New Delhi - Post Report Question and Answers
Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes, many cards are accepted even by smaller shops. ATMs are common and used. - Apr 2024
We opened a bank account there and got a debit card on the local economy. Foreign credit cards can be used and are typically readily accepted, but you'll have to contend with a lot of fraud alerts. - Jan 2022
Using ATMs at established banks is ok. Embassy has an ATM on site. Credit cards at nicer places is ok. In local shops, no. - Sep 2020
I personally operate on a cash-basis only. I would say that ATMs are widely available, although it’s debatable if they’ll work. ATMs and credit cards are as safe as those in the United Sates. There are often lots of problems with the acceptance of international credit cards, so be prepared with a back-up payment option. - Jul 2020
Credit card usage and ATMs are common and it is generally safe to use them. - Jul 2019
Most credit cards are accepted in restaurants and larger shops, but you will need cash for travel. ATMs are everywhere. - Oct 2017
India and Delhi is mostly a cash society except at the bigger hotels. We paid cash for practically everything. At the Embassy, we could put things on our account and pay by US check or cash at the end of the month. We would pay for hotels and flights when traveling by credit card, but day to day is cash. We got our cash from the bank at the US Embassy. I think ATMs in general are fine, though I never used one. Keep lots of small bills with you as no one ever has change. You pay local domestic staff in cash monthly.
- Mar 2017
Cash is widely used, and there is a Bank of America at the embassy that can cash US checks for rupees. We did not have an Indian bank account. There's also an ATM at post. - Feb 2017
Credit cards are hardly used at all. And interestingly enough, today Modi demonetized two of the most commonly used cash bills as well. ATMs exist but lately have had problems with being compromised. - Nov 2016
Some stores and restaurants accept them; smaller ones do not. Shops will often add a 3% fee if you use your credit card. ATM machines are common and often give very good exchange rates when you withdraw rupees. However, the Embassy has only Axis Bank ATM machines, and they charge a withdrawal fee. Instead, find another bank's ATM that does not charge the fee. We use cash for almost all purchases. - Jun 2016
We use an no-foreign-transaction-fee Visa credit card all the time and have had non troubles. Also, our ATM card from back home works well at all ATM machines here and does not charge any additional fee--the exchange rates are the same as cashing a check at the Bank of America counter at the Embassy. You can also cash US$ checks at the same location for conversion into local currency. Getting US$ cash though is restricted--something about India being concerned with foreign cash flows. - Sep 2014
We generally just take out cash from the bank and use that. Too much hassle with ATM fees plus there's the danger of identity theft. Very few places don't take cash here. - Sep 2014
I don't use a credit card here. I use cash only. I use the ATM at the U.S. Embassy. I haven't had any trouble. I wouldn't want to use one anywhere else though. - Aug 2013
No problems at all. - May 2013
They are generally safe in most malls, but I suggest you have cash on you for markets and reaturants. - Sep 2012
You can and there are plenty of banks. - Aug 2011
I used very rarely, cash is easier. large hotels will take cards though - Aug 2011
Great in Delhi and other tourist locations. - Aug 2011
Credit cards are accepted for most medium to high-end shopping and restaurants. ATMs are available, but limited. - Jan 2011
Good luck with the ATMs - they are broken half the time, and only use the majors or you'll lose your card. Avoid credit card use -- few vendors accept credit cards and id theft is rampant. - Sep 2010
There are some ATMs scattered around town and inside the shopping malls. Using a credit card here is still not common. It is still a cash economy. - Aug 2010
Lots of ATMs. Credit cards can be difficult. India is more of a cash economy. - Aug 2010
Not many stores take credit cards, especially the smaller stores. We now have many shopping malls, and in these places credit cards don't always work, for some reason. ATMs are common in the expat communities. - Aug 2010
Not many stores take credit cards especially the smaller ones. We now have many shopping malls and in these credit cards don't always work for some reason. ATMs are common in the expat communities. - Mar 2008
ATMs are everywhere. Malls accept credit cards, outdoor markets only except cash. Same as at home. We've had no problems with any of our cards. - Feb 2008
