Indian Currency - help!

andygoodyear · May 31st, 2005, 23:26

Today I have contacted the post office, Natwest Bank, Barclays Bank & Thomson Travel agents regarding getting some Indian Rupees. I want to arrive into the country with some as I have a taxi picking me up etc. They are all saying that they supply US Dollars for India only. Whats going on???

Nick-H · May 31st, 2005, 23:33

Indian currency is not supposed to be taken outside India and there is no point in converting sterling to dollars to take to India.

You will be able to change cash or travellers' cheques before leaving the airport.

cyberhippie · May 31st, 2005, 23:41

Yeah don't panic andy, there are a few allnight change booths in the arrivals hall you can change a bit of money there!

Happy Traveling

dan37_123 · May 31st, 2005, 23:51

hi,
This reminds me of another big change in the financial infrastructure of India.

yes there is always a 24 hrs money changer at the airport, so you dont have to panic at all.

The fascinating change is about the ATM's, two years ago we went with a bunch of travellers and we came back without using even a single one of them. Because, in every major city, even many minor ones there are ATMs, just put in your plastic and out spits the money.

No long lines at the bank counter to change your travellers checques.

Dont forget your PLASTIC.

good luck and enjoy your trip

dan

Merchant · Jun 1st, 2005, 00:08

In economic lingo, the rupee is "not fully convertible"--banks can't trade rupees, currency investors don't hold them. You just can't get rupees outside of India because, quite literally, they have no value except in India.

andygoodyear · Jun 1st, 2005, 00:38

Thanks to all for your advice

I am taking my Nationwide card as the account charges no fees or comission when using foreign ATM's. Is thisthe best way to do it then?

Nick-H · Jun 1st, 2005, 00:51

Yes, but take some sterling too.

1. You will need Rupees as soon as you get there for that taxi etc.

2. In case of emergency

3. When you get back to UK

Take two cards (at least) so you have a fallback in case of loss, magnetic strip getting buggered, etc etc.

If a machine doesn't accept your card don't panic: just try the next machine.

edwardseco · Jun 1st, 2005, 07:50

I don't know what the reference to dollars was. Just take your British money as it is well known in India. You can get Rupees outside India but its expensive and likely not worth it. If you use the exchange counter late at night you may have to lean over the counter and wake the clerk..

TimMakins · Jun 1st, 2005, 09:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by andygoodyear

Today I have contacted the post office, Natwest Bank, Barclays Bank & Thomson Travel agents regarding getting some Indian Rupees. I want to arrive into the country with some as I have a taxi picking me up etc. They are all saying that they supply US Dollars for India only. Whats going on???

Take some sterling cash with you: some to change at the airport when you leave immigration (the rates are OK) and some to change a few days later, in town - no point buying travellers cheques one day to sell again the next! Keep TCs for later.

By the way - slightly off topic - today, for the first time in 7 trips to India, I saw a 1000 rupee note!! Wow - didn't even know there were such things. The banks and AMEX have always given me 500s in the past. Anyway, this guy at a fast food restaurant in Darjeeling used the 1000 to pay for 3 veg thalis!! Boy was he popular!!

Tim Makins, off on the steam hauled DHR today.

Nick-H · Jun 1st, 2005, 11:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMakins

... ... By the way - slightly off topic - today, for the first time in 7 trips to India, I saw a 1000 rupee note!! Wow - didn't even know there were such things. The banks and AMEX have always given me 500s in the past.

When I arrived in Chennai, Mid Jan, I was given 1000s only. The guest house staff looked almost in awe of them!

Quote:

Anyway, this guy at a fast food restaurant in Darjeeling used the 1000 to pay for 3 veg thalis!! Boy was he popular!! ... ...

splutter!

Anders · Jun 1st, 2005, 12:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMakins

I saw a 1000 rupee note!! Wow - didn't even know there were such things.

I got 1000s from most of the ATMs, they were often difficult to pay with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by andygoodyear

I am taking my Nationwide card as the account charges no fees or comission when using foreign ATM's. Is thisthe best way to do it then?

Yes, but take an extra ATM card as backup and a little bit of cash.

goangoangone · Jun 1st, 2005, 12:34

The elections are on here in Goa. According to Herald this morning, a 1000 rupees note is the going rate for a vote!

On the subject of TCs, in the UK they want to charge up to 2% if you want sterling. Other currencies are "free" as they screw you on the rate.
I bought mine here http://www.uk-currency-exchange.co.uk/buy.htm
A flat rate 5 pounds next day delivery charge for any amount.

I never paid commission to exchange them either.

Judi · Jun 1st, 2005, 17:49

Andy - when we arrived in Mumbai at 4a.m. from Heathrow, we had changed sterling into rupees and were on the transfer bus within 10 minutes of collecting our luggage. It's really not a problem at all - and the exchange rate was exactly the same as in the town later that day.

Don't worry - but do take sterling. It's madness to change your money into US$ first - why pay two lots of cdommission or whatever?

Nick-H · Jun 1st, 2005, 18:52

There are places in London that change rupees to sterling for Indians. Don't suppose it is breaking any british law, but, as I have said, it is supposed to be illegal to take Rs out of the country.

Last time I changed at the airport the guy in front wanted to carefuly examine every note

but usually it doesn't take long.

dani · Jun 1st, 2005, 20:02

in Switzerland you get Ruppes at the bank counters at Zurich Airport, and I think also at Swiss Post (order over inet/phone, delivered the next day)

May 31st, 2005, 23:26	#1
andygoodyear Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 275	Indian Currency - help! Today I have contacted the post office, Natwest Bank, Barclays Bank & Thomson Travel agents regarding getting some Indian Rupees. I want to arrive into the country with some as I have a taxi picking me up etc. They are all saying that they supply US Dollars for India only. Whats going on???

May 31st, 2005, 23:33	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,881	Indian currency is not supposed to be taken outside India and there is no point in converting sterling to dollars to take to India. You will be able to change cash or travellers' cheques before leaving the airport. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jun 1st, 2005, 12:34	#12
goangoangone Monsoon Loon Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 1,492	The elections are on here in Goa. According to Herald this morning, a 1000 rupees note is the going rate for a vote! On the subject of TCs, in the UK they want to charge up to 2% if you want sterling. Other currencies are "free" as they screw you on the rate. I bought mine here http://www.uk-currency-exchange.co.uk/buy.htm A flat rate 5 pounds next day delivery charge for any amount. I never paid commission to exchange them either. __________________ GoanGoan......here

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May 31st, 2005, 23:41	#3
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,013	Yeah don't panic andy, there are a few allnight change booths in the arrivals hall you can change a bit of money there! Happy Traveling

May 31st, 2005, 23:51	#4
dan37_123 Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Europe Posts: 383	hi, This reminds me of another big change in the financial infrastructure of India. yes there is always a 24 hrs money changer at the airport, so you dont have to panic at all. The fascinating change is about the ATM's, two years ago we went with a bunch of travellers and we came back without using even a single one of them. Because, in every major city, even many minor ones there are ATMs, just put in your plastic and out spits the money. No long lines at the bank counter to change your travellers checques. Dont forget your PLASTIC. good luck and enjoy your trip dan

Jun 1st, 2005, 00:08	#5
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,079	In economic lingo, the rupee is "not fully convertible"--banks can't trade rupees, currency investors don't hold them. You just can't get rupees outside of India because, quite literally, they have no value except in India.

Jun 1st, 2005, 00:38	#6
andygoodyear Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 275	Thanks to all for your advice I am taking my Nationwide card as the account charges no fees or comission when using foreign ATM's. Is thisthe best way to do it then?

Jun 1st, 2005, 00:51	#7
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,881	Yes, but take some sterling too. 1. You will need Rupees as soon as you get there for that taxi etc. 2. In case of emergency 3. When you get back to UK Take two cards (at least) so you have a fallback in case of loss, magnetic strip getting buggered, etc etc. If a machine doesn't accept your card don't panic: just try the next machine.

Jun 1st, 2005, 07:50	#8
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,793	I don't know what the reference to dollars was. Just take your British money as it is well known in India. You can get Rupees outside India but its expensive and likely not worth it. If you use the exchange counter late at night you may have to lean over the counter and wake the clerk..

Jun 1st, 2005, 17:49	#13
Judi Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: England Posts: 458	Andy - when we arrived in Mumbai at 4a.m. from Heathrow, we had changed sterling into rupees and were on the transfer bus within 10 minutes of collecting our luggage. It's really not a problem at all - and the exchange rate was exactly the same as in the town later that day. Don't worry - but do take sterling. It's madness to change your money into US$ first - why pay two lots of cdommission or whatever?

Jun 1st, 2005, 18:52	#14
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,881	There are places in London that change rupees to sterling for Indians. Don't suppose it is breaking any british law, but, as I have said, it is supposed to be illegal to take Rs out of the country. Last time I changed at the airport the guy in front wanted to carefuly examine every note but usually it doesn't take long.

Jun 1st, 2005, 20:02	#15
dani मेरा नाम दान्येल है Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Switzerland Posts: 495	in Switzerland you get Ruppes at the bank counters at Zurich Airport, and I think also at Swiss Post (order over inet/phone, delivered the next day)

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