7 Best Ways to Money Transfer from UK to India

If you have ever tried sending money home, you already know that it is not just about hitting the send button. Between bank fees, exchange rates & delays, money transfer from the UK to India can get messy. Whether you’re working, studying, or paying for student accommodation in the UK, you want your money to reach India fast. That too, without having any hidden charges on the way.   

The truth? Traditional banks aren’t your best friend here. They’re often slow, pricey, & use outdated SWIFT systems that charge extra at every step. Luckily, digital platforms have changed that game. So, here are the 7 best ways for money transfer from the UK to India, balancing speed, cost, & convenience.  

Wise (formerly TransferWise)  

Wise is the name most people associate with cheap transfers. Its system is built with transparency. You get real mid-market rates on the transfer. There are no hidden spreads. And it takes the lowest fees for money transfer from the UK to India. It is for you if you are someone who wants transparent pricing & hates fine print. Plus, when it comes to transferring the amount, it takes just a few seconds to 2 working days. It is fast if you pay via bank transfer; however, it is a bit slower with a debit or credit card.  

• You just have to send some pounds from your UK account to Wise’s UK account. Then your bank in India will release rupees in local INR. As the money never actually travels through the SWIFT maze, you will skip international fees altogether.   

• In 2025, Wise handled over £120 billion in global transfers, saving customers more than £1.5 billion in bank charges. The average fee for £1,000 sent to India is £5–£6 (all-inclusive). Even a tiny 3-point difference can mean ₹3,000 lost on a single transfer.   

• If you’re covering tuition fees or rent for your student accommodation in UK, Wise is perfect. Weekend or card-based transfers cost a bit extra. However, it still beats high-street bank charges by a considerable margin.  

Remitly  

If you think that flexibility & speed are your thing, Remitly is for you. There are multiple ways through which people receive money in India. It can be through UPI, cash pickup, or direct bank deposit. And the money lands within minutes, with better exchange rates. To use it go to Remitly app from the UK. Enter your amount & recipient, pick delivery speed, & pay via bank or card. They often give offers to students who are using it for the first time. This helps you test the waters for your first money transfer from the UK to India.    

• Under some plans, transfer fee for £500 is £1.99. India receives over $125 billion (USD) in remittances annually. This makes it the largest recipient globally. And the UK sits in the top 5 source countries for that flow.  

• If you’re covering family expenses back home while staying UK Student Accommodation, Remitly’s “Express” mode is a lifesaver. Quick, easy, & you can track it live on the app.   

• It is quick, easy & you can track it live on the app. Note that express = speed, economy = value. So, always compare both before sending.  

Revolut 

Revolut is best for instant app-to-app transfers & clean interface. When it comes to money transfer speed, it is instant between Revolut account. And in case of Indian Bank accounts, it takes anywhere between 30 minutes – 48 hours. The app acts as a multi-currency wallet, where you can hold GBP, INR, USD, and even crypto, if you’re into that. You can easily convert currencies using real-time live exchange rates.   

• There’s no fixed markup during market hours, so you’re sending money at whatever the actual live price is. Additionally, it has over 40 million users globally. Approximately 250 million transactions occur each month, particularly for cross-border transfers.  

• Many UK students use Revolut for money transfer from UK To India because it’s cheaper than traditional banks and easier than apps that force you to re-enter details every time.  

• If you are living in a shared student accommodation, Revoult will turn it into a smooth experience. You can easily split rent, utilities, Wi-Fi & even takes screenshots of who paid what. It charges slightly higher rates during weekends or outside market hours. It’s tiny, but it’s there.  

PayPal (via Xoom)  

PayPal is a very familiar app & Xoom is its part that is used for dat transfers. It is super convenient if your parents back home already use PayPal. Or if you yourself have used it for shopping, freelancing, or subscriptions. It is best for quick transfers + fast cash pickup options. The cash pickup in this takes a few minutes, depending on the location of partner.   

• So, Xoom lets you send money to others using PayPal balance, UK bank account or card. Then the one who is on the receiving end lets you collect cash from a local pickup center. Or you can also receive funds straight into their bank account. 

• PayPal operates in 200+ markets globally & processes over 1.2 billion transactions every quarter. Plus, Xoom is available in 160+ countries. And India is one of its biggest receiving corridors.  

• If you are someone, who is already studying in UK & you want to urgently do the money transfer from UK to India, then Xoom is perfect for you. It is the same for your family as well.   

Western Union  

Western Union is best for cash pickups or sending money to areas in India with limited banking access. The cash pickup happens usually within minutes. Bank deposit usually occurs within 1-3 days depending on the receiving bank. You can also set up transfers online or walk into a Western Union agent in the UK. The recipient in India can collect cash from more than 65,000+ pickup locations.   

•  The Western Union has been here for around 150+ years. It operates in 200+ countries, making them one of the world’s largest remittance networks. India receives over $125 billion USD in global remittances a year.   

• And WU handles a huge portion of cash-based transfers. If apps fail or your family doesn’t use UPI or online banking, Western Union is still the most reliable safety net. 

• Convenience comes at a cost, fees can be higher, & exchange rates aren’t always great. Not ideal for frequent money transfer from UK To India payments.  

XE Money Transfer  

When it comes to big transactions, XE money transfer is a favorite. It is best for large one-off payments. It includes things like paying full semester tuition or sending your £3,000+ deposit for student accommodation in the UK. It typically takes 1–3 business days, depending on your bank & transfer size. You can check XE’s live rates, lock in the one you like, & send.   

• XE doesn’t charge fees for most transfers, this makes it large payments way cheaper compared to banks. XE supports 130+ currencies, practically the whole world.  

• They handle billions of GBP worth of transfers each year. Because they’re fee-free on many transfers, students often save £20–£30 per £1,000 vs traditional banks.  

• If you’re doing a big money transfer from UK To India, XE’s zero-fee policy + strong rates help you get more INR for every pound. For small, frequent transfers, apps like Wise or Remitly might still be cheaper. XE shines for big payments.  

High-Street Banks (Last Resort)  

Most student avoid this routes, but it is still an option. It is best for people who prefer old-school branch banking & want to speak with a human. It takes around 3-7 working days depending on bank & SWIFT delays. Traditional banks like Barclays, Lloyds, HSBC, Santander use the SWIFT network. That means:  

• International send fee  

•  Intermediary bank fee  

•  Receiving bank fee  

• PLUS weaker GBP= INR exchange rates  

UK bank international transfer fee is £15–£25 on average. If you transfer multiple times a year for student accommodation in the UK, that adds up quickly.

Conclusion  

Transferring money from UK to India doesn’t have to be costly or stressful. There are many digital platforms like Wise, Remitly, & Revolut that lead the pack because of their affordability & speed. While others apps like Western Union & Xoom are known for having strong cash pickups. And if you’re living in student accommodation in the UK, these tools make life a whole lot easier. You can easily send rent, tuition or last-minute money home that too in just few taps.  

 So skip the high-street queues, & use a service that actually respects your budget. Because when you’re managing money across borders, every pound counts. And hey, if you’re still hunting for the right place to stay? Don’t gamble with your student life. Discover verified, budget-friendly rooms across top UK cities with University Living. Your perfect student accommodation is literally waiting.

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