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Bookmark & shareOfficially you're not supposed to take any Indian currency into or out of India, however carrying up to Rs5000 doesn't seem to be a problem. The rupee is fully convertible so there's not much of a black market, even though you can still be haunted by offers to 'change money'. In cities you can change most major foreign currencies and brands of travellers cheques - but you'll widen your options and save yourself hassles if you stick to US dollars, Euros or pounds Sterling and either Thomas Cook or American Express travellers cheques. In fact, it's wise to bring a couple of different brands of cheques in different currencies since some branches of some banks have particular idiosyncrasies, such as refusing to handle X-brand of travellers' cheques in pounds Sterling denomination or Y-brand in US dollars.
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Currency
- Name
- Indian Rupee
- Symbol
- Rs
Rupee notes come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 (the Rs1000.00 note is not as commonly found, especially outside of big cities).
The rupee (Rs) is divided into 100 paise (p). The paise comes in coin denominations of five, 10, 20 (all no longer being issued) 25 and 50. There are also rare rupee coins in denominations of one, two and five.
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Changing Your Money
It's relatively straightforward changing money, especially in the larger cities. You are supposed to be given an encashment certificate when you change money at a bank or an official moneychanger; you'll need these encashment certificates to change Indian currency back into foreign currency when leaving India (at the international airport), however for exchanges below Rs10000 certificates aren't necessary.
Credit cards are widely accepted in Indian cities and larger towns, particularly American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa; MasterCard and Visa are the most widely accepted. Credit cards can also be used to get cash advances in rupees at some banks. Nowadays, almost all Indian cities have 24-hour ATMs that may accept Cirrus, Maestro, MasterCard, Plus and Visa. It's wise to check in advance with your home bank whether your card can access banking networks in India and if so, what the charge per transaction is and whether there are schemes to minimise these.
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Money Tips
If you stay in cheap hotels, always travel on the cheaper train classes and learn to subsist on dhal and rice, you could see India for around Rs500.00 ( US$10.00 ) a day. If you prefer a few more creature comforts, like a simple private room with a bathroom, a varied diet, and occasional 1st class rail travel on long journeys, count on around Rs850.00 - Rs1000.00 ( US$20.00 - US$25.00 ) a day. Staying in mid-range hotels, eating in decent restaurants, and occasionally hiring a car and driver will cost anywhere between Rs1000.00 - Rs2000.00 ( US$30.00 - US$45.00 ) a day. If you don't want to set foot anywhere other than converted maharajahs' palaces and five-star international hotels, budget as if you were travelling luxuriously in the West.
Indian currency notes circulate stay in circulation for a very long time and the small notes in particular become very tatty - some should carry a government health warning. You may occasionally find that when you try to pay for something with a ripped or grubby note that your money is refused. You can change old notes for new ones at some banks or save them and use them creatively as tips. Don't let shopkeepers palm grubby notes off on you as change - simply hand them back and you'll usually be given a note slightly higher up the acceptability scale. Keep a supply of smaller denomination notes - there is a perpetual shortage of small change.
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Sample Price Guide
- small bottle of water
- Rs 12.00
- incense
- Rs 10.00
- toothpaste
- Rs 25.00
- bellybutton bindi
- Rs 10.00
- Kit Kat
- Rs 12.00
- Hindi pop CD
- Rs 145.00
- litre of petrol
- Rs 39.00
- souvenir t-shirt
- Rs 30.00
- samosa
- Rs 5.00
- small bottle of beer
- Rs 60.00
Average Room Prices
Low Mid High Deluxe Rs250-1500 Rs1500-4000 Rs4000-9500 Rs9500+ Average Meal Prices
Low Mid High Deluxe Rs20-150 Rs150-300 Rs300-500 Rs500+ -
Tipping
In tourist restaurants or hotels, where a service fee is usually already added on to your bill, tipping is optional. In smaller places, where there is no service fee, a tip is appreciated, though it may cause surprise. Hotel and train porters expect a tip to carry bags, as do hotel staff for services above and beyond the call of duty. It's not mandatory to tip taxi or autorickshaw drivers, but it doesn't hurt.
can be defined as a 'tip' and also refers to giving alms to beggars. Various hangers-on loiter around tourist areas performing unsolicited tasks like opening doors and giving directions in the hope of a few rupees baksheesh. Beggars abound in tourist areas such as Colaba, but many are drug addicts and fuelling their habit will not improve their long term situation. Instead you may like to donate to a charitable organisation. Many Indians implore tourists not to hand out sweets, pens or money to children, as it is positive reinforcement to beg.
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Disclaimer: We've tried to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety, customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before you travel.
