Currency & Payment
Exchange rates fluctuate daily. Check current rates locally.
Local Currency Overview
Currency type, banknotes, and coin denominations
The currency is the Indian rupee (INR, symbol ₹), divided into 100 paise. Notes come in ₹10 up to ₹500, with coins for small amounts. Keep small notes for autos, tips and street vendors. Non-residents face limits on carrying rupees in and out of India.
- Currency
- Indian rupee (₹, INR)
- Notes
- ₹10 to ₹500
- Tip
- Keep small notes
- Rupee import/export is restricted for non-residents
Currency Exchange Tips
Best places and methods to exchange money
Change money at banks, airport counters or licensed money changers, and keep the receipt. Rates at the airport are usually poorer, so change a small amount there and more in the city. Count your notes and avoid unlicensed street exchange. US dollars, euros and pounds are the easiest to exchange.
- Where
- Banks / licensed changers
- Airport
- Poorer rate — change little
- Keep
- Exchange receipts
- Avoid unlicensed street money changers
Credit Card Acceptance
Card brand availability and usage tips
Cards are accepted in hotels, malls, chain restaurants and larger shops in cities, but cash still rules for autos, street food, markets and small towns. Carry enough cash for daily needs. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; keep a backup card and inform your bank of travel.
- Cards
- Cities, hotels, malls
- Cash
- Autos, street, small towns
- Brands
- Visa / Mastercard widely
- Keep a backup card and daily cash on hand
ATM Usage
How to withdraw cash and associated fees
ATMs are common in cities and towns; use machines at major banks and inside branches or malls for safety. Per-transaction withdrawal limits are often low, and your home bank plus the ATM may add fees. Decline dynamic currency conversion (DCC) to be charged in rupees. Keep some cash as backup for areas without working ATMs.
- Limit
- Often low per withdrawal
- Fees
- Home bank + ATM
- DCC
- Choose to pay in rupees
- Use bank-branch ATMs; carry backup cash for rural areas
Mobile & Digital Payments
Digital payment services available locally
India runs on UPI (via apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm) with QR codes almost everywhere, but it usually needs an Indian bank account and phone number. Some options for visitors (UPI for foreigners at select airports, prepaid wallets) exist but are limited. Rely on cash plus a card, and confirm current visitor options before you travel.
- UPI
- Needs Indian account/number
- Visitors
- Limited UPI options exist
- Rely on
- Cash + card
- Check current UPI-for-foreigners options before your trip
Tipping Culture
Expected tipping amounts and etiquette
Tipping (baksheesh) is customary but modest. In restaurants, around 5-10% is appreciated if no service charge is added. Small tips for porters, drivers, hotel staff and guides are common. Keep small notes handy. Tipping is optional and gratitude-based rather than a fixed rule.
- Restaurants
- ~5-10% if no service charge
- Service staff
- Small tips common
- Notes
- Keep small notes
- Check the bill for an included service charge first
Price Guide
Average costs for meals, transport, and accommodation
India is generally very affordable, though prices vary widely by city and setting. Street food and local restaurants are cheap; hotels and tourist sites in big cities cost more. Some monuments charge higher entry fees for foreign visitors. Bargaining is normal in markets but not in fixed-price shops.
- Overall
- Very affordable
- Sites
- Higher foreigner entry fees
- Markets
- Bargaining is normal
- Prices are higher in Delhi/Mumbai than in smaller towns
India charges GST on most goods and services, usually included in the price. There is no broad, easy tourist VAT-refund scheme like some countries; any refund options are limited and change over time. Do not count on a refund at the airport. Check the current Customs (CBIC) rules if you plan a large purchase.
- Tax
- GST included in price
- Refund
- Limited / not broad
- Check
- Current CBIC rules
- Do not rely on an easy airport tourist refund