Officially you're not supposed to take any Indian currency into or out of India, however carrying up to Rs5000 doesn't seem to be a problem. The rupee is fully convertible so there's not much of a black market, even though you can still be haunted by offers to 'change money'. In cities you can change most major foreign currencies and brands of travellers cheques - but you'll widen your options and save yourself hassles if you stick to US dollars, Euros or pounds Sterling and either Thomas Cook or American Express travellers cheques. In fact, it's wise to bring a couple of different brands of cheques in different currencies since some branches of some banks have particular idiosyncrasies, such as refusing to handle X-brand of travellers' cheques in pounds Sterling denomination or Y-brand in US dollars.

• Currency

  Name                       Indian Rupee

  Symbol                    Rs

  Rupee notes come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 (the Rs1000.00 note is not as commonly found, especially outside of big cities).

  The rupee (Rs) is divided into 100 paise (p). The paise comes in coin denominations of five, 10, 20 (all no longer being issued) 25 and 50. There are also rare rupee coins in denominations of one, two and five.

• Changing Your Money

  It's relatively straightforward changing money, especially in the larger cities. You are supposed to be given an encashment certificate when you change money at a bank or an official moneychanger; you'll need these encashment certificates to change Indian currency back into foreign currency when leaving India (at the international airport), however for exchanges below Rs10000 certificates aren't necessary.

  Credit cards are widely accepted in Indian cities and larger towns, particularly American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa; MasterCard and Visa are the most widely accepted. Credit cards can also be used to get cash advances in rupees at some banks. Nowadays, almost all Indian cities have 24-hour ATMs that may accept Cirrus, Maestro, MasterCard, Plus and Visa. It's wise to check in advance with your home bank whether your card can access banking networks in India and if so, what the charge per transaction is and whether there are schemes to minimise these.

• Money Tips

  If you stay in cheap hotels, always travel on the cheaper train classes and learn to subsist on dhal and rice, you could see India for around Rs500.00 ( US$10.00 ) a day. If you prefer a few more creature comforts, like a simple private room with a bathroom, a varied diet, and occasional 1st class rail travel on long journeys, count on around Rs850.00 - Rs1000.00 ( US$20.00 - US$25.00 ) a day. Staying in mid-range hotels, eating in decent restaurants, and occasionally hiring a car and driver will cost anywhere between Rs1000.00 - Rs2000.00 ( US$30.00 - US$45.00 ) a day. If you don't want to set foot anywhere other than converted maharajahs' palaces and five-star international hotels, budget as if you were travelling luxuriously in the West.

  Indian currency notes circulate stay in circulation for a very long time and the small notes in particular become very tatty - some should carry a government health warning. You may occasionally find that when you try to pay for something with a ripped or grubby note that your money is refused. You can change old notes for new ones at some banks or save them and use them creatively as tips. Don't let shopkeepers palm grubby notes off on you as change - simply hand them back and you'll usually be given a note slightly higher up the acceptability scale. Keep a supply of smaller denomination notes - there is a perpetual shortage of small change.

  Sample Price Guide

  litre of milk

                                                Rs 20.00

  loaf of bread

                                                Rs 20.00

  Mars Bar

                                                Rs 25.00

  pashmina shawl

                                                Rs 6000.00

  12 glass bangles

                                                Rs 150.00

  Wooden meditation beads

                                                Rs 25.00

  good quality sitar

                                                Rs 25000.00

  Average Room Prices
  Low	Mid	High	Deluxe
  Rs100-500	Rs300-4600	Rs4600-9000	Rs9000+
  Average Meal Prices
  Low	Mid	High	Deluxe
  Rs1-45	Rs45-120	Rs120-230	Rs230+

• Tipping

  Baksheesh, a term which encompasses tipping and a lot more besides, is widespread in India. More often than not, you 'tip' in India not so much for good service but in order to get things done. Judicious baksheesh will often open closed doors, find missing items and perform other small miracles. In mid-range and upper-end restaurants or hotels a service charge (usually 10%)is often added to bills, so tipping is very optional. In smaller places, where a service charge has not been added to the bill, a tip is warmly appreciated - the amount you give depends on how happy you are with the service. Anything upwards of 20.00 is the norm, but exceptional service should be rewarded with at least 50.00 .