Currency

Indian Currency is the Indian Rupee (Re/Rs.) Since you are not allowed to bring in Indian currency, your best option is the airport bank. Indian Rupee notes are printed in denominations of Rs.1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, and 10. The Rupee is divided into 100 Paise. You will see only 1, 2, 5 rupees coins, though coins below 50 paisa are rarely seen.

You should keep small denominations notes for the small payments like tips, bus tickets, and meals. When going to a remote area or small town where encashing of travellers cheque will be difficult you can take Rs.1000 and Rs.500 notes, but you should be careful when using them and should not be confused with Rs.100.

Currency Exchange
Currency can be changed at banks, airports or authorized money changers. It is illegal to exchange money through unauthorized money changers. US Dollars and Pounds Sterling are the easiest currencies to exchange. Listed below is a list of currency exchangers in Kolkata.

Money Changers
All money in bills or traveler check should be changed into Indian currency only through authorized money changers and banks.

Travelers check
Traveler's Cheques are widely accepted and may be exchanged in banks or hotels, and can only very rarely be used directly for Payment. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers check in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. Traveler’s Cheques issued by reputable companies (e.g. Thomas Cook, American Express) are accepted without difficulty. You need identification documents like a passport to be shown. Except in hotels, encashing Traveler's Cheques nearly always takes up to 30 minutes or longer, so it is worth taking larger denomination Traveler's Cheques and changing enough to last for some days.

Both American Express and Thomas Cook have offices in other major cities throughout India; see the relevant accounts in the guide and collect a full list when you purchase your travellers' cheques.

Currency restrictions
Import of local currency is prohibited. Export of local currency is also prohibited, except for passengers proceeding to Nepal (excluding notes of denominations of Rs100 or higher), Bangladesh, Pakistan or Sri Lanka (up to Rs. 20 per person). Foreign currency may be exported up to the amount imported and declared. All foreign currency must be declared on arrival if value is over US $5000, and when exchanged the currency declaration form should be endorsed, or a certificate issued. The form and certificates must be produced on departure to enable re conversion into foreign currency. Changing money with unauthorized money changers is not, therefore, advisable.

International transfers
Don't run out of money in India unless you have a credit card against which you can draw traveller's Cheques or cash. You can also use HDFC ATM facility to withdraw money from your overseas account, but there is a limit of Rs 15,000 in a day. Having money transferred through the banking system can be time consuming. It's usually straightforward if you use foreign/private banks elsewhere it may take a fortnight and will be a hassle.

You can also use Western Union for money transfer.

CURRENCY EXCHANGES IN KOLKATA

# A.B. Paul and Company
Address: P-261/1Benaras Road, Belgachia
Barisha, Kolkata700008

# Arjan Das and Sons Ghusuri,
Address: 197/1G.T. Road, North Ghusuri
Ghusuri, Howrah, Kolkata711107
Phone: (33) 26558610

# Atithi Money Changers Private ... New Market
Address: N-1/82
New Market, Kolkata700087
Phone: (33) 22164015

# Cox & Kings ( India ) Private ... Circus Avenue
Address: 4,(Circus Plaza)
Circus Avenue, Kolkata700017
Phone: (33) 22805802, 28350495

# Dena Bank Currency Chest Dharmatala
Address: P-15,Ganesh Chandra Avenue
Dharmatala, Kolkata700013
Phone: (33) 22158460

#LKP Forex Limited Park Street H.O.
Address: 57ANo. 12 Tank
(Park Mansions)
Shop # 41A,
Park Street H.O., Kolkata700016
Phone: (33) 22160055

# LKP Forex Limited Ballygunge
Address: GP BIock, Sector 5, Road 2, Salt Lake
(Rashmi Building)
Ballygunge, Kolkata700019
Phone: (33) 23572568

# Lucky Trade Centre Sarani Rarsibagan
Address: 4M.G. Road, Amherst Street
Sarani Rarsibagan, Kolkata700009
Phone: (33) 23601560

# Norman Ross & Company Kolkata G.P.O.
Address: 8BBD Baug
(India Exchange Place)
Kolkata G.P.O., Kolkata 700001
Phone: (33) 22437197

# Pigott Chapman & Company Kolkata G.P.O.
Address: 1BBD Baug
(Fairlie Place)
Kolkata G.P.O., Kolkata 700001
Phone: (33) 22436152

# Spectrum Enterprises Beliaghata H.O.
Address: 4/4Ram Mohan Mullick Garden Lane
Beliaghata H.O., Kolkata700010
Phone: (33) 23509165

# Sreelal Foreign Money Changers... Kolkata G.P.O.
Address: 23-AN.S. Road
Kolkata G.P.O., Kolkata700001
Phone: (33) 22307710

# Srei Park Street H.O
Address: 77 Park Street H.O., Kolkata700016
Phone: (33) 22178730, 22178729

# Standard Tours & Travels Sarat Bose Road
Address: 23/37Gariahat Road, Golpark
(Kolavilla)
2nd Floor,
Sarat Bose Road, Kolkata700029
Phone: (33) 65128173, 24402702

# Star Travels Park Street H.O.
Address: 10Sudder Street
Park Street H.O., Kolkata700016
Phone: (33) 22175717

# T.T. Forex Park Street H.O. ]
Address: 2Camac Street
Ground Floor,
Park Street H.O., Kolkata700016
Phone: (33) 22275837, 22261300

# Western Union Money Transfer Park Street H.O.
Address: 41-A
(Park Mansion)
Shop # 57-A,
Park Street H.O., Kolkata700016
Phone: (33) 22160055