Good to know
Good to Know
- Rishikesh is a cash-heavy city despite growing digital payment adoption. Carry multiple ATM cards or backup funds in case of ATM issues.
- Many small shops and vendors do not accept debit/credit cards. Plan to use ATMs regularly, especially if budgeting for markets.
- Some ATMs may charge fees even on your own bank's machines; always check the screen before completing a transaction.
- Bargaining is common in Rishikesh markets. Cash is preferred during negotiations.
- UPI (digital wallet via QR code) is increasingly available at restaurants and shops in tourist areas, but cash remains safer for street vendors and ashram shops.
- Exchange rates at local money changers (Ram Jhula, Laxman Jhula) may differ; compare a few shops before exchanging large amounts.
- Digital payments via GPay, Paytm, and UPI are spreading but are not universal, especially away from central tourist zones.
Account Types Available
NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary)
- Eligibility
- Foreign nationals on tourist/student visas
- Duration Limit
- Maximum 6 months; continuation beyond requires prior RBI approval
- Documents Required
- Valid passport, proof of local address (required within 30 days), KYC formality completion, letter from educational institution (if student)
NRE (Non-Resident External)
- Features
- Holds INR, fully repatriable, accepts foreign income deposits only
- Eligibility
- NRIs, Person of Indian Origin (PIO), Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)
FCNR (Foreign Currency Non-Resident)
- Features
- Holds foreign currency (USD, GBP, EUR)
- Eligibility
- NRIs
Resident Account
- Eligibility
- Foreign nationals on long-term work/residence visas (typically 182+ days validity)
- Documents Required
- Valid passport, long-term visa, FRO permit, overseas address proof, Indian address proof, PAN card (mandatory for most operations), passport photographs
Major Banks In Rishikesh
Bank of Baroda
- Phone
- 0135-2430653
- Ifsc
- BARB0RISHIK
- Address
- Suhavi Building, 70 Dehradun Road, Rishikesh 249201
- Services
- Account opening, PPF, NPS, CBDT services
- Online Account Opening
- Yes
HDFC Bank
- Phone
- 0135-3209482
- Ifsc
- HDFC0000725
- Address
- Municipal No 53, Railway Road, Rishikesh 249201
ICICI Bank
- Services
- NRI account opening available
Indian Overseas Bank
- Phone
- 0135-2435617
- Ifsc
- IOBA0001458
- Address
- Omkarananda Bhawan, Muni Ki Reti, Rishikesh 249201
- Services
- NRI accounts with multi-currency options
Punjab National Bank
- Phone
- 0135-2710910
- Ifsc
- PUNB0700900
- Address
- Hardwar Road, Rishikesh 249201
Canara Bank
- Ifsc
- CNRB0002646
- Address
- No. 7 Adarshnagar, Dehradun Road, Rishikesh 249201
ATM Fees
- GST
- 18% GST applies to all ATM transaction fees.
Domestic Cards
- Own Bank ATM
- 5 free financial transactions per month at your own bank's ATMs; ₹23 per transaction thereafter.
- Other Bank ATM Metro
- 3 free transactions per month in metro cities; ₹23 per transaction thereafter.
- Other Bank ATM Nonmetro
- 5 free transactions per month in non-metro cities; ₹23 per transaction thereafter.
- Note
- Rishikesh is a non-metro city, so 5 free transactions apply at other bank ATMs.
International Cards
- Fee Structure
- Minimum ₹125 plus 3.5% currency conversion charges typically apply for foreign card ATM withdrawals in India.
- Note
- Use your own bank's ATM when possible to minimize foreign transaction fees.
ATM Access
- Availability
- Several ATMs available in Rishikesh. Bank of Baroda, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, and Oriental Bank of Commerce have ATMs in the city.
- Withdrawal Limits
- Daily withdrawal limits typically range from ₹15,000 to ₹1,00,000 depending on the bank and card type.
- Foreign Card Acceptance
- Most ATMs in India accept international debit and credit cards. Visa/Mastercard are widely supported.
Cash Needs
- Denominations
- Smaller denominations (₹100-₹500) are useful for markets and street vendors.
- Budget Estimate
- Carry significant cash, especially for daily purchases in markets and small vendors. Rishikesh markets require cash for bargaining and small-value purchases.
- Currency Exchange
- Money changers available at jewelry shops in Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula, and travel agencies. Currency converters in these markets will allow you to compare rates.
Tipping Norms
- Etiquette
- Hand tips directly and discreetly; avoid drawing public attention or making a show of tipping. Use cash whenever possible—digital tipping via UPI may not reach the individual staff member directly. If someone declines a tip, do not insist.
- General Principle
- Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. In Rishikesh, a pilgrimage and yoga destination, tipping expectations align with broader India practices.
- Taxis Auto Rickshaws
- Round up to the nearest ₹10 or ₹20. No formal tipping culture; rounding up is a nice gesture.
Hotels
- Housekeeping
- ₹150
- Bellhop Porter
- ₹100
- Note
- Leave housekeeping tips daily, as different staff work different shifts.
Restaurants
- Guidance
- 5-10% tip in casual/local eateries if service is good; 10-15% in higher-end tourist restaurants. Service charge is sometimes included on the bill—if so, additional tipping is not necessary.
- Note
- Street food vendors (dosas, chaat, puri) typically do not expect tips.
Spa And Wellness
- Guidance
- 10-15% tip in cash for good massage or wellness service, especially at Ayurvedic spas common in Rishikesh.
Tour Guides Drivers
- Full Day Guide
- ₹500
- Multi Day Driver
- ₹500
- Note
- Tips for tour guides and drivers are expected and form part of their income, especially in a tourist destination like Rishikesh.
Card Acceptance
- Overview
- Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted cards in India. Rishikesh has ATMs available, though acceptance varies by venue type.
- Where Cards Work
- Hotels, mid-range restaurants, and shops in tourist areas (Laxman Jhula, Tapovan) increasingly accept cards. Tourist-oriented cafés accept Visa/Mastercard.
- Where Cash Required
- Small shops, street food vendors, local markets (Triveni Ghat Main Market, Swargashram), ashram food stalls, and many smaller spiritual shops require cash. Many shops, particularly in smaller marketplaces, prefer cash.
- Note On Acceptance
- Digital payments (UPI, GPay) are growing but cash remains dominant in markets and local vendors.
Key Requirements
PAN card mandatory for most account operations; foreigners on tourist visas limited to 6-month NRO accounts; FRRO registration required for stays over 14 days on certain visa types; online account opening available at major banks but may require document courier and verification calls
Account Opening Timeline
Typically 8-10 working days for verification and account activation
Account Opening For Foreigners
Foreigners can open bank accounts subject to visa type and RBI guidelines.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.cleartax.in
- 2.bankbazaar.com
- 3.paytm.com
- 4.caclubindia.com
- 5.xe.com
- 6.indiatripdriver.com
- 7.indusbus.in
- 8.directionallychallengedtraveler.com
- 9.desmotravel.com
- 10.crowncurrency.com.au
- 11.experiencetravelgroup.com
- 12.mytriphack.com
- 13.wise.com
- 14.wanderon.in
- 15.anikettraveldotblog.wordpress.com
- 16.xe.com
- 17.starhealth.in
- 18.edufever.com
- 19.careermarg.com
- 20.neetsupport.com
- 21.grokipedia.com
- 22.myhospitalnow.com
- 23.rishikesh.uttarakhandonline.in
- 24.topyogis.com
- 25.bankofbaroda.bank.in
- 26.rishikesh.uttarakhandonline.in
- 27.linkedin.com
- 28.india-briefing.com
- 29.roamhub.io
- 30.pharmeasy.in
- 31.zeelabpharmacy.com
- 32.chandreshwarnagar.davaindia.com
- 33.medicineindia.org
More About Rishikesh
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.