India Travel Guide

Browse the India Photo Gallery

Shopping

Each region has its own specialties, each town its own local craftspeople and its own particular skills, often passed down the generations. For fabrics, silverware, carpets, leatherwork, gems and antiques, India is a shopper's paradise. Bargaining is the norm at most bazaars, and visitors can check for reasonable prices at fixed-price, state-run emporia. India has one of the world's largest carpet industries and exquisite Persian rugs can be found nationally. Other goods include pickles, spices, Indian tea, perfumes, soap, handmade paper, incense, puppets and musical instruments.

Shopping hours: Mon-Sat around 0930-1700 in most large stores; variable hours in bazaars.

Note: There is a veto on the export of antiques, art objects over 100 years old, ivory, animal horns, endangered shells, animal skins and objects made from skins.

Currency

Rupee (INR; symbol Rs) = 100 paise. Notes are in denominations of Rs1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of Rs5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 20, 10 and 5 paise.

Note: The import and export of local currency is prohibited.

Currency Exchange

Currency can be changed at banks, airports or authorized money changers. It is illegal to exchange money through unauthorized money changers. US Dollars and Pounds Sterling are the easiest currencies to exchange.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

An increasing number of cards are accepted including American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa.

Travelers Checks

These are widely accepted and may be changed at banks and larger hotels. The most widely accepted currencies include US Dollars and Pounds Sterling. Some banks may refuse to change certain brands of traveler's checks which others exchange quite happily.

Currency Restrictions

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited. However, amounts exceeding US$5,000 or equivalent in cash, or US$10,000 or equivalent in traveler's checks must be declared. The export of foreign currency is allowed up to the amount imported and declared.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 1000-1400, Sat 1000-1200.

Exchange Rate