Changing US dollars

rskerrett · Jul 21st, 2009, 04:47

I am coming to India with US Dollars. I will use an ATM card for cash at machines or banks, is that cool or is there a better way? I will use a visa card for as much as possible. Should i bring cash and if so is it easy to cash. Do you get a better rate cashing cash or traveler checks outside of the banks or is the exchange rate the same every were? Open to info and suggestions
Thanks rskerrett

palerider · Jul 21st, 2009, 14:12

You really don't need to bring cash with you, especially American dollars. ATMs are everywhere, and they take all credit cards. I use a visa debit card with a Cirrus/maestro logo on it. It is accepted at most atms. Cash is just not needed, and then you will get a BAD exchange rate when you try to redeem it for rupees.
If you're flying into Bangalore, there is an atm at the airport, and if for some reason it's not operating, then you just get the driver to stop at one on the way to town.

Nick-H · Jul 21st, 2009, 14:43

There is no reason to get a bad exchange rate. Licenced (and unlicenced

) money changers will give the going rate, it is only hotels and shops that may give less.

However, the risks of carrying a large amount of cash coupled with the convenience of ATMs point to an obvious conclusion. Arguing against that conclusion is the fees that your bank may charge for foreign withdrawals. There's a balance, I suppose!

Jul 21st, 2009, 04:47	#1
rskerrett Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: usa Posts: 18	Changing US dollars I am coming to India with US Dollars. I will use an ATM card for cash at machines or banks, is that cool or is there a better way? I will use a visa card for as much as possible. Should i bring cash and if so is it easy to cash. Do you get a better rate cashing cash or traveler checks outside of the banks or is the exchange rate the same every were? Open to info and suggestions Thanks rskerrett

Jul 21st, 2009, 14:12	#2
palerider this is Brad. He's cute Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Armidale, N.S.W., Australia Posts: 2,226	You really don't need to bring cash with you, especially American dollars. ATMs are everywhere, and they take all credit cards. I use a visa debit card with a Cirrus/maestro logo on it. It is accepted at most atms. Cash is just not needed, and then you will get a BAD exchange rate when you try to redeem it for rupees. If you're flying into Bangalore, there is an atm at the airport, and if for some reason it's not operating, then you just get the driver to stop at one on the way to town. __________________ I always wanted to be someone when I grew up, I realise now that I should have been more specific.

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Jul 21st, 2009, 14:43	#3
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,211	There is no reason to get a bad exchange rate. Licenced (and unlicenced ) money changers will give the going rate, it is only hotels and shops that may give less. However, the risks of carrying a large amount of cash coupled with the convenience of ATMs point to an obvious conclusion. Arguing against that conclusion is the fees that your bank may charge for foreign withdrawals. There's a balance, I suppose!