AIR: India's national airline is Air India (AI). 

For free advice on air travel from the UK, call the Air Travel Advisory Bureau in the UK on (0171) 636 5000 or (010) 638 2000 (Manchester). 

Approximate flight times: From London to Delhi is 9 hours, to Calcutta is 12 hours, to Madras is 12 hours 30 minutes and to Mumbai is 9 hours. 

From Los Angeles to Delhi is 25 hours 30 minutes. 

From New York to Delhi is 18 hours. 

From Singapore to Delhi is 5 hours. 

From Sydney to Delhi is 10 hours. 

International airports: All the above airports have money exchange facilities, tourist information offices and hotel reservation services. 

Mumbai (BOM) is 29km (18 miles) north of the city (travel time 75-90 minutes). Taxi services go to the city. Taxi fares should have fixed rates from the airport to the city. Public transport is also available in the form of the EATS bus service and local buses. Other facilities include a retiring room for passengers in transit and a child-care lounge. 

Calcutta (CCU) is 13km (8 miles) northeast of the city (travel time 40-60 minutes). There is a 24-hour coach service to Indian Airlines city office and major hotels. A bus goes every 10 minutes 0530-2200. Taxi services go to the city. There is a 24-hour post office, bars, duty-free shops and restaurants available. 

Delhi (DEL) (Indira Gandhi International) is 22km (15 miles) south of the city (travel time 45 minutes). There are coach, bus and taxi services to the city. There are 24-hour duty-free shops and restaurants. 

Madras (MAA) is 14km (8 miles) southwest of the city (travel time 30-40 minutes). A coach meets all flight arrivals 0900-2300. There is a train every 20-30 minutes from 0500-2300. Bus no. 18A runs every 25 minutes from 0500-2200. Taxi services go to the city. 

Departure tax: All airports except Mumbai (BOM) levy the following departure tax: RS300 (for flights to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka). RS750 (all other destinations). 

Note: Ahmedabad Airport is being upgraded as an international airport. 

SEA: The main passenger ports are Mumbai, Calcutta, Cochin, Madras, Calicut, Panaji (Goa) and Rameswaram (the main departure point for the sea crossing to Sri Lanka; passenger services are presently suspended due to the political situation in Sri Lanka). 

Indian ports are also served by several international shipping companies and several cruise lines. There are, however, no regular passenger liners operating to South-East Asia. 

RAIL: Note: This section gives details of the major overland routes to neighbouring countries (where frontiers are open); in most cases these will involve road as well as rail travel. Details should be checked with the GITO as they may be subject to change. 

Connections to Pakistan are currently only possible between Amritsar and Lahore (New DelhiAmritsarLahoreHyderabadKarachi). 

The most practical and popular route to Nepal is by train to Raxaul (Bihar) and then by bus to Kathmandu or by train to Gorakphur (or by bus if coming from Varanasi) and then by bus to Kathmandu crossing the border at Sunauli; also, by train to Nautanwa (UP) and then by bus to Kathmandu/Pokhara, or Bhairawa to Lumbini for Pokhara. It is also possible to make the crossing from Darjeeling by bus to Kathmandu across the southern lowlands. 

The best way of reaching Bhutan is by train to Siliguri, then bus to Phuntsholing. There is also an airlink from Calcutta to Paro by Druk Air. 

To Bangladesh, the best route is Calcutta to Bongaon (West Bengal) by train, rickshaw across the border to Benapol, with connections via Khulna or Jessore to Dhaka. Another route is from Darjeeling via Siliguri, then train or bus from Jalpaiguri to Haldibari. 

Travel to Sri Lanka is possible on the following link: MadrasRameswaramTalaimannarColombo Fort. This includes a ferry crossing from Rameswaram. 

Currently no land frontiers are open between India and Myanmar or the People's Republic of China. 

ROAD: Of late, the overland route from Europe to India has become very popular, but travellers should have accurate information about border crossings, visa requirements and political situations en route. Several 'adventure holiday' companies arrange overland tours and buses to India. For information on overland routes to neighbouring countries, consult the Rail section above.