Europe is one of the most expensive destinations for Indian travellers — and also one of the highest-forex-markup destinations because every payment is in Euros, Pounds, or Swiss Francs. Here is exactly what a zero forex card saves you on a typical India-to-Europe trip.
The Sample Trip: 10 Days in Western Europe
Let us take a realistic mid-range couple’s trip:
- Destinations: Paris (3 nights), Amsterdam (3 nights), Barcelona (4 nights)
- Accommodation: 3-star hotels, ₹6,000–₹8,000/night per couple
- Flights: Pre-paid separately (not included in this calculation)
- Daily spending: food, local transport, museum entries, shopping
| Category | Per Day | 10 Days |
| Hotels (couples share) | ₹7,000 | ₹70,000 |
| Food & cafes | ₹3,500 | ₹35,000 |
| Local transport (metro, bus) | ₹1,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Attractions & experiences | ₹2,000 | ₹20,000 |
| Shopping & souvenirs | — | ₹25,000 |
| Miscellaneous | ₹500 | ₹5,000 |
| **Total in-Europe spend** | **₹1,65,000** |
Cost With a Regular Indian Card (3.5% Markup)
Forex markup: ₹1,65,000 × 3.5% = ₹5,775
GST on markup (18%): ₹5,775 × 18% = ₹1,039
Total extra cost: ₹6,814
And this assumes you do not fall into the DCC trap (choosing INR at payment terminals), which can add another ₹2,000–₹5,000 in hidden charges.
Cost With a Zero Forex Card
Forex markup: 0%
GST on markup: 0%
Total extra cost: ₹0
You keep ₹6,814 — money that on a 10-day Europe trip is genuinely meaningful.
What ₹6,814 Gets You in Europe
- Two restaurant dinners for two in Paris or Amsterdam
- An Eiffel Tower summit entry (₹3,500) + a day trip to Versailles (₹2,500)
- An extra night in a budget hotel
- Two days of train travel between cities
- Return airport taxi at your destination
The forex markup on a regular card is essentially throwing away one entire day of your Europe trip budget.
The ATM Trap: Additional Savings With Niyo Global
Beyond card payments, most travellers also withdraw some Euro cash. European ATMs are everywhere, but the charges add up:
ATM withdrawal: ₹10,000 equivalent in Euros, 3 times during the trip = ₹30,000 total
| Card | ATM Fee (per withdrawal) | Markup on ₹30K | Total ATM Extra Cost |
| Regular Indian card | ₹300–₹500 | ₹1,050 (3.5%) | ₹2,100–₹2,550 |
| Niyo Global | ₹0 | ₹0 (0%) | ₹0 |
Additional Niyo ATM saving: ₹2,100–₹2,550
Combined with card payment savings, a Niyo Global card user on a ₹1.65 lakh Europe trip saves approximately ₹9,000–₹10,000 compared to a regular Indian card user.
What About a Premium Card Like HDFC Regalia or Axis Atlas?
These cards charge 1.5%–2% markup instead of 3.5%. Let us see the real difference:
| Card | Markup on ₹1,65,000 | Total Extra Cost |
| Regular card (3.5%) | ₹5,775 | ₹6,814 (with GST) |
| Premium card (2%) | ₹3,300 | ₹3,894 (with GST) |
| Zero forex card (0%) | ₹0 | ₹0 |
Premium cards save you roughly ₹3,000 vs regular cards but still cost ₹3,894 more than a zero forex card. And many premium cards have ₹2,500–₹5,000 annual fees that reduce the net benefit.
Pack Your Wallet Right for Europe
Primary card: Niyo Global or IndusInd Aura Edge (zero forex, no ATM fees or lounge access for transits)
Backup card: Any Visa/Mastercard you already own — keep it blocked for international use until needed
Cash: Carry €100–€150 on arrival for small expenses. Withdraw more from ATMs using Niyo Global.
What to avoid:
- DCC — always pay in local currency (EUR/GBP/CHF)
- Airport currency exchange booths — worst rates
- Prepaid forex cards — generally worse rates than zero forex credit cards
Calculate your exact Europe trip savings →
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