“Gird your loins” is the first thought that runs through my mind when suggesting travelers of India find, hoard and sparingly spend any coin they can rustle up. Maybe not the biblical reference, as much as the modern day definition of preparing for battle. Trust me on this, you will have to scavenge like never before to find enough change to last a multi-week journey through this country.
A walk of any market, in any city or village, will show you everyone else is already in on this tip. Locals carry coin and small bills. If you’re using a car & driver service, your driver’s car will be stocked with coins. As if by magic, when his stash runs low, you’ll find it restocked one morning when you greet him. He fields situations daily where small bills fall from his hands like water. And you’ll be needing these notes and coin for a variety of tips and small purchases like bottled water, soda or sundries. Here is what you’ll need:
Bills (Bolded denominations are what you need most)
Available in Rs 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 & 5.
Rs 1000 are hard to break for everyday purchases so ask the front desk of your hotel to make change. Smaller bills are dispensed like the rarest object on Earth, so turn on your charm if you want the Rs 10′s and 20′s.
Coins (All amounts are needed)
Available in Rs 1, 2 & 5 (With rare exceptions, you will not see the 25 or 50 Paise)
Rs 2 coins come in two styles as shown above
How do you, the newbie tourist in India, find coin or small bills when many restaurants and shops round up to avoid giving exact change?
1. Frequent chai stalls, STD/ICO booths, and of course the local markets where you can more easily pay by Rs 100 note and receive exact change. Cha-ching.
2. If a merchant asks, “Do you have Rs 2?” for your Rs 22 soda, simply tell him no in order to receive the proper change. Small bills and some coin. Cha-ching!
3. Stopping at temples? Ask the shoe attendant if he is willing to sell you some coin or exchange small bills for a larger. Cha-ching.
4. Doormen at hotels deal with small tips as well as bathroom attendants. As above, ask to buy small amounts of their change. Cha-ching.
5. Traveling by car/driver? Mention how hard finding change seems to be to your driver. If he doesn’t offer, ask him if he could possibly find change overnight in exchange for a Rs 50 note. Cha-ching.
Keep your eyes open for other opportunities and don’t be afraid to ask for exact change when merchants round up. Rs 5 notes are rare, and typically beat up, so if you receive as change, ask to have swapped for a coin instead.
