India GOMoney in India
India is a paradox when it comes to money. On one hand, it's the world leader in digital transactions: even a beach vendor accepts QR codes. On the other hand, many places still deal exclusively in cash. Understanding how money works here is crucial for smooth travel.
The good news is that you have more options than almost anywhere else in the world. The challenge is knowing which tool to use where. The right combination of payment methods will get you through almost any situation. Mix cash, cards, and apps wisely, and you'll never get stuck.
Indian Currency – Rupee (INR, ₹)
You'll pay for everything in rupees, so plan to arrive with some US dollars or euros in clean, recent banknotes and exchange them once you're in the country. Change money at offices displaying an "RBI Authorized" sign (a licensed money changer or FFMC) or at a bank: the rate is fair and you can ask for an encashment certificate. Keep that certificate, as you may need it to convert leftover rupees back to your home currency before you fly out.
Airport exchange counters are handy for your very first cash, but their rates typically run about 6–12% worse than in the city. Change just enough there for your first day or two, then do the rest in town.
Payment by QR codes
India is a world leader in digital payments: even street musicians and chai vendors accept UPI, the country's instant-payment system. The catch: the popular apps like Google Pay and PhonePe require an Indian bank account and phone number, and without them you simply can't set them up.
One option for foreigners is Mony: after you register and verify your identity, the app lets you pay compatible merchant QR codes. Whether you can top up, which cards are supported, and the fees and limits all depend on your citizenship and payment method, so check them before your trip, and don't make UPI your only source of money.
Still, don't rely on digital payments alone. Taxis, street cafes, small shops, and bazaars often accept transfers only to personal accounts, which tourist apps block. So always keep some cash on you.
Mony: UPI Payments for Tourists
Mony lets foreigners pay for purchases via QR codes, just like locals do. To register, upload photos of your passport and a second document (for foreign visitors, a driving licence from their home country) and enter your visa details; verification is usually completed within 24–48 hours of arrival in India. Top up with an international card or a bank transfer. Payments go through business QR codes (shops, cafes, transport), so you can't send money to an individual's personal QR code.
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Cash: how much, and in which notes
Cash still matters: app-less rickshaws, village dhabas, temple donations, and tips all want it. A good rule: keep ₹3,000–5,000 on you, and about a third of it in small ₹10–100 notes. ATMs hand out ₹500 notes, and "no change" is something of a national sport, so break big notes at chain stores and petrol stations whenever you get the chance.
Don't accept torn or taped notes in your change: you'll struggle to spend them later. You can try to exchange damaged notes at a bank under the RBI rules, but it takes time and doesn't cover every kind of damage, so it's easier not to take them in your change in the first place.
ATMs: how to withdraw cash
ATMs are everywhere in cities and tourist areas, and they're the easiest way to get rupees with a foreign card. A few things to know:
- Most Indian banks charge foreign cards a fee of about ₹150–300 per withdrawal, on top of whatever your own bank charges.
- If the machine asks whether to charge in rupees or your home currency, always choose INR. The "pay in your own currency" option (dynamic currency conversion) hides an extra markup, often 5–10% or more.
- Withdrawal limits are usually around ₹10,000 per transaction; for larger amounts, just repeat the withdrawal.
- Airport ATMs are reliable and a good way to get your first cash on arrival.
- If a machine declines your card, don't panic: try another bank's ATM; declines with foreign cards are common and usually random.
- Never let your cash reserve run out completely: in small towns ATMs can be empty or offline.
International cards
Visa and MasterCard are accepted in hotels, shopping malls, and restaurants. But step away from touristy streets and cards stop working. Cash or an app will save you again.
The best solution in India is to carry three payment tools: cash rupees, an international card, and a digital payment app. This way you can pay for anything, from a cup of street tea to a stay in a nice hotel.
How much cash you can bring in
There's no limit on how much foreign currency you can bring into India, but you must fill in a Currency Declaration Form (CDF) at customs if you're carrying more than US$5,000 in banknotes, or US$10,000 in cash and traveler's checks combined. It takes five minutes and it protects you on the way out.
Indian rupees are a separate matter: you can usually bring in or take out up to ₹25,000 in notes, though some destinations have their own exceptions; check the current CBIC or RBI guidance before you fly.
Tipping and service charge
Under India's consumer rules (CCPA), a restaurant can't add a service charge to your bill automatically; it has to be voluntary, and you're within your rights to ask for it to be removed. If a 5–10% service charge is already on the bill and you're happy with it, there's no need to tip on top; if there isn't one, 5–10% in cash is a warm gesture.
Elsewhere, rough guides: a porter ₹20–50 a bag, housekeeping ₹100 a night, a driver ₹200–500 a day, a guide ₹200–500. Rickshaw drivers don't expect a tip; just round the fare up.
Bargaining
In markets and souvenir stalls, the first price a tourist hears is usually two to three times the real one. The game: open at 40–50% of what's quoted, settle somewhere around 50–60%, and keep it friendly; a smile does more than a hard line. Walking away is a legitimate move; you'll often be called back.
Where not to haggle: malls, shops with "fixed price" tags, food, and tickets. For rickshaw and taxi fares, see the Transport guide.
What a day costs (2026)
- Backpacker (₹1,500–3,500): hostel or guesthouse, thali and street food, sleeper-class (SL) trains, auto-rickshaws.
- Mid-range comfort (₹4,000–8,000): a 3-star hotel, cafes, 2A/3A train classes, ride-hailing taxis.
- Premium (₹12,000+): boutique and heritage-palace hotels, restaurants, a car with a driver.
In peak season, Delhi, Mumbai, and Goa add roughly 40–60% to these figures. For today's exact rate, use the converter in this section. On-the-ground anchors: a thali approximately ₹120–250, a cappuccino ₹150–250, a taxi around ₹20–30 per km, a mid-range room roughly ₹2,500–4,500.