✈️ Travel Money Calculator

Travel Money Calculator - Plan Your Foreign Currency Budget the Smart Way

Travel money is one of the most overlooked costs of international trips - not because people forget to budget for it, but because the hidden fees, poor exchange rates, DCC traps, and airport markups quietly consume 5–12% of your travel budget without you ever noticing. This calculator helps you convert your budget correctly, plan realistic daily spending for your destination, and understand exactly where the leakage happens so you can avoid it.

Where Your Travel Money Actually Goes - Realistic Daily Budget Breakdown

Where to Exchange Currency - Ranked from Best to Worst

Not all exchange options are equal. The spread (difference between mid-market rate and the rate you get) is where you lose money. Here is the ranking for Indian travellers:

1. Wise or Niyo card (loaded before departure): Mid-market rate or within 0.5–1%. Best option for card payments and ATM withdrawals abroad. Load INR before departure, spend in local currency at destination.
2. BookMyForex or Centrum (authorised money changers in city): 0.5–1.5% spread. Order online, pick up from branch or doorstep delivery. Far better than any airport counter.
3. Bank branch (SBI, HDFC, ICICI) - city branch: 1–2% markup. Slower and less convenient but reliable.
4. Destination-country ATM (using zero-markup card): Mid-market rate. Always decline DCC when prompted. Use Niyo or Wise to avoid forex fees.
5. Local money changers in destination: Varies widely. For Thai Baht, Indonesian Rupiah, Vietnamese Dong - often better than Indian rates. Always compare before exchanging.
6. Hotel exchange desks: Typically 4–6% spread. Convenient but expensive. Only for small emergency amounts.
7. Airport counters in India (departure): 3–7% spread. Worst option available before boarding. Avoid entirely.
8. Airport counters at destination: 3–7% spread. Similarly poor. Only for a small amount of cash to get to your hotel if needed.

DCC - The Most Common Travel Money Trap

Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) is the single most exploitative practice in international travel payments - and it is perfectly legal. Here is exactly how it works and how to avoid it every time:

• What happens: When you pay with a foreign card abroad, the card terminal detects your home currency and offers to convert the transaction into your currency (INR, for Indian cards) at the point of sale, instead of charging in local currency.
• Why it costs you money: The conversion rate used by the merchant's bank is typically 3–5% worse than the rate your card issuer would apply. The merchant's bank also earns a commission on this conversion - you are paying for a service that benefits only them.
• How to spot it: The terminal shows two amounts - one in local currency, one in INR (or USD for some cards). Any question like "Pay in INR?", "Convert to your home currency?", or "Dynamic Currency Conversion?" - always choose NO.
• The rule: ALWAYS pay in the local currency of the country you are in, without exception. Let your card issuer (especially Niyo or Wise) do the conversion - they use a far better rate.
• ATMs: The same trap applies at ATMs. When the ATM asks if you want to proceed with the conversion in your home currency, always select "Continue without conversion" or "Decline" - pay in local currency.

FEMA Rules - How Much Foreign Currency Can Indians Carry?

The Foreign Exchange Management Act governs how much foreign currency Indian residents can carry and spend abroad:

• Cash carry limit (leaving India): USD 3,000 equivalent in any foreign currency. Exceeding this requires a declaration.
• Total foreign exchange limit (LRS - Liberalised Remittance Scheme): Up to USD 2,50,000 per financial year per individual for private visits, education, medical treatment, and gifts. This covers all forms - cash, cards, wire transfers, travellers cheques combined.
• INR carry limit: Maximum ₹25,000 in Indian rupees when leaving India.
• Returning to India: Foreign currency brought back must be surrendered within 180 days or deposited in an RFC/EEFC account. Amounts above USD 5,000 in cash or USD 10,000 total must be declared at customs on arrival.
• TCS on international travel spending: From October 2023, TCS (Tax Collected at Source) at 20% applies on LRS remittances above ₹7 lakh per year. TCS is creditable against your final income tax liability - it is not an additional cost, just advance tax collection. Credit/debit card spends abroad are included in the LRS limit from May 2023.