Is cash still widely used?
Yes, especially outside major cities. While UPI payments (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm) have exploded in urban India, cash remains king for auto-rickshaws, street food, rural guesthouses, temples, and most small businesses.
Even in cities, keeping cash on hand is wise — power outages and connectivity issues can make digital payments unreliable.
ATMs and withdrawing cash
ATMs are widespread in cities but can be unreliable or out of cash in rural areas. SBI, HDFC, and ICBC ATMs generally accept foreign cards.
- Foreign card fees are typically around 200 INR per withdrawal
- Some ATMs have low withdrawal limits (around 10,000 INR per transaction)
- Refill cash in cities before heading to rural destinations
Card acceptance
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at hotels, larger restaurants, and shops in major cities. Small vendors, guesthouses, and transport almost always require cash.
Tips for travelers
- Carry a mix of small and larger denomination notes
- 500 INR notes are the most useful for everyday spending
- Avoid carrying worn or torn notes — many vendors refuse them
- Airport money changers are convenient but rates are poor; use city ATMs instead