Paying in India without the hidden markup
DCC prompts are common at hotels, airport shops and larger retail; many ATMs levy foreign-card fees.
Loading reference rate…
Say this at the counter
रुपये में चार्ज करें
Say it: Rupaye mein charge karein
It means: “charge me in INR, please, without conversion.”
More languages on the refusal card.
Bank ATMs (SBI, HDFC, ICICI) commonly charge foreign cards ~₹200–500 plus your own card’s fees; withdrawal caps of ₹10,000 per transaction are typical.
UPI dominates local payments but generally needs an Indian bank account; cash remains essential for travellers at small vendors.
Hotel checkouts frequently pre-select USD/EUR/GBP for foreign guests. Ask for the folio in rupees before they authorise.
What would a DCC “yes” cost you here?
Open the calculator preset to INR and see the overcharge on your exact amount, at today’s ECB reference rate.
Reviewed 7 August 2026 · Neighbours in the guide: China · Israel · all 30 destinations