Inr At Dubai Airport: Accepted Or Not?

is inr accepted in dubai airport

As of 2019, the Indian Rupee (INR) is accepted as a valid currency at all Dubai airports, including Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum Airport. This is good news for Indian travellers, who previously lost money due to exchange rates when converting the rupee into dollars, dirhams, or euros for shopping at duty-free stores. The Indian rupee is the 16th currency to be accepted for transactions at Dubai Duty-Free.

Characteristics Values
Is INR accepted in Dubai Airport? Yes
Where is it accepted? All stores in all terminals of Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum Airport
When was it implemented? July 1, 2020
What are the benefits? Indian tourists no longer need to convert INR into Dirham, Dollar, or Euro, thus avoiding exchange rate losses
What denominations are accepted? Various denominations including 100s, 200s, 2000s, and new 500 notes
Is it the only accepted foreign currency? No, it is the 16th international currency accepted at Dubai's airports

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Indian Rupee accepted at all Dubai airports

As of 2019, the Indian rupee is accepted as a valid currency at all Dubai airports. This is great news for Indian travellers, who previously had to exchange their rupees for dollars, dirhams, or euros before being able to shop at duty-free stores in Dubai. Now, the Indian rupee is the 16th currency accepted for transactions at Dubai Duty-Free, which has been operating since 1983.

Dubai's airports, including Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum Airport, see a large number of Indian travellers each year. Out of 90 million passengers passing through Dubai's airports annually, 12.2 million are Indians. The acceptance of Indian rupees at Dubai's airports is a convenient option for these travellers and is expected to boost sales for duty-free businesses.

Previously, Indian travellers had to exchange their rupees for foreign currency, resulting in losses due to unfavourable exchange rates. Now, they can use their Indian currency to make purchases at all terminals of Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum Airport without incurring these extra costs. This change aligns with Dubai's efforts to accommodate its large number of Indian travellers and provide them with a seamless shopping experience at duty-free stores.

It is important to note that while Indian rupees are accepted for transactions, change or refunds will be given in UAE dirhams and not in rupees. This is a standard practice, and travellers are advised to be aware of this when making purchases. Overall, the acceptance of Indian rupees at Dubai airports is a significant step forward, facilitating a more accessible and convenient travel experience for Indian passengers.

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Dubai's official currency is Dirham

Dubai's official currency is the United Arab Emirates Dirham, abbreviated as AED. The currency is subdivided into 100 fils, with the coins of 1, 5, and 10 fils rarely used in everyday life. The dirham is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of 1 US dollar to approximately 3.67 AED, making it one of the most stable currencies globally.

The history of Dubai's currency can be traced back to 1966 when the emirates that now form the UAE used the Gulf rupee, which was pegged to the Indian rupee. In 1973, the UAE adopted the UAE dirham as its official currency, replacing the Bahraini dinar and the Qatari and Dubai riyal. The new currency was introduced to circulation on May 19, 1973, with coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 fils, and 1 dirham.

Over the years, the Central Bank of the UAE has issued several commemorative coins celebrating various events and achievements in the country. The first dirham notes, introduced in 1973, were in denominations of AED 1, 5, 10, 50, and 100. In 1976, a Dhs 1,000 note was issued, and a second series of notes was introduced in 1982, omitting the Dh 1 and Dhs 1,000 denominations. Higher denominations, such as the Dhs 500 and Dhs 200 notes, were introduced in subsequent years, with the Dhs 1,000 note being reintroduced in 2000.

While the Indian rupee is now accepted at Dubai's duty-free stores, it is essential to note that the dirham is the primary currency used in everyday transactions in Dubai. The acceptance of the Indian rupee at Dubai airports is a convenient option for Indian travellers, who previously had to convert their currency into dirhams, dollars, or euros before shopping at duty-free stores.

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Indian Rupee is the 16th accepted currency

As of 2019, the Indian Rupee is accepted as a currency for transactions at all Dubai airports, including Dubai Duty-Free. This makes the Indian Rupee the 16th currency to be accepted for transactions at Dubai Duty-Free since its opening in 1983.

Previously, Indian travellers had to convert their currency into US Dollars, Dirhams, or Euros before they could shop at duty-free shops in Dubai. Now, Indian travellers can use their currency directly at all three terminals of Dubai International Airport and at Al Maktoum Airport, saving them a considerable amount of money that was previously lost to exchange rates.

The acceptance of the Indian Rupee is a significant development, given that nearly 12.2 million Indian travellers passed through Dubai airports in 2019, out of a total of 90 million passengers. This move is expected to provide convenience and cost savings for Indian passengers.

It is important to note that while Indian Rupees are accepted for transactions, the change or refund will be provided in UAE Dirhams and not in Indian Rupees. This means that travellers transiting through Dubai will need to spend their change before departing, as the Indian Rupee is not the official currency of Dubai. The official currency of Dubai is the Dirham, which has been in use since 1973 and is one of the most stable currencies globally.

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No need to convert Indian Rupee

Indian travellers heading to Dubai no longer need to convert their rupees into local currency before they can shop at duty-free stores in the airports. This is good news for the millions of Indian tourists who transit through Dubai's airports every year, as they will save a considerable amount that was previously lost to currency exchange rates.

The Indian rupee is now accepted at all stores in Dubai's airports, including all three terminals of Dubai International Airport and at Al Maktoum Airport. This makes the Indian rupee the 16th currency to be accepted at Dubai's duty-free points of sale.

Previously, Indian travellers had to convert their rupees into US dollars, Dirhams, or Euros before they could shop at Dubai's duty-free shops. Now, they can use their Indian currency to purchase goods directly, without having to worry about unfavourable exchange rates. It is important to note, however, that any change or refund from purchases made in Indian rupees will be given back to customers in UAE dirhams, not rupees. So, travellers may still need to have some local currency on hand.

In addition to the convenience of using Indian rupees at Dubai's airports, travellers from India should also be aware of the amount of cash they are allowed to carry when travelling between the two countries. Residents of India are allowed to travel overseas with Indian currency notes and coins worth up to Rs 25,000. There is no upper limit on how much foreign currency one can take out of India.

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Dubai's money changer services

If you do need to exchange currency, there are plenty of options available. Money changer chains can be found in every mall in the city, making it easy for travellers to swap currencies. These include well-known exchanges such as Al Ansari Exchange, which has over 70 branches across the UAE, and Al Fardan Exchange, which has over 15 branches, including in the main Dubai malls. Sharaf Exchange is another option, offering currency exchange alongside personal and corporate remittance services.

ATMs are also widely available across Dubai, including at hotels, supermarkets, shopping malls, and other public places. Major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are accepted everywhere in Dubai.

It is important to remember that carrying cash alone may not be sufficient to cover emergencies, so it is recommended to purchase travel insurance before your trip. In Dubai, travellers staying for more than 30 days are required to have insurance. Medical services can be expensive, and passports may be impounded in case of unpaid medical bills, so adequate insurance coverage is essential.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, the Indian Rupee is now accepted at all stores in all terminals of Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum Airport.

Stores accept notes of various denominations, including 100s, 200s, 2000s, and 500s (but only the new 500 notes).

No, you can now use your Indian Rupees directly at Dubai's duty-free stores without exchanging them for the local currency.

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