Banking & Money

Which bank cards and e-wallets are most reliable for payments in India?

Carry cards from more than one bank: a named USD Visa from MTBank was reported as the most reliable, while Belarusbank cards had more declines. For the Cheq wallet, payments were reported to be deducted from the wallet balance rather than accepted in cash.

1 source · 8 days ago

What should I do if Booking.com cannot charge my foreign bank card for a hotel booking in India?

If the property verifies the card and the charge fails, the reservation may be cancelled within about 24 hours. Contact the hotel in advance to confirm that cash payment at check-in is accepted and get confirmation in writing.

1 source · 48 days ago

Should you carry cash USD in India as a backup in case bank cards or digital payments stop working?

Yes — experienced travelers recommend keeping some cash USD on hand, since it's widely accepted/exchanged in India, and card payments or apps like UPI can become unreliable without warning.

1 source · 77 days ago

Which ATMs in India work for cash withdrawals with a foreign bank card, and what problems should travelers expect?

In India, travelers can usually withdraw cash from many ATMs using a non-Russian foreign bank card, but some banks may decline transactions without a clear reason. Reports suggest SBI often rejects certain foreign cards, while ATMs of smaller partner banks are too rare to rely on.

1 source · 57 days ago

Can a tourist open a bank account or get a debit card in India?

Opening a bank account in India as a tourist is very difficult — most banks require a long-stay visa and a local address. The situation remains challenging as of 2025–2026.

1 source · 37 days ago

Can tourists receive Western Union transfers in India and open a local bank account?

Western Union transfers to India are possible, though some local branches may claim otherwise. Indian banks generally do not issue cards to tourists, though Axis Bank previously offered this option.

1 source · 9 days ago

Can you get cash rupees at a bank branch in India?

Bank branches in India generally do not offer cash exchange or withdrawal services for foreigners at the counter. Some individual branches may help, but it varies. Post offices occasionally have cash available.

1 source · 111 days ago