The major national airline is Air India (AI) (website: www.airindia.com). The other national airline is Indian Airlines (IC) (website: www.indian-airlines.nic.in). There are also newer commercial airlines adding international destinations to their schedules such as Jet Airways (9W) (website: www.jetairways.com).

From London to Delhi is 8 hours; to Kolkata (Calcutta) is 9 hours 45 minutes; to Chennai (Madras) is 11 hours, and to Mumbai (Bombay) is 8 hours 30 minutes. From New York to Delhi is 15 hours 30 minutes; to Mumbai is 15 hours.

New Delhi (DEL) (Indira Gandhi International Airport) is 23km (14 miles) south of the city (journey time - 45 minutes). To/from the airport: There are bus and taxi services to the city. Facilities: Duty-free shops, banks/bureaux de change, post office, snack bars and car hire.

Mumbai (BOM) (Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport) is 35km (22 miles) north of the city (journey time - 50 to 75 minutes). To/from the airport: Taxi and bus services go to the city. Facilities: Bank/bureau de change, post office, restaurant and shops. 

Kolkata (Calcutta) (CCU) (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport) is 20km (13 miles) northeast of the city (journey time - 40 to 70 minutes). To/from the airport: There are buses and taxis to the city. Facilities: Post office, bank/bureau de change, snack bars and duty-free shops. 

Chennai (MAA) (Anna International Airport) is 14km (9 miles) southwest of the city (journey time - 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Buses and taxis are available. There is a train regularly throughout the day. Facilities: Money exchange facilities, tourist information offices and hotel reservation services.

None.

Main ports: Calicut, Kochi, Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay), Panaji (Goa) and Rameswaram (the main departure point for the sea crossing to Sri Lanka; passenger services are presently suspended owing 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.

Departure tax: Seaports levy the following departure tax: Rp500 (for journeys to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka); Rp750 (all other destinations).

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 India Tourism as they may be subject to change (see Contact Addresses).

Connections to Pakistan: From India you can cross into Pakistan at the international Attari/Wagah border. There are bus and train services between India and Pakistan. Approaching the border away from the official crossing point could be dangerous.

Connections to Nepal: 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 Nantanwa (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.

Connections to Bhutan: The best way of reaching Bhutan by land is by bus/train to Siliguri, then bus to Phuentsholing.

Connections to Bangladesh: The most convenient route to Bangladesh is Kolkata (Calcutta) to Dhaka by bus. Another route is from Darjeeling via Siliguri, then train or bus from Jalpaiguri to Haldibari.

Currently, no land frontiers are open between India and Myanmar or India and China (PR).

The overland route from Europe to India remains popular, but travellers should have accurate up-to-date information about border crossings, visa requirements and political situations en route. Some of the most popular border crossings into India are Sunauli (for Delhi and northwest India), Birganj (for Kolkata (Calcutta) and east India) and Kakarbhitta (for Darjeeling). Several adventure holiday companies arrange overland tours and buses to India. 

A bus service operates between Lahore (Pakistan) and New Delhi. The journey takes about 12 hours. For information on this and other overland routes to neighbouring countries, contact the India Tourism office (see Contact Addresses).