liablo

Hello,

First time to India. I am traveling from the US to India, landing in DELHI(DEL) at 9:45PM local time. I figure after immigration and luggage I can be out optimistically around 10:30PM. Then I need to grab a local cab to a Delhi downtown hotel.

I am not planning on taking Rupees from the States, hoping to use the ATM after landing in DEL for the cab fare and misc expenses for the next 6 days in India, relying mostly on credit cards.

Question:
Can I expect that at 10:30-11:00PM in Del airport, the ATMs should still work and dispense ample money for my cab fare?
If not, should the money exchanges still be open for business, if there is any at the airport?
How much cab money should I expect from DEL airport to Delhi downtown hotel?

Thx a lot.

Craig

Do yourself a favor and arrange with your hotel to have someone meet you at the airport - you don't want to be dealing with a cab at that time of day. Outside the airport it is rather chaotic and it is nice with jet lag and all not to have to worry about these things.

There is at least one ATM which will be on your right as you exit baggage claim. The foreign exchange window should also be open at that time.

Jaya

If your plane has a scheduled arrival of 9:45pm and it arrives on time, you will probably get off the plane by 10pm and more likely will clear customs/immigration and be on your way by 11ish.

The international flights start arriving around this time so there are too many passengers to expect to get out within a half hour.

Like Craig said, make arrangements for the hotel to pick you up (and reconfirm before leaving).

liablo

Thanks, never thought about that. Great suggestions. Will call hotel.

Cicerone

I completely agree on having a pre-arranged hotel car to meet you if possible. Well worth the money, they will meet you just outside the baggage claim doors before you get out into the general chaos of the street and will help with baggage as well. However, the ATMs will be “working” barring any unforeseen problems like a power farilur or just a breakdown. The money changers stay open as long as incoming flights are arriving, so you can also exchange money. Finally, if you really want to take a taxi, you should do so through the pre-paid travel taxi desks, and they, to the best of my recollection, take credit cards. The pre-paid taxi desks are just as you exit baggage claim, they will be on the right, don’t worry they will call out to you if you don’t see their kiosk signs, which are hard to miss. You do not want to go wait in the regular taxi line and take a metered taxi.

I also would agree with just having a small amount of Rupees with you when you land. I just landed in Korea tonight myself, but before I left Hong Kong, I exchanged about US$50 worth of money. I knew there were ATMs here and money changers, but I always like to have just a little bit becuase you never know what could go wrong (and usually does).

dogster

And even the pre-paid taxi is fraught with horror [or can be]. I was taken on a midnight two-hour journey through the streets of Delhi [the Overoi is 30 minutes away] by a pre-paid driver. I wanted to kill him. It was actually very scary. So - there ya go. Pay too much for hotel transfer. Just do it.

Jaya

Personally, I would bring Rupees with you from the US. I just feel better having cash on hand upon arrival. Bring about Rs. 2,000 in 50 and 100 notes.

If you get Rupees here (US), don't let them give you damaged ones (ie torn) because they won't accept them in India. Even in India, don't accept torn notes when taking change from a store, restuarant, etc.

lcuy

I have always been able to get money from the airport ATM,even late at night. Be aware that it disburses bigger bills and you will need 20s and 50s for the cab. It may be worth cashing a US $50 bill from the money changer man after telling that you only want to do it if he can give you 200 rupees in 20s.

Every morning, I would ask the front desk of my hotel to break 200Rs into 10s or 20s "for the rickshaws".

There are lots and lots of ATMs in Delhi. I found Citibank to work the best.

I also recommend having the hotel send a car or cab for you. It is so aggravating to deal with the haggling and "sorry that hotel is closed, I'll take you to abetter one" games.

I can't remember the cost of a cab from the Airport to, say, Connaught Place. Maybe 350RS? Not sure....

Which hotel are you staying?

Narender (email: [email protected]) is a good driver for Delhi or the Golden triangle. His prices are not rock bottom but are very fair and he is very honest and reliable. I often hire him by the half day for shopping in Delhi, or he charges by the trip if you're going to Agra or Agra & Jaipur.

Jaya

Liablo, you need to keep small notes on you because unlike the US, some stores/shops will not make change for large notes if the purchase is small - ie they might not take a 500 note for a Rs75 purchase.

Frances

I wasn't aware that you COULD purchase rupees outside India- things must have changed

Marija

We tried to change dollars to rupees at Heathrow and the first exchange bureau said that could only be done for Indian citizens. The next exchange place did it without any questions.

Stainless

Looks like your question has been addressed. I check with our credit union and I can get rupees in advance of departing the US. The only hitch was that when I inquired, there was a shortage of rupees and they couldn't make an exchange for me. They did say that it should be a temporary situation. I always like to have some of the local currency on me when I arrive.