Planning a trip to Dubai and wondering which currency is best to carry? Imagine you have landed in Dubai International, ready to kick off your itinerary, only to find that the currency in your wallet isn’t accepted. It’s not just frustrating; it can leave a hole in your budget. That’s why carrying the right currency before you leave India is a smart move. Read on to find out the best currency to take to Dubai, smart tips to convert INR to AED, and the cheapest way to buy Dubai currency online.
Best Currency to Take to Dubai – UAE Dirham
The UAE Dirhams (AED) is the UAE’s official currency and therefore the currency of Dubai and all the Emirates. So it is the best currency to take to Dubai.
Having UAE Dirhams lets you go anywhere within the UAE without the stress of hunting for a foreign exchange counter during your trip.
Can You Use Indian Rupees or US Dollars in Dubai
Yes, you can use Indian Rupees, US Dollars, or even Euros in touristy destinations or 5-star hotels in Dubai. But you might not be lucky enough to fetch a decent exchange rate. So it is better to stick to AED and save yourself from the headache.
Is It Better to Convert INR to AED in India or Dubai?
It is best to exchange money and purchase the required amount of UAE Dirhams before going to Dubai in India.
AED is a high-demand currency available among most of the foreign exchange vendors in India. You should be able to buy UAE Dirhams at a competitive price. Plus, currency exchange can be costly at international tourist destinations like Dubai.
Also Read: Can Indian Travellers Use UPI Outside India?
How to Buy UAE Dirhams in India
Here are the best places to get Dubai currency (AED) in India, safe and quick:
Option 1: Airport Exchange Counters
Indian and UAE airports have kiosks of reputed forex vendors. But the catch is that these vendors charge exorbitant exchange rates and fees due to the high rent at airports. As travellers are in a last-minute hurry, these vendors take advantage of the situation.
Option 2: Banks
The majority of the Indian banks offer currency exchange services, including for UAE Dirhams. Even though banks are trustworthy service providers, they come with higher exchange rates and longer processing times, as forex is not their primary service offering.
Option 3: Currency Exchange Stores
You can find them in every city, and a number of them near you. Also, they offer great exchange rates. However, be careful while choosing one because some may be fraudulent and offer counterfeit notes. So always opt for RBI-authorised currency exchange stores.
Option 4: Online Forex Aggregators
These are online platforms that act as a forex marketplace where you can explore different service providers near you. ExTravelMoney is one of the very few online forex aggregators with Pan Indian presence. At extravelmoney.com, you can compare rates offered by banks and RBI-authorised currency exchange stores online from the comfort of your home, and get currency and forex card delivered to your doorstep, saving your time and money.
Pro Tip: Be sure to monitor the mid-market exchange rate, which is the rate shown on Google. This rate represents the midpoint between the buying and selling prices of two currencies at a given time. Understanding this rate will help you evaluate whether the markup (the extra fee charged by service providers) is reasonable.
Check Today’s Interbank Rates
Best Way to Buy Dubai Currency (AED) Online
Purchase UAE Dirhams as both cash and forex card in a 20:80 ratio to make your payments convenient and your pockets lightweight. Ensure to buy forex card and currency for Dubai while in India, preferably online with ExTravelMoney to save money, time, and peace of mind.
Currency Cash
- Take cash to make payments at counters that do not accept card payments.
- As the UAE is a developed country in terms of cashless transactions, you shall only be required to carry 20% of your total trip budget.
- This can be used in case of emergency, cab fares or tipping.
Forex Card
- Upload the remaining 80% in a multi-currency forex card as AED.
- These travel cards offer better exchange rates than foreign currency purchase.
- Once the funds in AED are loaded into the forex card, the exchange rate is locked from further rate fluctuations. You can reload the card multiple times in case of shortage and unload the remaining AED post-trip.
- You can swipe them at POS in Dubai and even withdraw AED from ATMs when needed, as the payments are done in the local currency.
- Unlike debit and credit cards, multi-currency forex cards charge no currency conversion or international usage charges. Only a meagre amount is charged as an ATM withdrawal fee per withdrawal. This can be controlled by minimising the number of withdrawals and maximising the amount.
Pro Tip: To prevent any last-minute rush, ensure you purchase the necessary forex products at least three days prior to your trip.
UAE Dirham Currency Converter
What to Do With Excess UAE Dirhams after Dubai Trip
Upon returning to India from your trip to Dubai, you can exchange your Dubai currency for Indian Rupees and unload your forex card with the assistance of a forex service provider like ExTravelMoney.
How Much UAE Dirhams Can You Bring In and Out of the UAE?
The UAE government allows foreign travellers to bring in and take out any amount of currency. But if you wish to carry currency more than AED 60,000, you must declare it to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security’s (ICP) official website before your travel.1
Meanwhile, the Indian government permits Indian travellers to carry foreign currency up to an equivalent of USD 3,000 (equivalent to AED 11,000 approx) in cash. Upon entering India, Indians can bring in only USD 5,000 (equivalent to AED 18,000 approx) in cash.2 The remaining currency, up to the LRS limit of USD 250,000, can be loaded onto a Forex card.
When travelling to Dubai or anywhere in the UAE, it is advisable to keep a minimum amount of AED in cash and load the maximum amount onto your Forex card. This strategy can help you avoid the stress of high exchange rates and last-minute confusion during your trip. For a hassle-free experience, consider purchasing currency through ExTravelMoney.
Also Read: Travelling Outside India? Know The Charges of Using a Debit / Credit Card
Article Sources:
Ann Mariya Job is the Associate Content Writer at ExTravelMoney.com. Holding a Bachelor’s in Journalism, she excels in creating deeply researched, engaging, and crisp content. Her work helps readers understand the complexities of foreign exchange, overseas money transfers, and international travel.