Time difference North India

Despite its vastness, the whole country is in the same time zone, 4.30 hours ahead of French time. So when it's midnight in Paris, it's 4.30 a.m. in Delhi. The difference is 3h30 when France switches to summer time.

Most flights from Europe arrive in India late at night. After a non-stop journey of around 9 hours, many passengers feel the effects of jet lag. So it's important to get some rest when you arrive in the country, or risk spending the next 2 or 3 days rather disoriented.

Note: your relationship with time may be disrupted in India, as may your sense of punctuality. But don't panic. Remember, there's no point getting worked up about train delays and the like. And when you happen to be on time or even ahead of schedule, just be happy. As for "wasted" time, spend it chatting to the locals. You'll soon realize that being openly impatient to get something done or to speed up a process is pointless. On the contrary, all you'll get from the other person is contemptuous silence and absolute lethargy. Patience is golden in this country.

Opening hours North India

To see / To do North India

Temples are generally open from dawn to dusk. Some temples close between noon and 4pm. Museums are mostly open from 9am to 5pm, with one or sometimes two closing days a week. Some places have extended opening hours at weekends and during school vacations.

Enjoying yourself North India

Restaurants are open 7 days a week, usually with continuous service from 8am to 10pm for smaller eateries. More elegant restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, between 12 and 3pm and 6:30pm and 11pm, or even longer.

Take a break North India

Coffee shops are open during the day and close late in the afternoon in small towns and late in the evening in large cities. Bars generally open in the late afternoon and close between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m., depending on the license they have, which varies by state.

(To) please yourself North India

There are no real rules. In the most frequented places, the shops live at the rhythm of the tourists. In more remote areas, the sun (from 6am to 6pm) sets the pace. As far as the big cities and department stores are concerned, the opening hours are comparable to those in Europe.

Get out North India

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the organization responsible for the operation and maintenance of national monuments, organizes Sound & Light shows at certain monuments. These include Delhi's Red Fort, Agra Fort and the Khajuraho temples. The shows take place in the early evening (around 7:30 p.m.), and there is always a session in English.