About Kolkata, INDIA
Time Zone
- Kolkata West Bengal, INDIA (GMT+5:30)
Currency
Visa
- Visitors to India must obtain a visa unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries. Nationals of certain countries may obtain a visa on arrival or an e-Visa online by applying at
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
- The applicant may also apply for physical visa stamp on their passport. The applicants may log on to https://indianvisaonline.gov.in . The applicant should be present within the jurisdiction of the Indian Mission/ Post concerned at the time of making an application and grant of visa if applying through post.
- Period of validity of passport and visa Passport should have at least six months validity at the time of making application for grant of visa. It should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer. The validity of all visas will commence from the date of issue of visa.
- It is recommended that you apply for tourist visa for ease of application process.
COVID – 19 Guidelines
- For the latest information about COVID-19 travel and testing requirements for travelling to India, kindly check
https://www.mohfw.gov.in
Flight Information
- We recommend you fly into Kolkata Airport, CCU. Kolkata Airport is located just 15 km from ITC Royal, the venue for event and driving takes about 40 minutes in light traffic.
Ground Transport
- All your ground transportation has been taken care by us (including airport pick-up & drop / MyEO event / RIE Socials). All you need to do is share your arrival details and pick-up will be waiting for you outside the terminal with RIE 2024 placard in his hand.
- Taxi: Taxi service is widely available at the Kolkata Airport. The cost from the airport to ITC Royal will cost about INR 500 one way.
- Uber: You can now schedule rides with Uber. For more information visit their website or log on to their app.
Weather
- The temperatures in Kolkata in January are comfortable with low of 16°C and high up to 27°C (64°F - 82°F). An occasional shower may be expected in Kolkata during January.
Dress code
- The dress code for the daytime events at the hotel is business casual. Since rain is a possibility, a rain jacket and umbrella are recommended items to pack.
- Men’s Dress Code Glossary
- Business casual– Nice slacks, collared shirts
- Smart casual – Seasonal sport coat or blazer and slacks or nice jeans, dress shirt, casual button-down shirt, open-collar or polo shirt
- Women’s Dress Code Glossary
- Business casual– Nice slacks, skirt, blouse
- Smart casual – Dress, skirt and dressy top, dressy pants outfit, nice jeans and dressy top
*Remember to bring a sweater to the RIE. The hotel and other venues will be air-conditioned, and it is recommended that you wear some layers in order to be comfortable in the meeting rooms. Dress code for the evening socials will be shared in due course.
*Remember to carry your sports / golf / yoga outfit too if you are looking to participate in some of our exciting MyEO experiences.
Etiquette
Language
- English is the official language of the EO South Asia RIE.
- To make your RIE experience even more enriching, we will be providing live translation to all our Keynotes in Your (select) language.
Currency
- The Indian Rupee (sign: ₹; code: INR), is the official currency of India. The INR comes in paper notes of ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹200 & ₹500. Coins are in ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10 & ₹20 denominations. To check the current exchange rate for your currency, go to http://www.xe.com/
- MasterCard and Visa are both commonly accepted in India followed by limited acceptance of American Express. Discover credit card is generally NOT accepted in India. Credit card issuers commonly charge anywhere from 1% to 4% for purchases made in other countries. Before traveling, contact the bank that issued your credit card or debit card and ask about their fees. Debit cards normally have lower fees, but be sure to check all your options.
- ATMs are available throughout India. When you contact your bank before traveling, ask if they partner with any banks in India that will allow you to use their ATMs without a charge. Before traveling to India, be sure to contact your bank and inform them that you will be traveling and using your credit card overseas. If you fail to inform your bank of your travel plans, your card may be put on hold and you will not have immediate access to your account.
Stay Connected
- The country code for India is +91. When dialing a US number from abroad, be sure to dial +1 before the area code and number. The national emergency number in India is 112 and 100 (for Police).
- Please contact your individual mobile phone service provider for information about international plans. Mobile phones are widely used throughout India. Call your service provider before arriving to determine if you should purchase an international roaming plan.
- Wi-Fi is available either under payment or for free in some public places such as coffee shops/ bistros, airports, restaurants, and some hotels. The strength and speed of the signal may vary and you may need to ask for login information.
- The standard voltage is
230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. The power plugs and sockets are of type C, D & M. You may also need a voltage converter so you should consider a combined power plug adapter/voltage converter. Be extra careful with certain appliances because of the difference in frequency. Please refer to the illustration below for type of sockets & plugs used in India.