Delhi Airport Currency Exchange: Forex at T1, T2 & T3
Skip airport forex counters at IGI: use the SBI ATM in arrivals, exchange a small amount only. Counter locations, spreads and re-exchange rules.
At Delhi Airport, skip the forex counters and withdraw rupees from a bank ATM in arrivals instead. Thomas Cook, Centrum, Travelex and EbixCash counters bake 6–12% spreads into their rates; an SBI or HDFC ATM gives you near-interbank rates for a flat ₹0–250 fee. Exchange a small amount at a counter only if you must have cash before reaching an ATM.
For SIM cards and paying by UPI as a foreigner, see the separate airport SIM and payments guide.
Where the Forex Counters and ATMs Are#
| Terminal | Counters | ATMs |
|---|---|---|
| T3 arrivals (international + premium domestic) | Thomas Cook, Centrum Direct, Travelex, EbixCash and PNB in the central arrivals hall — see DIAL's brand directory | SBI, HDFC, ICICI and Axis ATMs landside near the customs exit — walk past the counters to reach the bank-branded units |
| T1 arrivals (domestic) | Thomas Cook inside T1 | SBI and HDFC ATMs landside near the baggage-claim exit |
| T2 | Co-located with T3 — same Airport Express station, same arrivals flow | Same as T3 |
Counters keep long hours for flight banks; bank ATMs run round the clock. If you land after midnight, the ATM is the reliable option.
What Each Option Costs on $100#
Per the independent TravelCurrencyGuide DEL breakdown (May 2026):
| Option | Markup | You effectively get |
|---|---|---|
| SBI ATM, T3 arrivals (fee often waived) | Interbank + ₹0–200 | ~$100 |
| HDFC / ICICI / Axis ATM | ₹125–250 fee + interbank | ~$97–98.50 |
| SBI city counter, Connaught Place | ~1–2% over interbank | ~$98–99 |
| Thomas Cook / Centrum / Travelex counter, T3 | 6–12% spread + fixed fee | ~$88–94 |
SBI is the best pick for foreign cards because its fee is the one most often waived. One ₹10,000 withdrawal beats five ₹2,000 ones — you pay the flat fee once.
How Much to Exchange at the Airport#
- With a working foreign card: withdraw ₹5,000–10,000 at the arrivals ATM and stop. Rest comes from city ATMs (HDFC, SBI in CP and Khan Market) at better effective rates.
- Cash-only (carrying dollars/euros): exchange $50–100 at a counter for day-one taxi and food money, then exchange the rest at Connaught Place — Thomas Cook's CP branch (PVR Plaza, H Block) or RBI-authorised bureaus beat airport rates clearly.
- Always: keep the exchange receipt. You need it to convert leftover rupees back at departure, and occasionally to document source.
Never exchange your whole trip budget airside. On $500, the airport spread alone can cost ₹2,500 versus a city counter or ATM.
Re-Exchange Before You Fly Out#
Convert leftover INR back to your currency at the same counters before check-in, with the original receipt. Small leftover sums (under ₹1,000) are better spent airside — duty-free, food, metro top-up — than re-exchanged at a second spread.
“Landed Delhi T3 with US dollars, need rupees for a prepaid taxi tonight. ATM or counter, and how much should I change?”
FAQ#
Is there currency exchange at Delhi Airport Terminal 3? Yes — Thomas Cook, Centrum, Travelex, EbixCash and PNB counters in the arrivals hall, plus bank ATMs. Use the ATMs.
Is there forex at T1? Yes — Thomas Cook inside T1 plus SBI/HDFC ATMs landside near baggage claim.
What is the forex rate at Delhi Airport vs the city? Airport counters run 6–12% off interbank; CP counters run ~1–2% off. ATMs beat both for card holders.
Can I use dollars directly for taxis? No — prepaid taxis, metro and autos need rupees (or UPI). Get rupees before exiting arrivals.
Sources#
- TravelCurrencyGuide — currency exchange at DEL (May 2026)
- DIAL — foreign exchange brand partners at the airport
- Thomas Cook — foreign currency exchange in Delhi
Last verified: 2026-09-18. Counter operators and spreads change — compare the buy rate against the live interbank rate before committing.