Rupee Denominations?

Sama · Aug 28th, 2005, 20:50

I'll finally be in Chennai this coming weekend

and was wondering what the ATMs spit out.

For example, if I withdraw $50 US, I figure that's about 2200 rupees (correct? if there are 44R/$1 US?). So what are the rupee denominations I can expect out of the ATM? I'm assuming this is paper money....(OK, please don't laugh if you think this is a stupid question.....)

thanks!

SHIMLA · Aug 28th, 2005, 20:56

You will get notes in denominations of Rs. 1000, Rs. 500 and Rs. 100.

thirdreel · Aug 28th, 2005, 21:10

The two times I have withdrawn money from an ATM, it's given me 500s and 100s both times. When I enter an amount in thousands, it gives me five 100s and the rest in 500s. Your mileage may vary, certainly.

Keeping change is one of the small annoyances of traveling India. If you try to pay for a small purchase using a 100 or especially a 500, they'll probably ask you if you have the change. And, of course, you don't want to be in a situation where you count on someone having change--if an autorickshaw drive costs 60 and you give the driver 100, it's just your luck if he has change (or if he says he has change.)

Sama · Aug 28th, 2005, 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by thirdreel

Keeping change is one of the small annoyances of traveling India. If you try to pay for a small purchase using a 100 or especially a 500, they'll probably ask you if you have the change. And, of course, you don't want to be in a situation where you count on someone having change--if an autorickshaw drive costs 60 and you give the driver 100, it's just your luck if he has change (or if he says he has change.)

so then where do you get change, like from a 100R note? I assume then that rupees also come in coins. and what is the smallest denomination of rupees?

thirdreel · Aug 28th, 2005, 21:33

There are some 5 Rs notes, then 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000. There are coins for 1, 2 and 5 (and the 1 and 2 are similar in size, like a US quarter, so kind of hard to tell the difference in looking at them) and for 50 paise and maybe some smaller.

You get change sometimes. Sometimes you just have to demand it. Other times you can ask at hotels for change. It just seems like an uphill process, keeping yourself in small notes and running out when you need small notes for tips and whatnot. I suppose there are worse problems to have.

Nick-H · Aug 28th, 2005, 21:43

If your driver doesn't have change ask him to get it! Most will. Notes also come in 50, 20, 10 and 5.

If not, you will have have to nip to a nearby tea stall, pharmacy etc and ask if they will help you out.

When you buy from supermarkets, ask for small denomination notes. Try to have R100 in 10s and 20s each day: that should get you by with auto drivers etc.

Ask your hotel reception if they can give change.

It's not unreasonable to expect a driver to change 50 or 100 for a 30 fare ---unless it is his first job of the day! If it is his first job of the day he'll probably stop for petrol. Ask him to get change for you, or ask the petrol people.

If he does stop for petrol, he may ask for the fare so he can buy it: don't worry, I've never been ripped off this way.

Bigger shops, eg supermarkets, will almost always have change.

Coins are useful for newspapers and tea stalls. they come in .25, .5, 1, 2 and 5. I still have to put my glasses on to tell a 2 from a one: very confusing design.

A roadside glass of tea is 2.5. I give 5s to beggars.

Don't let anyone tell you there is a shortage of change: there isn't. I have a pile of coins (and no, I haven't caused a change shortage!)

Anders · Aug 28th, 2005, 22:37

I always withdrew 20000Rs and a lot of the time i got it in 1000s and 1000s can be a bit of a pain to pay with, nobody really wants them.

Aug 28th, 2005, 20:50	#1
Sama a pain in the asana Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: the India inside my heart Posts: 5,453	Rupee Denominations? I'll finally be in Chennai this coming weekend and was wondering what the ATMs spit out. For example, if I withdraw $50 US, I figure that's about 2200 rupees (correct? if there are 44R/$1 US?). So what are the rupee denominations I can expect out of the ATM? I'm assuming this is paper money....(OK, please don't laugh if you think this is a stupid question.....) thanks! __________________ *My India, 2005-2008* BE THE REVOLUTION

Aug 28th, 2005, 20:56	#2
SHIMLA Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yangon, MYANMAR Posts: 4,125	You will get notes in denominations of Rs. 1000, Rs. 500 and Rs. 100. __________________ Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

Aug 28th, 2005, 21:43	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,701	If your driver doesn't have change ask him to get it! Most will. Notes also come in 50, 20, 10 and 5. If not, you will have have to nip to a nearby tea stall, pharmacy etc and ask if they will help you out. When you buy from supermarkets, ask for small denomination notes. Try to have R100 in 10s and 20s each day: that should get you by with auto drivers etc. Ask your hotel reception if they can give change. It's not unreasonable to expect a driver to change 50 or 100 for a 30 fare ---unless it is his first job of the day! If it is his first job of the day he'll probably stop for petrol. Ask him to get change for you, or ask the petrol people. If he does stop for petrol, he may ask for the fare so he can buy it: don't worry, I've never been ripped off this way. Bigger shops, eg supermarkets, will almost always have change. Coins are useful for newspapers and tea stalls. they come in .25, .5, 1, 2 and 5. I still have to put my glasses on to tell a 2 from a one: very confusing design. A roadside glass of tea is 2.5. I give 5s to beggars. Don't let anyone tell you there is a shortage of change: there isn't. I have a pile of coins (and no, I haven't caused a change shortage!) __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Aug 28th, 2005, 21:10	#3
thirdreel Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Detroit, MI, USA Posts: 209	The two times I have withdrawn money from an ATM, it's given me 500s and 100s both times. When I enter an amount in thousands, it gives me five 100s and the rest in 500s. Your mileage may vary, certainly. Keeping change is one of the small annoyances of traveling India. If you try to pay for a small purchase using a 100 or especially a 500, they'll probably ask you if you have the change. And, of course, you don't want to be in a situation where you count on someone having change--if an autorickshaw drive costs 60 and you give the driver 100, it's just your luck if he has change (or if he says he has change.)

Aug 28th, 2005, 21:33	#5
thirdreel Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Detroit, MI, USA Posts: 209	There are some 5 Rs notes, then 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000. There are coins for 1, 2 and 5 (and the 1 and 2 are similar in size, like a US quarter, so kind of hard to tell the difference in looking at them) and for 50 paise and maybe some smaller. You get change sometimes. Sometimes you just have to demand it. Other times you can ask at hotels for change. It just seems like an uphill process, keeping yourself in small notes and running out when you need small notes for tips and whatnot. I suppose there are worse problems to have.

Aug 28th, 2005, 22:37	#7
Anders Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: England Posts: 630	I always withdrew 20000Rs and a lot of the time i got it in 1000s and 1000s can be a bit of a pain to pay with, nobody really wants them.

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