10 Things You Must Know: New Delhi

Lodi Garden, New Delhi | Photo by Kumaravel

New Delhi, India

1. Name of city in its Native Language: नई दिल्ली
2. Official Language: Hindi, English, plus more than 20 officially recognized languages.
3. Currency: Indian Rupee ₹
4. Time Zone: Indian Standard Time (IST)
5. Closest Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport
6. Getting Around: Delhi Metro Rail, buses (but beware there are many different companies operating in Delhi), tuk-tuk (auto rickshaw), or cycle rickshaws.
7. Climate: humid subtropical; highly influenced by the seasonal monsoon. Long, hot summers and cool, dry winters. (more detail)
8. Tipping: aka "baksheesh": 15% for restaurant waiters (but some spots do automatically include a service charge); taxi/rickshaw drivers don't expect tips but will accept them up to 10%; at hotels 50 rupees per bag for the porter and 250 rupees per night for the housekeeper.
9. Entry Requirements:  A valid passport and tourist visa is required by all for entry to India, unless they hold a PIO (Person of Indian Origin) Card. (U.S. citizen specifics)
10. Culture Tip: Especially when visiting cultural sights, it is respectful to dress modestly, covering the knees and shoulders.

What did we miss? What kind of essential information do you look up while planning a trip? Tell us in the comments!

10 Things You Must Know: Dublin

The Temple Bar, Dublin | Photo by Julia McGuirk

Dublin, Ireland

1. Name of city in its Native Language: Baile Átha Cliath 
2. Official Language: Irish Gaelic, but all street signs and official buildings use both Gaelic and English
3. Currency: Euro €
4. Time Zone: Western European Time 
5. Closest Airport: Dublin Airport
6. Getting Around: Dublin Bus and walking are the easiest for getting around the city, but trams (LUAS) and trains (DART) are also available if you need to go farther
7. Climate: Cool winters, mild summers, and a lack of temperature extremes (more detail)
8. Tipping: Appreciated for restaurants (10-12.5% of your bill) and taxi drivers (round up to the nearest Euro). Not expected for bartenders, but nice if you have a large group requiring lots of service.
9. Neighborhoods: Frommer's tells you best
10. Culture Tip: Some drinking etiquette since we are highlighting St. Patrick's Day: 'Rounds culture' is important in Irish drinking etiquette, in which one person usually goes to the bar for everyone; that offer is on the unspoken condition that you return the favor.

What did we miss? What kind of essential information do you look up while planning a trip? Tell us in the comments!