India - currency

In India, currency is the Rupee. Because the Rupee is non-convertible it cannot be taken out of India, so you cannot get currency before you travel. You can change money at the airport, in banks and large hotels. ATMs are available too, especially in more established resorts. While Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, we recommend you check with your card provider about what fees they charge for transactions abroad. These vary considerably, and can add up over the course of your holiday. There may also be limits on how much cash you can withdraw during a 24-hour period, so check you will be able to take out enough to cover your needs.

Many travellers find a prepaid travel card a useful way of accessing currency in India. It can be pre-loaded, so you know how much you have to spend, and there are no hidden charges so no nasty surprise bills when you get back from your holiday. It can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs and for payment in larger hotels and stores. You will still need cash for smaller purchases though. Remember you can’t take India currency out of the country, so try to withdraw just as much as you need, and to keep ATM receipts in case you need to exchange any money before you leave.