New ATM Limits in Srinagar
Posted on 29. Apr, 2010 by David in Blog, Money, Tips
There appears to have been a change to the maximum withdrawal limit for ATMs in Srinagar, Kashmir. Previously most ATMs would allow foreign bank cards to take out up to 20,000 Rupees (currently ~$450 USD) in one transaction. Now that limit is 10,000 Rupees max per transaction.
I’ve noticed this at several of the most common ATMs in town, such as J&K Bank, State Bank of India, HDFC, Yes Bank, and ICICI Bank. I don’t know if this change is also true for other ATMs in the Kashmir Valley outside of Srinagar, but I would assume that to be the case until I hear otherwise.
However, if you still need to take out more than 10,000 Rupees, it is possible by just doing two transactions. It may cost you more in bank fees if your bank charges a flat fee per ATM transaction, but you’ll still be able to buy that fancy Kashmiri carpet or pashmina shawl that every Kashmiri salesmen will be happy to sell you!
Another Money Tip for India
Posted on 08. Sep, 2009 by David in Blog, Money, Tips
After writing last week’s post about exchanging money at the Delhi airport, I remembered another helpful tip regarding Indian Rupees.
Make sure you check for torn/taped bills that you might be given when exchanging money as well as when you’re getting change from a shop. A torn bill that has been taped may be accepted for use in your home country, but not in India. If you notice one, just hand it back to whoever gave it to you and ask for one that isn’t torn. You don’t want to wind up with one of these in your wallet:
Look closely, do you notice the tape on the 500 bill?
One trick in checking for a taped bill is to look at the back of the bills, as that usually is where the tape is placed. Sometimes you may not notice it when looking at the front, which is how I apparently got the 500 bill shown above!
Exchanging Money at the Delhi Airport
Posted on 03. Sep, 2009 by David in Airport, Blog, Delhi, Money, Tips, Travel
(Updated August 2010 to reflect changes after the opening of Delhi’s new international Terminal 3.)
I’m often asked before groups come about how soon they’ll be able to exchange money when they arrive in Delhi or if it’s possible to do it upon arrival at the Delhi international airport.
You can exchange foreign currency for Indian Rupees both before and after customs in the arrival hall of Terminal 3. In the baggage claim area before customs there is a Thomas Cook counter (toward the right) and a Central Bank of India counter (toward the left). I believe the latter does not charge a commission fee for the exchange. Both counters should be open 24 hours, which is helpful since most international flights get into Delhi late at night or after midnight. Outside of customs there are also two more counters, Thomas Cook and Central Bank of India again.
The new Terminal 3 also features ATMs both before and after customs. When I recently passed through the terminal these ATMs weren’t installed yet but they are listed on the map so should be there soon if they aren’t already. The ATM in the old terminal limited transactions to 5000 Rupees (just over $100 USD currently), but I’m not sure yet if a similar limit is one these new ATMs.
The airport website provides this interactive map showing the locations of foreign exchange counters and ATMs.
Changing money at the airport can be helpful in case you need some Rupees before you’re able to go to an ATM or other bank exchange office near whatever place you’re staying at in Delhi. I’ve heard & read that the exchange rates in the airport aren’t always as good as what you get at a bank office in town. However, I haven’t always found this to be true.
