I'm going to India and need your advice

jelexy

I'm going to India (as part of my traning) and need your advice on the following issues:

1. vaccination for polio and typhoid where to get them in london cheaply:-)
2. reasonably priced hotel/hostel in bombay (for 2 months)
3. which currency to take with me dollar or Sterling pound ?
4. item to bring from india to the uk [to sell it on ebay :-) ]

Thank you,

Lipsticklady

Hello,

I was in India last Xmas. I had my injections done at my local GP who didnt charge me for them. However, i did buy Maleria tablets which cost £30. I WOULD recommend you prevent yourself against Maleria although, the tablets sometimes do cause side effects (i.e sore throat etc).

My doctor did ask me if i would be travelling in the wilderness. I told her i would not be going into the jungle so she did not give me a rabies jab. Be careful of dogs in particular, in India they are often wild and many have rabies. Click Here.

I brought Sterling and had no problem changing my money. The only problem is the rate changes nearly every day and make a BIG difference. We regretted not changing more of our money on days when the rate was strong!

India is cheap to shop in. However, remember the Tax you may have to pay when you come back. For example, Jewellery is verty good and reasonable HOWEVER, if you by a ring for £500 and it is worth £1500 in Britain (believe me, this has happened), if you are stopped by customs, they may tax you on the value of the ring in BRITAIN!!! You must be able to prove it was £500 (i.e Keep the receipt!)

Tip: Dont keep the Receipt and Ring together.....you may be able to convince them that it was part of your original luggage!

Hope this helps!

ioscorpio

I went to Goa last October,
1) I had injections done at my local surgery for free, but bought the malaria tablets in Goa, they are dirt cheap, only cost pennies for a course to cover the 2 week holiday
2) Have a look on the net for cheap hotels, there's plenty of them
3) £s and $s are both quoted at all the money exchange shops
4) I didn't bring anything back, but a lot of people were bringing back medical products, as I said before, dirt cheap. But in India everything is cheap compared to the UK

Tojo_Ralph

I'm off to Sri Lanka in November, and I am sure the same rules apply to India with regards to Vaccinations and Malaria tablets.

Call your local doctors surgery, they will most likely have a "travel clinic" who will confirm what jabs etc you need, however, you'll find that for India the jabs/innoculations are all on prescription and naturally FREE if you don't pay for prescriptions.

Waiting until you get to India before taking anti-malaria tablets is asking for trouble, and if you only plan to take them for two weeks, you may as well not bother.

The Anti-malaria tablets will cost £15 (not on prescription) and for places like India are a must.

1. Jabs/innoculations - Typhoid and Hep A (combined jab) are a must and if you are not up to date, get a Combined Diptheria/Polio and Tetanus. (total two prescriptions).

2. You will need combined Malaria tablets, no doubt Paludrine and Avloclor which you will get in a seven week pack (see below). Take for one week prior to going, the two weeks you are there, and for FOUR weeks after your return.

http://www.expresschemist.co.uk/product_6605_paludrine---avloclor-travel-pack--112-tablets-.html

As I say..... Call your local surgery to confirm.

bylromarha

jelexy wrote:

I'm going to India (as part of my traning) and need your advice on the following issues: you lucky thing. india is great.

1. vaccination for polio and typhoid where to get them in london cheaply:-) not a londoner, so don't know.
2. reasonably priced hotel/hostel in bombay (for 2 months) we stayed

however, it is not in bombay, but just outside in thane. Bombay was a 30 min train journey. Very nice, but a bit far out I guess.
http://www.thaneweb.com/features/features_093_hotlel_sharnam.htm
I went with a group and they organised the accomodation, so I didn't do any research myself into Bombay hotels.
You could stay at the taj Mahal, the toilets in there were VERY nice (like the price I assume...)

http://www.mumbainet.com/hotels/tajmahal/
3. which currency to take with me dollar or Sterling pound ?

Pounds are fine.
4. item to bring from india to the uk [to sell it on ebay :-)

Anything. it's all dirt cheap. Don't forget to take suit measurements for your friends with you. I got a 3 piece handmade suit for OH, £38]

Thank you,

have a wonderful time. It's a fantastic place to be.

odowdchr

1. If you're buying gold, make it into a big ring and WEAR it back. Get your certificate of authenticity and pack it safely
2. If you're staying for 2 months and will have close day to day contact with native Indians outside the normal hotel stuff, consider meningitis in addition to the normal jabs.
3. Medical stuff is very cheap (antibiotics, arthritic and er..Viagra), but if you get stopped at customs they'll ask to see your prescription or they might confiscate it. Go and see a Doctor over there, explain the situation and get a prescription.
4. Get some suits made up, silk shirts, pajamas etc..
5. Rolled silk carpets (like stair carpet runners) are brilliant for selling back here, providing you have the baggage allowance on your flight home.

southernscouser

Like others have said your local GP should do the jabs for free.

Buy your malaria tablets in this country as I'm sure your meant to start taking them before you go! Was a couple of years ago since I went to Goa but sure I am right.

About 2 weeks before you go start eating fresh pineapple aswell. Apparently it helps to keep the dreaded Delhi belly away or something.

Tojo_Ralph

Reference buying gold etc and bringing it back, call me overly cautious, but I always post my receipts, credit cards receipts etc back to the UK before leaving the country.

itgirlinuk

One thing about Gold is that you need to go to proper jewellers. The gold in India is mostly 22ct gold - but some jewellers cheat. So be careful. These days you get a certificate from the jewellers and a stamp on the jewellery to say thats its 22ct gold. Check that before you buy.

The other good thing to buy would be Pearls or Garnet. Not cultured pearls, but freshwater pearls. They are good value for money and of course, you get them the jewellery quarter in Bombay.

I wouldn't recommend electronics - the price is just the same and you cannot cover for guarantees and warranty.

MUHAMID

jelexy wrote:

I'm going to India (as part of my traning) and need your advice on the following issues:

1. vaccination for polio and typhoid where to get them in london cheaply:-)
2. reasonably priced hotel/hostel in bombay (for 2 months)
3. which currency to take with me dollar or Sterling pound ?
4. item to bring from india to the uk [to sell it on ebay :-) ]

Thank you,

as i'm a student from india in the UK.its interesting for me to tell you about my country.
1.As others said you should go to your GP.you must take vaccination for malaria and typhoid.
2.If you go in 'HOTEL SHAHIL'(3 star)which is in central bombay.and will cost you £20 a day/with food.
3.Its easy for you to exchange money but don't go to any unauthorised person.go to thomas cook or ask to hotel reception.they must have contacts.
but before exchanging money find out the rates from news papers.otherwise there's 100% chance of cheating.
4.Bring 2 cartons of any fags(=400fags@ £6 each carton),mobile momory cards(half price than here),antique items from shops(you can make more then double profit),men's linen tops(£1 each)also all designer items are also very cheap.from india if you need any help just open this site and PM me i'll let you know whatever you want to.
(ya..and dont forget now its not bombay but MUMBAI.as they've changed the name.)

averi

Buying stuff

Clothings are cheap .There are Marks and spencer shops but expensive and same products you can get cheaper during sale here.Home furnishing is cheap esp curtains .For electronics I will be careful -they are cheap but if you can manage worlwide guarantees then it is fine.medicines are cheap and I always buy from there.
Hotels- There is wide range and everyone will say different but go torecognised on-cheaters all around. I once stayed in YHA hostel -dirt cheap .
Ave