The basics
India’s currency is the Indian rupee. Notes are used everywhere, from street food to taxis, but India has also become one of the most digital places in the world to pay, mostly through UPI, the instant phone payment system run on QR codes.
For a visitor from the UK, the practical mix is simple: a card for cash withdrawals and larger payments such as hotels and restaurants, some rupees in your pocket, and, if you have an Indian bank account, UPI on your phone.
How much cash you can carry
The Reserve Bank of India sets the rules. A visitor who lives outside India can bring Indian rupee notes into the country, and take them out again, up to 25,000 rupees per person. Different rules apply to citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh. Above that, you are breaking the rules, so do not bring large bundles of rupees left over from your last trip.
Foreign currency, such as pounds, is different. You can bring in as much as you like, but you must declare it on a Currency Declaration Form at customs if your notes are worth more than US$5,000, or if your notes and travellers’ cheques together are worth more than US$10,000. The Foreign Office gives the same thresholds.
- Indian rupee notes: up to 25,000 per person, in or out.
- Foreign cash: declare above US$5,000 in notes.
- Foreign cash and travellers’ cheques together: declare above US$10,000.
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Using UK cards and cash machines
Cash machines are common in cities and towns, and most accept Visa and Mastercard. Tell your bank you are travelling, check its fees for foreign cash withdrawals and card payments, and carry a second card in case one is blocked or swallowed by a machine.
When a cash machine or card terminal offers to charge you in pounds rather than rupees, choose rupees. Paying in pounds lets the machine choose the exchange rate, which is usually worse. Travel-friendly debit cards and prepaid cards can cut the cost of spending abroad, so it is worth comparing them before you go.
Our tip: Withdraw a sensible amount at a machine inside a bank or a shopping centre, rather than lots of small amounts. Each withdrawal can carry a fee.
UPI: paying by phone
UPI lets people pay instantly by scanning a QR code with a phone. You will see the codes everywhere, even at small stalls. Until recently it was only for Indian bank accounts with Indian mobile numbers, which left most visitors out.
Non-resident Indians in the UK can now use UPI with a UK mobile number, as long as they have an NRE or NRO account with an Indian bank that supports it and the mobile number is registered to that account. Ask your bank in India whether it offers this.
For visitors without an Indian account, the payments body NPCI has run a wallet called UPI One World, loaded from an international card. It has been offered at a small number of places, so do not rely on it. A card and some cash are still the dependable option.
Which way to pay
A rough guide to what works where.
| Situation | Best way to pay |
|---|---|
| Hotels, larger restaurants, shopping centres | Card, in rupees |
| Street food, small shops, auto-rickshaws | Cash, or UPI if you have it |
| Taxis and app cabs | App cabs by card or UPI in the app, others in cash |
| Temples and donations | Cash, and sometimes UPI |
| Paying a relative back or sharing bills | UPI if you have an Indian account |
Tipping and everyday costs
Tipping is common in India but modest. In restaurants, check whether a service charge has already been added to the bill. Hotel porters, drivers and guides are usually tipped in cash, so keep some small notes handy, because change for large notes can be hard to find in small shops and taxis.
Prices in markets are often open to bargaining, while shops in malls and supermarkets have fixed prices. App cabs show the fare before you travel, which avoids any argument at the end of the journey. For auto-rickshaws, agree the fare before you get in, or ask the driver to use the meter where there is one.
Staying safe with money
Keep cards and cash in more than one place, and carry only what you need for the day. Use cash machines in daylight where you can, and cover the keypad. Keep a note of your bank’s overseas phone number, separately from your cards, so you can block a card quickly if you need to.
If you are travelling with elderly parents, it often works best for one person to carry the main card and for parents to carry a small amount of cash. Travel insurance can help if money is lost or stolen, so check what your policy covers. See our travel insurance guide.
Before you fly
Order a small amount of rupees in the UK if you want cash for the airport taxi, or withdraw some from a machine after you land. Check that your cards will not expire during the trip, and that your phone can receive bank security codes while you are in India.
Make sure the rest of your paperwork is ready too. Our e-Arrival card guide explains the online form you fill in before you land.
Questions people ask
How many rupees can I take to India?
Up to 25,000 rupees in notes per person, under Reserve Bank of India rules. The same limit applies when you take rupees out.
Do I need to declare cash when I arrive in India?
Yes, if your foreign notes are worth more than US$5,000, or your foreign notes and travellers’ cheques together are worth more than US$10,000.
Can I use my UK debit card in India?
Usually yes, for cash machines and card payments. Check your bank’s fees and tell them you are travelling.
Should I pay in pounds or rupees?
Rupees. If a machine offers to charge you in pounds, the exchange rate is usually worse.
Can I use UPI with a UK phone number?
Yes, if you have an NRE or NRO account with an Indian bank that supports UPI for international numbers, and the number is registered to the account.
Can tourists without an Indian bank account use UPI?
NPCI has offered a wallet called UPI One World for some foreign visitors, but it is not widely available. Bring a card and some cash.
Is it better to change money in the UK or in India?
Many people take a little cash for arrival and use cash machines in India for the rest. Compare your bank’s fees before deciding.
