How to Withdraw Money in India Without Extra Bank Charges 2025

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Save Money on Withdrawals for Your India Trip

Withdrawing money in India without extra bank charges can make a big difference to your travel budget, especially with ATM fees on the rise in 2025. I learned this lesson in 2024 when I ended up paying ₹115 in fees for multiple small withdrawals in Mumbai—money I could’ve spent on a delicious thali instead! India’s banking system offers plenty of opportunities to access cash, but fees like ₹23 per transaction after exceeding free limits can add up quickly, especially for travelers. Knowing how to navigate these charges ensures you keep more money for your adventures, whether you’re exploring the backwaters of Kerala or the forts of Rajasthan.

This guide will walk you through the best ways to withdraw money in India without incurring extra bank charges in 2025. From using the right ATMs to leveraging digital payments, these strategies are designed for travelers looking to save money while enjoying India’s magic. Let’s get started!

Why Extra Bank Charges Happen in India

Understanding why banks charge extra fees helps you avoid them. Here’s what you’re up against in 2025:

ATM Withdrawal Limits: According to updated RBI regulations, most banks allow 5 free transactions per month (including financial and non-financial transactions like balance inquiries) at their own ATMs. You also get 3 free transactions in metro cities or 5 in non-metro areas at other banks’ ATMs. Beyond these limits, you’ll be charged ₹23 per transaction as of May 1, 2025.
Foreign Transaction Fees: If you’re using an international card, your home bank may charge a foreign transaction fee (1-3%) plus a currency conversion fee. Some ATMs also apply a dynamic currency conversion (DCC) markup of 3-5%.
Out-of-Network ATMs: Using an ATM that’s not part of your bank’s network often incurs fees, especially for international cards, ranging from ₹200-₹335 per transaction for foreign cardholders.
Cash Dependency: While digital payments are widespread, many small vendors in rural areas like Pushkar or McLeod Ganj prefer cash, leading to more ATM visits and potential fees.

These charges can eat into your travel budget, but with the right strategies, you can avoid them entirely.

Best Ways to Withdraw Money in India Without Extra Bank Charges

These tips focus on minimizing ATM usage, choosing fee-free options, and leveraging digital payments to keep your money safe and accessible without extra costs.

1. Use Your Bank’s ATMs or Partnered ATMs

How It Works: Stick to ATMs operated by your bank or its partnered networks to avoid out-of-network fees.
Why It Helps: Most banks in India, like SBI, HDFC, and ICICI, offer 5 free transactions per month at their own ATMs. Using a partnered ATM (e.g., through the Global ATM Alliance, which includes Deutsche Bank in India) can also be fee-free for international cardholders.
How to Do It:
- If you have an Indian bank account (e.g., as an NRI with a Non-Resident Ordinary Account), use ATMs from your bank, such as SBI or Axis Bank.
- For international travelers, check if your home bank is part of the Global ATM Alliance. For example, Deutsche Bank, which has a limited presence in India, allows fee-free withdrawals for partner bank customers like Bank of America or Barclays.
- Use your bank’s mobile app or website to locate fee-free ATMs. Apps like ATM Fee Saver can also help foreigners find low-fee or fee-free ATMs, showing withdrawal limits and charges for foreign cards.
Why It Works in India: India has a vast ATM network, with major banks like SBI having over 50,000 ATMs nationwide. Sticking to your bank’s ATMs ensures you stay within the free transaction limit.

Pro Tip: Some banks like IndusInd Bank and IDBI Bank offer unlimited free ATM transactions for their customers—check if your account qualifies.

2. Stay Within Free Transaction Limits

How It Works: Plan your withdrawals to stay within the RBI’s free transaction limits to avoid the ₹23 per transaction fee.
Why It Helps: You get 5 free transactions at your bank’s ATMs and 3-5 free transactions at other banks’ ATMs (depending on whether you’re in a metro or non-metro area). Exceeding these limits triggers fees.
How to Do It:
- Withdraw larger amounts (e.g., ₹20,000) in one go instead of multiple small withdrawals (e.g., ₹5,000 four times). This reduces the number of transactions and keeps you within the free limit.
- Use non-financial transactions (like balance inquiries) sparingly, as they count toward your free limit.
- Track your transactions using your bank’s app or SMS alerts to know how many free withdrawals you have left each month.
Why It Works in India: With daily withdrawal limits ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹1,00,000 depending on your bank and card type (e.g., SBI allows ₹40,000-₹1,00,000), you can plan withdrawals to minimize transactions.

Pro Tip: Save your free transactions for cash withdrawals and use digital banking for non-financial tasks like checking your balance, as suggested in “Indian Railways Budget Travel Guide: How to Get the Lowest Fares” for managing travel expenses.

3. Use Cardless Cash Withdrawal Options

How It Works: Withdraw cash from ATMs without a debit card using mobile apps or UPI, which can bypass traditional ATM fees.
Why It Helps: Cardless withdrawals through services like SBI’s YONO app, ICICI Bank’s Instant Money Transfer (IMT), or UPI don’t always count toward your ATM transaction limits, and some banks don’t charge extra for these services.
How to Do It:
- For SBI account holders: Log into the YONO app, select “YONO Cash,” choose the ATM option, and enter the amount. You’ll receive a transaction number to use at an SBI ATM for withdrawal.
- For ICICI Bank: Use the net banking portal to initiate a cardless withdrawal via IMT, then withdraw from any ICICI ATM (over 10,000 across India) using your mobile number and a code.
- Use UPI apps like Google Pay or PhonePe to withdraw cash at select ATMs (e.g., HDFC, SBI) by selecting the “Interoperable Cardless Cash Withdrawal” (ICCW) option.
- Note: IMT limits are ₹10,000 per transaction and ₹25,000 per month, with a ₹25 fee per transaction for the sender.
Why It Works in India: Cardless withdrawals are increasingly available at major banks’ ATMs, offering a secure way to access cash without a card, especially useful if you’re worried about ATM skimming.

Pro Tip: Always double-check for additional charges—while cardless withdrawals are often fee-free, some services like IMT may have a small fee.

4. Leverage Digital Payments to Reduce ATM Usage

How It Works: Use UPI apps like Google Pay, Paytm, or PhonePe to pay directly, minimizing the need for cash withdrawals.
Why It Helps: Digital payments don’t count toward your ATM transaction limits and are often free, saving you from withdrawal fees. India recorded over 12 billion UPI transactions in January 2024, showing how widely accepted this method is.
How to Do It:
- Get a local SIM (Jio or Airtel, $5 for 28 days with 2GB daily data) to use UPI apps.
- Link your international card (if supported) or a local bank account to the app and pay for everything from street food in Delhi to hotel stays in Goa, as highlighted in “Best Budget Food in Delhi: Where to Eat Cheap & Tasty Meals”.
- Use UPI for small transactions like a ₹20 auto ride in Varanasi or a ₹10 chai in Pushkar, reducing your need for cash.
Why It Works in India: UPI is accepted almost everywhere, even by street vendors in tourist areas like McLeod Ganj, as noted in “Top Budget Hotels in McLeod Ganj Under ₹1000 – Affordable Monastery Stays”.

Pro Tip: Keep ₹500-₹1,000 in cash for emergencies, as some rural areas may not accept digital payments.

5. Use a Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees (For International Travelers)

How It Works: Use a credit or debit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees for withdrawals or purchases.
Why It Helps: International cards often incur a 1-3% foreign transaction fee plus a currency conversion fee. A no-fee card saves you these costs.
How to Do It:
- Use cards like Capital One Venture or Chase Sapphire Preferred (check 2025 availability), which have no foreign transaction fees.
- Decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) at ATMs—always withdraw in INR to avoid a 3-5% markup.
- Some banks, like Charles Schwab, refund foreign ATM fees, making withdrawals free even at out-of-network ATMs.
Why It Works in India: ATMs in India often charge foreign cardholders ₹200-₹335 per transaction, but avoiding your bank’s fees keeps costs down.

Pro Tip: Check your card’s terms before traveling—some “no-fee” cards may still charge for ATM withdrawals, treating them as cash advances.

6. Withdraw Money Directly at Your Bank Branch

How It Works: Visit your bank branch to withdraw cash over the counter, bypassing ATM fees entirely.
Why It Helps: Many banks, including SBI, HDFC, and Axis Bank, don’t charge for in-branch withdrawals, even if you’ve exceeded your ATM free transaction limit. Posts on X also suggest this as a fee-free option, reflecting a sentiment among users to avoid ATM charges.
How to Do It:
- If you have an Indian bank account (e.g., an NRO account for foreigners), visit your bank branch with your passbook or ID to withdraw cash.
- For international travelers, this works if you’ve opened a temporary NRO account with a bank like SBI or ICICI (valid for up to 6 months).
- Be prepared for longer wait times, especially in busy branches in cities like Delhi or Mumbai.
Why It Works in India: In-branch withdrawals are a traditional method still widely used in India, especially in smaller towns where digital payments may not be as common.

Pro Tip: Bring small denominations (₹50, ₹100) from the bank to use with vendors who may not have change for larger notes like ₹2,000.

7. Choose Banks with Higher Free Transaction Limits or No Fees

How It Works: Use accounts or banks that offer more free transactions or no ATM fees at all.
Why It Helps: Some banks provide unlimited free withdrawals or higher free transaction limits, saving you from the ₹23 fee.
How to Do It:
- Open an account with banks like IndusInd Bank, IDBI Bank, or Bank of Baroda, which offer unlimited free ATM transactions for certain account types.
- If you’re with Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, Privilege Savings Account holders get unlimited free transactions across all ATMs in India.
- For SBI customers, note that metro cities have a 3-free-withdrawal limit at other banks’ ATMs, while non-metro areas have 5.
Why It Works in India: India’s banking sector is diverse, with some banks offering competitive perks to attract customers, especially in the private sector.

Pro Tip: If you’re a premium account holder (e.g., with YES Bank or IDFC Bank), you may get higher withdrawal limits (up to ₹2,00,000 per day) and more free transactions.

Tips to Save More on Withdrawals in India

Plan Ahead in Remote Areas: ATMs are scarce in places like Ladakh, so withdraw enough cash in cities like Delhi or Leh to avoid emergency withdrawals at high-fee ATMs. See “Ladakh on a Shoestring Budget in 2025: Tips for Backpackers” for more tips.
Avoid Independent ATMs: ATMs at tourist spots like Goa or Agra often charge higher fees (₹200-₹335 for foreign cards). Stick to major bank ATMs like SBI or HDFC.
Use Online Banking for Non-Cash Needs: Check balances or transfer money via net banking to save your free ATM transactions for withdrawals.
Consolidate Withdrawals: Since most ATMs in India have a per-transaction limit of ₹10,000, withdraw the maximum allowed in one go to reduce the number of transactions.
Travel to Budget Destinations: Focus on affordable spots like Rishikesh, where daily costs are low, reducing your need for frequent withdrawals. Check out “Top Budget Hotels in Rishikesh Under ₹1000 – Stay Near the Ganges” for budget stays.

Pro Tip: Always carry a mix of cash and digital payment options to avoid being stuck in areas with limited ATM access, like the Andamans, as noted in “Andaman Travel Guide for Backpackers: Budget-Friendly Tips and Itinerary”.

FAQ: Withdrawing Money in India Without Extra Charges

How Many Free ATM Withdrawals Do I Get in India?

You get 5 free transactions per month at your bank’s ATMs and 3-5 free transactions at other banks’ ATMs (3 in metro cities, 5 in non-metro areas). Beyond this, you’ll pay ₹23 per transaction as of May 1, 2025.

Can I Withdraw Money Without a Card in India?

Yes, use cardless withdrawal services like SBI’s YONO app, ICICI’s IMT, or UPI at select ATMs. These often don’t count toward your ATM transaction limits and may be fee-free, though IMT has a ₹25 fee per transaction.

Are Digital Payments a Good Alternative to Cash in India?

Absolutely—UPI apps like Google Pay and Paytm are widely accepted, even in tourist areas like Goa, and they’re free to use, saving you from ATM fees.

Which Banks Offer Unlimited Free ATM Withdrawals?

IndusInd Bank, IDBI Bank, and Bank of Baroda offer unlimited free withdrawals at their ATMs for certain account types. Ujjivan Small Finance Bank also provides unlimited free transactions for Privilege Savings Account holders.

Keep Your Money Accessible Without Fees in 2025

Withdrawing money in India without extra bank charges is all about planning and leveraging the right tools. By using your bank’s ATMs, staying within free transaction limits, opting for cardless withdrawals, and relying on digital payments, you can avoid fees like the ₹23 per transaction charge and save money for experiences—like a boat ride in Varanasi or a trek in the Himalayas. My Mumbai fee mishap taught me to be smarter with withdrawals, and now I’m sharing those lessons with you. Travel India in 2025 without letting bank charges hold you back!

Want more budget travel tips for India? Check out these guides:

Have you found any clever ways to avoid bank charges in India? Share your tips in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!