India is easy and affordable for travelers who plan their money smartly. Cities are highly digital—cards and QR payments work almost everywhere—while small towns still love cash for markets, rickshaws, and tiny cafés. This guide explains currency basics, how to withdraw safely, when to use cash vs card vs UPI, typical costs, tipping, and common pitfalls to avoid.
India’s currency is the Indian Rupee (INR), written as ₹ or Rs. Notes commonly in circulation are ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹200, ₹500, and ₹2000 (rare in day-to-day use). Coins exist for small amounts. Prices in tourist areas are straightforward, and tax is usually included or shown clearly on bills. Keep a small stack of ₹10/₹20/₹50 notes for cabs, water, snacks, and temple offerings. Most hotels, malls, and restaurants in cities accept major international cards; smaller vendors prefer cash or QR payments.
Major Indian cities have abundant ATMs from trusted banks. Use machines attached to bank branches or inside malls and airports for better security and uptime. Notify your bank before travel to avoid fraud blocks and verify foreign transaction fees. If your card supports contactless, it works in most modern terminals. For exchanging cash, use legitimate counters at airports, banks, or well-reviewed money changers; you’ll need your passport and may receive slightly better rates in the city than at airports.
India’s real hero is UPI—instant bank-to-bank transfers via QR codes that even tea stalls use. Many foreign visitors can now access UPI through select international cards/wallets or via local banks once they get an Indian SIM and KYC. Even if you don’t register for UPI, your guide or hotel can usually accept card or provide a QR from their business account. For ride-hailing, food delivery, and ticketing apps, online payment within the app often works with international cards.
Prices vary by city and season, but this table gives a realistic feel for daily spend. Budget travelers can keep costs low with trains, metros, and local eateries; mid-range travelers will enjoy comfortable hotels and cafés without overspending.
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| City hotel (per night) | ₹1500–₹3500 | ₹4000–₹9000 | Location drives price; breakfast often included |
| Meal (per person) | ₹150–₹400 | ₹500–₹1500 | Street food vs sit-down cafés/restaurants |
| Coffee/Tea | ₹15–₹50 | ₹120–₹300 | Roadside stalls vs specialty cafés |
| Metro/City cab | ₹20–₹60 | ₹200–₹500 | Metro cheapest; app cabs vary with traffic |
| Intercity train (AC seat) | ₹400–₹1200 | ₹1500–₹3000 | Book early for best classes and fares |
| SIM + Data (28 days) | ₹300–₹700 | — | Passport & visa copy may be needed |
| Guide fee (half day) | ₹1000–₹2000 | ₹2000–₹4000 | Confirm inclusions and transport |
| Monument tickets | ₹250–₹1300 | — | Varies by site; premium sunrise slots cost more |
Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory everywhere. In restaurants with a service charge already added, no extra tip is expected; otherwise 5–10% for good service is common. Round up small fares for rickshaws and cabs. Hotel porters appreciate ₹50–₹100 per bag depending on distance and category of hotel. Bargaining is normal in bazaar stalls and souvenir shops—smile, start at 50–60% of the first quote, and settle at a fair middle. For tours and experiences, ask for an itemized price and an official receipt or WhatsApp confirmation.
India is welcoming, and most transactions are smooth if you keep basic street-smart habits. Use hotel safes for passports and spare cards, carry a slim wallet for day use, and avoid counting large amounts in public. Insist on meters in cabs where required or settle the fare upfront. If a shop’s card machine “doesn’t work,” consider UPI (if you have it) or a different shop; never let your card out of sight.
Start each day with a rough spend plan: transport, food, tickets, and one treat (a show, spa, or special café). Keep small notes in a front pocket and larger notes/cards deep in your bag. Track expenses quickly in your phone notes or a budgeting app so you know when to withdraw next. For couples or friends, splitting bills is easy with UPI or by alternating payments and balancing later.
Bring a primary card and a backup plus a starter stash of cash. In cities, cards and QR are widely accepted. Keep small notes (₹10–₹100) for markets, small cafés, tips, and rickshaws. In rural areas, cash is still important, so withdraw before you head out.
Use ATMs at bank branches, malls, or airports. Avoid stand-alone street machines at night. Cover the keypad, take receipts, and enable transaction alerts. If an ATM fails, wait for an automatic reversal before retrying.
UPI is India’s instant bank transfer system via QR codes. Some foreign wallets/cards integrate with UPI in select scenarios; otherwise you may set it up after getting a local SIM and completing KYC with a supported bank. Even without UPI, most places accept cards or can take payment through their own QR.
If a service charge is added to your bill, no extra tip is required. Otherwise, 5–10% is appreciated at sit-down restaurants. Round up small fares. For drivers and guides, tip at the end based on time and effort.
Always choose INR. Dynamic Currency Conversion (charging you in your home currency) usually gives a poorer exchange rate and extra fees. Paying in INR lets your card network handle the conversion fairly.
Budget travelers can manage ₹2000–₹4000 per day with local food and public transit. Mid-range travelers often spend ₹5000–₹12000 with comfortable hotels, cafés, and a daily activity. Big cities and peak season trend higher; smaller towns trend lower.