Money & Currency
The currency of India is the Indian Rupee (INR / ₹). Current rate (as of 2026): approx. 1 € ≈ 88–92 ₹.
ATMs
ATMs are everywhere — in cities on every corner, in rural areas in most small towns. The most reliable: SBI (State Bank of India), HDFC, ICICI, and Axis Bank.
- Withdrawal limit: Usually 10,000–20,000 ₹ per transaction
- Fees: Indian banks usually charge 200–250 ₹ per withdrawal (plus fees from your home bank)
- Best cards: Wise (formerly TransferWise), DKB, Comdirect — no foreign currency fees
- Tip: Always decline "Dynamic Currency Conversion" at the ATM — the rate is significantly worse
Cash vs. Digital
India has experienced a digital payment revolution: The UPI system (Unified Payments Interface) enables contactless payments via QR code — even the smallest street vendor has a QR code. However, most UPI apps (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm) only work with an Indian bank account. For tourists, cash remains king:
- Always carry 2,000–5,000 ₹ in small bills (100s and 500s)
- Large bills (2,000 ₹) are often not changed by street vendors and rickshaw drivers
- Credit cards are accepted in hotels, upscale restaurants, and shops, but not in everyday life
💡 Tipp
Exchange only a small amount at the airport (2,000–3,000 ₹ for taxi/SIM card) — the rate at the airport is poor. In the city, you get better rates at Thomas Cook or authorized money changers. Or simply withdraw from an ATM.
