Currency Pocket Money Estimator
Convert your INR budget to foreign currency with indicative 2025 exchange rates and daily spending estimate.
⚠️ Indicative rates — updated periodically, not live. Actual rates change daily. Always verify with your bank, BookMyForex, or the RBI reference rate before exchanging money.
Tips for getting the best exchange rate
Airport forex counters typically offer the worst rates, often 5–10% below interbank rates. Exchange a small amount at the airport for immediate needs and get the rest from city forex offices.
Prepaid forex cards (HDFC, Thomas Cook, BookMyForex) lock in a rate and avoid dynamic currency conversion fees. Load in the destination currency before departure for predictability.
Indian residents can carry up to USD 250,000 per financial year abroad under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS). Tourist forex is limited to USD 10,000 in cash per trip.
Frequently asked questions
Why are the exchange rates approximate?
Forex rates fluctuate every second. The rates in this tool are representative 2025 values for estimation purposes only. For actual transactions, always check the live rate from your bank, RBI's reference rate, or a forex comparison app like Wise or BookMyForex.
How much foreign currency can I carry?
Under RBI's LRS scheme, Indian residents can carry up to USD 10,000 in cash or traveller's cheques per foreign trip. Larger amounts (up to USD 250,000/year) can be carried via forex cards or wire transfer.
Is it better to exchange money in India or abroad?
Generally, exchanging in India (especially from authorised dealers like Thomas Cook, Ebix, or your bank) gives better rates than exchanging at tourist-heavy counters abroad. Nepal and Bhutan are exceptions where Indian rupees are accepted directly.
Can I use INR in Nepal?
Yes. Indian Rupees (denominations of ₹100 and below) are widely accepted in Nepal at approximately 1 INR = 1.6 NPR. However, ₹500 and ₹2000 notes are not accepted in Nepal, so carry smaller denominations.
What is TCS on foreign exchange?
From October 2023, Tax Collected at Source (TCS) of 20% applies on remittances above ₹7 lakh per financial year under LRS. This TCS can be claimed as credit when filing your income tax return.