India has undergone a digital payments revolution, but cash is still important. Here's how to handle money during your India trip.
The Indian Rupee (INR / ₹)
Common denominations:
- Notes: ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹200, ₹500
- Coins: ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10
The ₹2,000 note has been withdrawn. ₹500 is the highest denomination.
Getting Indian Rupees
ATMs (Best Option)
- Available everywhere — cities, highways, even small towns
- Withdrawal limit: ₹10,000–20,000 per transaction
- Fees: Your bank may charge international fees; Indian ATMs sometimes charge ₹20–25
- Best ATMs: SBI, HDFC, ICICI — most reliable machines
Currency Exchange
- Airport exchange counters offer convenience but poor rates
- City exchange shops (Thomas Cook, UAE Exchange) give better rates
- Hotels offer the worst rates — use only as a last resort
Cards
- Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, and shops in cities
- Amex has limited acceptance
- Always carry cash backup — card machines fail more often than you'd expect
UPI — India's Digital Revolution
UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is how most Indians pay — from street food to luxury hotels. As a tourist:
- You might not be able to use UPI — it requires an Indian bank account
- Some apps are working on tourist-friendly UPI, but it's not widespread yet
- Don't worry — cash and cards cover everything you need
How Much Cash to Carry
| Spending Level | Daily Cash | |----------------|-----------| | Budget | ₹2,000–3,000 | | Mid-range | ₹4,000–6,000 | | Premium | ₹8,000–15,000 |
Keep ₹5,000–10,000 as a buffer for places that don't accept cards.
Tips
- Get cash before leaving major cities — ATMs in rural areas are unreliable
- Carry small denominations — ₹100 and ₹50 notes. Many vendors can't break ₹500.
- Count your change — politely but always
- Hotel safes — store extra cash in your hotel safe
- Negotiate in cash — you'll often get a better price
With Royal Fleet
All Royal Fleet bookings are handled digitally with transparent invoicing. But for tolls, parking, and roadside stops, we recommend keeping ₹2,000–3,000 in cash.