There are few internet cafes these days, as wi-fi/3G/4G access is so widely available; wi-fi is usually free at your accommodation, but some places charge. Most restaurants, cafes and bars also offer free wi-fi, and there are a few public wi-fi hotspots in major cities.

· Charges, when they are applied, vary regionally; hourly rates range from ₹15 to ₹100 (or as high as ₹500 in five-star hotels). There’s often a 15- to 30-minute minimum.

· The bandwidth load tends to be lowest in the early morning and early afternoon.

· Some places may ask to see your passport.

Be cautious about using online banking on any nonsecure system. If you have no choice but to do this, consider changing your passwords afterwards as soon as you’re on a secure connection.

· The simplest way to connect to the internet, when wi-fi is unavailable, is to use your smartphone as a personal wi-fi hot spot (use a local SIM to avoid roaming charges).

· Alternatively, companies that offer prepaid wireless 3G/4G modem sticks (dongles) include Reliance, Airtel, Tata Docomo and Vodafone. To connect you have to submit your proof of identity and address in India; activation can take up to 24 hours.

· Make sure your destinations are covered by your service provider; sometimes coverage is restricted to one state, or is more expensive when you move to another state.

· Plug adapters are widely available throughout India, but bring spare plug fuses from home (local fuses will rarely fit).