Getting rupees in UK

pwpriory

The travel agency and Post Office in UK have told me that they cannot supply rupees. I shall be taking travellers cheques and dollars but it is would be useful to have some rupees on arrival. Do I really have to queue up on arrival to get these? If so where at Delhi International?
Paul

ericd

It's not officially allowed to export rupees, so you will not be able to get them abroad. But don't worry, it's really not a problem to change dollars/euros/tc's on arrival ! There are change offices in the airport itself, so as soon as your feet hit the indian soil you can start changing

Alan D

Hi Paul!

There are not usually too many people looking to change, so it will only take a few minutes. At least, this has always been our experience.

There are a couple of bank branches inside the arrivals hall at Delhi airport which stay open all hours - exchange rate is generally good and usually about the same from both banks. Just change enough to see you through the first couple of days, as you can then look around in town and check out things for the best rate.

I don't understand why you're taking dollars - pounds sterling are perfectly acceptable in India and you will be paying commission if you change your sterling into dollars.

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shanthi

As ericd points out, The Indian Rupee is what is termed as a Restricted currency and is not supposed to be able to be bought anywhere outside of India....though somone somewhere on IndiaMike claimed to have bought them in Canada. If you're getting a Taxi upon arrival at the airport, and you know the price already, you can pay him with American Dollars. Carry small bills - 10 and 20....he/she will most probably quote a price in dollars accordingly with what the exchange rate is of that day - but will probably add on a few dollars for changing them to rupees. Outside Bangalore airport for example, there IS a little booth where you can change up dollars, but whatever you do, don't change much at the airport at all - best wait until you can get to a Bank to change an amoiunt more than about 25-30 dollars. You'll find money changers all around th place, but again, never change up much with them, wait til you can get to a bank.

shanthi

Hello Alan, I've never had much luck with Sterling or Euro's. My first trip I took Sterling and since then I've taken American Express Travellers Cheques and a little Euro in change. I guess you must have been greeted with a lot better smiles than me with the sterling!!

Nick-H

Maybe this rumour that it is better to take dollars was started by foreign exchange dealers?

I'm friendly with my rupee-changer in Chennai, and often sit and chat. I see people coming with all sorts of currencies to change.

I've never had any problem with sterling either. But, Shanthi, you have been, I guess, a lot further off that beaten track than I have.

OTOH I winder if some Indian merchants, drivers etc might prefer the dollar because of its lower value, so they think it is easier (if charging in dollars) to add one or two...

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torryquine

Try Lloyds Bank, no-one seems to have told them they can't sell Rupees, we got some from them last year and they even bought some back.

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shanthi

Lloyds Bank where torryquine?

seventies'hippy

£-notes, no problem anywhere,
If you change pounds to dollars you're losing even before you start spending,,,,,,,,

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torryquine

Aberdeen

Nick-H

What, in Scotland?

Isn't that still an Indian Colony?



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shanthi

Gave the Lloyds Bank website address to my Sis (she's a "goer" in Goa every year - tch tch....ought to know betta at 'er age!) and she just called back and said that they only give US $'s for India in Aberdeen now - no rupees available apparantly.

cloudchaser

One doesn't need any $$ if coming from the UK. Keep some ££ with you which you can change with the couple of exchange counters just before you exit. I am not familiar with Delhi airport but there will also be a "Prepaid taxi" counter there somewhere. If in doubt ask one of the officials and they will guide you.

You will also be able to use your ATM cards in all of the bigger metros in India. Again I am not too familiar but there should be some at Delhi Airport.

Depending on your type of bank account and card there might be a charge for this service and generally is lower for most debit cards. I have been using a Nationwide Flex Account debit card over the last few years and I have always found that to be simple and straightforward and there are no extra charges. The exchange rate is also better than what you get at the counters.

Hope that helps - have a good time

cyberhippie

GBP, Dollars, Euros it's all the same, they are all convenient currencies to use in India! As for rupees well it is worth shopping around, Torry is the third person who has mentioned that they bought Rupees in their own country! Though it really isn't necessary to have Rupees on arrival, the change places like Thomas Cook are open 24/7 and are never particulary busy in my experience, just watch for the ripped notes!!
Not a common problem but if the teller has accepted a torn note by mistake chances are he'll try and offload it on some unsuspecting tourist!!

torryquine

They are still sending missionaries here.

Ah, so news has finally reached the far edge of civilisation.