Page 746 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

744  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Banking and Currency India, operating through
literally thousands of touts,
India provides a range of accessible banking facilities and offers much better rates than
money-exchange services, with English-speaking staff at the the official ones, but it is safer
counters. These facilities are available in all the larger cities, to go to authorized dealers.
at international airports, major banks and hotels, travel
agencies and registered moneychangers. Touts might offer Traveller’s Cheques
enticing exchange rates, but they are illegal operators and Traveller’s cheques, once
should be avoided. Credit and debit cards are the safest way considered convenient,
to carry money, but always keep some cash for telephones, have been replaced by forex
tips, transport and purchases, especially when travelling in services. These are provided by
all leading banks. Visitors can
smaller towns or off the beaten track, where cards are not also purchase forex travel cards.
always accepted.
Debit and Credit Cards
Banks and Banking Hours response to public protests Debit and Credit cards are
Most international banks now or strikes. now widely accepted in most
have branches in all the cities big hotels, restaurants and
across the country. The Indian department stores. The most
bank with the largest distribution Changing Money common are VISA, MasterCard,
network is the State Bank of India, In India, banks offer the Diner’s Club and American
though there are other major best exchange rates, though Express. Air and rail tickets can
banks with a national presence most good hotels also change also be paid for by debit and
such as ICICI and HDFC. The money for resident guests. credit card, and cash advances
services they offer include Thomas Cook is a reliable can be made at the parent
international money transfers. foreign exchange broker, and bank. For example, ICICI account
Banking hours are between there are numerous other holders can directly access their
10am–4pm (Mon–Fri), while the brokers who also change account with their ICICI card.
second and fourth Saturday of money at the official rates for However, many smaller
the month are holidays. Arrive major international currencies. establishments, even in the
early to avoid the long queues. Rates of exchange are subject bigger cities, only accept cash.
Banks are closed on regional and to fluctuation, so check any Debit and credit card-related
national holidays (see p39) and national daily newspaper or fraud is on the increase, so keep
occasionally they shut down the Internet for the current your cards safe, and insist that
with out any notice at all in rate. The “blackmarket” in receipt vouchers are made out
DIRECTORY
State Bank Delhi Kolkata Thomas Cook
of India 1st Floor, 9-A, Phelps Bldg, 31 Shakespeare Sarani. C–35 Connaught Pl,
Connaught Pl, New Delhi. Tel (033) 2243 8585. New Delhi.
Chennai Tel (011) 3366 7777.
10/10, College Rd, Kolkata Mumbai Tel (011) 6627 1900.
Thousand Lights West. Rishikesh, 1/1, Ashutosh Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Fort. Dr Dadabhai Naoroji Rd,
Tel (080) 5609 9006. Chowdhury Avenue, Tel (1800) 103 4722. Fort, Mumbai.
Delhi Ballygunge. Tel (022) 6160 3333.
19B Shakespeare Sarani,
11 Sansad Marg. Tel (022) 6757 4314. Bureaux de 1st Floor, Kolkata.
Tel (09690) 313 148. Mumbai Change
9th Floor, South Towers, Tel (033) 6652 6231.
Kolkata ICICI Towers, Bandra Kurla American Express G-4, Eldorado Bldg
Middleton Row. Complex, Bandra (E). Barakhamba Rd, Delhi. No. 112, Nungambakkam
Tel (033) 2229 5811. Tel (022) 3366 7777. Tel (011) 2332 7602. High Road, Chennai.
Mumbai HSBC Oriental Bldg, 364 Tel (044) 6454 8689.
State Bank Bhavan, Dadabhai Naoroji Rd,
Madame Cama Rd. Chennai Mumbai.
Tel (022) 2202 5676. 30 Rajaji Salai. Tel (022) 6632 3000.
Tel (1860) 266 2667. BBD Bagh, Kolkata G.P.O,
ICICI Bank Kolkata. Tel (1800) 419
Delhi
Chennai 25, Birla Towers, Kasturba 5960.
New No. 298, Anna Salai. Gandhi Marg. 187 Anna Salai, Chennai.
Tel (044) 3344 3399. Tel (1860) 266 2667. Tel (1800) 419 5960.

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