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Essentials · 5 min read

Money, tipping, and prices in Punjab

$1 buys a lassi, $4 buys a thali, $40 buys a comfortable hotel night — Punjab is 20-30% cheaper than Delhi for equivalent quality.

Currency and cash

Indian rupees (INR) — roughly ₹83 to $1 in 2024. ATMs are everywhere in cities; HDFC, ICICI, and SBI accept foreign cards with $2-5 fees. Withdraw ₹10,000 ($120) at a time to reduce fee ratio. Cash still rules small dhabas, auto-rickshaws, and markets. Carry ₹100 and ₹500 notes for change; ₹2000 notes are being phased out and often refused.

Cards and UPI

Hotels, mid-range restaurants, and supermarkets all take Visa/Mastercard. UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe) is the dominant local payment method — foreign visitors can now use it via services like Cheq and NPCI's international UPI, saving 2-3% versus card fees. Set up before you travel. American Express is patchy outside luxury hotels.

Tipping norms

Restaurants: 10% if service charge isn’t already added (check the bill). Dhabas and street food: not expected. Drivers hired for the day: $3-5. Hotel bellhops: $1 per bag. Housekeeping: $2-3 per stay. Guides: $5-10 per half-day. No tipping at the Golden Temple langar or gurdwaras — a donation in the box is welcome but never solicited.

Sample prices

Thali at a mid-range restaurant $4-7. Lassi $1. Uber across a city $2-5. Golden Temple entry free. Museum entries $0.50-5. Mid-range hotel $50-100. Luxury hotel $150-350. Car with driver per day $45. Shatabdi chair car Amritsar-Chandigarh $12. Souvenir jutti shoes $10-20 at Adalat Bazaar, Patiala.

Questions, answered

Do I need cash or can I go card-only?
Bring cash. Auto-rickshaws, dhabas, tuk-tuk drivers, and small shops are cash-only. Aim for ₹5,000-8,000 ($60-100) in hand at any time.
Are ATMs safe to use?
Yes at bank branches and inside malls. Avoid standalone kiosks at night. Cover the keypad and check for skimmers on the card slot.
Is tipping expected everywhere?
Only in restaurants and hotels and for hired services. Nobody expects you to tip a rickshaw driver or a shopkeeper.
How much cash for a week in Punjab?
Budget travelers: $150-200. Mid-range: $300-400. Rest can go on card. Withdraw as you go, not all up front.

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