Making Phone Calls
The Country Code for India is '91'. The City Code for Hyderabad is '40'. Landline numbers in major cities like Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai have eight digits, whereas the numbers in smaller cities could have only 4-7 digits. All mobile numbers contain 10 digits and begin with "9", "8" or "7".
Area Codes in India are referred to as STD codes. STD codes for some cities are:
Delhi - 11
Mumbai - 22
Kolkata - 33
Chennai - 44
Hyderabad - 40
Bangalore - 80
In India, both GSM and CDMA (WLL) mobile systems are present. Please contact your mobile service provider in your country to check their roaming partners and tariffs in India. In case you plan on making many local calls in India from your mobile phone, the mobile service provider in your country may be able to provide you with an Indian SIM card. This is a much cheaper way of making local calls as compared with international roaming charges.
Dialing from Outside India into India
1. To Indian Landline
International access code ('00' or '+"), followed by 91, then STD CODE followed by LANDLINE number., e.g. +91 22 XXXX XXXX ('22' is the STD CODE for Mumbai).
2. To Indian Mobile International access code ('00' or '+"), followed by 91 and the 10-digit MOBILE number, e.g. +91 XXX XXX XXXX.
Dialing within India
1. From Indian Landline to Indian Landline
Local call: Just the landline number.
Long distance call: 0, then STD CODE followed by landline number.
2. From Indian Landline to Indian Mobile
Local call: Just the 10 digit Mobile number.
Long distance call: 0, followed by 10 digit Mobile number.
3. From Indian Mobile to Indian Landline
Local or Long distance calls: 0, followed by STD Code, followed by landline number.
4. From Indian Mobile to Indian Mobile
Local Call - Just the 10 digit Mobile number.
Long distance call - 0, followed by Mobile number.
Dialing out from India to International numbers
The international access code when dialing out of India is "00" (or '+" when dialing from a mobile phone).
Getting Around
Here is what you need to know if you wish to spend a day in town on your own.
Local Transport
1. Taxis
Hotel front desks will normally be able to arrange reliable transport by taxi but they will require 15-30 minutes notice in order to do so. Taxis are willing to wait for you during your intermediate stops at reduced charges. It is best to inform the front desk the places you wish to visit, the total time you wish to spend and the number of persons travelling. They would then be able to book the taxi for you at a fixed rate.
2. Auto Rickshaws
Three-wheeled auto rickshaws (also known as "Autos") are a convenient way to travel within the city. They cost half the fare of a taxi, but are more expensive than buses. Usually autos are metered, but it is good to fix the fare before they take you for a ride. They can be found clustered together in auto stands around the city. If there is no auto-stand near you, you can hail autos by standing on the side of the road and hailing an empty one.
Language
Telugu is the mother tongue of the people of Andhra Pradesh. Most urbanites can understand & speak English and Hindi.
Currency
The Rupee is the official currency of India. The Indian Rupee may be abbreviated in any of the following formats INR, Rs, or ₹
INR are available as paper notes in denominations of 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000.
INR are also available as coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5 and 10.
Changing money in India is very simple. Upon arrival in India, foreign currencies can be converted into Rupees at foreign exchange counters at airports. These outlets are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can exchange currency at the hotel desks of star-rated hotels you are staying at. Traveler's cheques may not be accepted at all banks or hotels.
There are Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) which dispense cash throughout the city. Although these machines are linked to a specific local bank, all major credit and debit cards, both domestic and international, should be accepted. Kindly note that certain credit cards may not be accepted and exchange transaction fee may be charged.