Time difference South 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 Chennai. The difference is 3h30 when France switches to summer time.

Most flights from Europe arrive in India late at night. After a journey of around 9 hours (non-stop), 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, you'll get nothing but contemptuous silence and absolute lethargy. Patience is golden in this country.

Opening hours South India

To see / To do South 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 South India

Traditional restaurants are open, as in France, for lunch and dinner, often with a weekly closing day (or two). Some restaurants open only for lunch or dinner. In tourist towns and seaside resorts, restaurants are often open non-stop from morning to night.

(To) please yourself South India

There are no real rules. In crowded areas, shops live to the rhythm of the tourists. In more remote areas, it's the sun (from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) that sets the pace. As far as big cities and department stores are concerned, opening hours are comparable to those in Europe.

Get out South India

India isn't exactly a destination renowned for its extravagant nightlife. However, there are some very popular clubs in Mumbai, Bangalore and Goa, where you can often party late into the night. Chennai and Hyderabad also have their own nightlife for those who take the trouble to look around. In other cities in the south of the country, it's often dead calm. Pondicherry's bars and restaurants close at 11pm on weekdays and midnight on Saturdays. In Kerala, it's even quieter...