Travel Money Cards in India

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So, you're off on holiday to explore the colour, chaos and spirituality of India; high up on your pre-holiday checklist will be sorting out your travel money. One of the most convenient and secure ways to spend abroad is with a travel money card.

Which currency is used in India?

In India they use the Indian rupee (INR), but there are some restrictions that you should be aware of. You aren't actually allowed to bring any amount of Indian rupee into or out of India. Tourists therefore have to buy the local currency when they arrive. But if you are a resident of the country, you are permitted to bring up to INR 25,000 in.

Best travel money card for India

You can buy an Indian rupee travel card from TransferWise. With it you can spend and send money across the globe and avoid hidden exchange-related costs when withdrawing from ATMs, paying in shops and restaurants, or purchasing flights and hotels. It holds up to 40 currencies and you can use the TransferWise app to convert them in real time.

Can I bring a traveller's cheque?

Yes, you can bring cash and traveller's cheques with you, so long as they are in in pound sterling or another currency which isn't the Indian rupee. You can also bring your bank card with you and either exchange currency or withdraw rupees when you are there. However, if you bring in an amount that exceeds US$5,000 in notes, or US$10,000 in notes and travellers' cheques combined you need to declare it.

Where can I get travel money in India?

You can get your travel money as soon as you land in India at a bureau de change at the airport. There are also plenty of ATMS in India that you can withdraw cash from with your debit or credit card, but just in case, it's best to have some cash on you at all times. Although you can use your card to make some payments, cash is most commonly used. But for security reasons, it's best to only keep small amounts of cash on you at a time and top up your travel money from ATM withdrawals. Remember to inform your bank if you are planning to use your normal debit or credit card to withdraw cash or pay for activities when abroad, just in case it gets blocked.