The 80/20 Rule
India is rapidly digitizing. You can use Credit Cards (Visa/Mastercard) for 80% of your expenses: Hotels, Malls, Uber, upscale Restaurants, and Supermarkets. However, you need Cash (Rupees) for the remaining 20%: Auto-rickshaws, street food, small souvenir shops, and tips.
Where Cards Always Work
- Hotels and Resorts
- Shopping Malls and Branded Stores
- Restaurants in major cities
- Booking apps (Uber, Ola, BluSmart)
Where Cash is King
- Street Vendors: buying chai or souvenirs.
- Auto Rickshaws: Unless you book via Uber.
- Remote Areas: If you travel to villages or small towns in Himalayas/Kerala.
Expatly Tip: Try to keep ₹2000-₹3000 in smaller denominations (₹100, ₹200 notes).
Shopkeepers often struggle to give change for a ₹500 note if you just buy a ₹20 item.