Money

Frederick Adams

Hi
Now we have sorted out the transport, the tablets and almost everything else, the next questions is money. As you cant take Rupees into India, what currency is recommended. US Dollars or UK British Pounds? It would be easier to take British Pounds but are they widely accepted. If we take US Dollars, we have to convert to US Dollars and then back to Rupees therefore paying twice to convert.

Jean-Philipe

British pounds are well accepted. You might want to bring USD 100 or so just in case.

ATMs are widely available now.

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johnyoga2

It is illegal to import Rupees. BUT you are not searched when you arrive so if you had rupees with you, likely no one would know. We traveled in the north. We really didn't have any problems with conversion, in fact, a lot of the shops took dollars and gave you a better exchange rate than we got at the hotels. I suspect pounds would be just a liquid. The only currency I saw refused was when someone tried to pass some Peruvian currency.

goangoangone

Sterling is fine. It is very acceptable. Don't get rupees, you will be paying black market to buy. You can get a few when you arrive 'til you get sorted. No need to be ripped off before you arrive. Where are you entering India?

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NickyG

Are we able to withdraw cash from ATMs using a card that uses maestro/cirrus in Delhi and Jaipur? Many thanks for info.

robotvoice

Most machines will accept foreign atm cards. As for your arrival, the airport should have a 24hr bank when you get there, and of course they will exchange pounds.

robh

Sterling keeps it all nice and easy for you and it's widely accepted.

Frederick Adams

Thanks for your replies, sterling it is then. We are arriving at Delhi.

robh

there are two change doodah's in the arrival hall in Delhi airport, get your rupess from there. They had a good exchange rate when I was there in December.

Jean-Philipe

The foreign exchange booth at the international arrivals at Chennai is to be avoided. A friend arrived recently, and changed USD 100 there. They only gave her Rs 4000; should have been about Rs 4300 at least.

cyberhippie

This is beginning to sound like a bit of a theme at Chennai airport.
I've taken part in several discussions now, where people have gotten lousy rates at the airport.
Strange as Delhi exchange rates at the airport are at least competitive.

Any ideas as to why that is!

the opoponax

i've heard in previous travels that you should never bother changing money at any airport unless you really have to, as they all tend to have bad rates. same as the food, things from the newsstands, etc. you're a captive audience. they'll charge what they want, because it's the often the only option for travelers.

ba9rn

I think a better option at (most) airports is the ATM. The exchange rate at ATMs seems to be less of a rip off (though there is a fee - meaning you need to take a fairly large amount out).

The Bureaux de Change at a lot of airports (worldwide) seem intent on giving poor rates. Maybe it's partly because it's costly for them to be based in an airport (to be fair to them).

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LeoSilva

Does anyone know about Kolkata's airport?

Frederick Adams

Just returned from India and had no problems changing money at Delhi airport on the way out to Rupees at a good exchange rate, but it was when coming home, we couldnt change the money back. They had no dollars, euros or pounds at the exchange desk, so we thought we would change them for Duty free goods but they wont accept rupees there, so make sure you spend all your Rupees beforehand. We managed to change them in the end at one of the shops after going through customs.