How to Get Local Sim Cards, Hotels and Vehicle Rentals as a Foreign Tourist in India?

Are you planning to visit India soon ? Then we have the perfect guide for you. No longer will you have to read several blogs on different websites to plan your travel spree in India. Through this blog, we will dispel all your doubts about travelling in India, managing finances, managing hotel stays, and managing mobility.

As a self-drive Rental company, we have reviewed the tons of questions and reviews that foreign tourists often have during their visit to India.

How to use UPI, and Debit Cards as a foreign tourist in India

As a foreigner, one of the first tasks you would have to handle would be having a readily available source of cash for payments. Apart from the fact that you can easily convert your currency as per the ongoing rate in the airport, you can also choose to opt for a few other options for easy payments throughout India.

UPI transactions are readily accepted in India, and hence, we would recommend that apart from carrying cash, you also try to use the secure method of UPI transactions for your everyday payments. Here’s a way through which you can easily opt for it.

Cheq Upi App

Foreigners can connect to the Indian UPI payment system through the Cheq Upi Application. This application facilitates the use of Google Pay and Apple Wallet in India. However, you would have to pay around 12 dollars USD to use the application and connect to a UPI system. Since this system requires physical verification, it would only be done after you arrive at your hotel and have registered as a guest.

UPI One World

You can opt for a UPI One World wallet at currency exchange booths and in India. For the same, you would have to go through a KYC procedure, which requires details like a passport, Visa, and an international phone number that you probably used in your country.

Once successfully registered you can easily connect your UPI ID through your bank account or credit cards and start using your UPI ID for payments. You can easily make payments by scanning QR codes at merchants in India. The money would be directly deducted from the bank account you connected to your UPI ID.  No transaction fees or convenience fees are involved in attaching your UPI ID to a bank account or during actual payments.

As a foreigner you would be subjected to restrictions on using UPI in India, you would not be able to pay individuals, but there would be no restrictions on using your UPI ID on merchants.

Using Wise

Wise and UPI are two of the cheapest ways of making payments when travelling abroad. With a Wise debit card, you can easily open an account from where you can directly use the denomination of the currency of the destination country. Using the Wise debit card, you can easily withdraw cash from ATM machines in your destination country or use the card directly at the vendor for payments. The registration of Wise cards would require a fee of about 7 pounds for the first time.

How to get a Hotel, BNB or Accommodation in India as a foreigner

While seeking accommodation in India, you would have to go through a few checks. You would most commonly have to go through these checks while finding accommodation in India, whether at hotels or BNBs. Here are a few mandatory requirements that you would have to fulfill

Registration – As per the laws of Indian government hotels must register all foreign tourists within the first 24 hours of their arrival. For the same, they would have to register a C- Form online on the FRRO website. The (Foreigners Regional Registration Office website) For this registration, you would have to provide details like passport information, proof of arrival date and purpose of visit.

Guest Registration—As per the guidelines, hosts must maintain a separate register and account for details ( Form B ) for foreign guests. This would include details like Name, Nationality, Passport Number, date of arrival, and Departure.

Identification and Vista Verification-  A host would verify the passports and visas of all foreign guests before providing them with lodging.

Taxes and convenience fees—Collecting and paying applicable taxes on behalf of foreign tourists. This might include GST and tourist taxes. Passport Validity is also an issue. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after your arrival in India.

How to get a local SIM in India as a foreigner.

Getting a local SIM card in India would be the best way to communicate around the world wherever you are from. Indian tariff plans are pretty inexpensive and provide enough data to be able to navigate your way through city, stream your favourite shows and communicate with your loved ones anywhere in the world with ease. You can easily avail of Indian sims at airport kiosks. Quite a lot of providers have special tariff plans for foreigners you can inquire about them the tariffs at the kiosks at the airport. Here are the necessary documents for getting a SIM card in India.

• You might also have to provide a copy of your passport and Indian Visa. The kiosk staff will verify and check the original documents, which will be returned after they are returned.
• Before leaving your country, ensure that you are carrying with you a bunch of passport-size photos that you can easily provide while purchasing SIM cards and applying for tariff plans.
• A reference for a local Indian resident might also be required.
• If your passport does not include your address, you would have to provide proof of residence in your home country.
• These would include an identity card or driving license.

How to get Car and Bike Rentals in India as a Foreign Tourist

If travelling is the reason for your visit to India there could not be a better way to travel other than RenTrip. With RenTrip self-drive car and bike rentals you can easily rent vehicles in most metropolitan cities and travel as per your own plans and ease. For further ease, we also provide subscription models; hence, if you plan to stay longer, we recommend that you opt for long-term rentals or our subscription plans for ease of conveyance. If you want to commute locally in Delhi. Delhi Metro, as well  as Local bus services in Delhi and other cities, shall suffice.