Best ways to send money to India

We've compared the cheapest, fastest and safest ways to send money to India from the United Kingdom. Take a look at our comparison table and our detailed review below.

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Comparing 18 providers for your transfer of £5000 GBP to INR

Provider
Trustpilot
Speed
Total cost
Amount received when sending £5,000
Go to provider
1 min ago
0-2days
£ 25.34GBPshow more
₹608,908.33INR
1 min ago
1 min ago
2-3days
£ 30.18GBPshow more
₹608,337.94INR
1 min ago
1 min ago
0-2days
£ 30.49GBPshow more
₹608,300.00INR
1 min ago
49 mins ago
Varies
£ 35.05GBPshow more
₹607,748.45INR
49 mins ago
38 mins ago
Varies
£ 36.76GBPshow more
₹607,543.66INR
38 mins ago
1 min ago
1-3days
£ 36.84GBPshow more
₹607,533.50INR
1 min ago
yesterday
Varies
£ 40.80GBPshow more
₹607,056.62INR
yesterday
5 hrs ago
1days
£ 57.50GBPshow more
₹605,051.78INR
5 hrs ago
1 min ago
1-3days
£ 61.17GBPshow more
₹604,613.50INR
1 min ago
2 days ago
1-2days
£ 76.08GBPshow more
₹602,837.37INR
2 days ago
39 mins ago
Varies
£ 110.94GBPshow more
₹598,725.63INR
39 mins ago
39 mins ago
Varies
£ 110.94GBPshow more
₹598,725.63INR
39 mins ago
48 mins ago
Varies
£ 113.56GBPshow more
₹598,147.18INR
48 mins ago
2 days ago
Varies
£ 133.14GBPshow more
₹596,135.84INR
2 days ago
49 mins ago
Varies
£ 155.73GBPshow more
₹593,469.76INR
49 mins ago
2 days ago
Up to 9days
£ 180.55GBPshow more
₹590,641.15INR
2 days ago
2 days ago
Up to 9days
£ 211.30GBPshow more
₹587,150.37INR
2 days ago
Showing 15 of 18 results

How we found the best ways to send money


Our database includes 27 secure providers. For your specific transfer of £5000 from GBP to INR, we found 18 providers that support this route and for the amount you want to send. We sort these by the cheapest total cost, displaying the freshest data available, whether via direct feed or manual collection. This process is never influenced by referral fees, ensuring you get a fair and transparent comparison every time. Learn more

Quick Verdict: The best ways to send money to India

CategoryWinnerKey Stats
💰Cheapest CostState Bank of IndiaTotal Fees:
£17.11
📈Best Exchange RateWiseRate:
122.4020
Fastest TransferWiseTime:
Instant-2 Days
Customer FavouriteXoomTrustScore:
4.7/5

You can send money to India with a bank, or you can choose a specialist transfer provider. Often, these providers offer a faster, more efficient, and cheaper way to send money from the United Kingdom to India.

How to Send Money to India: Step-by-Step



The good news is that sending money to India is easier than ever. Plus you can usually do everything with your phone or laptop - with no need to stand in line at a bank or money changer’s office. Here’s how to send money to India in 5 simple steps:

  1. Choose a Money Transfer Service

    • Enter the amount of money you want to transfer into our comparison tool
    • Compare rates, fees, and delivery speed. You’ll see a range of options from reliable providers, so you can compare and pick the best for your specific transfer
    • Consider user reviews and security features

  2. Register with your chosen provider

  3. Enter Recipient Details

    • Add the recipient’s full name and bank details or email, depending on the method

  4. Select Amount and Currency

    • Choose how much to send and the currency (e.g. GBP to INR)
    • Review exchange rates and fees upfront

  5. Pay for Your Transfer

    • Choose from options like bank debit, credit card, apple/google pay or bank transfer (depending on what's available from the provider)
    • Get confirmation and a tracking link if available
    • Notify your recipient if needed

You can send money from the United Kingdom to India using your bank, a specialist money transfer service, an e-wallet, or by visiting a physical money remittance store. Each option has different pros and cons, so the best for you will depend on your specific transfer and personal requirements.

The cheapest way to send money to India

Of the 18 providers we found for sending money to India, here is how the top 5 stack up based on cost.

ProviderTotal CostExchange Rate
State Bank of India
(Cheapest Option)
£17.11121.9845
GBP to INR
Wise
(Runner Up)
£25.34122.4020
GBP to INR
XE
(Alternative)
£30.18121.6676
GBP to INR
Remitly
(Alternative)
£30.49121.6600
GBP to INR
ICICI Bank
(Alternative)
£35.05121.5740
GBP to INR

Why this matters

  • The Savings: Choosing State Bank of India saves you 194.19 GBP compared to Lloyds, which is the most expensive of the providers we reviewed.
  • The "Hidden" Cost: Always check the Exchange Rate + Upfront Fee. Some providers claim "zero fees" but hide costs in the rate.
  • The Interbank Rate: The current true market rate is 122.402.
Example: Most banks add a markup (often ~3%) to the market rate.

If the real rate is 122.402, a bank might offer you a rate of roughly 126.07406, keeping the difference for themselves.

Finding alternative ways to transfer money to India shouldn't be hard. Review our full list of cheap ways to send money to India to help you with your search.

The fastest way to send money India

Of the 18 providers we found for sending money to India from the United Kingdom, here is how the top 5 stack up based on speed.

ProviderEstimated Time
Wise
(Fastest Option)
Instant-2 Days
Remitly
(Runner Up)
0-2 Days
Xoom
(Alternative)
0-1 Days
CurrencyFair
(Alternative)
1-3 Days
WorldRemit
(Alternative)
1-2 Days

Speed comparison: banks vs digital providers

The fastest provider for transferring money to India is currently Wise, taking roughly Instant-2 Days.

Why is there such a big difference in speed?

  • Banks (usually slower): Most banks use the SWIFT network. This system passes your money through several intermediaries—like taking a flight with 3 layovers. It typically takes 3-5 working days.
  • Transfer Specialists (usually faster): Companies like Wise often have their own local bank accounts in both countries. They don't "send" the money across borders; they pay out from their local reserves instantly.

If speed is your priority, avoiding traditional banks is usually the best strategy.

The best rated provider to transfer money to India

Of the 18 providers we found for transferring money to India, here is how the top 5 stack up based on user reviews from Trustpilot.

ProviderTrustScoreVolume
Xoom
(Best Rated)
4.7 / 5
(Excellent)
159570 reviews
Remitly
(Runner Up)
4.6 / 5
(Excellent)
105274 reviews
HSBC
(Alternative)
4.5 / 5
(Excellent)
24657 reviews
CurrencyFair
(Alternative)
4.5 / 5
(Excellent)
10974 reviews
XE
(Alternative)
4.4 / 5
(Excellent)
83453 reviews

How to read these reviews

When choosing a provider, don't just look at the score out of 5. You should also consider the Review Volume.

The "Trust Factor":

A provider like Xoom with a score of 4.7 and 159570 reviews is generally safer than a newer company with a perfect 5.0 rating but only 10 reviews.

Exchange rate trend between GBP/INR

As with many currencies, the GBP/INR exchange rate moves over time, due to changes in supply and demand. Exchange rate fluctuations can be caused by underlying shifts in how well the economy in the United Kingdom or India is doing, changes in political stability, or even simple speculation, where traders buy or sell currencies based on how they think trends are going to change.

Right now, £1 buys ₹122.402

1 GBP = 122.403 INR

Loading chart data...

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing the best provider for sending money to India from the United Kingdom, it really depends on what your needs are.

The cheapest provider shown in our comparison table is State Bank of India. If the transfer time is what you're interested in, then Wise is the fastest way to transfer money to India. Wise can get your money to your recipient to India in Instant-2 Days.

If safety is what interests you the most when it comes to picking the best international money transfer provider to India, then all the providers we listed above are regulated by different financial institutions and should be safe to send money to India with.

FAQs: sending money to India

What details are needed to send money to India?
Can I send international money transfers from the United Kingdom to India for free?
When is the best time to transfer money from the United Kingdom to India?
What is the best way to send large amounts of money to India from the United Kingdom?
How to send large amounts of money to India?
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How do I know if there any international money transfer limits in India?
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