Wise Report: Hidden Forex Fees Remain Major Blind Spot For Indian Travellers

A newly released industry report has revealed that foreign exchange fees remain a major blind spot for Indian travellers, with hidden charges and non-transparent pricing continuing to act as major pain points. The findings, published in Wise’s Passport & Paisa: India Travel Money Report 2026, show that international travellers from Chennai and across the country are planning to spend more on overseas holidays but remain unclear about the true costs of foreign currency transactions.

The comprehensive study surveyed more than 1,000 Indian international travellers across various generations and geographies. According to the report, a significant share of these travellers do not have a clear understanding of what they actually pay when making transactions while spending abroad.

This lack of clarity comes at a time when outbound tourism is expected to rise. The report showed that nearly 78% of Indians intend to increase their international travel spending. This rise in planned holiday budgets follows a recent 2% reduction in the Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on overseas travel.

Despite the shift toward digital transactions, traditional currency habits remain popular. The data revealed that 38% of travellers still choose to exchange physical cash before they travel abroad.

Taneia Bhardwaj, the South Asia expansion lead at Wise, highlighted the lack of transparency in the market. Bhardwaj stated that travellers are often unaware of the hidden margins built into exchange rates.

"Travellers know they are paying for foreign exchange, but they simply do not know how much of that cost is buried within the rate itself," Bhardwaj said.

Ultimately, the report identified foreign exchange costs as a growing source of worry for outbound tourists. Exchange rate fluctuations and currency conversion expenses are emerging as some of the biggest anxieties for Indian travellers as they plan their international trips.