Hi all, I'm going to be traveling to India at the end of December, and am wondering about where to exchange my Canadian Dolloars for Rupees.

Where is the best rate.

1. Bank or exchange counter here or in India
2. Wire money directly to a relative in India and then pick up from there.


Any suggestoins would be appreciated.

How many Indian rupees do you need?

If you don't have an NRI or similar bank account in India, it is best to convert at the Indian airport upon arrival, assuming you do not need thousands of dollars converted.
The conversion rate differential between bank and airport will be insignificant if you are only converting a few hundred $.

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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."

-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"

My recent experience is to shop around while changing- I was changing some Cnd$ in Early Nov. 08 in New Delhi (Cannaught Place) and found different rates in different money changing agencys like small one's to Centrum. I changed at one of the places where I got Rs1.5 more than Centrum/Banks for that time....And yes it was an authorized place and they gave me a receipt as well.
Hope it helps.
~K