A Complete Guide to Using ATMs in India for Foreigners

This blog is a complete guide to using ATMs in India for foreigners. India is largely a cash-based economy, so while visiting India, you need Indian Rupees in cash for daily expenses. You might need to withdraw cash from an ATM, and it can be confusing for many. This blog might help you with using ATMs in India. Read on to understand the ATM system in India better.

Where can I find ATMs in India?

You will find ATMs easily in most metropolitan areas and towns. ATMs are readily available at airports, malls, near banks, and in many busy streets. However, if you are traveling to remote areas or villages, you may not come across ATMs as easily, so make sure you carry extra cash beforehand.

ATMs are easily available in most towns and cities in India (Picture credits: ThoughtCo)

Will my foreign debit card work in India?

International debit cards usually work in India, but make sure to check with your bank before traveling to India. Most ATMs will accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express, and Cirrus. Your cards may not work in many co-operative banks, but these ATMs are not very common anyway, so it is not a cause for concern.

Here are some of the top banks whose ATMs allow international transactions:

• HDFC Bank
• Citibank India
• ICICI Bank
• HSBC Bank
• SBI
• Axis Bank
• Bank of India

Most international cards work in large parts of India

How much money can I withdraw?

You can usually withdraw up to INR 10,000 to INR 20,000 per transaction on a foreign card depending on the bank. If  you need more money, you can make multiple withdrawals, but you might face a fee for the same after a certain amount of transactions. Also, it depends on the bank how many withdrawals per day are allowed, although it is generally up to three times.

Is there a fee on my card?

Not all Indian banks charge a fee on your ATM transaction, but many of them do, especially on international cards. Even your home bank will charge a fee for ATM transactions and foreign transactions.

Usually, banks charge INR 150 to 300 per transaction, while some private banks may charge higher. You may also be charged 1 to 3% of the total withdrawn amount as a foreign transaction fee, as well as a currency conversion fee.

Read also: Exchanging money in India

How to avoid ATM fees?

If your bank is a part of the Global ATM Alliance, for instance Deutsche Bank, you can use Deutsche Bank ATMs if you are a customer of the bank and you will not need to pay any fee upon withdrawal.

Similarly, Citibank and HSBC Bank have many ATMs across India. A Citbank customer in another country can use an Indian Citibank ATM for free. You can also make transactions free of charge as an HSBC customer, but only if you are a Premier or Advance customer.

You can reduce ATM fees by withdrawing large amounts of money infrequently. However, be very careful and stay aware while carrying a big amount of cash with you.

Benefits of International Debit Cards

• If you have an international debit card, you will not need a separate card for overseas transactions. Your local debit card is enough once you activate international usage on the card.
• You won’t need to convert your currency – your debit card will be able to make all the payments, which is a convenient and safe way of handling money.
• Your international debit card can also be used as an international ATM card that will let you access your cash wherever there is an ATM.

Steps to withdraw money from ATM

• Insert your card in the ATM slot.
• Choose your language. English and Hindi are the most widely available languages at all ATMs.
• Enter your PIN.
• Select Withdrawal option from Current or Savings account.
• Enter your amount. Use multiples of 100, since some ATMs reject odd number values.
• Always get a receipt.
• Once your cash is ready, collect the cash, card, and the receipt.
• Let the ATM machine go back to the home screen before leaving the ATM kiosk.

What if the ATM doesn’t accept my card?

• If the ATM does not accept your card, don’t panic. Keep calm and try a different ATM. it is possible that the ATM kiosk has an issue, or maybe the specific bank is not accepting your card. So try to find a different ATM from a different bank.
• If trying multiple ATMs doesn’t work, contact your local bank. There might be a problem with your card or your bank, so your bank might be able to help you with a solution or alternatives.
• If you have brought your home currency with you, get it exchanged at a currency exchange office so that you have money on hand.
• If you are out of currency and you have no cards working, you can use transfer services like MoneyGram or Western Union, which can wire you money from home. You can collect it at a local bank for some additional fees. However, this process can take time, so confirm before starting the process.

Tips for using ATM in India

• Make sure to inform your bank about your trip to India beforehand so that your transactions are not marked suspicious or blocked.
• The most reliable are the airport ATMs, where you can withdraw cash immediately upon arrival. Also try to choose ATMs which are connected to the actual bank rather than stand-alone street ATMs whenever possible.
• After withdrawing cash from an ATM, check the receipt for any additional fees like foreign transaction, currency conversion, and ATM fees.
• Avoid using ATMs in isolated areas and stay aware of your surroundings while withdrawing money.
• Carry alternate methods of payment, such as other cards or your home currency which you can exchange in case of emergency.

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