India’s unit of currency is the Indian Rupee (INR). All major credit cards can be used in India, with Visa and MasterCard accepted most widely, followed by American Express and Diners Club.

 

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There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought in or taken out of India. However, every person who carries more than US$10,000 in cash in or out of India is required to complete a Border Cash Report.

Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks, which are found at international airports and most city centres.

Exchange Rates

You can calculate the value of your currency in Indian Rupees using the currency convertor above. The rate you are offered in your home country is likely to differ slightly.

Banking

Indian banks are open from 10:00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday. Some are also open during the weekends.

Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are widely available at banks, along main shopping streets and in malls.

International credit cards and ATM cards will work as long as they have a four-digit PIN encoded. Check with your bank before leaving home.

Currency values – normal with bold

  • Coins have values of Rs 1, Rs 2, Rs 5 and Rs 10.
  • Notes have values of Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 50, Rs 100, Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.

How Much Will it Cost?

Here is a general guide of what you can expect to pay in India for a few common items.

A hotel breakfast: Rs 50 – Rs 100
Dinner: Rs 100 – Rs 200 per main meal
Lunch snack/sandwich: Rs 30 – Rs 50
Cafe lunch: Rs 50 – Rs 100
A postcard stamp to anywhere abroad: Rs 20
Big Mac Hamburger: Rs 50
Cappuccino: Rs 20

Tipping and Service Charges

Tipping in India is not obligatory – even in restaurants and bars. However, tipping for good service or kindness is at the discretion of the visitor. Some hotels and restaurants in India add service charges to their bills.

Goods and Services Tax

All goods and services are subject to a 15 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) included in the displayed price. Visitors cannot claim this tax back, however when a supplier ships a major purchase to a visitor’s home address the GST will not be charged.

Swedish Rounding

Due to the discontinuation of 10 paise, 20 paise and 50 paise pieces, purchases made in India are subject to “rounding” of amounts either up or down. The Reserve Bank believes most retailers are adopting the Swedish Rounding System. Under this system prices ending in 1 to 49 paise will be rounded down and prices ending in 50 to 99 paise will be rounded up.

For example, a purchase of Rs 15.15 would be rounded down to Rs 15, and a purchase of $15.95 would be rounded up to Rs 16.

It is at the retailer’s discretion how they handle prices ending in 5 cents.

Credit cards with “Smart Card” technology

Smart cards are payment cards that carry an embedded microchip allowing them to store encrypted, confidential information, and carry multiple applications from different industries alongside debit, credit, or prepaid payment applications. Please note these cards, which often have no magnetic strip, are generally accepted anywhere in New Zealand that has credit card facilities.

Travellers Cheques

Travellers cheques in any of the major currencies (British pound, Euro, US dollar, Australian dollar) can be exchanged into Indian rupeese on arrival and are accepted at banks only.

 

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