Wedding Trip - Checklist

Visa

Unless you are from India, you will need a visa to enter India. Here are some resources for that.

1. Start your application at Indian Visa Online (official website)

2. Information you need to fill out the form:

   • Reference in India: Venkata Rao Pendyala
   • Address: 5-139/1, Vadisaleru, Near Kakatiya Kalyana Mandapam, Rangampeta Mandal, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, India 533294

3. Photo and Passport documents

   • Take your picture against a white background (a wall with a whitish background) - do NOT take a picture of your face from the passport - they will reject it.
   • If you get image upload issues - Use this tool to get correct format
   • Passport PDF size too big - Use this tool to compress it
   • If you have any other questions, please contact Praveen or Kate directly.

Download Your Visa

Once your application is approved, you should download your visa (to be shown on arrival) from this link

• Select "Check your visa status"
• Enter your application id (this will be in your visa approval email)
• Passport number
• Download the PDF on your phone

Flight transfers in India

The first airport you land in India will be your port of entry. If you have a connecting flight here, remember that you will have to do the following:

• Go through immigration
• Go through customs
• Pick up your luggage
• Go through the exit (or change terminals)
• Go to the Domestic Arrivals
• Check in / Baggage drop
• Go through security
• Go to the gate

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• I recommend at least 4 hours between your international and domestic flights
  • 1 hour to get out of international terminal with baggage collection
  • 2 hours for check in to domestic
  • 1 hour buffer for delays anywhere
• Please keep your domestic flight tickets with your names on downloaded to your phone - you will need to show this to the airline staff to enter the domestic terminal.
• Domestic flights only allow 15 KGs for check-in luggage + 7 KGs for hand luggage + personal item (laptop bag, handbag, etc). You have to pre-book extra luggage at these special rates (because you are coming from an international flight) - 8kg (~14 GBP / 17 EUR) 15kg (27 GBP / 32 EUR) 30kg (52 GBP / 64 EUR) - this is on top of the 15 KGs allowed for check-in.

Room booking

• If you haven't already, please book your room here. To the best of our knowledge, you have all done this.
• You won't get a confirmation email. This is fine.
• Payment will be handled by the hotel at checkout.

Airport pickups

• We want to send a car to pick you up from the airport. Please fill out this form so we know when to expect you. Also, for drop offs on your departure.

Sim cards

Getting a sim card in India can be tricky. I recommend getting a data only esim (below) before you leave your home country. It only takes a few minutes. This way, you can stay in contact when you arrive in India.

• Get GBP £2.50 off your first eSIM package from Airalo. Use code PRAVEE8845 when you sign up or check out. https://ref.airalo.com/dFAP
• They have a 4£ plan for 7 days - enough data for basic navigation, texts and calls (no social media)
• For light social media use, perhpas their 10£ plan should do.
• You should have WiFi at the hotel, so this is only when you are on the move.

Tips

• Power adapters: If you have a European (2 pin) adapter, it should mostly work in India. Otherwise, maybe get a universal adapter.
• Foot wear: Most places (shops, temples, homes) expect you to remove your footware before entering. Can be a bit tedious with shoes. Maybe a pair of flip flops could be handy.
• Tissues: Handy to keep a pack of tissues as most bathrooms outside the airports / hotels don't have tissues.
• Cash: It's easy to exchange currency at the airport. Some ATMs may accept withdrawls with international cards (it's usually a hit or miss). Contact me if you want to do a bank transfer for cash in person.

I will keep updating this page as I remember more things.