I know some friends who have Skype on their phones which presumably you could use free to others with Skype if you have free wireless connection.

If you use a UK mobile to make or receive calls in India it is very expensive. You need to check on your suppliers web site but it is likely to be about £2/min.

If you want to make or receive calls it is better to take an unlocked phone and buy a sim card in India. The card costs about £1 and then you top it up with credit (I topped up with 1000 rupees).

To buy a card you need a photocopy of your passport and proof of where you are staying (pay your hotel bill and take the receipt). There is some form filling and as it is India it will probably take about 30 minutes). To make calls to the UK will then cost about 10p/minute (or less). You can give your Indian number to people at home but it will be expensive for them, but you could phone them back. You do not pay for incoming calls

If you move to a different region in India your phone will still work but you probably will not be able to top it up.

Agreed about taking sterling, but I found that the hotel gave a much better rate than the airport kiosks.

I had no problem using my Tesco Mobile in India. Texts were 40p each, so used sensibly it is a very useful way to keep in touch.

John

Hi Lynn

When I went to India I took cash sterling with me and changed it as soon as I got to the airport in India. As you say, it is hard to get hold of rupees in advance, so this is probably the best way to do it.

As for your phone, I would contact your service provider and ask them if you can use your phone and, if so, how much it would cost. It can be very expensive to use your phone abroad so if in doubt, I would avoid using it.

Kind regards,

Olly, your editor

I've been told that you cannot buy Indian currency in the UK and that you cannot take it out of the country . Please would you clarify how best to handle this - and if we have to buy currency on arrival what is the best currency for this , or should it be travellors cheques .

Also , what is the situation with mobile phones . I believe that UK mobiles won't work on Indian networks .

Thanks for your advice