Ds2 is going to India on Sunday. What is the best place to get rupees? The program recommended arriving with some.
I don’t know about that form of currency, but to get Euros we were directed to larger/main branches of banks in our areas - the branches did not have as much access.
But wait - he’s going on Sunday? I don’t know that you can get anything that fast - I’d call first thing tomorrow morning to large banks in your area and see if they have any recommendations.
ATMs often have the better rates. You will want to check what your debit card company charges when you are abroad as it may be different than the domestic fees.
Airport exchange Cambios have higher rates, but it’s convenient if you’re just talking about some pocket money.
Use your debit card as little as possible when abroad. Don’t use it for purchases everywhere. Get cash out of the ATMs.
There’s a place in the mall open tomorrow. I guess I was wondering whether the airport was a total ripoff. I think hees inclined to do that, but I wondered whether the airport is a bad idea.
Oh, abasket, I agree this feels last minute. And that’s life with ds2. 8-|
I don’t know if this is true for India, but in many countries, the U.S. dollar is a very popular currency. It’s possible your son will do okay even if he doesn’t have any rupees on arrival.
I just draw at an ATM on arrival. Make sure to check w your bank before hand that your atm card will work overseas.
He got a debit card just for this trip and has talked to them about 1) waving intl ATM fees, and 2) affiliated banks. He’s not totally clueless but does procrastinate. Because no one has said that it would be disastrous to wait until the airport, I’ll shelve that concern. He will figure it out.
Just make sure he has a rough idea of what the exchange rate is. I’ve stood in line at an airport ATM more than once, waiting for some clueless tourists trying to figure out how much money they want to withdraw-- eyeroll…
They recommend $50 so I’m sure that’s what he will do. If this were my first one studying abroad I’d be more worried. He has magical thinking.
USD 50 ?
How long is he going to be in india? There are going to be ATM fees w every withdrawal. Better to take fewer larger withdrawals, than many small ones.
He will leave with some higher amount of dollars and then the Indian money he’ll pick up. His homestay is less than a mile from two banks that have agreements with his so no ATM fee, and he got some intl fee waived.
We were told that arriving at the airport at your destination gives the best exchange rates, but we had left over cash from my dad’s prior trip, so we used that instead of exchanging any $$. We also used our CC whenever possible (no foreign transaction fee) and have a debit card that gives ATM fee rebate and no foreign transaction fee. If he’s not staying long, it shouldn’t matter all that much what the exchange rate is, especially if his spencing is modest.
His spending is supposed to be modest. He is staying for four months. All meals are covered by host family, though I’m sure he will eat out some. He wants to have some clothes made there. And he hops to get to the Taj Mahal.
His bank may not charge a fee, but if he uses another bank’s ATM machine (almost a given in a foreign country), there will surely be a fee.
Again, I believe the two banks closest to his homestay have agreements with his bank so no fee would be charged. That’s how it worked for his brother. Regardless, it is what it is with 35 hours until takeoff. If he’s screwed it up, a lesson learned. I’m trying really hard to be zen about this.
You are probably fine with the plan you have if you are only changing $50. My daughter needed Euros, and they have them to buy at some AAA offices. Maybe they have Rupees too?
When I was traveling to india, GMTspouse gave me some leftover rupees from another trip: 200 rupees.
Not knowing the exchagne rate, I thought I was flush with local currency. Lol…
How much is that? 200 rupees, I mean whats the equivalent in US dollar.
Back then, 200 rupees was worth about 4 bucks.