🪙 Introduction to Currency in Andaman & Nicobar
Andaman is a union territory, so many tourists get confused about whether Nicobar has a separate currency. However, this is not the case. Andaman and Nicobar is a part of India, and India’s currency, INR, is used here.
• ATMs in Andaman & Nicobar
There are many ATMs available, including SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis, Canara, etc., where you can easily withdraw money.
• Digital Payments
Digital payments like UPI, Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm are also widely accepted.
• Carry Some Cash
However, don’t forget to carry some cash, as some places in Nicobar may have network issues.
💳 Currency Exchange for Foreign Tourists
Where to Exchange Money (Airport, Banks, Authorized Centres)
• Warm Welcome for Foreign Tourists
Nicobar is always ready to welcome foreign tourists. To make currency exchange easy, several facilities are available so that tourists do not face much inconvenience.
• Currency Exchange at the Airport
At Nicobar airport, exchange counters are always available in the arrival and departure areas.
- Main Benefit: You get cash immediately after arrival.
- Drawback: A charge of around 2–5% is applied, which makes it slightly expensive.
- 👉 Tip: Exchange only a small amount here (for taxi, hotel, or any emergency) and do the rest of your currency exchange in the city.
• Banks for Better Rates
Many authorized and safe banks in Nicobar (State Bank, HDFC, ICICI, SBI, etc.) provide currency exchange services. Compared to the airport, banks offer much better exchange rates.
Required Documents for Bank Exchange:
- Passport
- Visa
- Entry stamp
Bank Timings:
- Monday to Friday: Open full day
- Saturday: Open half day
- Sunday: Closed
• Authorized Money Changers / Forex Centres
Some popular authorized forex centres in Nicobar include:
- Thomas Cook
- Centrum
- Western Union
- RBI authorized forex dealers
These centres generally provide better rates than the airport and are almost equal to bank rates.
👉 Important: Passport + Visa are mandatory for money exchange.
You can easily find these forex centres near:
- Big malls
- Tourist areas
- City centres
- Hotels
• Avoid the Black Market
Do not exchange currency in the black market.
- Why? Official centres have fixed rates, while local exchangers may negotiate.
- Risk: Black market exchanges can cause problems. It is always safer to stick with authorized dealers.
• Final Tip
By exchanging currency only at official and authorized centres, you will stay safe and get fair rates. This way, you can avoid unnecessary problems and fully enjoy your trip to Andaman.
Link : Andaman Full Guide
🏧 ATMs and Bank Availability
• ATM Locations (Port Blair, Major Towns)
The main city of Nicobar is Port Blair, where you can find many types of ATMs such as HDFC, SBI, ICICI, Canara, Union Bank, PNB, Axis, etc. In Port Blair, popular areas like Aberdeen Bazaar, Goal Ghar, and near the airport have several bank branches from where you can easily withdraw money.
However, on remote islands away from the main city, these facilities are limited—there are only 1–2 ATMs and fewer bank branches. Therefore, before visiting such places, make sure you carry enough cash.
📲 Digital Payments – UPI, Wallets, and Cards
Digital payments are easy and free, so local stores across India and Nicobar also accept them, such as UPI wallets (Paytm, PhonePe, Google Pay). However, debit/credit cards (Rupay, Visa, Mastercard) are mainly accepted in towns and tourist spots.
If you are traveling away from the city, make sure you carry cash, because network issues are common in remote areas, which can sometimes cause transactions to fail. This may slightly affect your travel experience, so keep this in mind.
Nicobar is truly a beautiful place—once you visit, people tend to forget all their stress, sadness, and worries.
FAQs – Common Questions About Andaman Nicobar Currency
Q1: Is USD accepted in Andaman?
No, USD is not accepted in Nicobar. You can only use India’s INR currency here.
Q2: Can you carry INR from the mainland?
Yes, you can carry INR from the mainland to Andaman, as both are parts of India.
Q3: Do ATMs dispense foreign currency?
No, ATMs in Nicobar only dispense INR.
Conclusion
You can easily exchange your currency anywhere in Nicobar, so don’t worry about it and focus on packing instead. Spend as much time as possible in Nicobar and learn about its beaches and islands, because the more you explore Andaman & Nicobar, the more you will fall in love with it.