International Conference on Technology Management 2012

Travel Information

Visa and travel information for International Visitors

An entry visa is essential for all foreigners visiting India. A visitor's Visa or Visa for attending the workshop / conference can be obtained from your nearest Indian Embassy / consulate / high commission on producing valid documents.  Please write to the conference secretariat if you need any help such as an invitation letter for obtaining the visa. It is advisable to apply for the visa at least two months ahead of the event.

Bangalore has an international airport. Airlines flying into Bangalore include Air India, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Thai Airways, Silk Air, Emirates, Tiger Airways, Air France, Dragon Airways, British Airways  and Sri Lankan Airlines. You can also come to Bangalore via Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi or Kolkata. There are a number of public and private airlines operating between Bangalore and the above cities. Customs and immigration clearance will be at Bangalore only if you fly directly to Bangalore. Otherwise it will be at the port of entry. Since flights to and from India are full most of the time, it is recommended to book your ticket several months in advance of your journey date.

Foreign Exchange

While international credit cards are widely accepted in commercial establishments in India, several places rely on cash transactions in the local currency (Indian Rupee). We suggest that you either carry some Indian currency when entering India or buy Indian currency at the currency exchange agencies in the Indian airports, upon arrival. Once in India, you can buy additional Indian currency from local branches of Citibank, Thomas Cook, etc.

Getting around Bangalore

IISc is locally known as 'Tata Institute'. It is better to use the name 'Tata Institute' with the taxi, auto-rickshaw drivers, and bus conductors. Auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers can generally converse in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and English.

IISc is about 36 km from the Bangalore International Airport (both domestic and International). The fare for the motor cabs operating from Bangalore Airport is Rs.540/- to the IISc campus. Airport shuttle service buses are connecting Malleshwaram bus station which is close to the IISc campus and currently costs Rs.150/-.Airport taxi services are available at the airport to all parts of the city.

The main railway station in Bangalore is called Bangalore City which is about 7 km from IISc. The railway station and the main bus stand (called as Majestic) are opposite to each other. Pre-paid auto-rickshaw facility is available at the Bangalore City Railway Station. You could tell the person at the counter that you are travelling to Tata Institute. A trip to IISc may cost about Rs.60. Travel by auto-rickshaws between 22:00 hours and 06:00 hours will cost 50% more. You can also use the bus services from the Majestic bus station: Bus Route nos. 252 E, 258 C, 271 E, 273 C, 275, 99 A and B. Alight at TATA INSTITUTE Bus Stop.

Yeshwanthpur is another important railway station in Bangalore. Many major trains arrive and depart from this station. Yeshwanthpur is very close to IISc. There are two entrances to this station (one through Yeswanthpur Market, and the other via Tumkur Road). The auto-rickshaw ride from Yeshwanthpur to IISc will cost around Rs.15 from the Market entrance, and around Rs 30/- from the Tumkur Road entrance. Prepaid auto-rickshaw facility is available near the Tumkur Road entrance.

Vaccinations

Many first-time travellers to India prefer to get preventive vaccinations (shots). The Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India has some more health tips for tourists.