Travelling to India calls for a little planning when it comes to money: the Indian rupee (INR) is not a currency like any other, and across much of the country, cash remains the norm. Here is how to prepare your budget with peace of mind, even before you set foot in Delhi or Mumbai.
The Indian rupee, a currency apart
India uses the Indian rupee, whose international code is INR and whose symbol is ₹. It is a currency worth getting to know before you leave, because its entry into and exit from the country are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India. The rupee is what is known as a "closed" currency: it is not as easy to find as the dollar or the pound sterling, and there is no provision for large quantities of it to circulate freely outside the country. For a traveller, this changes the strategy: rather than converting everything at once, it is better to set off with a reasonable reserve and top up on site.
The best approach is therefore to prepare a small amount of rupees before departure for the first few hours (airport taxi, water, SIM card, tips), then take the rest of your budget in euros, which you will exchange in India over the course of your stay. A bureau de change in France lets you obtain this first reserve on good terms, without relying on airport counters, which are often less favourable on arrival.
Cash is still king, especially outside the big cities
India has undergone a genuine digital payment revolution with UPI, and in metropolises such as Delhi, Mumbai or Bangalore, you will often pay by QR code, including at small traders. But this system relies almost entirely on Indian bank accounts: as a foreign tourist, you will generally not have access to it. As soon as you leave the big cities for rural Rajasthan, Himalayan villages, markets or religious sites, cash once again becomes essential.
Rickshaws and auto-rickshaws, tea (chai) stalls, temples, small family restaurants, local guides and street vendors all operate on cash. Remember to always keep small notes on hand: paying a 50-rupee fare with a large note leaves you at the mercy of a vendor with no change. Common notes range from ₹10 to ₹500, complemented by coins of ₹1, ₹2, ₹5 and ₹10. Note that the ₹2000 note, long the largest in circulation, has been withdrawn by the central bank: do not be surprised if it is no longer accepted.
ATMs and withdrawals on site
Cash machines (ATMs) are plentiful in the cities, but rarer and sometimes empty in rural areas. Withdrawals with a foreign card are often capped per transaction and charged both by your own bank and by the Indian bank. To limit fees and secure their budget, many travellers prefer to exchange their euros for cash: it is clear, with no billing surprises, and it avoids having to hunt for a working ATM at the wrong moment. Our currency buying and selling service helps you build up this reserve before departure, or convert any leftover rupees back on your return.
Tips, bargaining and good habits
Tipping is part of Indian culture. In restaurants, around 10% is appreciated when service is not already included; you also leave a few rupees for hotel porters, drivers and guides. Bargaining is expected at markets and with rickshaw drivers: stay courteous and smiling, and settle on the price before getting in or buying. Always keep an assortment of small notes and check the condition of the notes you are given in change, as very damaged notes are sometimes refused by other traders.
Customs rules to know
Beyond the particular case of the rupee, bear in mind the European rule: when entering or leaving the European Union, any movement of cash equal to or above €10,000 (or the equivalent in foreign currency) must be declared to customs. India also applies its own declaration thresholds on arrival for foreign currencies. In practice, for a typical tourist trip, you will stay well below these amounts; it is mainly something to anticipate if you are travelling with a large budget.
Why prepare your currency exchange before leaving
Preparing your currency exchange in advance saves you from rushed, opaque arrival counters and lets you land with peace of mind and enough to get through the first few hours. Paris Change is a bureau de change approved by the ACPR (Banque de France), located at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, in the heart of the Latin Quarter. The shop is open 7 days a week (Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm), with no commission, and offers more than 53 currencies as well as online booking with in-store pickup: you lock in your amount and come to collect it in a few minutes, a stone's throw from the Saint-Michel metro (line 4) and the RER B and C.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take a lot of rupees out of France?
The rupee is a currency with regulated imports: it is advisable to set off with a moderate reserve for your first expenses and to exchange the rest of your budget in euros once on site, rather than carrying large quantities of INR.
Is it better to use cash or card in India?
Both. Cards and ATMs come in handy in the cities, but cash remains essential in small towns, at markets and for rickshaws, temples and tips. Always carry small notes.
Where can you exchange your euros for rupees in Paris?
At Paris Change, 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel (75005), an ACPR-approved bureau, open 7 days a week and with no commission, with online booking available.
Prepare for your trip to India with peace of mind: book your rupees online and collect them in store at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, open 7 days a week and with no commission.
