escape the summer heat, you can hire a prepaid taxi or a private cab to reach your destination. You can always book a cab from different companies like Dot Cabs, Ola Cabs, Uber, Mega Cabs, Taxi for sure, Yellow cabs, Orange cabs, Green cabs. Estimated Travel Time: 40-45 Mins

Emergency Numbers   

Police 100 Fire 101 Ambulance 102

These are the numbers in Hyderabad, but they are usually the same in other cities of India. Passport According to law, you must have your passport with you at all times. To check into a hotel you must show your passport to the hotel clerk and fill out a form with your passport and visa information. If the police ask to see your passport, you must show it to them. They have the right to ask you for it at any time, for no reason. Smoking Smoking is prohibited in public buses, elevators, theatres, cinemas, air-conditioned restaurants, shopping centres and government offices. Credit Cards American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted Safety & Security Hyderabad has a well-founded reputation as one of the safest cities in the world. Crime rates are very low and the streets are safe to walk in any time of the day or night. However, I do recommend that visitors to my city take the normal precaution of keeping their valuables in a safe place at all times. Medicines – Take an emergency stash of things to treat stomach ache, diarrhea, constipation, colds, and headaches. Take sleeping or motion sickness pills if you’re the kind of person that needs them on bumpy bus rides. Buying things from the chemist shops is often a guessing game you don’t want to play. Band aids, skin cream, cotton gauze, tweezers & bandage are advisable to add in First Aid Kit. Plug Adapters and Outlet In India the standard voltage is 230 V. The standard frequency is 50 Hz. The power sockets that are used are of type C / D / M. If your appliances plug has a different shape, you may need a plug adapter

Type C

Type D

Type M

SIM Card 

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Kiosks at the airport: These counters are usually located right after you clear customs. For the most part, if you have the required documents in order, you should be able to get your card in fifteen to twenty minutes after you fill out the required documentation. Usually, the SIM is activated within 24 hours, after a confirmation call is made to your mobile phone for verifying the details provided in your application. Local Cell Phone Dealer: You might get some reluctance from shopkeepers due to new government regulation that puts a 3 month limit on prepaid SIM connectivity for foreign visitors to India. The procedure for activation is similar to the earlier option.

Documentation Required to buy a SIM Card The Government of India has tightened the regulations on the sale of prepaid SIM cards to foreigners after November 2012 and therefore you need to be prepared to submit the following documents to the vendor along with an application form.     

2 Color passport photographs of yourself A photocopy of the personal details page of your passport. You will also have to produce your passport for verification, after which it will be returned to you. A photocopy of your Indian visa. Once again, you will have to show the original visa for verification. A photocopy of the proof of your home address in your country of residence. This could be your passport, driver’s license or any other Government issued document. Remember to carry the original document along for verification. Proof of where you will be staying in India. A letter from your hotel confirming that you are a guest will suffice.

Which Prepaid SIM card should you buy: Some of the more popular networks in India are as follows:    

Airtel: the most popular network in India because of the good coverage in metropolitan areas. Vodafone: one of the better networks for metropolitan coverage. Reliance: another large carrier in India, which offers both 3G and 4G connectivity. BSNL and MTNL: state owned telecommunications providers that may be a better option if you’re travelling away from the major cities, as their coverage is better in the more remote areas.

How much will a SIM Card cost? Approximately INR 350.00 for a SIM card with 3 months validity. How to make a call using your new Prepaid SIM Card    

For international calls dial country code + area code + phone number Call to local fixed phone in India ‘City/area code’ followed by the number. City/area codes can be found here. Call to local mobile Dial the 10-digit mobile number without prefixing ‘0’ Call to mobile in other state/service circle Dial ‘0’ followed by the 10-digit mobile number

Note: 1) You can also get the Internet plan activated as per your usage & requirement. 2) The information mentioned above is subject to change if there is any change in the regulations by the Government of India.

Famous Cuisine Biryani-Hyderabadi Biryani is Hyderabad's most famous meat-and-rice dish. Instead of Mutton and Chicken Vegetable Biryani is also popular in Hyderabad. Haleem-Haleem is a seasonal delicacy of wheat, meat and cooked for hours to a porridge-like paste. Haleem is a seasonal dish which is made during Ramzan (Ramadan). Mirchi Ka Salan-The grainy texture of the curry and chilly sticks gives a refreshing flavour. This hot pungent dish will surely make you come back for more and more. Ande Ki Pakodi- Slices of boiled eggs, dipped in besan batter and deep fried

Keema Samosa-Nothing can beat and yes, bet you never tasted something as tempting as these crunchy samosas. This little snack needs no occasion to perk your appetite and is surely a worth to give it a try. Karachi Biscuits-True icon of Hyderabad baking, variety of options and amazing collection of tasty biscuits. This Karachi yum biscuits are twice as mouth watering. Irani Chai-Pouring hot milk in the cup and adding boiled water with tea leaves, a flavourful beverage which will refresh you like anything. For all chai lovers, this Persian beverage is a must have. Qubani ka Meetha (Khubani-ka-Meetha) - Apricot Pudding, Toppings with almond and cream. The original recipe is a translucent liquid. Double ka Meetha- Bread Pudding topped with dry fruits, a derivative of mughlai dessert Shahi tukre.

“Always drink bottled water and Do NOT drink tap water or any water served in a restaurant in a glass unless you saw it being poured from a sealed bottle”

What to Shop Perfume Market-Not too far from the Charminar, situated between Laad Bazaar and Moti Chowk is the Perfume Market. As the name suggest, it’s perfumes and more perfumes that you find here-ittar, or regionally produced perfumes that come in beautiful glass vials.

Antique Market-If you are looking for antique items, this is the place to go. From quaint chandeliers to unique crockery, from wooden chests to replicas of monuments, you’d find all the unique and antique items in Antique Market. You can find these shops near Murgi Chowk, close to the Charminar.

Pearl Jewellery: Hyderabad is known as ‘City of Pearls’ or ‘Pearl City’. You will get to see pearls of different types, shapes, sizes and colours studded in gold, silver and imitation ornaments like earrings, pendants, rings, bracelets, necklaces, tie-tacks, etc. The famous pearls are rice pearls and basara pearls. The best places to buy pearls in Hyderabad are Laad bazaar and Pathergatti. Hand-loom Sarees: In Hyderabad, you will get to see a wide range of sarees that differ in pattern, design and embroidery work. There are Kanchi sarees, Gadhwal, Mangalgiri, Venkatagiri, Narayanpet, Pochampally, Uppada, Khadi sarees and many more. There are many local shops in Hyderabad that sell these sarees. Shilparamam-is an arts and crafts village located in Madhapur. The lush and serene environment of Shilparamam is sculpted with woodwork, jewellery, cloths and local crafts of each region of the country. Showcasing a plethora of artistic ethos, Shilparamam is set amidst gardens, cascading waterfalls and natural rock heights