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Visa Extensions Apply for Visa extensions at the office of the commissioner of Police (225 6242 ext 513) on infantry Road, a five minute walk from the GPO. It's open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5.30 pm. The process usually takes two to three days.
Tourist Information Centres can be found all over the city. Some of the more popular ones are listed below:
1. Government of India Tourist Office K.F.C. Building, 48 Church Street, Bangalore.
2. Government of Karnataka Tourist Information Counter Bangalore City Railway Station, Bangalore.
3. Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) Airport, Information Counter, Bangalore.
4. Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) Information Counter, Badami House, N.R Square, Bangalore.
5. Department of Tourism 1st floor, 'F' Block Cauvery Bhawan, KG Road, Bangalore.
Weather Bangalore has a very pleasant climate all year around, due to its elevation. But due to the tremendous industrialization and very high traffic volume, the air is getting polluted and the summers hotter, however the weather is more bearable than the rest of India during the summers. Rains are very unpredictable in Bangalore, so it’s best to carry and umbrella or a raincoat at all times.
Language Hindi is the national language but the local language is Kannada. All signs of importance are however in English and a lot of people understand the language, so you should have no trouble finding your way around the city.
Money Changers Thomas Cook, telephone: 558 6742, located at 55 MG Road is the best place for speedy foreign exchange. It's open Monday to Saturday from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm. The Bank of Baroda at 72 MG Road provides cash advances on Master Card and Visa credit cards.
Tipping Porters and bellboys expect at least Rs 10 per bag. Taxi drivers, barbers and hairdressers expect 10-15%. Service charges are not normally included in the bill. When the service has been pleasant a 10% tip based on the price of the meal is ideal.
Bargaining When buying in bulk, ask for discount - shopkeepers do oblige. Otherwise the fixed price is the one you will have to pay generally…though you can always chance your luck and try bargaining, you’ll soon know if it’s on or not, by the response you get from the merchant. When buying from roadside stalls or hawkers cut the price down at least by 25 to 40% of whatever they are asking and work your way up from there...do not pay the original asking price as street sellers always overprice their goods.
Communications: Telephones Carry a lots of Rs.1/- coins for pay phones or look for the "STD/ISD" signs and pay the metered charges on the computer printout. The GPO (posts) and the CTO (phones) on Cubbon road are efficient and open from 10.00 - 19.00 hours from Monday to Saturday and till 13.30 hours on Sun. While calling from older public phones, dial your number first and then insert the one rupee coin when you get an answer. For new phones you need to insert the coin first and then dial your number. If the number does not go through the coin is returned.
Post Office The general Post Office at Ambedkar Veedhi is efficient and is open Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 7 pm and Sunday from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm. The efficient poste restante services is open at enquiry counter No 22 from Monday to Saturday between 10 am and 6 pm. If you are staying in the MG Road area, there's a handy post office on Brigade Road too that’s useful.
Cyber Cafes with internet connected computers are very common and cheap.
Dress Please respect your host country and dress accordingly. Informal, skimpily dressed women (no matter how normal by western standards) will be stared at. Wear jeans or skirts and you won't feel uncomfortable or be hassled by strangers. For men and women, suits should be worn for business meetings, although a smart, long dress will suffice for women if a suit isn’t on your baggage list.
Etiquette Bangaloreans are informal generally but in some homes, at places of worship such as temples and some businesses you must take off your shoes before entering. A pile of shoes at the front door is a good indication.
Invitations It is fashionable to be late in Bangalore. If you are invited at 8 p.m., it's expected won't arrive till 9 p.m. Wine (which is extremely expensive) is not commonly drunk. Mixed drinks are popular. People generally drink until dinner is served (often not till midnight) therefore it’s often a good idea to grab a bite before you go. Dinner also signals the end of the party, so it isn't impolite to eat and run.
Health and Safety: Medical Services In an emergency, phone 102. For anything less urgent, try St Martha,s Hospitals, Nrupathunga Road. Telephone: 2275081
Dehydration Replace body fluids, especially when engaging in Karnataka's many strenuous outdoor activities. If you feel symptoms such as intense thirst, dizziness, breathlessness and high rate rates, drink lots of fluids.
Giardia While hiking or backpacking in the great outdoors, be sure to purify any stream or lake water before taking a sip. Cramps and diarrhoea, symptomatic of the parasite Giardia, could result from drinking contaminated water. We recommend drinking mineral water or soda type drinks only. While buying mineral water make sure that the seals have not been tampered with and always carry an extra bottle. It gets hot out here and you will need liquids more than back home.
Crime Bangalore is relatively safe by Indian standards. The police confirm that organised crime is minuscule. Still, be careful. Don't flash wads of notes. If in doubt, check routes in advance. Leave valuables/passports in the hotel safe... or with someone reliable.
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