We've been searching the web for a calling card that has dialing access numbers from India (other than AT&T Direct) and can't seem to find any options. Has anyone used one? How have people made affordable international calls while traveling in India? Our thanks for any help!

I would recommend you wait till you get there and get a SIFY card- it is good at sify internet cafes- phoning US is about RS 3.3 to RS6 depending on the shop and internet is really cheap. We found Sify places in lots of spots

lcuy - thanks for your reply. Are the SIFY internet cafes typically equipped with a private, quiet area for phone use?

Also, we wanted to copy a post that we left for you on another thread, as we'd be grateful for your insights on Compass after reading your trip report (loved it). We are finalizing a trip to India and may use Compass for drivers/guides (we have all our own hotel arrangements). We want to be sure to avoid the guide that you had in Delhi if we do -- would you feel comfortable sharing the name so that we are aware if we see it and can make alternate arrangements?

Also, we'd be curious to know what you "would have asked for in advance" (per your original post) if you'd known -- what should we be sure to ask for? Thanks so much for the help!

The Sify places we went to all had a little phone booth with a digital readout of the charges as well. Occasionally, they just had a phone at a desk, but that was not the norm.

The bad guide was Mr. Mohan.

Things I would ask in advance:
1) what type of car are you getting?
Qualis or SUV= good TATA = very small Ambassador=old
2) How long each day do you get the car? Only while visiting monuments, or do you have free time as well for shopping? How many hours total and how late? (Keep in mind that retail places open late in India -10am +- and dining is late. Often we wanted to rest after sightseeing, then wanted a car for dinner in the evening.

3)On long trips, such as Jaipur to Delhi, will the driver be in a hurry to get home, or can you ask to go more slowly if you like doing photos or are simply terrified of high speeds?

4) will they give you a phone to keep in touch with the driver? If not, can you borrow one, and pick up your own pre-paid SIM card to use in it?

That's all I can think of at the moment. I just got back from India last night (33 hours travel!), and will try to do a report quickly. We went to Varanasi, Udaipur, Ranthambore and Delhi for 2 weeks this time.






3) Will you give us a cell phone to use to call the driver?

lcuy - Thanks so much for taking the time to reply despite jetlag and exhaustion!