How to Send Money to India: Cheap & Best Ways

This article was last updated and fact checked on January 28, 2023 by Mani Karthik.

Sending money to India can be a complicated process, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right preparation and research, you can make sure your money arrives safely and quickly. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about sending money to India, including the best methods, tips for avoiding fees, and more.

How to Choose the Right Money Transfer Service

Whether you’re planning to visit relatives in India, send money home or abroad, or save money by transferring via smartphone, there are plenty of options available. In this guide, we’ll go through the various options so you can decide which is best for you.

The most important thing you need to do when choosing a money transfer service is research. Make sure you know the fees, exchange rates, and any other details about the service before you use it.

You should also consider the reputation of the company. Look for reviews online and see what other people have to say about the service.

Finally, make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the service. You don’t want to get caught by surprise with hidden fees or other problems.

How to Save on Money Transfer Fees

If you’re looking to send money to friends and family in India, chances are they’re already counting down the days until you arrive. But while the anticipation is exciting, the reality can be complicated. learning how to transfer money safely and efficiently can make all the difference when you arrive in India.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about money transfers in India, including the best methods, along with step-by-step instructions and pictures. Not sure which method to use? We’ve included multiple options so you can decide what’s right for you.

1. Look for a money transfer service that doesn’t charge fees.
2. If you must use a service that charges fees, look for one that charges lower fees.
3. Send money in larger amounts to minimize the impact of the fees.
4. Use a service that allows you to send money directly to a bank account, rather than through a third party.
5. Use a service that offers fee-free transfers if you meet certain conditions, such as transferring a certain amount of money.

How to Send Money to India via Bank Transfer

The process for sending money to India from the USA via bank transfer is quite simple. First, you will need to find a bank that offers this service. Once you have found a bank, you will need to provide them with the necessary information such as the amount of money you wish to send, the recipient’s name and address, and your own personal information. After you have provided the bank with this information, they will then wire the money to the recipient’s bank account in India.

How to Send Money to India via Money Order

To send a money order from the United States to India, you will need to purchase a money order from the post office or a money transfer service. Be sure to fill out the money order completely and sign it. Include the recipient’s name and address on the back of the money order. When mailing the money order, be sure to use a traceable method such as registered mail so that you can track the money order’s progress.

How to Use a Prepaid Debit Card to Send Money to India

If you have a PayPal account, you can link your prepaid debit card to it and then use PayPal to send money to India.

Another option is to use a service like Xoom. With Xoom, you can send money from your prepaid debit card to a bank account in India.

How to Receive Money in India

In order to receive money in India, the sender must have a bank account with a local bank that is able to send money to India. The sender will also need the recipient’s bank account number and IFSC code. The sender can then send the money through their bank’s online banking system or through a money transfer service.

The Cheapest Ways to Send Money to India

Moneygram

Moneygram is one of the cheapest ways to send money to India. You can send money online or through a Moneygram agent location. The fees start at $5 for online transfers and $9.99 for in-person transfers. Transfers can be sent in minutes, and you can pay with your bank account, debit card, or credit card.

Xoom

Xoom is a money transfer service owned by PayPal. You can send money online or through a Xoom agent location. The fees start at $4.99 for online transfers and $9.99 for in-person transfers. Transfers can be sent in minutes, and you can pay with your bank account, debit card, or credit card.

Western Union

Western Union is one of the oldest money transfer services in the world. You can send money online or through a Western Union agent location. The fees start at $5 for online transfers and $10 for in-person transfers. Transfers can be sent in minutes, and you can pay with your bank account, debit card, or credit card.

Remit2India

Remit2India is an online money transfer service that allows users to send money to India from a variety of countries. The service is fast, reliable, and offers competitive exchange rates. However, it is important to note that Remit2India does not offer a lot of flexibility when it comes to sending money, and charges a transfer fee of $5.

State Bank of India

State Bank of India (SBI) is the largest bank in India and one of the largest banks in the world. You can send money to India via SBI by using their online banking platform or by visiting a branch. The pros of using SBI to send money to India are that they have a large network of branches and ATMs, they offer a variety of banking products and services, and they have a strong reputation.

The cons of using SBI to send money to India are that they may charge fees for certain transactions, their exchange rates may not be as competitive as other banks, and they may not offer the same level of customer service as other banks.

HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank is one of the leading banks in India that offers a wide range of money transfer services. You can send money to India via HDFC Bank through its online banking platform, mobile banking app, or by visiting a branch in person. The main advantage of using HDFC Bank for money transfers is that it is a reliable and trusted institution with a wide network of branches across India. Another benefit is that HDFC Bank offers competitive exchange rates and low transfer fees. However, one downside is that HDFC Bank does not offer 24/7 customer support.

ICICI Bank

There are a few ways to send money to India via ICICI Bank. The most common way is to use the bank’s online money transfer service. This service allows you to send money from your ICICI Bank account to another ICICI Bank account in India. The main advantage of this method is that it is quick and easy to do.

The main disadvantage is that you will need to have an ICICI Bank account in order to use this service. Another way to send money to India via ICICI Bank is to use the bank’s wire transfer service. This service allows you to send money from your ICICI Bank account to another bank account in India. The main advantage of this method is that it is quick and easy to do. The main disadvantage is that you will need to have an ICICI Bank account in order to use this service.

Axis Bank

One way to send money to India via Axis Bank is to use their online money transfer service. This service allows you to send money to India from your Axis Bank account using your debit or credit card. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The main advantage of using this service is that it is quick and easy to use. The main disadvantage is that you will be charged a fee for using this service.

Citibank

To send money to India via Citibank, you can use the Citibank World Money Card. The pros of this method are that it is quick and easy to set up, and you can send money to multiple recipients in India. The cons are that there are fees associated with the service, and you may need to have a Citibank account to use it.

Kotak Mahindra Bank

Kotak Mahindra Bank is a good option for sending money to India from the USA. It offers competitive rates and has a wide network of branches in India. However, it’s important to compare different banks and providers before making a decision, as there can be significant differences in cost.

SBI Express Remit

SBI Express Remit is a service that allows customers to send money to India from the United States. The service is available through select SBI branches in the United States, and offers customers a convenient and affordable way to send money to family and friends in India.

The service has a number of advantages, including competitive exchange rates, low fees, and fast transaction times. However, there are a few disadvantages to using SBI Express Remit, including the fact that it is not available in all SBI branches and that customers must have an account with SBI in order to use the service.

HDFC Quick Remit

HDFC Quick Remit is a convenient way to send money to India from the USA. It is a fast and safe way to send money and it is also one of the most competitively priced money transfer services. The main advantage of HDFC Quick Remit is that it is very simple to use and it is a very reliable service. The main disadvantage of HDFC Quick Remit is that it is not available in all states in the USA.

ICICI Money2India

There are a few ways to send money to India from the USA, but one of the most popular methods is through ICICI Money2India. This service allows you to send money from your bank account in the USA to an ICICI bank account in India. The process is relatively simple and can be completed online in just a few minutes.

One of the main advantages of using ICICI Money2India is that it is a very fast and convenient way to send money to India. The money can be sent almost instantly and you can track the status of your transfer online. Another advantage is that there are no transfer fees when sending money through ICICI Money2India.

However, there are a few disadvantages to using this service. First, the exchange rate that ICICI Money2India uses is not always the best available. This means that you could lose money on the exchange if the rate changes before you complete your transfer. Second, ICICI Money2India only allows you to send money to certain banks in India. If you want to send money to a different bank, you will need to use another service.

Axis Remit

To send money to India from the USA via Axis Remit, you will need to set up an account with the service and then provide the recipient’s bank account information. The money will be transferred from your bank account to the recipient’s bank account within 1-2 days. The main advantage of using Axis Remit is that it is a very fast and convenient way to send money to India. The main disadvantage is that there are fees associated with the service.

Citibank Global Transfers

Citibank Global Transfers is a service that allows customers to send money to India from the United States. The service is available to Citibank customers with an eligible account and a Citibank checking or savings account in the United States. Customers can send up to $10,000 per day from their Citibank account to their Citibank account in India. The service has a few pros and cons.

The main pro of using Citibank Global Transfers is that it is a quick and easy way to send money to India. The service is also very convenient because it can be done online or over the phone. Another pro is that there are no fees for sending money with Citibank Global Transfers.

A con of using Citibank Global Transfers is that the exchange rate may not be as favorable as if you were to send money through another method. Another con is that you can only send money to Citibank accounts in India, so if you need to send money to another bank account, you will need to use a different service.

The Fastest Ways to Send Money to India

The fastest ways to send money to India are through a wire transfer or an international money transfer service. Wire transfers can take up to two days, while international money transfer services can have your money in India in as little as a few minutes.

The main disadvantage of sending money through a wire transfer is that it can be expensive. Fees may be charged by the sender, the recipient, or both. Wire transfers may also take longer to process than other types of payments, such as checks or money orders.

There are many ways to send money to India, and the fastest way may not always be the best option. Other methods, such as sending a personal check or using a money transfer service, maybe more reliable and offer better exchange rates.

Can I send money from USA to India using Google Pay?

Yes, you can send money from the USA to India using Google Pay.

1. Open the Google Pay app.
2. Find the contact in India you want to send money to.
3. Click Pay.
4. Select Western Union or Wise. 
   • Follow the instructions to create an account.
5. For Western Union, click Google Pay under “How you would like to pay.”
6. If you haven’t sent money to this person before, add their payment details.
7. When the transaction is complete, you get a status message in your conversation.

How to use Wise to send money to India from USA

Wise is a digital platform that offers international money transfer services. You can send money to India from the USA using Wise by following these steps:

1. Sign up for a free Wise account.
2. Enter your recipient’s bank account details.
3. Choose how much you want to send and select your payment method.
4. Enter your personal details and confirm the transaction.
5. Your money will be transferred to your recipient’s bank account within 1-2 days.

The pros of using Wise online money transfer services include the following:

• The service is convenient and easy to use.
• The fees are transparent and easy to understand.
• The exchange rates are very competitive.
• The service is available in multiple languages.

The cons of using Wise online money transfer services include the following:

• The service is not available in all countries.
• The recipient may have to pay additional fees when they receive the money.

The fees associated with Wise money transfer service are very competitive when compared to other leading money transfer services. There is a small flat fee for each transaction and the exchange rate is very competitive. When sending money internationally, there is also a small fee for currency conversion. Overall, the fees are very reasonable and the service is very reliable.

Summary: Tips for Sending Money to India

• Research the different options for sending money to India from the USA.
• Compare the fees, exchange rates, and other features of the different providers.
• Choose a provider that offers a convenient and reliable way to send money to India.
• Create an account with the chosen provider and add the recipient’s bank account information.
• Send money to India from the USA using the provider’s online platform or mobile app.

Some money transfer services may not be available in all countries, and there may be restrictions on how much money can be sent. There may also be fees associated with using a money transfer service, so it is important to compare prices before choosing a service. Additionally, it is important to make sure that the recipient’s bank account information is correct before sending money, as funds cannot be refunded once they have been transferred.