daily travel budget india

The Cost of Travel in India: A Detailed Budget Breakdown

India is one of the cheapest countries I’ve ever travelled to.

But not only that, it’s one of the best value places I’ve visited.

Value is important when it comes to travel. There’s no joy in spending $5 on a dorm bed if it’s frequented by cockroaches and dengue-carrying mosquitoes and leads to nothing but stress. Similarly, paying $100 a night for a basic guesthouse with few amenities is never going to be a highlight of any adventure.

In India, I couldn’t stop talking about how much value I was getting for my rupees. Whether it was paying $29 a night to stay in one of the best guesthouses ever or $18 to marvel at the magnificent Taj Mahal, I never once felt like I was being ripped off.

Which is not at all what I expected when I decided to travel to India.

Today, I want to share just how much you can expect to spend if you plan on travelling around the country on a mid-range budget.

Let’s get started!

Here’s a brief rundown of where I visited over my three weeks in India.

New Delhi: 4 nights Agra: 1 night Jaipur: 2 nights Bundi: 1 night Kota: 1 night Pushkar: 3 nights Udaipur: 4 nights Jodhpur: 3 nights Jaisalmer:  4 nights

I also spent time in Fatehpur Sikir, Abhaneri, Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, and Ranakpur.

What’s Included in this Post

This budget breakdown covers how much I spent on accommodation, transportation, activities, food, and whichever miscellaneous items popped up while I was in country.

I’ve not included my flights into and out of India as this is going to vary significantly based on where you’ll be arriving from.

The amounts in this guide are listed in Indian Rupees and U.S. dollars, simply because the vast majority of my readers are from the U.S. And, as always, I do not accept comps or press trips, so everything listed in this post is something I personally paid for with my own money.

Okay — let’s dive in!

The Cost of Accommodation in India

One of the joys from my time in India was the accommodation. I stayed in some truly wonderful places.

Indian hospitality is known for being on another level to the rest of the world, and if you opt to stay in homestays, you’ll definitely get to experience it. There was the owner of the Delhi homestay who made a whopping eight phone calls in order to get my SIM card working, showed us around the local night market, and drove us to the Lotus Temple so we didn’t have to take a rickshaw when the pollution was particularly bad. There was the owner of the Pushkar homestay who went out of their way to buy us dairy-free food when they learned my partner and I are lactose-intolerant. Everywhere we stayed, we were shown kindness and hospitality.

India is also a great destination to splurge, as accommodation is seriously inexpensive compared to much of the rest of the world. Sure, you can spend $1 a night on a dorm bed if you want — and there are plenty of those around — but if you decide to pay $40 a night, you’ll find yourself staying in some seriously luxurious spots.

Here’s where I stayed in India:

New Delhi: I already mentioned above the sheer number of things our guesthouse owner did for us while we were in New Delhi, which is why this guesthouse is my number one choice in India. I can’t recommend it enough. It’s located in South Delhi in a safe, quiet neighbourhood with plenty of restaurants and markets around. The room is clean and comfortable, and the owner is just the absolute best . You’ve got to stay here if you’re going to New Delhi — we paid $38 a night .

Agra: I stayed in a private room in  a gorgeous homestay  in Agra for $28 a night. It was within walking distance to the Taj Mahal and the lovely family who owns it had so much helpful advice for making the most of our short stay in the city. The rooms were bright, clean, and airy, and the grounds were full of lush plants. The owners also helped us arrange a driver from Agra to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri and Abhaneri to ensure we wouldn’t get ripped off. I definitely recommend staying here while you’re in town.

Jaipur:  I opted for  this private room  in a quiet location at a cost of  $24 a night . There were fantastic breakfasts up for grabs, the hotel was next to some great restaurants, and the owner was so helpful in the loveliest kind of way. The guesthouse is built right up against a fort, which made for a particularly cool location. I didn’t like the more touristy parts of Jaipur, so staying in a more local neighbourhood made our experience so much more enjoyable.

Bundi:  I loved our accommodation in Bundi! We booked at  this homestay  at a cost of  $19 a night , I was sold. We had a beautiful room with an incredible view over the fort and palace. The owners were so welcoming and it was in a perfect location. Bundi is home to uniformly terrible accommodation, so this homestay is basically the only decent place in town. And the homemade dinners? Phenomenal!

Pushkar:  I absolutely adored the owners of  our homestay in Pushkar , where we paid  $25 a night . They were some of the loveliest people I think I’ve ever met. They greeted us with cups of chai and plates full of food, and every breakfast was all about sampling the dozens of freshly-baked options. The room was clean and airy, and it was great to be staying a 5-minute walk from the centre of Pushkar.

Udaipur:  I splurged on  this beautiful guesthouse  — pictured above — in Udaipur at a cost of  $79 a night . It’s definitely pricey for India, but if you feel like treating yourself, I can highly recommend it. In chaotic Rajasthan, it was so wonderful to take a break from the pandemonium and stay in such a calming environment. The guesthouse had friendly staff, beautifully decorated rooms, and a fabulous breakfast.

Jodhpur:  I opted for  this beautiful guesthouse  in Jodhpur at a cost of  $29 a night  and I’d say it was the best-value place of anywhere we stayed in India. The Indian breakfasts were delicious and enormous, the owner helped us out with seeing the best things in the city, and the views from the rooftop terrace over Jodhpur were incredible. Finally, the rooms were so cool! I loved the furnishings and vibe of the place, and easily could have stayed for a month.

Jaisalmer:  I chose  this wonderful guesthouse  in Jaisalmer at a cost of  $45 a night . Jaisalmer is home to a living fort, which means you can stay inside its walls. As cool as that sounds, I strenuously recommend not doing so. The hotels are damaging the walls of the fort due to excessive water usage, and the Indian government is even trying to pay hotel owners to leave in order to protect the complex. The guesthouse we stayed in was a 5-minute walk to the fort and I loved being able to look out on to it. The staff were so chilled-out and kind, and they helped us book a kickass tour to the desert and ghost town. Our room was gorgeous and spacious, and the rooftop terrace had a great view of the city. I loved it.

Our total cost of accommodation in India came to an average of $40 per day, or $20 each.

The Cost of Transportation in India

I loved travelling around India! I thought that transportation would be the worst aspect of my time in the country, but it was actually one of the best.

If you can afford to splurge a little, you’ll have a much more enjoyable time. But again, if you’re on a tight budget, you can get around for just a few dollars per journey.

12Go Asia and Uber and have been such game-changers in the India transportation game.

12Go Asia is my favourite travel discovery from the trip, as it made booking trains online so easy! My tip is to aim to book the most important and longest legs of your trip three months in advance, which is when tickets are released. I waited until several weeks before my departure date to book the trains and all of the ones I wanted to take were fully booked.

Uber and Ola (the Indian version of Uber) are also game-changers for India travel. They also make haggling with rickshaw drivers so easy. Just open up Uber to see what the cost would be, and then you have a maximum price for the journey. Just showing the rickshaw drivers that it was 200 rupees on Uber made a huge difference and had them dropping their prices immediately. Or, of course, you can just take Ubers around the cities, as keep you isolated from the pollution for a while.

And Uber is so cheap in India! As in, a one-hour drive across Delhi cost $7 . The vast majority of our rides cost a dollar or two. When it’s so affordable, there’s no reason for walking around for hours in the fumes just to save money.

For travel in-between the cities, I mostly used the trains, but I also took a handful of buses, and hired private drivers between Agra and Jaipur and Udaipur and Jodhpur. I was nervous about the buses — and we appeared to be the only foreigners taking them — but they were no big deal. They were comfortable, clean, and spacious enough.

Here’s how my transportation costs broke down in India:

Train from Delhi to Agra in comfort class: 1177₹/$16.52 Car and driver from Agra to Jaipur: 5000₹/$70 Train from Jaipur to Kota in 2nd class: 1172₹/$16.45 Bus from Kota to Bundi and back: 70₹/$1 Train from Kota to Ajmer in 2nd class: 1407₹/$19.75 Taxi from Ajmer to Pushkar: 400₹/$5.60 Taxi from Pushkar to Ajmer: 350₹/$4.91 Train from Ajmer to Udaipur in comfort class: 1017₹/$14.27 Car and driver from Udaipur to Jodhpur: 4000₹/$56 Bus from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer: 365₹/$5.12 Uber for three weeks in India: 4500₹/$63 Rickshaws for three weeks in India: 1400₹/$20

My total cost of transportation in India came to a total of $293. That’s an average of $13 a day.

The Cost of Activities and Entrance Fees in India

Everything was reasonably priced in India, but the costs do add up because there’s so freaking much to see and most sites have entrance fees. In every spot you visit, there’ll likely be three or four places you’ll want to check out, but they’ll all have entrance fees.

Here’s how I spent my money on activities and entrance fees in India:

Activities:

• Grab a $10 discount on your first UrbanAdventures tour by using the code LJFRIEND635840 at checkout!
• Full day tour of Jaipur and Amer: 4000₹/$56
• Day trip from Udaipur to Chittorgarh: 3000₹/$42
• Sunset lake cruise in Udaipur: 300₹/$4
• Camel and desert safari from Jaisalmer: 2450₹/$34

Entrance fees:

• Entrance to Jama Masjid mosque, Delhi: 450₹/$6
• Entrance to Qutub Minar, Delhi: 600₹/$8
• Entrance to Red Fort, Delhi: 550₹/$8
• Entrance to Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi: 550₹/$8
• Entrance to the Taj Mahal: 1250₹/$18
• Entrance to the baby Taj, Agra:  250₹/$4
• Entrance to Agra Fort: 550₹/$8
• Entrance to Fatehpur Sikri: 550₹/$8
• Entrance to Abhaneri stepwell: 250₹/$4
• Entrance to Amber Fort, Jaipur:  500₹/$7
• Entrance to City Palace, Jaipur: 700₹/$10
• Entrance to Observatory, Jaipur: 200₹/$3
• Entrance to Ranijiki stepwell, Bundi: 200₹/$3
• Entrance to Sukh Mahal + museum, Bundi: 300₹/$4
• Entrance to city palace, Udaipur: 300₹/$4
• Entrance to Monsoon Palace + shuttle, Udaipur: 425₹/$6
• Entrance to Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur: 600₹/$8

My total cost of activities in India came to $318, which worked out to $14 a day.

The Cost of Food in India

Oh, Indian food — I love you so freaking much. And in India, I  ate .

The good news is that meals in this country can be great value for money. I usually spent between 200₹ and 400₹  per meal, which is around $3-4 , and everything I ate had me declaring it to be one of the best meals of my life. Everything you eat will be wonderful here, whether it’s from a street food stand or a high-end restaurant.

And I didn’t get Delhi belly, either! My trick was to carry hand sanitiser with me and use it on an hourly basis, but especially just before eating. Most of time, people get sick from touching surfaces and then their faces, so by keeping my hands clean, I was able to avoid many of the germs. I also followed a vegetarian diet for 99% of my meals, which definitely helps keep your stomach safer. You won’t even miss eating meat, as the meals are all so delicious.

All but two of the guesthouses I stayed in included breakfast in the cost, so that helped save money, too.

My total cost of food in India came to $170.20, which is a daily average of $7.40

Miscellaneous Expenses in India

A local SIM card:  I don’t know about you, but one of my least favourite aspects of arriving in a new country is having to figure out how to get connected. Specifically: buying a local SIM card so that I have data to use while I’m in the country.

There’s locating a store that will sell you one, language barriers to deal with, various forms of ID you might need to bring, scams to navigate, and… well, it’s a headache.

I mentioned above that my guesthouse owner in New Delhi helped me with my SIM card, because let me tell you: getting it working was a nightmare!!! I simply purchased a tourist SIM from the counter at Delhi Airport, the staff told me it would start working within 24 hours, and it just… never did.

In order to get it working, my guesthouse owner had to make three separate calls to the phone provider over the space of three days; one of which lasted for well over an hour. There’s no way I could have achieved this on my own, and if it hadn’t been for the lovely owner, I’d have needed to give up and buy another SIM card! (Which would have been another nightmare altogether.)

Fun fact: if you don’t buy your SIM card at the airport, getting one involves a solid hour of work. My boyfriend decided to go down this route and the application process involved all of these ridiculous questions, like his dad’s date of birth and his dad’s occupation. What?! Yet again, the guesthouse owner saved the day and went to the local phone store with us to help translate and speed up the process.

So, here’s what I recommend doing instead.

This year, I started using  Airalo , which sells local e-SIM cards for travellers. What that means is that you can buy a virtual SIM card online  before  you arrive in India, and then as soon as you land in the country, can switch on your data and start using it.

It’s worked flawlessly for me and now I’ll never go back to physical SIM cards. Especially not in India! Never, ever. Just make sure your phone is e-SIM compatible (all recent iPhones are, and many Android phones).

You’ll pay  $5 for 1 GB of data  or $13 for 3 GB for India and can also top-up through the Airalo app.

Travel insurance for 23 days in India: $1.50 per day

If you’ve read any other posts on Never Ending Footsteps, you’ll know that I’m a great believer in travelling with travel insurance. I’ve seen far too many Go Fund Me campaigns from destitute backpackers that are unexpectedly stranded in a foreign country after a scooter accident/being attacked/breaking a leg with no way of getting home or paying for their healthcare. These costs can quickly land you with a six-figure bill to pay at the end of it.

In short, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

Travel insurance  will cover you if your flight is cancelled and you need to book a new one, if your luggage gets lost and you need to replace your belongings, if you suddenly get struck down by appendicitis and have to be hospitalised, or discover a family member has died and you need to get home immediately. If you fall seriously ill, your insurance will cover the costs to fly you home to receive medical treatment.

I use  SafetyWing  as my travel insurance provider, and recommend them for trips to India. Firstly, they’re one of the few companies out there who will actually cover you if you contract COVID-19. On top of that, they provide worldwide coverage, don’t require you to have a return ticket, and even allow you to buy coverage after you’ve left home. If you’re on a long-term trip, you can pay monthly instead of up-front, and can cancel at any time. Finally, they’re way cheaper than the competition, and have a clear, easy-to-understand pricing structure, which is always appreciated.

How Much Does it Cost to Travel in India?

It’s time to tally all of my expenses to see my total travel costs!

Accommodation:  $20 per day Transportation:  $13 per day Food:  $7.40 per day Activities/Entrance Fees:  $14 per day Miscellaneous:  $1.50 per day

Average amount spent in India: $56 a day!

I’m pretty happy with the overall cost of my trip, because it was one of the best I’ve ever taken. Yes, I paid more than I could have, but I thoroughly enjoyed travelling on a mid-range budget and avoiding some of the stress that travel in India can bring.

How about you? How expensive were you expecting a trip to India to be?

Related Articles on India 🇮🇳 12 Reasons Why I Absolutely Loved Rajasthan 💗 Three Perfect Days in Delhi: I Love This City So Much 🙅🏼‍♀️ How Not to Spend a Day in Jaipur 🤩 The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Taj Mahal 💛 The Ultimate Guide to India’s Golden Triangle 🐪 Pushkar Travel Guide: 11 Things to Do in Pushkar 🤍 Yes, Udaipur is as Great as Everyone Says 🎶 I Went to a Pink Floyd-Themed Cafe in India

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Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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10 comments.

As usual, a great post to be bookmarked! 1) Were the guest houses significantly cheaper than the hotels, or were they just where you preferred to stay? 2) Did you generally pay in Rupees, and if so, what is the best way to convert your money?

Another stellar post!

PS! I got your book for my birthday and AM LOVING IT!

Glad you had such an amazing time! India was by far the cheapest country I’ve hit on my trip so far, and thats including places like Vietnam! I have to say that you’re totally right about the trains selling out, but you know what doesn’t? The sleeper buses! I ended up taking buses almost the entire 3 months I was in India, and I mostly booked them the night before or even the day of! Try using the ixigo app (which worked with my UK card) or getting your hostel to book through Redbus (my card wouldn’t work unfortunately) The sleeper buses consist of a single bed and double bed per row, so if you’re travelling alone make sure you don’t accidentally book a double and end up with a stranger! The beds are tall enough to lay flat (if you’re under about 5ft 10) and generally have plastic doors you can slide across making you (and your carry-on) feel nice and secure! Although always take the duration estimates with a pinch of salt, if a journey says it’ll be 13hrs, best assume it’ll be 16! Just incase anyone wants to know haha

First class post Lauran.

Thank you so much, Jules!

India’s one of those countries I desperately want to go to but keep putting off because I think to really enjoy it I need to go for a long time as I’d need time to get used the culture and adapt before I’d be able to really enjoy it. I’m so used to budget travel it hadn’t occurred to me that as mid-range is so affordable this could be the perfect way to do it in a shorter amount of time.

Yes! I was definitely the same as you. I felt as though I’d need to go for six months in order to get a true insight into India. But you can definitely still get a good taster from a week or two in the country! And when the mid-range travel makes the experiences a little less stressful, it’s worth a small splurge that isn’t really that much of a splurge because everything is great value for money :-)

Love reading these. We are a couple (55 and 60 ) four grown up kids and first grandson is now three. Been planning our RTW trip for so many years now. Always something stopping us ( looking after elderly parents ) a dog etc. Finally able to go for it and Covid! Just shows we should never put it off but we are so hoping to finally get cracking in 2021! Planning first stop one month in India . At least six months in total then back to the UK and plan doing it all again the year after ( but via Africa / Dubai ) the next time. Easing lockdown reading your blog. Thank you and Hapoy New Year !

Great look at a great country! Glad to hear India is just as cheap as when I last visited but nobody does luxury like India, hey?!

India was an extraordinary experience for us. We spent almost three months there kind of in the middle of a nine month trip around the world with our kids back in 07-08. I think our average daily cost for everything was less than $60 CAD per day. Best accidental experience was getting on the wrong train out of Mumbai and ending up in Chittorgarh. What an incredible place, especially when the sun is just coming up and the sky is crazy blue. I like to say that I’m glad we did it when we were younger (well, youngish) because I’m not sure I’d have the energy to do it now, at least not how we did it back then. Maybe not having a ten and twelve year old with us this time around would help in that regard. But it was a great joy to be able to see India through their eyes as well. All in all, it was a wonderful experience with so much to see and do, and the food was amazing. A pleasure to explore.

Hi Lauren, High Five to you for enjoying life to its fullest. I loved Jaipur and would love to go back to explore the Rajasthan. It is my dream to explore India for a year. Did you buy the entrance tickets, commute tickets, and hotel booking in advance? Thank you.

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Meet Lauren Juliff

India on a budget: 14 ways to get the best experience for less

Dec 20, 2023 • 11 min read

From buying street food to traveling around on the cheap, these top tips can help your money go further in India © Bhupi / Getty Images

India is heaven for budget travelers. Few places on earth offer quite so many rewarding travel experiences for such a pocket friendly price, particularly if you travel in cheaper classes on buses and trains and stay in budget hotels or hostels.

When planning a budget trip to India , remember that cost and comfort are closely linked. Traveling in unreserved train carriages can be extremely cheap, but seats are hard benches, there’s no air-conditioning and carriages can be overcrowded. It’s better to think of things in terms of value – paying more to travel in an air-con or sleeper-class train carriage will bring much more comfort, at a price that is probably still less than you’d pay for a similar service elsewhere. 

One of the best things about travel in India is how much control you have over your budget. If funds are tight, you can save on accommodation by skipping air-conditioning, an en-suite bathroom or a view. If cities are burning through your budget, just head to the countryside for more manageable prices. Plenty of travelers scrimp and save on some stages of their trip to allow for splurges such as lavish banquet meals and stays in the former palaces of maharajas.  

However you like to travel, here are our top tips for getting the best out of India on a budget.

Travel at the cheapest time of year

When planning a trip to India, always consider the places you want to visit and what the weather will be like when you get here. The cooler, dry winter from November to March is the most expensive and popular time to visit , coinciding with the best weather for sightseeing. The rainy monsoon season from June to September sees smaller crowds and lower prices through most of the country, except in places like  Ladakh , where the peak season coincides with the months when snow recedes from the mountain passes.   

April is often the cheapest time to find flights, but the temperature can soar above 32°C (90°F) in popular destinations such as Rajasthan , Tamil Nadu , Kerala  and Goa , making travel uncomfortable. Note that many beach resorts close during the rainy season, while some mountain areas are impassable in winter, as snow blocks roads through the mountains. 

Plan around festivals 

Always keep an eye on the festival calendar . Major festivals – like Durga Puja in Bengal – can see vast movements of people, sending prices for accommodation and transport rocketing skywards. The Indian government has a calendar of the year's gazetted government holidays , but local religious festivals can also draw huge crowds. If you are specifically traveling to see a festival, book well ahead to secure transport and accommodation for a reasonable price.

Travel overnight to save on accommodation

One of the smartest ways to save money is to travel by overnight sleeper train, saving the cost of a hotel without eating into your precious sightseeing time. First class is comfortable but expensive, and you’ll be cocooned away from other travelers; traveling in air-con two-tier or three-tier carriages, or fan-cooled sleeper carriages is much cheaper.

On premium trains such as the Duronto, Shatabdi and Rajdhani services, the cost of dinner and breakfast is included in the price of a ticket. On other services, you can buy inexpensive packed meals and snacks from vendors on board or on station platforms. 

Traveling by night bus will also save you the cost of a hotel room, but many services have loud music or DVD movie screenings, and some drivers take advantage of the quieter roads to drive dangerously fast.

Book ahead for trains at busy times

It might sound obvious, but the further in advance you make reservations the less you’ll pay for your train ticket. Reservations for Indian Railways open 120 days before departure, and seats in desirable classes can fill up fast, pushing late-bookers into more expensive (or unreserved and less comfortable) seats. The easiest way to reserve seats is via online booking sites such as 12GoAsia ; if you’re already in India, book in person at the station. 

Consider the type of train you travel on too. Seats on newer Duronto and Vande Bharat trains cost more than the equivalent seat on other trains as these services are faster and stop at fewer stations. Express and Mail trains are slower and stop frequently, with fewer on-board services, but much lower fares. For a full guide to India’s train classes and types, check in with the Man in Seat 61 .

Go off the beaten track

If you travel to any of India’s megacities – particularly Mumbai – you’ll pay premium prices for rooms, food and drinks. It’s worth considering alternative, less-visited hubs, where similar travel experiences can be had for lower prices. Hyderabad , for example, is home to some of the country’s best biryani restaurants, bazaars, museums and Islamic architecture, but the cost of living is significantly lower than in Mumbai or Delhi (unless you stay in the city’s lavish Falaknuma Palace hotel ).   

Instead of visiting the crowded temples at Ellora and Ajanta in Maharashtra , consider exploring the monuments at Hampi , Badami and Aihole in Karnataka, which see fewer tourists on package tours and offer cheaper accommodation nearby. Instead of battling for a quiet spot on Goa’s packed beaches, think about visiting Tamil Nadu’s Puducherry with its promenades, surfing and beach yoga.

Check into one of India’s appealing hostels

Budget accommodations are easy to find in India. Plenty of budget hotels and guesthouses can be booked via websites such as MakeMyTrip and Agoda , but big cities can still be pricey and staying in the cheapest hotels can sometimes mean compromising on comfort, hygiene and, on some occasions, security. For a happy balance between low prices and comfortable facilities, seek out India’s new wave of hostels, where bargain beds come with bonus opportunities to plug into the traveler grapevine. 

Offering comfy mixed dorms, female-only dorms and private rooms, the Zostel hostel group has opened properties across the country, from Jaipur and Delhi to Aurangabad and Alleppey, with a bed costing from as little as Rs 600 a night with a shared bathroom, free wi-fi and breakfast included. The Hosteller is another expanding chain, with hostels from Agra to Udaipur.

Ask for a discount

Many hotels in India offer seasonal prices, with significant discounts available at quieter times of year. If you’re traveling in the off-season, it’s always worth asking at reception to see if there’s a discount on offer, whether this means a bargain price or a tempting saving on a superior class of room. This also applies at five-star properties – most offer dynamic pricing on room rates through their websites. You may get an even bigger saving by asking on the day at the reception; try early in the evening, when staff may accept a lower price to fill remaining empty rooms. 

Haggle (just don’t overdo it)

Part of the fun of trawling India’s mesmerizing markets and bazaars is negotiating with vendors to score a good price. Haggling is a normal part of life for locals as well as foreigners, but remember that it’s not a battle. The first price quoted may be too high, so counter with a lower offer and see how the vendor responds – with some give and take, you should reach a price you can both agree on. 

Haggling should never be a confrontational process. If the seller’s final price is still too high, politely decline and try another vendor. There’s little point haggling over small amounts of money; you might pay slightly more than the going rate, but vendors are often poorly paid, and that extra Rs 20 could make a big difference to someone with a family to feed.

Agree a fare before you set off

If you can’t find a prepaid taxi stand, you’ll need to agree on a fare with the driver. While most taxis and autorickshaws have meters, drivers are sometimes reluctant to use them, so negotiate a fare or clarify that you'll pay "by the meter" before the journey starts. For cycle rickshaws, you’ll always have to agree on a fare, but remember that rickshaw-walas are poorly paid for a physically demanding job – paying a few rupees more than the going rate likely won’t make a big difference to your budget, but it will give a driver something extra to take home.

Purify your own water 

While bottles of water may seem cheap, your water bill will soon mount up if you reach for a fresh bottle every time you feel thirsty (you’ll also create a LOT of unnecessary plastic waste). India’s tap water is not safe to drink, but most hotels will let you fill your water bottle from their purified water supply for free. Alternatively,  you can purify water as you go using a travel water filter or chlorine purification tablets. If you go trekking, purifying water as you go will save both weight and waste, helping to keep the mountains free from plastic rubbish.

Share a car and driver for maximum freedom

Hiring a car or 4WD with a driver for the day (or for multiple days) can be a great way to get off the beaten path in India and see the places in between the famous stops. Split between several people, it can also work out cheaper than joining an organized tour. Ask other travelers at budget hotels, hostels and popular cafes and restaurants to see if anyone wants to join you on a trip, then discuss an itinerary. Drivers and vehicles can be found at taxi and 4WD stands in many towns; many drivers’ collectives display printed lists of prices for local excursions.   

Feast on street food

Food varies wildly from one state to another in India and the best way to get a feel for the local specialties is to eat on the streets. It’s also a great way to keep a lid on costs. Seek out street food vendors in bazaars, office districts and around transport hubs, and you'll find budget friendly options like freshly stuffed pani puri (filled crispy dough balls) and deep-fried pakoras (vegetable fritters). 

Vendors with long lines of eager diners can usually be relied upon for hygiene and quality. If you feel nervous about eating street food, seek out vegetarian dishes, as there’s less chance of picking up a bug. Treats cooked at high heat and made on demand, such as vada pav (batter-fried potato balls served in a bun) and dosas (rice and lentil pancakes), are usually a safe option. Don’t be afraid to ask around for street food recommendations; locals are more than happy to point visitors towards their favorite roaming food carts and hole-in-the-wall vendors.

Reduce your costs when using local transport 

The same advice applies to local transport. When traveling from the airport into the city, ask if anyone wants to share a ride at the baggage carousel. To save money while exploring downtown, rideshares are increasingly popular in major cities, and you’ll have the added bonus of knowing that you’re paying the going rate, rather than an elevated "tourist price." Rideshares can be summoned via the Uber, Ola, Lyft and Bla Bla Car apps.  

Another good way to save is to use dedicated prepaid stands for taxis and autorickshaws at airports and train and bus stations. There’ll normally be a desk or booth where you can book a ride for a fixed rate – staff will give you a receipt with the registration number of your vehicle, which you then hand over to the driver.

Save money on calls and browsing

Few countries have favorable roaming deals with India, so the cost of using your home phone for texts, calls and getting online can soon mount up. Stay in touch for less by buying a local prepaid SIM card from a local mobile phone company such as Jio , Airtel or Vi . Most companies offer data packages, so you browse on the move as well as make calls. Make sure your phone isn’t locked to your home network, or pick up an inexpensive phone locally. 

If you’re flying into a major city such as Delhi or Mumbai , you can buy a SIM card at the airport. Alternatively, buy a local SIM from a phone shop – you’ll need a couple of passport photographs, a local address and the contact details of someone who can vouch for you (which the phone office may be able to provide). It’s a slow and sometimes bureaucratic process, and you may need to wait up to 24 hours for your SIM to be activated. However, it does make transport and online bookings (including train tickets) considerably easier.  

Daily costs

• Hostel room: from ₹400
• Room in a budget hotel: ₹500 to ₹1500
• Short autorickshaw ride: from ₹100
• Half-day bus ride: around ₹500
• Cost of a vegetarian thali meal: from ₹100
• Dinner in an upmarket restaurant: from ₹1500
• Bottle of beer: around ₹150
• Average daily cost: ₹3000 to ₹30,000

This article was first published March 2022 and updated December 2023

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India travel budget: complete cost of backpacking india.

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Planning a trip to India? In this guide, I’ll share the cost of travelling India and my tips for backpacking India on a budget. Since I’ve now visited India twice and spent 3 months there in total, I’m qualified to share my India travel budget so you can plan yours, too!

INDIA BUDGET TRAVEL ESSENTIALS India Lonely Planet Accommodation: Booking.com / Hostelworld Activities: GetYourGuide Getting around: flight ( Skyscanner ) / bus / train ( 12Go ) Travel insurance:   True Traveller  (European travellers) /   Hey Mundo  (other nationalities) /   Safety Wing  (digital nomads) Must-read: My budget travel archives

There’s so much I love about India . From delicious food to friendly locals and diverse destinations, there’s so much to see and do. With snowy Himalayas, balmy beaches and busy megacities, there are fantastic places in India to travel solo as well as ideal locations for couples and families. But how much does a trip to India cost? While overseas tourists may indeed find India affordable, it depends on your travel style. Many foreign travellers and Indian locals travel the country in style so there are plenty of opportunities to splash out if your India trip budget allows. Like anywhere, upmarket accommodation and activities can cause your travel budget for India to swell!

Cost of travelling India on a budget

Having spent a month in India in 2015, I already knew how cheap it can be. However, that first trip was a while ago so I couldn’t remember exactly what I’d spent or the cost breakdowns. During my recent trip, I noted down my spending to put together this budget India travel guide. If you’ve been to other Asian countries like Vietnam or Thailand, you’ll find it easy to travel India on a budget. In my experience, India is slightly cheaper than these Southeast Asian countries. It’s also much cheaper than the East Asian countries. India travel is a fraction of the cost of travel in Korea or Japan, for example.

My total travel budget for India

Drumroll, here’s my grand total:

Note – all prices in this blog will be in USD ($) or Indian rupees (Rs.)

$1,500 in 2 months! That’s $769 per month or $25 per day. This total doesn’t include flights or visas but it’s still pretty affordable, right? Although my budget travels in Taiwan can almost compete as I spent a similar amount, I did more activities in India so it was better value overall. Even if you’re on a low budget, you can still do and see some amazing things in India. And eat like a king/queen, of course!

Things that make backpacking India cheap

Food and drink – if you eat at local restaurants, you can keep your India travel budget incredibly low. It’s easy to eat fantastic Indian food for as little as 50 rupees (50c) a meal.

Transport – there’s fantastic public transport in India from local buses to the vast train network. The best thing about the Indian railway system is its different tiers. You can travel in AC First Class to put your feet up with air-con and lots of room to yourself, or you can travel in Sleeper Class or Unreserved Seating and pay $20 to go half the way across the country! Whatever your India budget, the trains will accommodate it. Use 12go to book tickets . Hotels and guesthouses – the accommodation in India is some of the cheapest I’ve stayed in. You can set your travel budget for India as low as $200 a month and you’ll still find comfortable accommodation. If you’re travelling as a pair and splitting rooms, it’s even cheaper. Even if you’re a solo traveller in India , you can get great deals on private rooms, plus there are countless colourful and friendly hostels all over India.

Not sure what to pack and wear? Check out my India female packing list

Things that aren’t cheap about backpacking India

Not much! Sure there are a few scams in areas where locals need money (like anyone in the world) but it’s rare and won’t eat into your India travel budget. Just remember to haggle when shopping or you may pay inflated prices on goods! Prices for foreigners – let’s be honest, often when we travel we’re getting charged an informal foreigner tax. In India, it’s a bit more official: attractions often display one price for foreigners and another for locals (often it’s several times the price). I don’t have a problem with this – I believe locals should be able to experience their cultural heritage. We, on the other hand, shouldn’t be budget travelling in India if we can’t afford to support the country we’re seeing!

India travel budget – food and drink

The cost of travel in India is remarkably low when you eat like the locals do. Saying that, there are all types of restaurants in India from fine dining, Western chains in the bigger cities and, if you make a wrong move, some tourist trap restaurants where you won’t get the best food or prices. Average food and drink prices in India:

• Chicken biryani – 80 Rs.
• Cup of masala chai – 10 Rs.
• Thali meal (platter of small dishes) – 100 Rs.
• Pav bhaji (curry, bread and dips) at a street stall – 50 Rs.
• Kulcha (naan stuffed with potato and spices) and chai – 75 Rs.
• Lassi (cold yoghurt drink) – 30 Rs.
• Takeaway pizza like Dominoes – 280 Rs. (don’t judge – try the paneer makhani pizza!)
• Brunch and coffee in a modern cafe – 350 Rs.
• Curry and soft drink at touristy restaurant – 350 Rs.

To eat Indian street food without getting sick , look out for busy places with locals eating and a fast turnover of food. I mostly eat vegetarian food while travelling in India as it seems safer, although I became obsessed with chicken biriyani while visiting Pondicherry and never had any problems.

Cost of India visa

This depends where you’re from and whether you can get an e-visa. As a Brit, I paid $85 for my 6 month India visa onine but as of 2022, e-visa is currently closed for UK citizens. Be sure to do your research in advance. It’s pricey as visas go but a necessity if you want to backpack India.

Cost of travelling India – accommodation

Accommodation will be your biggest expense during budget travel in India. If you’re backpacking India as a pair, you can save money by splitting double or twin rooms. But even as a solo traveller, the price of private rooms is affordable. I generally stayed in hostels as it’s the most social way to meet people while travelling solo .

Hostels (shared dorm) – $3-7 per night. You don’t have to slum it to stay in hostels in India: they may not be luxurious, but they’re always colourful, friendly places with all your amenities. Private room in a hostel – $10-20 per night. These are similar in price to a budget hotel room so it depends whether you’d rather privacy or a social atmosphere. If I want alone time, I still pick a private hostel room as I know there will be a community around if I do want to socialise later. Budget hotel room – $12-20 per night. These will usually be fairly basic but have everything you need.

Mid-range hotel in India: $20+ per night. Although incredibly expensive hotels in India exist, it’s a great place to splash out if you have some money left over at the end of your trip. You can stay in a 5-star hotel from $80 per night! India budget travel tip – look out for guesthouses and homestays. Not only will they reduce the cost of travelling in India but they’re friendly places to meet locals and learn about Indian culture.

Best hostels for backpacking India

Rishikesh – I spent almost a month at Shiv Shakti Hostel and the staff were so friendly, often taking us on day trips and offering fantastic local advice. Book from $3 . New Delhi – Moustache Delhi from $5 (the Moustache chain is always a fun and colourful base!) // J House / Joey’s Hostel . Jaipur – Moustache Jaipur from $3 including rooftop pool access. Pushkar –   Madpackers from $3  with rooftop cafe and yoga classes. For an upgrade, stay at  Inn Seventh Heaven from $15.   Udaipur –   Zostel from $5 with rooftop cafe and beautiful views over the lake. Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala – Ram Yoga Hous e from $12 – I can’t recommend this lovely budget hotel enough! The private bedrooms have balconies looking out over the Himalayas. Mumbai – Namastey Mumbai Backpackers

Cost of India travel – flights

There are plenty of budget airlines flying around India, as well as in and out. Overall, international flights to and from India are fairly affordable. Prices of one-way flights (not including luggage): London to India – From $350 (£250). The cheapest flights are into New Delhi, Marmagao, Bengaluru, Kochi and Mumbai. Bangkok to India (where I flew from) – from $70. The cheapest flights are into Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Amristar. New York to India – from $550 (cheapest flights are into Delhi and Mumbai) Australia to India – from $500 (cheapest flights are into Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai).

Cost of getting from Indian airports to city centres

It depends which city you’re arriving into but here are some averages to help you plan your India budget trip: Delhi airport to city centre : 400-500 Rs. by standard taxi which takes 30 minutes. From 250 Rs. by Uber or Ola. You can also get the bus to travel from New Delhi airport to the city centre for a couple of rupees. Mumbai airport to city centre : 500-700 Rs. by standard taxi. Be warned, Mumbai traffic is notoriously crazy so the ride can take 1-2 hours. India budget travel tip – always check Uber and Ola apps when taking a budget trip in India. They’re almost always cheaper than pre-paid airport cabs.

Cost of India travel – flying internally

While I usually avoid internal flights for environmental reasons, it’s tempting in India when you consider the vast size of the country and the affordability of internal flights. Prices of one-way flights (not including luggage): Delhi to Mumbai – from $40. Delhi to Varanasi – from $30. From Delhi to Hyderabad – from $50 Delhi to Bengaluru – from $50 Delhi to Kolkata – from $60. Budget India travel tip – check local websites such as Indigo . I usually use Skyscanner and find you can’t beat the prices but I did have good luck finding bargains on Indigo.

India budget travel – cost of India trains

Although the railway network can seem daunting during your first trip to India, it’s the most cost-effective way to get about. If you want to travel India on a budget, it’s best to use 12go.asia . The old process was complicated: you had to register with IRCTC (the Indian Railways website), scan your passport and receive verification by SMS (on an Indian mobile number) or email which took forever. There were also complications when paying with a foreign bank card. Now, you can use 12go.asia to search trains and buses in India and book them with ease. Woohoo! Search journeys with 12go.asia here .

Average train prices in India

Delhi to Mumbai: AC First Class Sleeper, $60; AC 2-Tier Sleeper, $40; AC 3-Tier Sleeper, $30 Delhi to Agra: AC First Class Sleeper, $20; AC 2-Tier Sleeper, $15; AC 3-Tier Sleeper, $10 Delhi to Jaipur: AC First Class Sleeper, $30; AC 2-Tier Sleeper, $25; AC 3-Tier Sleeper, $20

Different types of train class

Understanding and booking cheap train tickets will reduce the cost of travelling in India. These are the main Indian railway seating classes : AC First Class Sleeper – the most expensive class of sleeping cabins. The cabins are spacious with lockable doors. AC 2-Tier Sleeper – the second most expensive sleeper class. The doors don’t usually lock from the inside. AC 3-Tier Sleeper – more open-plan sleeping facilities with more of a cramped feel and less privacy. Sleeper Class (SL) – the cheapest sleeper class. Not recommended unless you are really travelling India on a budget! AC Chair Car – for short, daytime journeys, this is the best class of seating. You sit up in rows rather than having a bed. Second Seating AC (2S) – this less comfortable version of AC Chair Car is a happy medium for budget India travel. Unreserved General Class (UR) – the cheapest ticket of all. You can’t book in advance and will end up standing. Very local and busy.

India travel budget – buses

While the Indian railway is the most popular way to travel in certain regions, there are also places in India – such as hilly Himachal Pradesh – where there are no trains whatsoever. Luckily, it’s not a problem while budget travelling in India because there’s also a decent bus network. The best way for tourists to travel India on a budget is to book in advance on Red Bus . Booking a bus ticket is simpler than booking a train ticket. Day journeys will have regular seats whereas overnight journeys will often have beds instead.

Average bus prices in India:

Amritsar to Dharamsala (4 hours) : 600 Rs.

Delhi to Jaipur (6 hours): 750 Rs.

Delhi to Rishikesh (6 hours) : 600 Rs.

How to get around cities in India on a budget

India is a cheap place to explore when you’re settled in a city for a few days. Here’s how to get about cheaply: Taxis – it’s been said that the taxis in India are the second-cheapest in the world, averaging €1.29 per 5km. You can use TaxiCalculator to predict journey prices ahead of time – this may also help when it comes to haggling! Apps Uber and Ola have the cheapest fares and you won’t get charged a ‘tourist price’. Rickshaws – these can be an affordable way of getting around cities. Sometimes when I was out without mobile data and couldn’t call a cab, I hopped in a rickshaw. I can’t promise my haggling was up to scratch but I usually paid 300 Rs. for a 30-minute ride.

Scooter hire – hiring a motorbike isn’t as popular in India as in Southeast Asia but there are a few places where it’s an option. In Rishikesh, a group of us explored the countryside by bike and, in Tamil Nadu, many travellers hired a bike to visit Auroville from Pondicherry . Expect to pay around 300 Rs per day for scooter hire. Remember to wear a helmet, firstly for safety but secondly, because the police may use it as an excuse to fine you otherwise. Intercity buses – for budget travel in India, don’t overlook local buses. These will be busier and more cramped than the tourist buses mentioned earlier. Instead of booking a seat or bed, you’ll leap on and rub shoulders with the other passengers. While the cost of travel in India by local bus varies, I recently paid 9 Rs (12c) for a 30-minute journey.

Cost of day tours

In cities like Jaipur where there are lots of palaces and must-see attractions, sometimes it’s more cost-effective to see them during a tour. Factor the following into your India travel budget: Taxi/rickshaw day tours – In Jaipur, I paid 500 Rs. for a full-day rickshaw tour with a driver. I believe the same tour by aircon taxi would cost 1,000-1,500 Rs. and can be split between however many people are in the car. Note – when you take a private day tour, there are often hidden costs. As well as drivers expecting large tips, they may expect you to buy them lunch or even clothes, plus they’ll often stop at their friend’s shops and pressure you to buy. If you’re not interested, just be firm and say no. For tours that feel more official, GetYourGuide have my seal of approval. Their India tours start from $10 and you can check reviews from past guests .

Budget India travel – entry fees

While not excessively expensive, entry fees can add up in India, especially when you consider you’ll largely be paying foreigner prices rather than local ones.

Here are a few things I paid for to give you an idea of India prices:

Hiring tour guides – this is a good option when visiting historical sites as you learn about the history of the place and also fund jobs for locals. At Jaipur’s Amber Fort, the official price was 300 Rs. but a local guy charged me 100 Rs. as he was a trainee. Jaipur City Palace entry fee – 800 Rs (expensive!) Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur entry fee – 200 Rs. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur entry fee – 200 Rs. and another 100 Rs. for an audio guide. Beatles Ashram, Rishikesh entry fee – 600 Rs. (150 Rs. for locals).

Related: skip-the-line ticket inc entry to Jaipur’s top 8 attractions ($8)

India budget – shopping

India is a fantastic place to shop. Not only are goods affordable, but you’ll support local livelihoods and take home some beautiful garments and items. Indian fabrics, clothing, bags and jewellery are so colourful and eye-catching. It’s shame I wasn’t planning a trip home anytime soon because I couldn’t buy much without carrying it around in my backpack for the next year. Here are some average costs in India for shopping:

Colourful silk headband – 50 Rs.

Women’s top – 150 Rs. Embroidered bag – 200 Rs Embroidered leather water bottle holder – 300 Rs.

India backpacking – tours and activities

Perhaps because it has a reputation for being less safe than places like Europe and Southeast Asia, I found while backpacking in India that most hostels ran group tours and activities where guests buddy up and do things together. From shared dinners to chai-making workshops and walking tours, there was always something fun going on. I loved taking these types of tours while backpacking in India because it was fun to learn from the locals and see India through their eyes. Here are a few India travel costs for tours and activities: Food tour with 13 street snacks (organised by my hostel) – 500 Rs. Half-day sunrise temple and trekking tour inc breakfast – 800 Rs. Browse GetYourGuide India tours in major cities (they run food tours, sightseeing day trips and multi-day trips).

Tiger safaris in India

One of my highlights of backpacking India was seeing wild tigers in Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park . If this sounds up your street, this is what I spent on the experience:

• Tiger safaris by shared tour – a 6 seater costs 1,714 Rs. per safari; a 22 seater costs 1,375 Rs.
• Train from Pushkar to Sawai Madhopur station – $11
• Train to Jaipur from Sawai Madhopur station – $4
• Overall, I spent $100 on 2 safaris and 2 nights in a hotel inc. 3 meals a day (there were no restaurants nearby). This may seem a lot for a low budget India trip but it was so worth it to see tigers!

Price of yoga in India

Practising yoga is really popular but, for budget travellers in India, you may have to stretch the purse strings slightly since it’s often priced with tourists in mind. Saying that, India is one of the cheapest places in the world to take a yoga teacher training course which can be a great investment for the future. Check out my Rishikesh travel guide for details on yoga, meditation and ashram stays there.

Add these costs to your travel budget for India:

10 session yoga class pack – 2,000 Rs. 1-hour sound healing session – 700 Rs. 200-hour yoga teacher training course – $1,300 12-day sound healing teacher training course  – $1,500.

Cost of attending Holi festival in India

Attending Holi festival as a foreigner costs… drum roll, please… Nothing! I felt perfectly safe as a female traveller at Holi Festival and didn’t spend a single rupee all morning. The meaning behind the festival is tied to welcoming in the new year and washing away the old one. As well as having a wholesome meaning, it’s a hospitable festival with plenty of free food being handed around. The only thing to know when travelling India on a budget is that your clothes will be ruined! The colourful Holi paint never washes out so you should wear your worst clothes OR buy cheap ones for the festival. I picked up some cheap white and yellow clothes so the paint would show up, but donated them to charity afterwards.

India budget – data and SIM cards

It was harder than I expected to get a local SIM card while backpacking in India. I assumed I’d be able to buy one in any shop like I usually do in Southeast Asia. However, as my hostel owner in Amritsar told me, you need an Indian address and contact number to register for an Indian SIM. Luckily, he sorted one out for me but another option is to get an Indian SIM at Delhi and Mumbai airports. Also at local markets, you’ll be able to find something less official if you keep your eyes peeled. Commonly, once you have a SIM and can top it up, you’ll pay around 400 Rs. for a monthly package that allows you 1GB of data per day. Not a huge addition to your India trip budget!

Cheapest places for backpacking India

The most expensive places to travel in India are those where the attractions are spread around in the countryside and you’re relying on hackling over rickshaws or organising taxi day tours. The best way to reduce the cost of travelling in India is to a) visit big cities with Uber or Ola and b) visit smaller Indian cities and towns where you can explore on foot.

Best places for an India budget trip

Delhi – there’s a world to do in Delhi and an affordable Metro. Tickets range from 20-50 Rs. per journey. There are plenty of free things to do in Delhi including meditating at the famous Lotus Temple, visiting India Gate and exploring Hauz Khas complex. Pushkar – is small enough to explore all the main things to do in Pushkar on foot and you can even climb to Savitri Mata Temple for fantastic views at the top of the hill. There’s delicious food in Pushkar including endless cheap street food and some of the best falafel you’ll ever eat!

Dharamsala/Mcleod Ganj – up in the mountains, there are lots of cheap things to do like hiking and meditation, plus everywhere is walkable. It’s not a place with big must-sees and entrance fees which helped keep my travel budget for India low. Check out my Dhramasala travel guide for everything to see and do.

Udaipur – I spent a few idyllic days exploring Udaipur also known as the City of Palaces. Even if you sit on the hostel rooftop and sip chai watching the world go by, it will be a wonderful trip! There are plenty of budget hostels and hotels in Udaipur like Zostel . Goa – beaches and cheap drinks make Goa a fantastic budget destination in India! Amristar – in the state of Punjab, this was one of my favourite India backpacking destinations. One of the best things to do in Amristar is visit Sikh pilgrimage site, The Golden Temple. Not only is entry free but they also serve a free meal to 100,000 daily visitors as caring for the community is an important part of Sikhism. My best budget tip for Amristar is to organise a group tour when visiting the Wagah Border for the famous daily dance show.

India backpacking itinerary

While it’s way too difficult to put together a quick India itinerary because the country is so enormous, here are a couple of route suggestions for budget backpacking in India based on my past travels.

2 week Rajasthan backpacking itinerary

Day 1 – Fly into New Delhi and spend 2 days in the city. Day 3 – Catch a train to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. I’d suggest 1-2 days in Agra. Day 5 – Spend 3 days in Jaipur exploring spectacular palaces. Day 8 – Spend two days in Udaipur. Explore the palaces and take a boat ride across the lake. Day 10 – Move onto Jodhpur, known as the Blue City, and take a flying fox zipwire across the valley from the fort. Day 12 – catch an overnight train to Jaisalmer where you can explore the desert and camp under the stars. All these places can be accessed by train which will keep your budget low especially if you travel in the lower train classes.

Read next: detailed Rajasthan itinerary

10 day northwest India backpacking itinerary

Day 1 – Fly into Amritsar and visit the Golden Temple and Wagah Border show. Day 3 – catch a bus up to Dharmshala and base in the town of Mcleod Ganj. Here you can visit the Tibet Museum, meditate and do some hiking. Day 6 – catch a night bus to Rishikesh where you can spend several days exploring the countryside, visiting the Beatles Ashram, practising yoga and enjoying the vibe in the many Rishikesh cafes . All these places can be accessed by bus. There are so many other India backpacking itineraries including from Mumbai to Hampi and down to Goa, and from Chennai to Pondicherry, as well as backpacking around Kerala and the southwest. You could spend a lifetime and not see it all!

Cost of India travel – tips and charges

Should you tip in India? Yes! It’s a great way to support local livelihoods. Around 5-15% is an appropriate amount to tip in India . You can leave this in restaurants or give it to tour guides. You’ll rarely be expected to tip taxi drivers unless it’s an organised taxi tour when they often expect another 25% or so on top of the price of the tour. A final thing to note while backpacking India is that tips are occasionally expected when someone’s helped you out. Whether that’s showing you the way or giving you an offering at a temple, sometimes what seems like a favour or friendliness turns into the demand for a tip. Although you don’t have to, I would usually give 20 or so rupees.

Thanks for reading my India backpacking guide!

Check out my other country budget guides:

• Taiwan budget travel guide
• South Korea budget guide
• Cuba travel on a budget
• Backpacking the UK on a budget

I hope you have a wonderful time in India and this blog has helped you plan your India trip budget. It’s such a fantastic country where your money goes far!

For more travel content, follow me on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .

See you next time,

Ps. Want to remember these India travel costs? Pin this for later!

VISITING INDIA?  These are my trusted resources: Getting around by air – it’s easy to get between cities by flight. I use Skyscanner and search by whole month to find the best value dates. Buses – buses are comfy and efficient. Use 12Go to book . Trains – these are a good option for long journeys because you have a bed rather than a seat. Use 12Go to book . For hotels , I use Booking.com – they also have self-catering apartments. You can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld . Browse tours and activities on GetYourGuide . I also check Viator and Klook in case they have a better price. For food experiences with passionate local chefs and foodies, check out EatWith . Pack the latest copy of India Lonely Planet . Need travel insurance ? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote . For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing . Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and tips!

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

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The Cost of Travel in India: How Much Does it Cost in 2024?

India is known to be one of the cheapest countries in Asia , and it’s true that this is a very affordable destination. However, the cost of travel in India largely depends on your travel style and the places you visit.

I travelled through India for a little over 10 months from 2022 to 2024 and am heading back regularly, so I have a pretty good understanding of the cost of travelling here.

In this post, I’ve broken down the average daily cost as well as the separate costs (accommodation, food, transport, etc.) for the following travel budgets:

Backpacking budget

• Mid-range budget
• Luxury budget

I hope this will give you a better understanding of how much it costs to travel in India.

So, let’s dive right into it!

The Cost of Travel in India: Average Daily Travel Budget

You will find the average daily budget according to your travel style and budget below. This includes accommodation, transportation and food.

Keep in mind that besides this, you will also need to spend money on a flight to India, your visa, travel insurance and personal expenses like Indian souvenirs , for example.

You will find the price of accommodation, food, transportation, entry tickets, activities, tours and souvenirs later in this post.

India is the perfect destination for backpackers, and it’s possible to travel here with a budget of 20 USD to 40 USD per day .

To make this work, you will have to stay in dorms in hostels or in private rooms in budget hotels and get around using public transportation (mainly buses and trains). When it comes to food, local restaurants and street food are inexpensive in India, so this is the place to go.

Mid-range travel budget

If you would like more comfort but are still on a budget, then you can travel around India spending 40 USD to 80 USD per day .

This will allow you to stay in nice hotels or homestays and eat in cosy restaurants. With this budget, you can even book a domestic flight if you have to cover a long distance and hire a private car every once in a while. When it comes to trains and buses, you can opt for more comfortable seats too.

Luxury travel budget

If you would like to splurge a little and are up for a luxury trip in India, the budget starts at 80 USD per day . You can go as high as 500 USD per day or more, though.

With this budget, you can hire a private driver and eat in fancy restaurants. The best part, however, is the accommodation. India is home to many luxury hotels and resorts, and you will find plenty of palaces that have been transformed into hotels too. Have a look at this beautiful palace hotel in Jaipur , for example.

>> Read: 17 Things You Should NOT Do in India

Cost of Accommodation in India

When it comes to accommodation in India, the price depends on the place and season. For example, big cities like Bombay and Delhi tend to be more expensive. Accommodation will also cost a bit more if you travel during the high season (from late November to March).

Backpacking budget: Hostels & budget hotels

You can find very cheap accommodation in India, with prices starting as low as 2 USD per night . However, many of these budget stays are also extremely dirty . In fact, according to Business Insider, 4 of the 10 dirtiest hotels in Asia are in India, and it doesn’t surprise me.

So, keep reading if you want to know how much clean budget accommodation costs.

You will find clean dorms starting at 7 USD per night or a little more, it all depends on the destination. If you want an affordable private room with a bathroom, you can expect to pay anything between 11 USD and 20 USD per night .

I mostly stayed in private rooms of 11 USD to 16 USD per night. Some of them were dirty, unfortunately, while others were great. My favourite hotels for this price range are the following:

• Jaipur: Anuraag Villa
• Jodhpur: Kesar Heritage Boutique Homestay
• Jaisalmer: Hotel Murad Haveli
• Thanjavur: Hotel Victoriyah
• Udaipur: Little Peepal Guesthouse

Tip: If you’re booking online, make sure to check the worse reviews . There are many budget hotels with fake reviews in India, which makes it seem like it’s a nice place to stay while in reality, it’s horrible. I’ve written about my personal experiences with hotels like these in my posts about safety in Delhi and scams in Delhi .

Mid-range hotels

If you can spend a bit more, you will easily find beautiful and clean hotel rooms in India. The price for mid-range hotels varies from 20 USD to 40 USD per night . For this price, you can even find hotels with a nice garden or pool where you can relax.

You can find some of the best-rated mid-range hotels below. This will give you an idea of what you can expect for this price:

• Amritsar: Hotel Exotic
• Fort Kochi: Roses Inn
• Jaipur: Pearl Palace Heritage Boutique Hotel
• Udaipur: Mahendra Prakash

Luxury hotels

The most luxurious (and expensive) hotels in India are owned by Taj Hotels and Oberoi Hotels . Look at this hotel with a view of the Taj Mahal , for example, or the picture above, which is a hotel inside a palace.

You don’t need to spend this amount of money for a luxurious stay in India, though. Here are some examples of luxury hotels that are more affordable:

• Alleppey: Sunsets and Palm Trees
• Goa: Coconut Creek Resort
• Kolkata: Calcutta Bungalow
• Mumbai: President Mumbai

Cost of Food and Restaurants in India

Indian cuisine is one of the things India is most famous for and it’s easy to understand why – it’s delicious and immensely varied!

And the best thing is that Indian food is also very affordable, which reduces the cost of travel in India.

Local restaurants and street food

The cheapest food in India can be found in local restaurants or in street stalls. Here, you can expect to pay between 1 USD and 2,50 USD for a meal. You will find plenty of delicious snacks and dishes like samosa, paneer tikka, shahi paneer and biryani in these places.

Avoid restaurants in touristy areas if you’re on a budget, as they will be more expensive.

When you’re travelling in India and you’re not used to the food here, it’s important to keep an eye on a restaurant’s hygiene because Delhi belly is real . Don’t let this keep you from trying street food or eating in local restaurants, though, as there are a few things you can do to avoid getting sick in India .

Tip: There is a place where everyone can eat for free in India – this is in the world’s largest community kitchen in the Golden Temple in Amritsar .

Mid-range restaurants

For a meal in a nice restaurant, you will pay 3 USD to 6 USD , depending on the dish. There are plenty of restaurants like these in more touristy areas. This doesn’t include drinks. Soda and lassi are pretty affordable, but mocktails and alcoholic beverages are more expensive .

Fancy restaurants

India is home to plenty of chic restaurants too. You will find most of these in five-star hotels, in cities like Delhi, Mumbai (Bombay) and Bangalore or in certain areas of a city, like the French Quarter of Pondicherry , for example.

A meal will cost anything between 7 USD and 30 USD in restaurants like these, it all depends on the location and how luxurious the place is.

Cost of Transportation in India

India is a huge country, and you will spend some time on the road too while you’re travelling here. Luckily, there’s a way of transportation for every budget in India, from local trains and buses to the insanely luxurious Maharaja Express train .

Long distances

The cheapest way to get around in India is by taking public transportation. Buses and trains are your best friends if you’re on a tight budget.

The cost depends on where you’re going and the class you choose (AC/non-AC), but you can expect to pay between 4 USD and 20 USD for a train ticket from Delhi to Jaipur , for example.

Besides trains and buses, another way to travel long distances is by taking domestic flights . These are more expensive than trains, but they will save you plenty of time too because India is a BIG country. The main domestic airlines in India are IndiGo , SpiceJet and AirIndia .

Note that you better book trains in advance, as they tend to fill up quickly, especially in the north. I recommend using 12GoAsia to do so, this is the only website I could find that accepts non-Indian credit cards.

Short distances

To get around cities, I would recommend using the Ola app to order an auto-rickshaw , bike or private car . This way, you will get a fair price immediately and won’t need to haggle, as many drivers try to charge foreigners 10 times the local price (I am not exaggerating). Bikes and auto-rickshaw rides are inexpensive (if you use Ola or are good at haggling), but a private car will cost more.

You can also rent a scooter or a motorbike . The price depends on the place and type of scooter/bike, but you can expect to pay between 5 USD and 9 USD to rent a scooter for a day.

• Train from Delhi to Jaipur: 4 USD – 20 USD
• Bus from Chennai to Madurai: 3,50 USD – 15 USD
• Overnight bus from Delhi to Varanasi : 11 USD – 40 USD
• Flight from Delhi to Kolkata : 70 USD
• Renting a scooter in Jaisalmer: 6 USD per day
• Renting a motorbike in Spiti Valley: 15 USD per day

Entry Fees and Cost of Activities in India

In India, entry fees are 10 to 20 times more expensive for foreigners. Indians and SAARC countries will pay less. Temples, however, are free to visit for everyone.

How much you will spend on entry fees and activities largely depends on what you want to see and do. You will spend more on entry fees in cities like Delhi, Jaipur and Mumbai, as there are more tourist attractions here. If you’re visiting Pushkar , on the other hand, many of the highlights are temples, so you won’t need to pay anything.

All in all, entry fees and activities definitely increase the cost of travel in India, but these are not as high as in Western countries.

If you decide to take a guided tour with a travel agency, you will spend more than you would if you were travelling on a backpacker’s budget. On the other hand, it will save you time, as they will arrange everything for you.

• Temples: Free
• Taj Mahal : 13,40 USD for foreigners, 0,60 USD for Indians and 6,60 USD for SAARC countries
• Red Fort, Delhi: 6 USD for foreigners and 0,40 USD for Indians
• Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur : 7,30 USD for foreigners and 2,40 USD for Indians
• Hampi: 6 USD for foreigners and 0,40 USD for Indians and SAARC countries
• Overnight desert safari in Jaisalmer : 36 USD to 75 USD
• Private, 5-day Golden Triangle tour with GetYourGuide : 227 USD

Funny thing that happened: When I was visiting the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, two Indian girls tried to smuggle me inside for the local price. When I handed over my ticket to the guards, however, they looked at me suspiciously and asked: “You Indian?”. So, I got sent back to the ticket office.

Cost of Souvenirs in India

This is a difficult one, as the cost of Indian souvenirs will depend on your bargaining skills .

Although there are shops with fixed prices, many shopkeepers will expect you to haggle. I’ve asked a couple of Indian friends how much you should haggle the price down, and they told me to bargain it down to at least half of the price the shopkeeper says first. To succeed, you will have to start by quoting around 25% of what they ask.

I hate haggling but believe me, you can find plenty of beautiful souvenirs in India, from clothes and jewellery to oil lamps and brass idols.

Tips to Save Money in India

If you’re on a tight budget, there are some ways to reduce the cost of travel in India. You will find these below.

• Download the Ola app: I’ve written this earlier in this post, but Ola will definitely save you time and money, as you will get a fair price for an auto-rickshaw or taxi without haggling.
• Travel by road or book flights in advance: The cheapest way to travel long distances is by road. However, if you want to fly, make sure to book your tickets in advance, as the price will rise the closer you get to the departure date.
• Haggle: In many places in India, prices are flexible and vendors will expect you to haggle. This can also be done in many hotels if you don’t book online.
• Travel during the low season: Prices will be cheaper during the low season, however, you will want to check the weather in advance. I was in the South of India in the middle of the Summer and decided to escape to the mountains because I seriously underestimated the heat (and humidity).

The Cost of Travel in India: Final Thoughts

The cost of travel in India largely depends on your travel style. All in all, you can get by with as little as 20 USD per day if you’re willing to sacrifice some comfort. So, it’s entirely possible to travel to India on a shoestring budget.

On the other hand, you can easily spend hundreds of dollars a day too if you would like to spoil yourself.

I hope that this post answers all of your questions concerning the budget you will need to travel in India. Let me know in the comments if there’s something I have forgotten or if you have any questions.

I would love to hear about your personal experience too, how much did you spend on your trip to India?

Are you travelling to India? Check out my Indian itineraries next:

Read more about India:

• Landmarks to See on Your Trip to India
• Reasons Why You Should Visit India
• 17 Things NOT to Do in India
• How to AVOID Getting Sick in India: 10 Tips You Need

The Ultimate India Travel Bucket List: 35 Ideas

• South India VS North India: 9 Differences
• Solo Travel in India: A Complete Guide (Best Places, Tips & Safety)

India Travel Planning Guide

🛫 Find the cheapest flights to India on  Skyscanner . 🏨 Find the best accommodation via  Booking  or  Hostelworld . 🛺 Download the  Ola app  to order a rickshaw or a taxi. 🚃 Use  12GoAsia  to book trains and buses in India. 🚗 Rent a car with  Discover Cars  to get the best rates. 💰 Get travel insurance via  VisitorsCoverage , one of the best-reviewed travel insurance companies. 👘 Check out my  complete India packing list for females . 📋 Don’t forget to  check if you need a visa   to visit India.

Pin it for later: Did you find this post helpful? Save it on Pinterest and follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more travel tips and inspiration.

Laura Meyers

Laura Meyers is the founder of Laure Wanders. She was born in Belgium and has travelled to over 40 countries, many of them solo. She currently spends most of her time between Belgium and South Asia and loves helping other travellers plan their adventures abroad.

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Budget Travel: Cost of Travelling in India 2023

With its extensive history, stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and mouthwatering cuisine, India is a popular tourist destination. It provides experiences at reasonable costs for all different sorts of vacationers, from luxury tourists to those on a budget.

India's affordability is a result of its affordable lodging, travel, services, and food. You are not required to stay in hostels or bed and breakfasts, though. India provides a broad range of alternatives, including 5-star hotels, mid-range boutique hotels, and resorts, as well as opulent train trips, private automobiles, gourmet restaurants, and eateries from around the world. This choice ensures a memorable and affordable trip to India.

Travel India's General Cost

The entire cost of your vacation to India includes hotel, travel, entry costs to famous sites, and meals at regional eateries. You may select from a variety of lodging alternatives, from luxurious hotels to inexpensive hostels, depending on your tastes and financial situation.

The distance between locations and the form of transportation you choose, such as domestic flights or public buses, might have an impact on transportation expenditures.

It's crucial to remember that the price of housing might change based on the kind of accommodations you select, from luxurious hotels to hostels that are affordable. The season and the existence of discounts can also affect expenses.

For budget travelers: INR 2,000–3,000

Young, adventurous travelers may see India's many cultures, historical sites, and natural beauty affordably by backpacking there. Backpackers may afford basic lodging, regional street cuisine, and modes of transportation like buses or trains with a daily budget of INR 2,000–3,000.

Depending on individual interests and certain places, there may be a range of additional costs for attractions or activities. Dormitories at hostels or modest guesthouses are available as lodging alternatives, and inexpensive street food stands or restaurants are great places to sample local cuisine.

Backpackers can also save money by hiring bicycles or using local transportation services like tuk-tuks. They can enjoy vibrant street markets and affordable local cuisine without breaking the bank. Traveling on local buses and trains, taking only one domestic flight for the longest distance, and eating both street food and restaurant food are all part of the cultural experience.

For mid-range travellers: INR 3,000–6,000

Budget hotels or guesthouses offer suitable lodging for tourists looking for a budget-friendly trip to India. By incorporating internal flights, they may travel more quickly and take advantage of activities like visiting historical sites, national parks, and local festivals.

These tourists may take advantage of a variety of dining options, including inexpensive eateries and regional street cuisine. It is simple to travel between cities and attractions because of the vast public transport network, which includes trains and buses.

Some tourists can splurge on an affordable yet fine dining experience at upscale eateries and plan excursions like short boat cruises, spa days, and beach resorts at various destination. 

Adventuresome tourists may also experience outdoor pursuits including bicycling, hiking, and water sports in picturesque settings like mountains, lakes, and coastal regions. It is possible to enjoy the nation's rich cultural legacy by travelling to historical sites, museums, and art galleries.

Additionally, visitors may fully experience the thriving nightlife by going to chic pubs, clubs, and live music venues.  For those looking for a comfortable and reasonable holiday, India generally provides a diversified and economical travel experience.

For high-end travellers: INR 6,000–12,000

Indian luxury hotels range from historic inns to contemporary five-star resorts, all of which appeal to high-end tourists. Additionally, the nation offers top-notch spa and wellness facilities so that guests may unwind and revitalize.

India offers top-notch alternatives for transportation, including planes and road journeys, guaranteeing relaxing air-conditioned travel. Visitors may easily discover the nation's sights and cultural treasures thanks to this practical means of transportation.

Indian cities, whether large or small, provide a variety of fine dining alternatives. The nation features boutique luxury hotels and palaces that have been converted into hotels, offering a distinct and sumptuous experience.

The varied landscapes of the nation provide exhilarating outdoor pursuits like Himalayan hiking or animal safaris in national parks.

If money is not an issue, India provides a wide range of activities, such as touring the renowned Taj Mahal and Kerala's tranquil backwaters.

India has something to offer every kind of traveler, whether they are looking for adventure in the Himalayas or leisure on the lovely beaches of Goa.

How much does it cost for hotels in India?

Major cities.

Major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore can be expected to have higher-than-average hotel rates. These thriving metropolitan centres are well-liked vacation spots and commercial hotspots, which inevitably raises the price of lodging. On the other side, travellers have more economical alternatives in smaller cities and rural locations.

Let's crunch some numbers now.

A mid-range hotel room in a big city may often be found for between INR 2,500 and INR 5,000 per night. 

The cost of a night at a luxurious hotel in these cities might easily reach INR 10,000. 

At a budget-friendly hotel in a major city, travelers can expect to pay around INR 1,500 to INR 2,000 per night. 

In smaller cities or rural cities 

The cost of a midrange hotel room in a smaller city or rural location might be as low as INR 1,000 to INR 2,500 per night. It's crucial to remember that costs might change based on where you visit and the time of year. 

If you're in the mood to splurge, luxury hotel rooms can be found in the price range of INR 5,000 to INR 10,000 per night. However, it's important to note that even in smaller cities, the availability of luxury hotels may be limited compared to major cities like Delhi or Mumbai. 

A budget-friendly option for accommodation in smaller cities or rural locations is to consider guesthouses or homestays, which can offer comfortable and affordable stays starting from as low as INR 500 per night. These options not only provide a cost-effective alternative but also allow you to experience the local culture and hospitality firsthand. 

It's important to note that these price ranges are approximate and can vary depending on the specific location, season, and availability. It's always a good idea to do some research and compare prices before making your final decision.

Food cost in India

The price of meals in India can vary greatly depending on various factors such as the type of food, the location of the restaurant, and the level of formality or luxury. So, let's dive into the culinary landscape of India and explore the range of prices you can expect.

Local food or street food

You may discover great and inexpensive lunches ranging from INR 50 to INR 200 when it comes to fast food or street food selections.

 Many different meals, including samosas, chaat, dosas, tikkas, momos, chowmein, and so much more,  are available for a reasonable price at street food stands and tiny neighborhood restaurants. 

These choices are not only affordable but also provide you with a chance to sample the genuine tastes of Indian food. 

These affordable fast snacks give you the chance to experience the true flavours of Indian food at its source. 

These affordable fast snacks give you the chance to experience the true flavors of Indian food at its source, which is why they are highly recommended for tourists and

Affordable dining at local restaurants 

If you prefer a more casual dining experience at local restaurants, you can expect to spend around INR 500-1000 per person for a full meal. 

These local restaurants offer a wide variety of authentic Indian dishes, allowing you to explore the diverse culinary traditions of the country. 

Additionally, dining at these establishments gives you the opportunity to interact with locals and immerse yourself in the vibrant food culture of India. 

Mid-range dining 

For those looking for a mid-range dining experience where you can enjoy a mix of Indian and international flavors, prices usually range from INR 500 to INR 1500 per person for a full meal. 

These restaurants often have a fusion menu that combines traditional Indian spices and techniques with global cuisines, offering a unique dining experience. 

Moreover, the ambiance and decor of these establishments are carefully curated to create a modern and stylish atmosphere, adding to the overall dining experience. 

Luxury Dining 

If you're in the mood to splurge and indulge in luxury dining, high-end restaurants in India can cost anywhere from INR 5,000 to INR 10,000 per meal for a full meal. 

These upscale establishments are known for their exquisite presentation, use of premium ingredients, and impeccable service.

From Michelin-starred restaurants to celebrity chef-owned establishments, luxury dining in India offers a truly extravagant experience. 

Additionally, these high-end restaurants often feature extensive wine lists and sommeliers who can expertly pair wines with your meal, further enhancing the overall dining experience.  

India has a range of reasonably priced food alternatives, including supermarkets and convenience stores, to accommodate travelers on a tight budget or those who want to cook their own meals. India provides a wide range of possibilities for both expensive fine dining and inexpensive street cuisine, depending on a number of different conditions.

India's transportation costs

It's crucial to take transport costs into account when making travel plans to India. Depending on the form of transportation and the distance you need to go, the cost of travelling around India might change. This post will examine the many alternatives available and give you a general understanding of the associated expenses.

Trains are a common form of transportation in India, so let's start there. Depending on the class of travel and the distance traveled, train tickets can cost anywhere between INR 100 and INR 5,000. 

Trains are a popular choice for low-cost tourists due to their accessibility and wide network. To ensure your desired class and prevent last-minute price increases, it is crucial to purchase your tickets in advance, particularly during busy travel times. 

Additionally, some long-distance trains provide sleeping accommodations and feeding services, making them an affordable and comfortable option to travel throughout India. 

Another widely used mode of transportation in India is the bus. Bus tickets can cost between INR 50 and INR 200 for small routes, and depending on the bus type, they can cost up to INR 1000 or more for long journeys. 

Buses are a practical choice for travelers on a tight budget since they offer regular departures and cover a variety of destinations. In order to provide a comfortable trip, some buses also offer amenities like air conditioning and reclining seats. 

Bus travel in India may, however, be congested and unpleasant, particularly during the busiest travel times. 

Bus travel is a practical and economical method to see the country's many regions.

Autos and cabs

For travel inside the city, Autos in India is well-known; depending on the distance, the cost ranges from INR 50 to 500. In India, the busiest travel hours are also when cars are often utilized.

On the other hand, some people find that cabs are a more pleasant alternative. They provide better privacy and air conditioning.

The price may be a little bit greater for people who choose the convenience of taxis. In India, the cost of a taxi ride normally ranges from 150 rupees for small routes to 2000 rupees or more for larger distances (mainly intercity travel).

Most cities have an abundance of cabs that may be either hailed on the street or reserved via a smartphone app. 

However, in Indian cities, there might be severe traffic congestion, which could lead to extended journey times for both autos and cabs. 

Renting a Car

Renting a car is an option to think about if you want more freedom and flexibility while on your trip. Depending on the kind of vehicle and the length of the rental, a rental automobile in India might cost anywhere from INR 500 and INR 5000 per day.

By renting a car, you may travel independently and at your own leisure while taking in various towns and sights. 

However, it's crucial to keep in mind that due to the unpredictable traffic conditions and many driving laws, driving in India can be difficult, especially for foreigners. 

The fee is much more reasonable if you choose to take the tube. Metro fares in large cities like Delhi and Mumbai range from INR 10 to INR 60, depending on the distance traveled. 

You may escape traffic and travel swiftly by using the Metro, which is a practical and effective form of transportation. 

It also provides a pleasant and air-conditioned setting, which makes it a well-liked option among both residents and visitors. 

As a result, it offers a cheap alternative for moving about the city. 

Passes and discount tickets

Many Indian towns provide their own local transport cards that offer regular commuters cheaper fares, such as the Mumbai Local Pass or the Delhi Metro Card. These technologies make it simple and affordable to navigate India's congested streets.  

When selecting the most suitable form of transportation for your trip to India, it's crucial to take your finances and travel requirements into account. To make your trip even more economical and easy, don't forget to look into the various transit passes and discount tickets.

Cost for sightseeing in India

Depending on where you go, what you see, and what you do, the cost of sightseeing in India can vary greatly.

The following are a few of the tourist hotspots: 

Taj Mahal, Agra

Also read: 2023 Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Taj Mahal

Also read: Amber Fort in Jaipur: Everything You Need to Know

Ganga Aarti in Varanasi

The sacred ghats along the Ganges River in the spiritual city of Varanasi are well known. Locals and pilgrims congregate at these significant religious and cultural sites (ghats) for ceremonies, prayers, and cremations. A mesmerizing view of the ghats and Varanasi's lively ambiance may be had by taking a boat ride down the river at sunrise or dusk. It's a must-do experience to take in the evening Aarti ceremony, and it's free!

Mumbai's Gateway of India

Also read: Rediscover Mumbai: 15 Iconic Joints from Madras Cafe to K. Rustom

Beaches in Goa

Also read: Your Must-Have Travel Guide to Goa in 2023

The Golden Temple

Also read: Golden Temple Amritsar: All You Need to Plan Your Visit

The Red Fort

Udaipur Palace

Cost of souvenirs in India

India offers a wide variety of souvenirs, from colourful fabrics to complex handicrafts. 

Traditional silk sarees can cost anywhere from INR 1000 to INR 10,000.

While handcrafted wooden elephant sculptures might cost between INR 500 and INR 5000,

Depending on the style and semi-precious stones used, silver necklaces can cost anywhere from INR 2000 to INR 20,000. 

Depending on the reputation of the artist, prices may also change. There is something for every price range when it comes to jewellery, clothing, or home design. 

Depending on the grade and quality of the leaves, premium Darjeeling tea can be purchased for as little as INR 500 or as much as INR 5000. 

There are many possibilities available for luxury presents or tea connoisseurs. To get the best deal, it is crucial to haggle and compare costs in several markets.

In India, purchasing souvenirs extends beyond designated tourist locations with set rates to flea markets and antique stores where there is room for haggling. Negotiating is a common practice when buying in India, so be prepared to try to obtain a better price. Whether you're searching for a little trinket or a one-of-a-kind piece of art, India has something to suit every budget.

Also Read: Darjeeling Travel Guide 2023: Things to do and more!

Traveling to India on a budget is a dream that is attainable. India's various landscapes and rich cultural legacy may be explored without breaking the budget thanks to a large selection of low lodging alternatives, economical transit options, and affordable local cuisine. Further enhancing the vacation experience while minimizing expenditures is taking advantage of frugal activities like going to free sights or taking part in regional festivals.  

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India Travel Budget: The Costs

India Travel Budget

So you want to visit India but do not have any idea of the costs? Do not worry, in this India travel budget guide we will tell you all you need to know. Also if you want a step by step guide on how to plan your trip to India, we have you sorted.  step by step: how to plan your trip to india

First of all, let’s just start by saying India is cheap, dirt cheap. You can live well in India for one month on what you would spend in a week in the UK or Australia. Don’t believe us? Then let’s start.

Monthly Budget

• Travel Comfortably  

For £450/$600 a month you can live very comfortably in India and not have to worry about your costs spiraling. This is a budget where you can eat, drink, sleep in nice places and do all of the activities that you would like. You are traveling to make memories, not to save every penny. 

• Budget Travel

Many people travel through India on far less than this. Some people can travel on just £10/$14 a day, £300/$420 a month, some people can even do it on less than this. India is the no.1 country in the world for budget travel. 

Daily Budget

So what should your daily India travel budget be? It is possible to travel through this amazing country on as little as £10/$14 a day but it does take some work. Push your budget up to £15/$20 a day and you can pretty much forget about watching every penny. For this you will be able to afford nice rooms, eat out at delicious restaurants and pretty much do whatever it is that you would like. 

We will get into the costs in a moment. First let us just show you this:   Backpacker Tips, How To Travel On The Chea p. Here are some great tips on how to travel the world on the cheap. If you use these tips you will definitely keep your budget low. 

Current  Exchange Rate

USD = 64 Rupees

GBP = 85 Rupees

EUR= 70 Rupees

Transportation Costs

Transportation costs are the smallest factor in your India travel budget. The prices of buses, trains and Tuk-Tuks in India are mind-bogglingly cheap. Flying is the most expensive way to travel. However it is still far cheaper than in the likes of Europe or the US. When traveling on a budget it is best to stick to the Indian trains and buses as these are by far one of the cheapest ways to travel on the planet.

• The Average Price of an Auto-rickshaw in india per Kilometer: Rps 40-Rps 70
• An Average price of a Train in India per 12 hours: Under Rps 400
• The Average Price of a Bus Journey in India (12 hours):  Rps 300 – Rps 400

Tuk-Tuks are the easiest way to travel around the cities. Darting in and out of the traffic on the crazy roads of India is an experience in itself. The sheer chaos of it all is enough to make you get back on your plane. However after a while you do not even notice all of the craziness, it becomes the norm. 

Tuk-Tuks are a great way to see all the sites of a city. You can hire a Tuk-Tuk for the day (as almost every driver will tell you). For $20/£15 a day you can hire your own personal Tuk-Tuk to drive you about the city.

If you are traveling on a budget however, especially trying to travel on £10 a day, then stay away from these unless you can split the fare with a few others. It is amazing how many people can fit inside of a Tuk-Tuk. 

One thing to watch out for with Tuk-Tuk drivers however, is that they will often try to take you on a spontaneous shopping trip. It is amazing how many Tuk-Tuk drivers know where the best place to buy kashmere is. The drivers earn commission from every item that you purchase. Just politely tell them that you are not buying anything today. 

You should definitely read up about all of the scams that you are going to be hit with once you land in India. Read here everything that you should watch out for.   Scams in India to watch out for

The trains in India are among the cheapest in the world and also a great way to travel through the country. To travel India by train is something that you will never forget.

However at first site, the class system can seem a bit baffling, sometimes including up to ten classes. 1A, 2A, 3A, 3E, EC, CC, DD, FC, SL, and 2S. Just a little bit crazy?

For the sake of this article we will simplify things a bit. Notice how in the classes there are only the numbers 1, 2 and 3? That is how we shall define them for now to make things easier. 

3rd class is normally a non-reserved ticket. If you can get a third class where you have to buy a ticket in advance, then this is okay to travel. You can check at the ticket booth when you go to the train station to buy your ticket.

Some 3rd classes however are non-reserved open tickets. These are the carriages that you should stay away from. Costing just a few rupees, these train carriages are packed to the rim.

You will often have to sit on the floor, with people climbing over you every so often. This is a cramped smelly and seriously uncomfortable way to travel. Stay away!

You will find that most of your train journeys are long ones. For that reason you will most of the time travel on a sleep train. 2S is the class that you should choose. Every passenger is assigned their own bunk to sleep on and it is also a great way to meet and interact with the locals.

2nd class sleepers (2s) are the train class of choice for most travelers, so you should always be able to find other travelers if you are feeling homesick. A twelve hour train journey in a 2nd class sleeper will cost you under Rps 400 . That is less than $6/£4 . 

For those of you who wish to travel in a bit of style,  then 1A is for you. These luxury carriages come fully furnished with all of the mod cons. Air-conditioned, power-points, bedding and food all included in the price.

Do be aware however that the fares for these carriages are on a par with airfare so this is truly a luxury. If you have the money to spare this could be a wonderful experience. 

Food is one thing that you do not have to worry about when traveling on the trains in India. Food wallahs walk the aisles selling everything from chai tea to rice biryani.

If it is not the wallahs feeding you it is the locals, you will always have some nice old Indian lady offering you food. On an Indian train you will never go hungry. 

With all the locals chattering away as the country zips past the window, you are sure to make memories that will stay with you for a lifetime. 

We said transportation would just be a fraction of your India travel budget, and buses are no different. Sometimes you will be forced to take a bus rather than a train and although they are not as comfortable, they are just as cheap.

When you are traveling through the foothills and mountains of the Himalayas you will use the buses. They can get a little tiresome but the views alone are worth the ten hours sat riding the bus. 

The cheapest buses are the local government run buses. However for cheapness you give up a little of your time. These government buses are a few hours slower when traveling long distances.

If you are backpacking or on a tight budget, then these are the buses for you. When traveling in a city always take these buses as they cost just a few rupees and take just as long as other buses. 

When you are traveling long distances, private AC buses are available, however they cost a little bit more than the government buses. These buses are recommended for the longer journeys which you will take. For just Rps400 ,  $6/£4 , you get your own seat and air-con … if it works.

For the grueling long haul journeys these buses are definitely worth it. 

One of the rules that you will learn when traveling India is that any journey under twelve hours is a short journey.

If you would like to take a flight at anytime, you will pay between $80/£60 and $100/£77 . In recent years, budget airline travel in India has really taken off.

Before we continue, here is a list of all the apps and websites that we use to book everything from our flights to accommodation. Plus many other little apps that will come in handy when traveling.

Using these secrets you could save yourselves hundreds of dollars on airfare alone.   The Secrets Of Budget Travel, The Websites And Apps That You Need To Be Using!

Accommodation Costs in India

Budget accommodation in India is widely available in every town and village that you will come across. It is a little more difficult to find clean budget rooms in some of the less popular cities, but if you keep looking you will find a room for less than Rps 700, 10$/8£ .

We say “clean” as near most stations there are rooms to stay, however if you are a little fussy you may have trouble sleeping in one.

The average price of a clean, mid range room in India with its own private (european) bathroom, will cost around Rps450  , 6$/4£ . Quite a lot of the time you will find rooms at a cheaper price.

As you can see, India is the home of budget travelers.

It is a little difficult to set out the accommodation costs as a set scale. You must remember that when you travel through India, you will barter/haggle for everything. Where one day you pay Rps 400 rupees for a room, the next guest could pay 200.

ALWAYS haggle and barter. However as you can see, if your haggling skills are not up to scratch, you will still be paying pennies for accommodation. Many times we have found rooms for Rps 150 . 

Hostel dorm rooms are quite rare outside of the main cities but unlike other countries, in India this does not hurt your budget. The price of your own private room is the price of a dorm in some most other countries.

Just like transportation, accommodation costs will not hurt your India travel budget.

Accommodation tips

If you are traveling alone and would like to meet fellow travelers, hostels are your best bet. Hostels are like beacons for travelers. Many times we have stayed in one and left with a group to travel with.

If you are landing in New Delhi and wish to meet people, there is a hostel there called the Moustache Hostel . Although a little expensive for Indian accomodation, this is a great place to meet and find people to travel with. 

Another good reason to find people to travel with is to split your bills. Not only will you share accommodation costs, you will also share all of your Tuk-Tuk costs and anything else that you can split.

A twin bedroom which costs Rps 500  can be split between the both of you, so that you only have to pay Rps 250 each. 

Just to let you know, an Indian bathroom is a hole in the ground. Yes, you read that correctly. However before you cancel your travel plans, in most, if not all of your accommodation there will be a western toilet.

Also the number one golden rule of travelling …. always carry toilet paper. You can thank us for this tip later.

Restaurants

India is an absolute dream when it comes to food.  You can not walk five meters without being confronted by another street stall or restaurant serving up some kind of delicious snack or dish that you just have to devour.

Whether it be samosas, pakoras, or momos in the north, or masala dosas in the south. Indian cuisine is mouth-wateringly good. It is also incredibly cheap. 

Eating out in a nice rooftop restaurant will only cost you Rps 200 – Rps 300, 3$/2£ – 4$/3£ . Normally we would tell you to always eat where the locals eat, but in India even the tourist restaurants are cheap.

In Goa for example, the restaurants are on the beach itself. You can sit with your feet in the sand and enjoy a fresh tuna steak, vegetables and a beer for a cost of Rps 300 . 

Street Food

For those who wish to keep their India travel budget in check, Street Food is the way that you should go. Unfortunately, when most travel through India they steer clear of the food on the streets, thinking that it will strike them down with the dreaded Delhi Belly. 

This is a terrible mistake, as the Street Food in India is the cheapest in the world costing only Rps 10 – Rps 20 for a snack like a samosa or a pakora. Or Rps 80  for a meal like a thali, a vegetable dish made from dhal, rice, roti and many other different ingredients, depending upon which part of the country that you are in. 

Thalis are the food that you should be looking out for. In some restaurants for only 100 rupees, you can have unlimited refills and eat until you are fit to burst.

Keep in mind, what the world knows as Indian food is often based on the food of the northern parts of the country. Depending upon which region you are in, the food varies quite a lot.

In the south it is more dosas, uttapams and coconut curries. Whereas In the north, samosas, pakoras and the tasty malai kofta curry are the prominent dishes.

Every inch of India is filled with delicious food. 

Entrance Fees

Entrance fees are what every traveller tries to avoid. India is no different to any other country when it comes to charging a fee. Also like most Asian countries, India charges foreigners more than they charge the locals to enter its tourism sites.

If you compare the average salary of a tourist from the US to the average Indian, you can understand why.

The most expensive site fee that you will pay is for the famous Taj Mahal in Agra. Seeing this wonder of the world will cost you Rps 700 , 11$/8£ . The Red Fort, which is also in Agra, will cost you Rps 250  , so for Rps 1,000  you can spend a day walking around these beautiful creations.

On average, entrance fees throughout the country are Rps 200  which is literally nothing.

Sometimes all that is asked for is a donation. On these occasions Rps 10 or Rps 20 will be enough. All in all, apart from the Taj, entrance fees will not hurt your budget.

 Your India Travel Budget

So now we hope that you have a good idea of the costs involved in traveling through this wonderful country. If you get a room for Rp 300 , eat breakfast for Rps 100 and then have lunch and dinner for Rps 200 rupees each, this comes to only Rp 800 . That is less than £10 a day right there.

See how incredibly cheap this country is to travel.

If you would like to learn more about India have a read of  Backpacking India, The Ultimate Guide   or visit our India Hub to see all of our articles on this mystical land.

To find the best time of year to visit the country, have a read of this article:  Best time to visit India: The Weather

Also if this part of the world fascinates you as much as it does us, here are some articles on India’s little island neighbour, Sri Lanka. The gem of the indian ocean.

Backpacking Sri Lanka. The Ultimate Guide

The Land of Elephants: Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka

Sigiriya, The Ruins In The Sky

22 ways to get paid for traveling

Thank you for reading our India travel budget, please subscribe to learn more on how to travel the world on a shoestring.

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Budget Travel In India – A Guide

Last Updated on November 23, 2023

It’s no secret that India lends itself well to budget travel. The country has its fair share of ‘hippie trails’ that are a favourite when backpacking in India, and everyone knows about that. What people don’t realise is that even if backpacker travel is not your cup of tea, there are many other ways to stick to your budget and have a fantastic time while you’re at it.

Alongside this, we’ve answered a few more questions when it comes to budget travel in India. Favourable exchange rates means your money goes a long way, after all. And it’s only helped by the fact that there are always reasonable options to be found.

Read through our guide on budget travel in India to get a feel of it and prep yourself for that amazing trip.

Table of Contents

are there many budget travel routes in India?

This vast country has so many budget travel routes, you’ll have a tough time just picking one. For starters, look beyond the obvious options that fall on the well-trodden ‘banana pancake’ trail. While the more popular destinations like Goa, Hampi and Rishikesh are great, you would be doing yourself a disservice.

There’s plenty more to be seen in the country! Besides, an unfortunate consequence of the popularity of these destinations is that you might encounter touts and scam artists looking to fleece travellers, as well as higher ‘tourist prices’ for things than elsewhere in the country. Get in touch with us about what it is you’re looking for and we’ll give you the best route to go on.

Are there affordable yet comfortable budget hotels in India?

There’s a wide range of accommodation available across the country that breaks the stereotypes of budget hotels. These are exceedingly comfortable and great for budget travel in India. For those looking for true-blue backpacker travel in India, hostels have begun to spring up across the country, which offers cleaner options than some of the older dorms.

Otherwise, cute guesthouses, homestays and boutique hotels are rapidly becoming more and more popular, and there are plenty of options across the country to choose from. It’s one of our favourite parts of travelling on a budget in India – you don’t always have to skimp on your stay, and you’ll often come across a truly wonderful place that offers a one-of-a-kind experience.

You can read our articles on the best homestays in North India and in South India for some inspiration.

You can also checkout our article on Luxury Hotels in India , if you are looking for something more upscale.

Plan Your Escape: Best Places to Visit in North India

Public transport for budget trips – is it wise?

Looking at budget travel in India? Public transportation is the best way to go. Public transport in India can be overwhelming, but it is an adventure in itself. Plus, there’s no better way to discover this country while travelling cheap. If you stick to getting around either on your own two feet or using the cheap public transport options available across the country, you’ll save a pretty penny! These options can get a bit terrifying for a first-timer – road rules in India are different than anything you’ve ever experienced before – but they’re an efficient and affordable way to get around within cities and towns. Remember to settle on a price before you start your journey, though – haggling is the norm, not an exception.

Additional Resource: Exploring India – A Guide for UK Travelers

As vast as India is, flights are clearly the quickest way to get from one stop to the next but consider utilising the rail system instead. Along with long-distance buses, trains are more wallet-friendly while travelling on a budget in India. Remember to book your train tickets well in advance, as trains can fill up quickly!

We can help you book your train tickets – get in touch!

Is local food in India safe to eat?

Don’t worry, we understand the unease of eating local Indian food. The good news is there’s such a vast range of affordable options that you have nothing to worry about. Whether you’re backpacking in India or just travelling on a budget in India, exploring local restaurants and eateries is an easy way to keep costs low. Ditch the made-for-tourist options; instead, go exploring to check out where locals go to eat and don’t be afraid to experiment with flavours. And to avoid falling prey to suspect hygiene, avoid raw foods, and pick places that are always busy!

We hope all your questions on budget travel in India have been answered. We’ve also got you covered for other details like  how much to budget for a day in India. You can always reach out to us with any more questions you may have – we’re always happy to help!

About Harsh Sonawala

Harsh Sonawala is the co founder of India Someday and since his childhood, he has travelled to different parts of India and the world. The thrill of travelling and sharing his experiences with others was the reason behind starting India Someday. Other than the office where he is conjuring up marketing ideas, he can be found scuba diving in the Andamans or relaxing in a chalet in the Himalayas.

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Home » Asia » India » Backpacking Guide

Backpacking India Travel Guide (Tips + Secrets • 2024)

Backpacking India… It’s a hell of an experience. I have visited India five times now, spending nearly two years backpacking across this crazy sub-continent.

When I was nineteen, following a life-changing injury, I threw all of my shit into a battered pack and caught a one way flight to Delhi, I had just $2700 to my name and was able to make this last over a year whilst backpacking in India.

The wonderful thing about backpacking India is that pretty much anybody can afford it, especially if you don’t mind being a little uncomfortable.

I jumped off the deep end and hitchhiked, couchsurfed and slept rough a lot to make my travel dreams a reality but, to be honest, backpacking in India is so cheap that you don’t really need to do this… A budget of just $500 a month will go a long way when backpacking India and it’s possible to do it for far less.

Why Go Backpacking in India?

Since I was nineteen, I’ve been coming back to India again and again. Often I promise myself that this will be the last time and like many India backpacking veterans, I have a love/hate relationship with India!

Your first time in India may well come as something of a shock even for experienced travellers. It is generally dirty, crowded, noisy, chaotic and frustrating. There are wild animals everywhere, a lot of extreme poverty and widespread dilapidation. Some of the local customs also take some serious adapting to – get used to been stared at, hassled, scammed & having your personal space invaded.

So yes, the real India can be a real challenge but, for adventurous backpackers, India offers some of the most incredible exploring in all of Asia. If it gets under your skin, you will keep on coming back time and time again. Visiting the beautiful places in India is a task worth taking on.

Best Travel Itineraries For Backpacking India

After nearly a total of two years backpacking in India, I reckon I’ve only seen about half of this truly incredible, massive, country. The country is so big that is really does make sense to plan your backpacking route before you rock up and to focus on seeing one part of India at a time.

There are plenty of amazing spots to explore but you need to be sure you choose the right spots at the right time – you don’t want to be travelling in the Great Thar Desert during summer!

To make things a bit easier, I’ve popped together some different backpacking routes for India; these can easily be combined or added together to create the absolute perfect India itinerary.

But whatever India backpacking route you take, prepare to be astounded, amazed and a little bit frustrated! You need at least one month in India to enjoy these itineraries.

Backpacking India 1-Month Itinerary # 1 – Spiritual Extravaganza

Rajasthan (paired with Varanasi) is a great introduction to backpacking India! This is an area that checks most boxes – There are plenty of chilled out sites well on the backpacker radar but if you dig a little deeper you can find isolated villages and hidden temples rarely visited by travellers.

After getting your bearings and hopefully avoiding getting scammed in New Delhi , head on over to Varanasi for the spiritual experience of a lifetime. After a quick stop in off beat Khajuraho , settle into Agra to see the Taj Mahal, AKA the most famous landmark in India.

Then it’s time to experience Rajasthan, one of my favorite places in India. Jaipur will serve as a sweet introduction–it’s quite a nice Indian city–where as Pushkar is like a desert version of Goa. Bundi is a true gem, and a place you shouldn’t rush through. Package tourists don’t make it here.

Finish off your epic Rajasthani adventure with the big three, Jodhpur (known as the Blue City), Jaisalmer , and Udaipur . A better trip through one of India’s most beautiful states doesn’t exist.

One important thing to note is that Rajasthan can be damn hot… This means that you really, really want to try and explore this part of India during November to March; outside of these months, it can be fairly unbearable.

Backpacking India 1-Month Itinerary # 2 – Off the Beaten Track Adventures in South India  

This is perhaps the best South India travel itinerary for explorers keen to see a bit of the real India before diving into the heady parties of Goa and Gokarna.

Bangalore is a tech hub of sorts and one of India’s cleaner cities, but don’t spend more than a few days here before heading to the very offbeat Kodagu –don’t be surprised if you’re the only foreigner in town.

Next up, take a relatively short local bus to Mysore , which is easily my favorite city in India. It’s clean, has some delicious street food and is pretty easy to manage overall. A night train is the best way to move onwards to Fort Kochi , a cheeky little beach town that checks every box of what you’d want from a sticky place.

You final two stops will bring you back to the tourist trail, but rest assured that it will be worth it. The back waters of Alleppey are best seen from the local boats, and even popular Varkala (which can be reached by train or bus) has plenty of hidden spots to get off the beaten track in.

Backpacking India 1-Month Itinerary # 3 – Mountains and Yoga in Northern India

Traveling to the Subcontinent to find yourself? Then this Backpacking India itinerary may be for you.

The Himalayas are unlike any other part of India, mountains have always held a special place in my heart and the Indian mountains are some of the best in the world… although not quite as incredible as neighbouring Pakistan, the ultimate adventure destination !

If you’re coming from said neighbour, you’ll be starting right in Amritsar , which is home to the famous Golden Temple and legendary Sikh hospitality. Otherwise, break your Rishikesh virginity, though do be warned that it will be an absolute zoo in May and June.

Once you’ve got that out of the way–it’s time for the mountain fun to begin! First head to Mcleod Ganj , a spiritual mecca home to the famous Dalai Llama. Be warned–it’s easy to get stuck here! Next, make a stop in Bhagsu before moving on to Manali .

These days Manali is a commercialized mess, so I highly encourage you to get to the more authentic Vashshist as SOON as possible. The hippie vibes are only beginning amigos, as the mountainous roads will then lead you to Kasol , the main hub of the iconic Parvati Valley.

After enjoying hashish, trance and natural beauty for days, answer the Himalayas’ call and get yourself on the next HRTC bus to Leh , capital of Ladakh.

After you’ve spent a solid amount of time living the high-altitude life, it’s time for Srinigar , the capital of India’s portion of Kashmir. I highly recommend giving this region the time it deserves. It might be more expensive than you’d like, but Pakistan’s Azad Kashmir is very hard to travel in as a foreigner so get your fix here!

Be warned; travelling in the Himalayas is uncomfortable, tiring and sometimes dangerous. It is worth getting to grips with your route before you go travelling in India, planning on the road doesn’t work so well in the Himalayas as the roads have a tendency to get washed away!

Best Places To Visit In India

You can spend a lifetime and still not see everything this mega-country has to offer, but I think these are the very best places in India that you just shouldn’t miss…

Backpacking Delhi

Many backpackers arriving in India for the first time will start their adventure by staying in Delhi , which is unfortunate.

Delhi is probably my least favourite city in the whole world and whilst it may have some hidden charms, I have yet to find them despite visiting the city over half a dozen times. The traffic is crazy, and driving my multicolored rickshaw through the streets was a truly nutty and hair-raising experience.

Delhi is not one of the friendliest places in India. When you arrive into Delhi’s main airport, catch a metro into town and make your way to the Panchsheel area; this is where you can find the widest array of backpacker-friendly accommodation, and is the best area in Delhi to stay in. Some of the best hostels in Delhi are in Paharganj and more quieter, cleaner options can be found in the upscale South Delhi area.

In general, I recommend getting the heck out of Delhi as quickly as possible… There are plenty of much lovelier places within India to spend your time. However, if you do want a better and more comfortable experience, there are some pretty epic Delhi Airbnbs to choose from.

Backpacking Varanasi

You can’t explore India without having a proper Varanasi experience… I say experience because Varanasi is totally nuts and will leave you reeling as you navigate through twisting alleys, passing holy men and funeral processions, stray cows and colourful stores selling silken saris.

Make your way to the river and catch a sunset boat ride on the Ganges, the most holy river in Hinduism. On the way, make sure to pick up one of the best lassis in all of India at Blue Lassi in the market.

There are plenty of cheap hostels in Varanasi , and just as many budget guesthouses. Varanasi has to be seen to be understood… I recommend spending three or four days here. There are good train links between Delhi and Varanasi and I recommend catching a sleeper train – go for 3AC class.

Backpacking Khajuraho

From Varanasi you should be able to catch a train directly to Khajuraho. As always you should book your ticket in advance and try to get a night train to save on accommodation. This area is famous for its hilariously erotic temples. Hire bicycles as some of the main sights are spread out and it is a great way to explore.

Try to catch the temples at sunrise, they are amazing. It is possible to arrange a rickshaw to take you to a lovely river where you can swim, ask around. Touts are persistent here and like to target fresh backpackers. I recommend staying for two to three days so you can get a well-deserved break before heading onwards to Agra…

Backpacking Agra

There are only three things worth seeing in Agra. The first and best is ‘ Joney’s Place ’ – it offers the best, and cheapest food in all of India.

The second is the Taj Maha l, it costs a whopping 1100RS to get in and this will probably continue to rise for foreign visitors in the coming years. Finally, 26km outside of Agra is the ruins of Fatehpur Sikri which is interesting if you have time but is unfortunately filled with very pushy touts.

The Taj Mahal is chief amongst the top sites to see in India. However, staying in hostels in Agra for more than two days is not recommended… Sadly it’s a true shit-hole of a city and not to be dwelled in… From Agra you can catch a train to Jaipur – but may have to change at Delhi.

Backpacking Jaipur

My second least favourite city in India is undoubtedly Jaipur. You can however mitigate its horror by choosing carefully where to stay in Jaipur . Try to spend just a day here if you can as the city is stressful and ugly. Ajmer Palace , 12km outside of the city, is stunning and worth the trip.

The Monkey Temple (Galtaji) is not to be missed – set beautifully into the side of a hill, make sure you go all the way up and over to the other side of the hill to find it. Other than the old buildings, Jaipur is a great place to shop for textiles, custom-made clothes and jewelry.

Jaipur is a great place to be during the festival of Diwali, easily one of the most important festivals in India.

Stay at one of Jaipurs’ best hostels –there are plenty to choose between. From Jaipur, you can catch an overnight train to Jaisalmer and work your way back towards Delhi across Rajasthan or jump to Pushkar. The airport does some good value domestic flights – if you book ahead you can get to Goa for $40.

Backpacking Pushkar

Finally, somewhere to relax now that you’ve done the obligatory sights of India! You could happily spend a week in Pushkar, exploring the many temples and the gorgeous lake within the centre of the town.

Pushkar is renowned as a town of religious importance and you can’t drink or eat meat here… meaning that, of course, you can but your beer will be disguised in a teapot and will cost more.

Pushkar is a shoppers paradise and is filled with thousands of stores selling pretty much everything… the market is a great place to buy bulk if you’re planning to sell your travel souvenirs back home 😉

There’s a strong backpacker community here, the town suffers from many a hippie-wannabe, and there’s lots of yoga and meditation classes available. Whilst exploring the lake, avoid the priests like the black plague – they are extremely skilled scammers. Do not let them place a wristband upon you, they will ask for a ridiculous payment.

For a truly striking sunset, climb one of the nearby hills surrounding the town. Pushkar has great but, very strong, Bhang (marijuana) lassis; these will knock you out if you are not careful.

Every year, the famed Pushkar Camel Festival comes to town – this is a totally insane event but well worth seeing if you happen to be in India at the time; book your accommodation in advance as everything tends to sell out.  Four to five days is about right for a visit to Pushkar although its possible to linger for weeks.

To get to Pushkar you must first catch a train to Ajmer and then catch a forty five minute bus onwards to Pushkar itself. From Ajmer you can catch a bus to Bundi, a logical next stop.

Backpacking Bundi

I loved Bundi. It’s well off the tourist radar and definitely worth visiting. I stayed in a lovely little guesthouse called simply The Lake View Guesthouse . Rooms were cheap, just $6 for a huge double with bathroom. Bhayvam Homestay does rooms for $3 but they are basic and you have to share a bathroom.

Definitely visit the palace and the fortress atop the hill (take a stick to deter the monkeys ) as well as Kipling’s house. Hire bicycles to go exploring outside the city, you will be utterly alone and this is a great chance to do some real exploring.

Stay for at least three days in Bundi and be sure to check out Krishna’s Tea Stall .

Backpacking Jodhpur

Although there may not be a great deal of tourist sites to visit, Jodhpur is an excellent example of a Rajasthani market town, a good wander through streets to soak up the busy vibe and colours is a must during your stay. In the state where every town has a fort, Jodhpur is no exception and it’s definitely worth visiting.

It’s one of the most amazing fortresses in the world. Take the audio tour to find out plenty of awesome history about this amazing place. I would stay for one or two days. You then easily catch a bus from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer.

Backpacking Jaisalmer

A giant sandcastle rising out of the desert, Jaisalmer fort is one of my favourite places in all of India and the starting point for the annual rickshaw race across India.

Even better, if you’re keen to go camel trekking and to spend a night camping out in the desert with fellow backpackers, this is the place to do it! Haggle hard… The prices vary wildly!

The legal Bhang shop sells shakes and cookies – they can get you very high and are a fun way to while away an evening; as always, be careful if you’re experimenting with drugs on the road. Not including time for a camel trek, you only need two days to explore Jaisalmer. There are good train links out of Jaisalmer.

Backpacking Udaipur

What a truly wonderful place. I lingered here for almost a month when I was on my first backpacking trip to India at the age of nineteen. There are wonderful hostels in Udaipur , great restaurants, interesting cycle rides, captivating lakes and atmospheric temples.

Try to stay somewhere near the central Jagdish temple. Shop around for accommodation as it’s possible to find good rooms for $4. I got some beautiful, custom made shirts in Udaipur which cost about $4 each – well worth it.

Five days is a good length of time to spend in Udaipur before catching a train back up to Delhi or travelling onwards to Goa or Mumbai. A train to Goa, via Gujurat, takes around 46 hours and I strongly recommend that nobody ever attempts this again… It was one of the most god-awful journeys of my life!

Backpacking Bombay

Let’s start with the name. Nobody calls this sweltering city Mumbai and the city is very much Bombay.

Now that the name is out of the way, let’s get onto the city. Bombay is, in a single word, intense! If you survive Bombay you have done well. Bombay is not only dirty, crowded and full of touts, it is also the most expensive city in India and can quickly drain your bank account on account of the wild nights out… Tinder works well in Bombay.

I loved Bombay and spent over 2 weeks hanging out but I was couchsurfing and had some great friends to show me Mumbai’s best neighbourhoods and help keep my costs low . I highly recommend trying to make a friend in Bombay as they will show you a side of the city that most backpackers in India simply are not aware of.

In case you can’t find a host, worry not as there are now loads of decent Mumbai hostels. You should definitely brave the local trains at some point, they are packed to bursting but are a quintessential Indian backpacking experience.

From Bombay, you can easily catch a train to Aurangabad.

Backpacking Ajanta & Ellora

The famed cave temples and dwellings of Ajanta and Ellora rival those of Petra… Huge temples and structures have been carved into the rock and occupied by holy sects for centuries, the history here is absolutely fascinating.

To visit Ajanta and Ellora, you will need to make a base in Aurangabad; a quintessential middle-of-nowhere Indian town.

You’ll need a full day to visit the incredible cave temples of Ellora, travel by tuk tuk for 600RS. Be sure to make a stop at the truly awesome ruined fortress of Daulatabad, a place with a bloody and fascinating history.

On day 2, take a taxi (1200RS) if in a group or a bus (150RS each way) if you are on your own to the Ajanta Caves; a collection of thirty Buddhist monasteries carved into a shoehorn of rock sitting above a lush green forest. On day 3, get the heck out of dodge (there really is fuck all to do in Aurangabad) and catch a train (6 hours) to Nashik.

Backpacking Nashik

The ghats, stone steps leading down to the river for washing and praying, in Nashik are truly mesmerising and, unlike in Varanasi, there are no pushy touts looking to make a quick rupee from backpackers.

If you are into your photography, Nashik is one of the best places to visit some truly untouched Ghats and to capture scenes of Indian rural life.

One day in Nashik is enough; besides the ghats there isn’t much to see. I couchsurfed here and found myself in a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class in the evening… such is travelling in India! If you fancy spending a second day in Nashik, there is a pleasant day hike to Trimbak which is worth checking out.

From Nashik you can arrange a sleeper bus towards Goa, or if you are feeling adventurous catch a train to Gulbarga and then onwards to Bidar and Bijapur, you may have to go via Bombay. I couchsurfed in Nashik.

Backpacking Bidar

The epic fort in Bidar is probably one of the most untouched forts in all of Asia and, best of all, if you visit you will probably have it all to yourself.

From Gulbarga, a bus (three hours) runs to Bidar, there is very limited accommodation options here – I stayed in the Hotel Mayura , right next to the bus station. Bidar Fort is filled with hidden, locked, passageways and epic buildings.

If you find an attendant, you can tip him 100RS to wander around with you or, even better, simply give you the keys. The fort alone is well worth coming to Bidar for but the city itself does have some other interesting sites and is one of the most important places of pilgrimage for the Sikhs. From Bidar, it’s a seven hour, ass-bruising, bus ride to Bijapur.

Backpacking Bijapur

Palaces, tombs, gateways, temples and minarets, all carved from solid basalt and covered in twisting vines and flowers. The architecture in Bijapur is simply stunning and it is widely renowned as one of the most important historical cities in India, despite this it attracts very few backpackers and you are likely to have it all to yourself.

A couple of days is adequate time to see all of the sites, it could be done in one single day if you are tired of the heat and are keen to hurry on to somewhere a tad more relaxing.

I recommend staying in Hotel Pleasant Stay , the cheapest accommodation is next to the bus-stand – it’s fairly horrible. From Bijapur, catch a bus to Hospet (3 – 4 hours) and from Hospet catch a thirty minute rickshaw to Hampi…

Backpacking Hampi

Backpacking Hampi is hands-down my favourite thing to do in India. I’ve been a total of five times and, every time, it’s changed drastically. It is famed for its climbing boulders as well as the assortment of ancient temples and Hampi’s primary backpacker area across the river.

Local buses from Hosepur to Hampi begin running at around 7am but expect usual Indian delays. The ride takes 30 – 40 minutes and costs about 15 rupees. Tuk Tuks are available and will charge you between 200 – 400. Tuk Tuk drivers will also lie and tell that you that the busses to Hampi start at 8.00, 9.00 or even that there aren’t any at all to try and get your custom.

Scooters can be rented cheaply in Hampi (300-400 rps), but aren’t actually necessary. Bicycles can be obtained for 200 – 300 rps. I recommended joining a bike tour around the temples and ruins of the main island – they can be joined for 300 including bike, last 4 hours and cover about 9km with lots of stops – bring sun cream and water.

Note that as of February 2020, the local government has began totally demolishing the entirety of the development “across the river”. This means all of the hostels and the entire Hampi backpacker hub is gone. The temples are still there, as are the rocks but to be frank, Hampi just lost half of its appeal and charm in one fell swoop. It remains to be seen how the demolition will affect Hampi’s.

Backpacking Goa

Probably the most famous place in all of India and a magnet for hippie wannabes and all kinds of backpacker assholes, traveling in Goa is a complicated, chilled, paradoxical place that is well worth a visit no matter what you hear.

The trick with Goa is choosing where in Goa to stay.

• Baga is for package tourists.
• Anjuna and  Arambol  for party people.
• Vasco da Gama  and  Margao have more local Goan life and traces of the Portuguese colonial era.
• South Goa for those seeking some peace.

Both Palolem and Patnem are pretty relaxed. You can arrange fishing, dolphin watching and kayaking from the beach.

Another beach well worth considering is Arambol beach in the North. It’s a lively, hippy mecca, and you’ll be sure to find some cute Goa Airbnbs and hostels to base in. There are loads of yoga classes and meditations, there are jam sessions every night and shops selling some genuine boutique items as well as the standard backpacker stuff. 

If you shop around you can still get a beach front shack for around 500 rps though prices spike between Christmas and February. There are also a number of trendy eco-resorts in Goa that are worth checking out!

Most restaurants along and around the beach are very similar and do perfectly decent Indian standards as well tantalisingly fresh fish tandooris. Cheeky Monkey has a great fusion menu and the shack next to the coconut seller does amazing thali’s for 100 – 150 rps.

There are no big parties in Arambol itself although Rusta has began doing Wednesday Techno Parties. Morejim however is a short ride from Arambol (don’t drink/drug & ride) and has a number of club nights featuring all minds of music.

That said, Arambol itself has numerous happenings every single night until around 10:30pm (midnight if its away from then main drag). I recommend attending Ecstatic Dance at the Source and seeing what weird and wonderful stuff is going on at Magic Cafe and the Love Templ e.

The big, wild, legendary Goa parties take place in and around Anjuna & Vagator . There are parties catering to different tastes each night during high season (Dec – March) so if you like commercial, techno, R & B or house you can find it.

However, my absolute premium advice is to attend at least one Goan Trance Party as they are utterly mind blowing. Try Shiva Valley on Tuesday nights or Shiva Place on Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Hilltop & Origens claim to be “temples of trance” and do attract big name DJ’s, but they are overpriced, soulless & shit.

Backpacking Gokarna

For a taste of ‘Goa before the tourists’, many people backpacking India head to Gokarna. The main beach is quickly catching on and becoming more touristy, much like Goa. That said, there are plenty of smaller beaches which are only accessible by boat and are home to small communes of hippies.

Gokharna is a short(ish) way from Goa and its relatively quiet. Beaches generally act as either a warm up for or come down from the madness of India’s tourism capital. Gokharna itself is classic Indian small town with a few temples, some dirt roads and lots of cows. There are plenty of guest houses, shops, travel agencies and ATM’s to be had here and its worth a look.

However, people come here for the quiet, secluded beaches which are 6km and 150rps in a Tuk Tuk away. My personal nickname for Om Beach is Jaffa Beach as its firmly established on the Hummus trail. By day, play volleyball, explore the temples in the old town or fish upon the high seas. By night, discover the real reason that many hippies have moved to Gokarna; a better supply of mushrooms and weed.

The guest houses here range from 300 to 500rps and the quality differs drastically. Shopping around and checking them all out is strongly advised as many don’t have WI-Fi or reliable electricity and are frankly depressing. The absolute pick has to be Mooksa with its extensive grounds at the back of the cafe. Dolphin Bay is to be avoided.

Some of these places don’t even have electricity so if you’re looking for something a bit more out there – this might be it. I would recommend staying at the Zostel hostel.

The necklace sellers on the beach are mostly young and pleasant but do get annoying. If you don’t intend to buy anything then make it very clear and be firm without been rude. If you say “I may buy later/tomorrow” then they will try to hold you to that.

Snakes are also very common here. I found one, 2 foot long, in my room and saw several small snakes in the jungles immediately surrounding the beach. The local staff told me they’re not poisonous but Google tells me there are some cobras around. The beach dogs are very friendly and the beach cows are generally harmless, but may try to eat your belongings. Remember, these animals are sacred in Hindu culture so respond accordingly if this happens.

Backpacking Rishikesh

Famous since the Beatles first rocked up here and got stuck into an Ashram, Rishikesh is a popular stop with yogis backpacking India and is well worth checking out, even if you are not into yoga. If you are into yoga, Rishikesh is the perfect place to take a course or earn your yoga certification.

Catch a train from Delhi to Haridwar and then catch a bus (one hour) onwards to Rishikesh bus station – from here, you will then need to get a tuk tuk to drop you near Lakshman Jhula, cross the bridge and find a place to crash.

There are lots of cheap backpacker accommodation options around as well as good Rishikesh hostels . I recommend staying at the Parmarth Niketan Ashram which is near Ram Jhula. You should definitely eat at the awesome Beatles Cafe,  Ira’s Tea , and Ramana’s Café .

Whilst in Rishikesh, hire mopeds for 300RS a day and go exploring. The foot-traffic within Rishikesh of thousands of pilgrims can be quite intense but once you are over the bridge and happily zipping along the mountains roads it’s a lot of fun. You can also arrange to go white water rafting in Rishikesh.

I recommend three or four days in Rishikesh. There are loads of Yoga and Meditation courses available ranging from a matter of days to entire months. Oh, and “ The Beatles Ashram ” is now an urban art museum which is well worth checking out.

From Rishikesh you can reach the incredible Valley of Flowers. I recommend taking around 3 days to make stops along the way. Trust me, it’s so worth it. From nearby Haridwar, you can also catch a train to Amritsar.

Backpacking Amritsar

The Golden Temple, the most sacred temple in the Sikh faith, is simply breathtaking. Sikhism welcomes all and you can stay for free in the golden temple dorms. Wander around until someone shows you where to go.

Ask the temple guards if unsure. Keeping with the spirit of Sikh hospitality, you can also get free food at the temple all day long.

You should visit the Wagah border ceremony in the evening and have a giggle at the ridiculous flag ceremony performed by soldiers from the Indian and Pakistani armed forces… It’s better from the Pakistani side!

One full day in Amritsar is enough as it’s very hot. After a night in the temple dorm you can catch an early morning bus to McLeod Ganj, or a sleeper train south. For more info, check out my amigos guide to Amritsar .

484 pages with cities, towns, parks, and ALL the out-of-the-way places you will WANT to know. If you truly want to discover Pakistan , download this PDF .

Backpacking McLeod Ganj

Home to the Dalai Lama and thousands of Tibetan’s in Exile, McLeod Ganj (or little Tibet) is a chilled place to spend a couple of days among the Tibetan people and is a great place to pick up souvenirs. There are many interesting day hikes around the area.

I would recommend staying at Backpackers Inn but you can also find tons of really cheap Tibetan family run places if you shop around a bit.

We stayed at one of these for 250RS a night, though prices will likely be higher these days thanks to inflation. McLeod is pretty small and a few days here should be more than enough unless you are doing yoga or choose to get involved with a charity.

There are several projects for volunteers here working with Tibetan refugees, be sure to check out Tibetan World where you can sign up for hour long language exchanges with the Tibetan monks, who are always keen to improve their English. And to leave you with a cheap food tip, The Black Tent Cafe does a fantastic Tibetan breakfast.

Backpacking Bhagsu and Dharamkot

Just a short twenty minute walk from McLeod Ganj is the backpacker hub of Bhagsu.

Lower Bhagsu is pretty modernised and my advice is to keep going up the hill. Bhagsu is an Indian backpackers paradise with hand made crafts, tie-dye clothing and Didgeridoo lessons at every turn. When travelling through India the first time, I fell in love with Bhagsu.

The area is very popular with Israeli’s and there is even a Hebrew book exchange. In the evenings, head along the stone paths into the hills and follow the music and the scent of ganja, there are many little cafe’s and lodges along the trail where musicians jam into the early hours of the morning.

Bring a torch as finding you way back after dark could be a challenge on a night with no moon! There are some great treks that can be done from Bhagsu without a guide; the most popular is Triund which only takes about three or four hours and is manageable even for newbie trekkers.

You can rent a tent to sleep in at the summit, it gets cold so bring layers if you have them.

Backpacking Old Manali

Arriving into Manali, you will be dropped in the main bus station in the modern part of the town, whatever you do; don’t stay here!

The real Manali is still a couple of kilometers away and you can choose between basing yourself in Old Manali or Vashisht. Old Manali is far busier than Vashisht and definitely the place to base yourself if you want to party – there are plenty of great hostels in Old Manali to meet party friends here too!

In Old Manali, ‘ Dylan’s Toasted and Roasted ’ does great deserts and has a movie room. Meanwhile the Sunshine Cafe has incredible food from all over the world and is a solid bet for nightly live music. The marijuana in Manali is amazing and freely grows everywhere.

Manali is an adventurer’s paradise and you can arrange white water rafting, paragliding, zorbing and canyoning… or, you could just get blazed all day. If you have plenty of time, it’s worth checking out both Old Manali and Vashisht, if you’re short on time, you’ll have to choose…

Backpacking Vashisht

If, like me, you prefer to simply chill with a cheeky smoke and watch the mountains, Vashisht is the place to go. Old Manali is great but, recently, it’s become overrun with large hordes of party-orientated backpackers, usually from Israel. Vashist is just a fifteen minute tuk tuk ride from Old Manali.

Vashisht is roughly set across the valley opposite Old Manali and is kind of like its little brother. The small town is much quieter than Old Manali and therefore a fantastic place to stay if you want some peace and tranquility.

There is a hot spring at the top of town and daily religious processions where you can watch devout locals fall into a state of trance. The Rasta Cafe is a great place to hang out and is famed for its Special Lassis ( be warned, they can be very strong ).

Private rooms can be found from between 600-1000Rs if you are willing to go door to door and haggle and you can sometimes even bag a room with a stunning mountain view.

From Vashisht, you could consider getting hold of a Royal Enfield and exploring the Spiti Valley  or, if you are short on time and funds, you can begin the epic bus journey to Leh in Ladakh.

The overnight minibus is supposed to take at least eighteen hours but when I did it, it took closer to thirty six hours due to landslides…

It was an awful journey but, ultimately, was so worth it. You can fly to Leh but, well, the bus journey is a rite of passage when backpacking India so you should do it, the views will be stunning if there is no cloud cover. Remember to take Diamox with you to combat altitude sickness.

Alternatively, from Vashisht, you can head south to Kasol for some easy treks within the lower Himalayas.

Backpacking Kasol

If you are taking a trip to Parvati Valley , chances are you will pass through Kasol, which is a popular backpacking destination for good reason. The town of Kasol can be reached by a five to six hour bus ride from Manali for 200RS.

Kasol has soared in popularity in the last few years and is now rivalling Manali as the backpacker hub for Himachal Pradesh. Depending on how long you spent in Manali, it is definitely worth heading here for a few nights if you have the time.

Kasol itself is largely popular with Israeli travellers and you will see many a hippie wannabe, from all nationalities, clad head to toe in hilariously impractical gear they have bought from the many stores selling hippy dippy shit upon every corner.

If you’re into shopping, you will probably love Kasol. It’s a good place to pick up quality clay chillums – 120RS – anyway. Kasol itself is, like Manali, famed for its marijuana and laid back backpacker vibe.

There are many day-hikes and longer multi-day treks that can be attempted from around Kasol. For a full run down of chilled out places to visit in the area have a good look at the  Kasol and Around guide  by Drifter Planet.

Backpacking Kalga and Kheerganga

From Kasol, you can catch a minivan up into the mountains and trek for forty five minutes to reach the truly serene village of Kalga.  It’s well worth spending a couple of days here, hanging out in the very chilled Sunset Cafe run by the unendingly friendly Nepalese manager, Hans – he is a man of many names.

From Kalga, most backpackers head off on the six hour hike to Kheerganga where you can bathe in a hot spring said to be one of Lord Shiva’s favourite places to relax after a hard day’s godding.

Despite this, it’s well worth spending one night in Kheerganga to see the stunning night sky at elevation; the lack of light pollution makes for some soul-stirring stargazing.

Kheerganga itself has, sadly, been hit with rapid unchecked development and is not a particularly nice place to stay – accommodation is crowded, dirty and overpriced. If you have a tent, bring it. Kheerganga might have some of the most disgusting toilets in all of India, which is no easy accomplishment.

Backpacking Leh and Ladakh

There is a lot to do in Leh and some great trekking in Ladakh. Start by the visiting the amazing palace and the massive Stupa – the donkey sanctuary is also worth a visit.

If you fancy some trekking, there is the 6-day Markha Valley Trek in Hemis National Park (the largest national park in India ), the 5 day Nubra Valley trek and the challenging Rumtse to Tso Moriri-dayer.

Ladakh and Kashmir are great places to travel on your own wheels and ideal for motorbike trips. You can also try hitchhiking or get a shared Ladakh taxi to explore the region.

Backpacking Srinagar

From Leh, you can take a jeep (very expensive) or an old bus to Srinagar (or you can fly). I would recommend flying… or avoiding Srinagar altogether!

I visited Srinagar as one of the very last stops on my first fourteen month adventure in India and by the time I got there I was totally broke… Unfortunately, without cash, it’s pretty difficult to see Kashmir as you really do need your own transport or to book yourself onto jeep tours which tend to start at around 2000RS a day.

In Srinagar, the one must-try experience, in my opinion, is to explore the lake by shikara. The lake is truly gorgeous and a peaceful place to spend an afternoon exploring. From Srinagar, you can catch a bus down to Amritsar or fly to Delhi.

Backpacking Bangalore

Bangalore is something of a boom town in India and has firmly established itself as the centre of the sub-continents mega tech industry. The city is something of a typical modern Indian city; unplanned, chaotic and ugly.

That said it is much more tolerable than Mumbai and Delhi; you will get far less hassle and meet with less scams. Because of its booming tech and business scene, the city also has a young, educated, enterprising crowd who are in many ways the cream of India’s youthful crop. There are lots of micro pubs, some great places to eat, and a few clubs putting on gigs and electronic music nights.

For a kick ass Mutton Biryani, check out the ever busy and beautifully basic Shivaji Military Hotel in Banashankari and for a classic South Indian breakfast of rice cakes head to Sree Krishna Kafe in Koramangala.

If you’re exploring South India then you should consider flying into Bangalore instead of the disappointing, punishing shit hole that is Mumbai. The hostels in Bangalore are way better and international flights are regular and affordable.

Backpacking Kodagu

A six hour bus journey from Bangalore lies the largely unexplored Kodagu region.

Although Lonely Planet claims to have been to Kodagu the information in the book is so point blank wrong that I find this hard to believe.

This is real exploring territory. It is easy to arrange a homestay once you reach the administrative capital of Madikeri. From Madikeri it is worth taking the hour long bus to Bylakuppe to visit a Tibetan colony.

The best thing about Kodagu is arranging a homestay, I recommend Homestay Kodagu , and simply heading off into the hills on a hiking adventure…  

A bus to Mysore from Kodagu takes about four hours. It is one of the most romantic destinations in India. Kodagu is perhaps one of the top romantic destinations in India.

Backpacking Mysore

Mysore is a truly ancient city and it still has a real feel of the British Raj about it.

You should definitely visit Chamundi Hill, climb the thousands of steps if you fancy a workout. The imposing Mysore Palace is well worth an afternoon and, if you can find them, there is word of underground parties in Mysore by night. Srirangapatna makes a great day trip from Mysore.

Mysore is, hands down, my favourite city in all of India… Saying that, it’s still a city in India and so you might want to do a runner after a few days to the more chilled out coast.

Backpacking Fort Kochi

Famed for the ancient Chinese fishing nets lining the shore, Fort Kochi is a great place to chill out for a couple of days.

Think laidback beach vibes, plenty of delicious seafood, and lots of opportunities for colourful travel photography.

To get away from Fort Kochi, you must first travel to Ernakulam so that you can catch onwards transport (two hours by bus) to Alleppey.

Backpacking Alleppey

There’s only one real reason to come to Alleppey when backpacking India… to arrange a trip on a houseboat and explore the backwaters .

A three day, two night jaunt is the standard and when haggling for the rental make sure food is included in the price. There are hundreds of houseboats so take your time choosing and make sure to haggle.

Check out this list of awesome Houseboats on the backwaters. If you do end up having to stay in the town there is a YMCA . Just outside of Alleppey is a little known but very beautiful stretch of beach and some interesting villages easily explored by bicycle.

Backpacking Munnar and Periyar

By now, you’re probably a bit stressed and need some time out, never fear; simply get your ass to Periyar wildlife sanctuary. To get to Periyar you must first head towards the town of Kumily.

Bank to spend a week between Periyar and nearby Munnar as you cycle, hike and drink way too much coffee. There are buses to Periyar from both Ernakulam and Alleppey.

Backpacking Varkala

The very tip of India, Varkala is reachable by train from Alleppey (three hours) and the train line does in fact run all the way to Bangalore. Varkala is a lovely stretch of sand and restaurant shacks but sadly suffers from a crowd of rather pushy shop owners.

If you have your own transport, you can explore some of the surrounding, quieter, beaches where it’s possible to camp without being bothered…

Getting Off the Beaten Path in India

Whilst India is well worn by tourist footfall, it is an insanely massive county and therefore getting off the beaten path is a lot easier than you would imagine. There is so much more to India than the Golden Triangle route that most first-timers take.

For example even tried and trodden Rajasthan has hidden gems like Bundi just a 4 hour bus ride away from Jaipur.

In Goa, it is simply a case of getting a bike and driving inland to explore the forest and villages that other tourists never get to.

Or you can go to places most tourists simply never make it to. Northeast India is like a country within a country, giving all the vibes of Southeast Asia while still in India. Majuli Island is a particular gem that I recommend getting to now–it might be underwater in coming days. Other Indian islands are worth checking out too.

While Bombay itself sucks, the state of Maharashtra does have some fantastic, lowkey beaches that will show you what seaside life in India used to be before mass tourism. Guhagar is perhaps my favorite beach in the country that you’ll have all to yourself during the day.

Meanwhile Tilmati Beach (near Karwar, another offbeat town worth checking out) is a real black sand beach only known to locals and fishermen.

While you’re in the area, you can stay in Mahabaleshwar and enjoy epic sunset views from the killer vantage point at Wilson Point.

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

Top Things To Do in India

India is a truly weird and wonderful country, travelling in India is totally unlike travelling anywhere else – this is a subcontinent comprised of 29 states , each of which could be, and once was, it’s own country.

When backpacking India, you will be assailed on all sides by mind-boggling sights, sounds, smells, and tastes… Here are a few must-try experiences whilst travelling in India…

1. Try the street food

Eating plenty of Indian street food is one of the best ways to stretch your budget and you can pick up meals for as little as 10RS in some places…

Indian street food can be truly fantastic; I highly recommend Masala Dosa but Pokhara’s, Paaj Bhuri & Fried Chillies are also delicious. Try to pick a vendor with lots of Indian customers, they usually have the best food.

2. Visit a Hindu temple

Yes the Taj Mahal is a must see, but India is absolutely full of other stunning mausoleums, shrines, and temple ruins, many of which never make the news.

My favourites are in Khajuraho and Hampi, but it’s not just the ancient temples that should appeal.

For a taste of something a little bit different, check out a Hindu temple that is still running; some of the best ones are in Udaipur.

3. Couchsurf with the Sikhs

Couchsurfing in India is a great way to keep the cost of traveling in India low, and to get to know the local people. The Sikhs are some of the most hospitable people in India and whilst travelling in India I was frequently invited to stay by turbanned fellows sporting mighty fine mustaches.

These guys were almost always unbelievably hospitable and kind. Turn to Couchsurfing  to help keep your costs down whilst backpacking in India.

4. Explore the East

While most travellers plan to stick to North India or South India, the country has a massive East Coast (plus the 7 states that make uo Northeast India) that few foreigners make it to.

The hub of the east is undoubtedly Kolkata, a fantastic city where you’ll likely be one of only a handful of other backpackers.

The states of Tamil Nadu and Odisha are both quite unique in their own way, and are definitely worth the trip if you’re truly committed to travel India as authentically as possible.

5. Attend a festival

India is world-famous for its truly amazing festivals , my favourites of which are Diwali, the festival of light and Holi, the paint-throwing festival, one of the most famous festivals in the world . However, please note that Holi is not so cool for female travellers. Basically, local men get very drunk & excited which often culminates in spates of sexual assault; sorry to have to be so blunt.

Even so, a festival of some kind should be on your India itinerary.

6. Travel India with your own transport

The best way to see the real India is to travel with your own transport. I’ve motorbiked extensively across India and, more recently, drove a rickshaw 2500km across the country.

Even if you just hire a scooter for a day, travelling with your own transport in India is the best way to peel back the layers and get to grips with this amazing country.

7. Get off the beaten path

The backpacker enclaves of sleepy little Hampi, Goa and Manali are always full of backpackers chatting shit about how much they love India… the only thing is; this isn’t the real India.

The real India can be tough, it can be challenging but it is also one of the most rewarding budget travel destinations in the world. Furthermore, if you take the time to get off the beaten track, to hit the road and to go on a proper adventure you won’t regret it.

Best of all, when the real India has tired you out, then you can make a run for one of the backpacker enclaves… lucky you’ll never run out of epic places to visit in India .

8. Party in Goa

Experiencing Goa’s insane nightlife is must for your India itinerary. Yes, it’s popular, yes, it can be a bit touristy.

But trust me when I say you haven’t been to a party until you’ve danced the night away at a psy trance party.

9. Take a hike

India is home to the majestic Himalayas, and the trekking opportunities are endless. While not quite as awe-inspiring as neighbouring Pakistan, you can find some pretty epic views all over the North of the country.

India has some absolutely world class trekking op’s up in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand (the Gaumukh Trek takes you to the start of the Ganges) and Ladakh. Alternately though you can also find ample–though more restricted–opportunities in if you visit Kashmir and/or Sikkim.

10. Explore Little Tibet AKA Spiti Valley

Spiti Valley is one of the most unique places you can visit on an India backpacking trip. It’s quite a small region, yet it will truly make you feel like you’ve left India altogether and crossed the border into Tibet.

Locals look Tibetan, their language is almost identical, and they practice Buddhism. It’s in Spiti where you can find the oldest monastery in all of India.

This high-altitude region is similar to Ladakh, but is very much its own. Even if you plan to head towards Leh, a week in Spiti is one you won’t soon forget.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Backpacker Accommodation in India

When I first went backpacking in India, hostels did not yet exist. Instead, there was mostly cheap hotels and guesthouses available.

This is still largely true but there are now many high-quality backpacker hostels throughout India .

Guesthouses and commune-style accommodation can be a great experience as well; I’ve stayed in some amazing places and ended up enjoying it so much that I stayed for weeks at a time. With an increasing number of eco-resorts popping up as well, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

There is a lot of commune-style accommodation around; it tends to attract plenty of wannabe hippies but don’t give up if your first experience isn’t great, try a few of them to see if you can find a place with a vibe to suit you. Zostel Hostels is a decent backpacker hostel chain worth checking out.

And as a quick insider tip: If you want to see all – and we mean ALL – hostel options in India, be sure to check out BOOKING.COM . You can even filter your personal travel needs to find the perfect place for you.

The Best Places To Stay in India

India backpacking costs.

The good news is that India is one of the cheapest countries in the world to go travelling if you’re smart with your money it’s possible to travel in India on a budget of just $10 a day, even less if you haggle like a pro.

The trick to super cheap backpacking in India is to travel slow. The faster you travel, the more it will cost. In general, it’s likely you will spend between $10 – $30 a day depending on how comfortable you want to be.

A Daily Budget in India

These prices are based on the current exchange rate of 73 rupees to the dollar (March 2020).

Money in India

There are lots of international ATMS but they can be tough to find once you are outside of the cities and are in more remote areas. Also note that some ATM’s will not accept certain cards and a lot of them are often empty or broken.

Typically, you can expect to try 2 – 3 ATM’s before finding one that works. Many will charge 200 rps per transaction and this is in addition to any charges your bank levies. It’s advisable to avoid small ATM transactions and get out a bunch of cash at once – just make sure you hide it well.

Travel Tips – India on a Budget

Normally, my top three tips for budget travel are to hitchhike, camp and cook your own food but in India, food, transport and accommodation are already so cheap that this is not really necessary unless you are backpacking India on a budget of just a couple of dollars a day.

Don’t get me wrong – it is totally possible to travel in India with almost no money, I’ve done it, but it’s also possible to go travelling in India on a modest budget and still travel in relative style.

• Local Transport:  India is home to over one billion people, and many of India’s people need to travel great distances on just a few rupees. Journeys can be long and uncomfortable but it is possible to get from the top of India to the bottom for cheap. The sleeper trains are a great way to travel around India cheaply and the buses are a decent second option.
• Couchsurf :  Accommodation in India varies wildly in quality and cost but, in general, you can find a quality room for just a couple of dollars – especially if you are in a backpacker hub. It can be harder when you are out exploring the wild side of India but, as always, Couchsurfing comes to the rescue. I couchsurfed in India about twenty times and it was a great way to cut down on costs – just be careful when picking a host; you want somebody with plenty of positive reviews.
• Haggle:  India is the worst country I have ever been to from the point of view of people trying to rip me off… Even when the price of an item is clearly printed on the packaging, some unscrupulous motherfuckers will try to charge three times as much. India is a country where you simply must haggle for almost everything – accommodation, tuk tuks, street food, souvenirs… All can be haggled down.
• Become an expert:  Learn the secrets to unlocking sustainable long term travel .

Why You Should Travel to India with a Water Bottle

Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches… so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful

You aren’t going to save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem. When you travel to some of the world’s most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. And I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller .

STOP USING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC! If you’d like some more tips on how to save the world , be sure to watch the video below.

Plus, now you won’t be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtle’s life again.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

Best Time To Travel To India

Below is a general guide to India’s weather patterns, but India’s massive size means you need to closely investigate the weather patterns for your specific destination at the time of year you plan to visit. For example, some careful planning could see you travelling just in front of the monsoon as opposed to travelling in it, it could see you hitting the hill stations in the heat and the plains in the cooler months…

The “best” time to visit India is generally October to March when the weather is warm, dry and sunny. The Himalayas are cold but clear. This is peak tourist season and the time when most backpackers visit India.

Around April to May , the temperatures and humidity start to increase along with periodic thunderstorms so this part of the year is when it makes the most sense to head up into the mountains.

From June to September , the Indian Plains are scorching and many locals retreat to hill stations to escape the heat, eventually, the cooling monsoons sweep across the country.

Be aware of the very real possibility of heat stroke and dehydration particularly if landing in Delhi. Ladakh in the far north is generally only accessible between June and September by road, but careful monitoring of conditions is necessary if you are headed that way.

Road closures due to weather changes can be instant, and last for weeks. My overland journey between Manali and Leh took a horrific 35 hours when an avalanche washed away part of the road.

What to Pack for India

Here’s what I would never leave off my India packing list :

Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Sea To Summit Micro Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Grayl Geopress Water Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!

Staying Safe in India

India can be a real assault on the senses, the body and the mind. This is a country with many lessons to teach . Whilst India is generally not considered a “dangerous” destination, there are actually a lot of little hazards to watch out for.

Perhaps the single biggest danger is traffic. Roads are jammed and motoring standards low and reckless. Take care when crossing roads and try to follow locals across. If you rent a bike or scooter, drive very carefully, cautiously, wear a helmet, and do not drink/drug drive – tourists are killed in this way every year.

Other dangers are disease and sickness. Do not ever drink tap water and even take care when showering in low budget guesthouses as the water can cause infections. Food hygiene standards have improved but “Delhi Belly” can still strike; try to avoid very dirty restaurants, eat only fresh street, frequent busy eateries, and use hand sanitiser.

You should also see your Doctor before visiting as a number of vaccinations are advised.

Bring sickness. and diarrhea medicine from home along with a supply of paracetamol and anti-septic. Whilst medicine is available in India, a lot of it is fake.

Crime against tourists is pretty rare (except for sex crimes against women) but pick pocketing occurs and unattended valuables will go missing. A simple padlock  is well worth taking with you and if you want to go all out, I recommend the PacSafe to protect your gear.

That said, scams in India against tourists are very common and you can expect to encounter them daily. There are far too many to list but a few classics include holy men asking for donations, various street beggars, been sold invalid tickets and taxi drivers saying your hotel is burned down. Basically, as a rule distrust pretty much everybody who approaches you and anybody who can make money out of you.

In 2016 veteran adventurer Justin Alexander, went missing whilst trekking around Kheerganga with a Sadhu of dubious intent. Justin was a real mountain man and a big inspiration for me.

The Sadhus, wandering Hindu holy men of India, are a fascinating group of people but can be extremely dangerous, I do not recommend interacting with them if you are alone – many of them are outlaws, frauds & drug addicts. Hiking into the mountains with them is not a good idea.

Be careful with the police in India, getting arrested is not fun. You can bribe your way out of most situations fairly quickly but the trick is to do it fast; the more police become involved the more expensive it will become – get your ass out of the situation before you arrive at the police station.

There are plenty of animal hazards in India. These inside street dogs & as well as mosquitos, snakes & parasites. Monkeys are amusing but can be vicious and will try to steal from you (phones, food, washing lines etc). Even street cows can get aggressive so keep your distance. If you head into the wilderness then add Tigers, Bears, Hyenas and Elephants to this list of beasts.

Another hazard is falling coconuts – they claim a lot of lives across Asia each year.

Despite the daily challenges, Backpacking India is an experience that easily outweighs these small dangers.

Some Extra Travel Tips for Staying Safe in India

• Check out Backpacker Safety 101 for tips and tricks to stay safe whilst backpacking.
• Pick yourself up a backpacker security belt to keep your cash safe on the road.
• Check out this post for plenty of ideas on ingenious ways to hide your money when travelling.
• I strongly recommend travelling with a headlamp whilst in India (or anywhere really – every backpacker should have a good headtorch!)

Staying Healthy In India

Travelling in India and totally avoiding traveler’s diarrhea is pretty impossible. Be sure to completely avoid the tap water, even when brushing your teeth (use purified water!) to improve your chances of escaping…

Many backpackers travelling in India tend to go vegetarian for the duration; not a bad idea considering Indian’s suck at cooking meat.

Eating street food is fine; just make sure the food is well cooked and is cooked in front of you – you don’t want something that’s been sitting out for hours. Potato and egg dishes tend to be the safest.

Female Travellers in India

Time to touch on a touchy topic…

One of the biggest problems with India is the attitude of many Indian men towards women, especially foreigners. Frankly, the way women are treated can be disgusting and the country is sadly in denial about the problem.

Most female backpackers encounter some sort of problem at one time or another whilst travelling in India. This can range from being stared at, “wanked at”, groped, followed or worse. Which is why choosing solo-female traveller friendly destinations is key.

Female travellers need to be extra careful and super vigilant at all times in India especially on public transport and after dark. You can minimise hassle by dressing modestly, saying you are married and being direct – note that any politeness you show to strange men may be interpreted as a “green light”.

Having some self defense skills  when you’re on the road, or off it, is always worthwhile and in my opinion everybody should have a go at training in martial arts at least once in their lives.

I’ve met many kick ass ladies who have travelled India by themselves and I’ve asked a whole bunch of them for their advice on the matter… For even more tips on how to travel the world fearlessly as a kick ass solo female, check out my mate Teacake’s Top Tips for How to Travel Safely as a Women  – she is a legend and I have a huge adventure crush on her.

Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll in India

Marijuana is widely available across most of India (it’s where it came from) and it’s also possible to pick up psychedelics and party drugs pretty easily in places like Goa. Take the usual precautions when buying and taking drugs as arrests and deaths do occur.

Usually, it’s smoking weed that will get you arrested so be subtle to avoid problems in the first place. Avoid buying weed from tuk tuk drivers.

Tinder works in India and is a great way to meet people, especially in some of the bigger, more modern cities. However, Indian society is conservative and sex a taboo subject. Don’t expect to get your rocks off with the locals.

If you are travelling with your partner , I advise saying you are married. Keep public displays of affection to a minimum especially in holy cities and especially when there are a lot of local men around.

Dating in India

India remains very conservative when it comes to dating and gender relations. Furthermore, dating foreigners is a serious no-no for many Indian’s who are still encouraged to marry within their “caste”.

That said, female travellers to India can expect to receive a lot of attention from Indian men and will have no trouble hooking up if they so wish. For guys looking to hit a home run though, the situation is substantially more challenging as Indian women really do have to take social pressures very seriously.

Tinder is now established in big cities although you may well find that matches rarely go beyond polite chat.

Same sex relationships are still taboo in many parts of Indian society, though LGBT travel in India is possible if you stay discrete in public. PDA is a no go for heterosexual couples too, though hand-holding is common in major cities.

Why You Should Get Insured BEFORE Travelling to India

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

How To Get into India

There are multiple international flights to dozens of cities in India but most backpackers arrive via Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa or Kolkata. You can also cross the Wagah border from Pakistan, cross from Nepal and Bhutan or cross from South East Asia via Myanmar over the recently opened Tamu-Moreh border.

Entry Requirements For India

You will need a Visa to enter India unless you are from Nepal.

The Indian Visa process has undergone a lot of changes in recent years and the types of visas available, and fees, vary between nationalities with little logic or consistency.

Most nationalities can now get a sixty day E-visa online, prior to arrival and this is the most coming visa type. However, sixty days travelling in India is simply not enough. If you have the time, I suggest taking 3 months or more. Note that citizens of the UK, EU and US can now get a 12-month or even 5-10 year Visa. Other nationalities should check.

For further information visit the Indian Government E-visa website .

I recommend iVisa  for sorting your visa ahead of time – these guys are quick, efficient and not too expensive – a good shout if you are low on time and want to get your visa sorted in advance.

Find the best transport, best time and the  best fare with 12Go . And why not use what you’ve saved to treat yourself to something nice upon arrival?

It only takes 2 minutes!  Book your transport on 12Go now  and guarantee your seat easily.

How To Get Around India

One of the biggest challenges facing backpackers is travelling around India. India is a truly vast country and sometimes the travel distances are absolutely massive. I once spent thirty-two hours crushed into a third class steerage carriage on a long-distance train, it was an interesting experience…

The most comfortable way to get around India is usually by internal flights but for backpackers on a budget, the trains are usually a better bet. There are also VIP tourist buses, super cheap local buses and, of course, hitchhiking is always an option.

I spent a good bit of time on local buses. Whilst they are cheap, they can be seriously uncomfortable. For journeys of over 5 hours, I strongly recommend booking ahead and paying the extra money for a tourist, VIP bus.

Read this article for more tips on how to save money while travelling in India. When you are in the cities, try to avoid catching taxis or rickshaws as this is where you are most likely to get ripped off.

Traveling by Train in India

No India guide is complete without some train talk. When backpacking India, most travellers opt to make use of the trains and this is a quintessential experience. In general, most backpackers in India go for the 3AC class; these are six bed cabins with air-conditioning (which is usually fucking freezing; avoid the top bunk!).

You can also opt to go for the non air-conditioned coaches but these are often rammed full of people; for short journeys it’s OK but for longer, overnight, train journeys I recommend going for 3AC. To book your train tickets, you should register online with IRCTC but note that the website can be confusing as fuck.

You can book train travel via a travel agent but note that they will charge a fee – some even rip you off by selling you less class than you asked for but this is just one of the many, many scams played on travellers in India.

Train tickets tend to sell out really fast; book in advance if you can. When travelling on trains in India, take a padlock and chain to lock your backpack to something; you can usually buy one on the station from a tout for 100RS. 

Keep valuables in a day pack and use it as a pillow. Often when you book a train you will be put on a waiting list – provided you have booked a couple of weeks in advance and are in, say, the top fifteen you will almost always get a seat.

You must book in advance though. If travelling alone I recommend booking a ‘side upper’ berth as it has a curtain and you won’t be bothered as much. When you book your train make a note of the train number, the time it leaves, arrives and the PNR number, you will need this to get your ticket off of the PNR machine at the station or from a mobile phone.

Travelling By Bus in India

In general, buses tend to have fixed prices and you buy your tickets on board. There is a ton of VIP sleeper buses set up for tourists and these are the most comfortable way to travel when there are no rail-links; beware though, due to the hairpin bends, crazy driving and shitty roads, a good night’s sleep is rare unless you have a Valium to hand.

If you’re heading off on a proper backpacking adventure and leaving the tourist zones, local bus is often the only way to travel in India. Travelling by local bus is one hell of an experience; it can be frustrating, rewarding, enlightening and sometimes simply damn hilarious.

You will meet a lot of Indians on local buses who will try to befriend you. They can sometimes be annoying but do try to be patient – it’s not every day they meet somebody travelling in India… Be mindful for some common scams that you might get pulled into.

Traveling by Rickshaw in India

In general, it makes sense to get a rickshaw rather than taxis for short distances as they are usually cheaper. You must ALWAYS haggle when getting a rickshaw or a taxi in India, otherwise you really will be taken for a ride.

Uber is also widely used in major cities, and keeps you from getting scammed as you get a fixed price.

I drove a multicoloured rickshaw across India, this is the best way to travel in style…

Note that Uber (car, bike and Tuk Tuk) is now available in most major cities and ensures better services and better prices. There is no Uber in small towns, many backpacker enclaves and Uber is strangely absent from Goa.

Travelling by Motorbike in India

One of the best ways to see India is from the back of a motorbike and if you have a tent with you your options vastly expand… Suddenly it’s possible to get pretty much anywhere, to live off the beaten path and to camp out in some truly stunning places.

The iconic Royal Enfield is the bike of choice for most backpackers in India and you can normally buy one for around $2000. If you are travelling India by motorbike it’s well worth taking a good backpacking tent.

Hitchhiking in India

I’m a huge fan of hitchhiking and have hitched rides in over seventy countries, India can be a great place to hitch a ride but it’s not recommended if you’re a solo female traveler – please, don’t even try it.

It helps to have a sign and a map  so you can make it 100% crystal clear where you want to be dropped. Before you get in the vehicle, make sure you clarify that you are not going to pay for the ride – some Indians will expect payment as you are a ‘rich backpacker’.

Onwards Travel From India

India shares land borders with Pakistan, Nepal and Myanmar. The Pakistan Wagah border can be crossed via Amritsar although you must obtain a visa in advance.

The border with Myanmar is accessed via the Eastern Syam region, though as of December 2022, it remains closed to travellers.

The most commonly crossed land border is Nepal. Visas are issued on arrival and transport links well established. You can take a bus from Delhi – Kathmandu (24 hours) or Varanasi-Kathmandu (12 – 18 hours).

• Backpacking Nepal
• Backpacking Sri Lanka
• Backpacking Myanmar
• Backpacking Bhutan

Working in India

The Indian rupee is not one the worlds more powerful currencies and relatively few people emigrate to India in search of work. Westerners working properly in India are few and far between generally working in multi-national firms and in political roles. 

However, there is no shortage of westerners hustling a living in and around backpacker hubs such as Goa and Himachal Pradesh.

Many Westerners work as DJ’s, run boutiques, or offer Yoga classes. Most are actually working illegally, do not have the necessary papers and do not declare their income. The Indian authorities are rather lax in addressing this and the underground economy is quietly tolerated.

If you do want to work in India legitimately, then business visas are available although Indian bureaucracy makes actually obtaining one a real challenge.

Many westerns work in the backpacker economy. Either they obtain business visas or work illegally.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

Teaching English in India

Perhaps one of the best options for backpackers wanting to explore India long-term and experience living in this truly incredible country is to get a Teaching English as a Foreign Language course online and teach English abroad .

TEFL courses  open up a huge range of opportunities and you can find teaching work all over the world.

Volunteering in India

Volunteering abroad is an amazing way to experience a culture whilst giving something back. There are loads of different volunteer projects in India ranging from teaching, to animal care, to agriculture to pretty much everything!

India is a developing country so there are quite a lot of volunteer opportunities in health and social. However, bear in mind that English is an official language in India so its less common to find volunteer teaching gigs than it is other places in the world. Its also very uncommon for travellers to volunteer in hostels as these roles are usually filled by local employees.

If you do volunteer in India, be careful to do your research and trust your gut to avoid been taken advantage of by unscrupulous hosts. Volunteer programs run through reputable work exchange programs like Worldpackers and Workaway are a good way to get your foot in the door of the volunteer community.

However, whenever you are volunteering, do stay vigilant especially when working with animals or children.

If you Signup for Worldpackers – as a Broke Backpacker reader, you’ll also get a special discount of $10. So for just $39 a year, it is definitely worth giving it a shot.

Indian Culture

India is a full on culture shock. It is a colourful, loud, lively and smelly carnival of carnage. The exact quirks of Indian culture do vary from region to region but as rule, expect a lack of personal space and a lot of staring!

Indian society is still quite conservative so dress modestly and behave respectfully.  That said, Indians are very interested in foreigners and you can expect to be approached rather a lot.

It’s very common to be invited to stay the night or offered a free meal, especially in offbeat areas that seldom see tourists.

Useful Travel Phrases For India

There are countless languages and dialects spoken across India. The 2 official languages however are Hindi and English. If you speak English, you will get by fine. English standards vary dramatically.

Here are some useful Hindi (North Indian style) phrases;

Hello – Namaste (Stick to hi/hello for a casual greeting)

My name is _______ – Mera naam ______ hai.

How are you? – Aap kaise hain?

I’m fine. – Main theek hun.

I don’t speak Hindi – Mujhe hindi nahi aati.

No plastic bag –  koee plaastik kee thailee nahin

No straw please –  nahin puaal krpaya

No plastic cutlery please – K oee plaastik katalaree krpaya

Where is the bathroom? – Bathroom kidhar hai?/ Bathroom kahan hai?

How much does this cost? –  Yeh kitne ka hai?  

I want water- Mujhe paani Chahiye  

This is too expensive – Y e bahut mehenga hai         

Make your price less – B haav (or daam) kam karo

Cold – Thanda / Hot – Garam

Help! – Bachao!

I do not know – Mujhe nahi pata

Idiot/ Dumbfuck – Chutiya

Stop – Ruko

Okay/good/whatever –  Theek hai

What To Eat In India

Indian food is one of the worlds greatest cuisines and my personal favourite. Food does vary quite a lot from region to region but is generally on the spicy side. India is also home to the largest vegetarian population on earth and in some regions, the sale of meat is forbidden! 

Let’s take a look at some Indian classic dishes:

Chicken Tikka Masala – This tomato sauce based dish is actually an example of British-Indian cuisine but you will find it on offer at most tourist spots. Best served with rice.

Biryani – Spicy rice based dish. Regional variations include veg, chicken, mutton and many more. Delicious.

Daal – Translating as “lentils” Daal comes in endless varieties. It is a cheap, filling & ubiquitous Indian staple.

Thali – Coming in veg, fish or meat options, a Thali is a round silver dish filled with daal, rice and mixed veg. A great value, filling lunch standard.

Pakoras – Deep fried batter cakes filled with onions, spices and assorted veg. A fantastic snack.

Masala Dosa – A paper thin flour pancake filled with spiced potatoes. Served with samba sauces and enjoyed as a South Indian breakfast.

Lassi – Delicious milk drink. Comes in sweet and sour versions.

Chai – Sweet, milky Indian tea served everywhere as often as possible.

Paneer Tandoori – Soft cheese marinated in spices and baked in a charcoal oven.

Please/ Sorry/ Excuse me/ Taxi/ Train/ Bus/ Plane are all things you can say in English and people will get you just fine!

A Brief History of India

India is ancient and boasts as much history as them rest of the world combined. What is now India existed as a series of separate & often warring states, sultanates and ‘Raja’s’ from antiquity, until been unified under British Colonial rule during the Victorian era.

Modern India was formed on 15th August 1947 when British rule officially ended. Upon leaving, the British partitioned the sub-continent into India and Pakistan. Goa remained a Portugese Colony until 1967 when the Indian army annexed it – many Goan’s still consider themselves not to be Indian.

Today, India is undergoing something of a personal identity crisis. The current Prime Minister Modi is a Hindi nationalist rabble rouser who is stirring anti-Islamic sentiment. Bizarrely, this is manifesting in a pitiful attempt at the “de-mughalisation” of India.

Books To Read About India

You will get so much more out of your backpacking trip to India if you read up a bit whilst out there… Luckily, India has to be one of the most written about destinations in the world, and there are some fantastic books out there. Here are a few of my favourites:

• Shantaram : The first book I ever read on India, Shantaram inspired me to book a one way flight to Delhi and travel around India for 14 months. The book follows the possibly true, possibly exaggerated, story of an escaped Australian convict and his (absolutely balls-to-the-wall) crazy adventures in India.
• The White Tiger : One of the first books I read whilst backpacking India, this is a really useful, often amusing, sometimes horrifying, tale that will help you better understand the caste system.
• Nine Lives : Nine people, nine lives; each one taking a different religious path, each one an unforgettable story. William Dalrymple is one of the best writers when it comes to offering insight into Indian culture and I highly recommend reading everything he has written.
• Full Tilt, Ireland to India with a Bicycle:  Shortly after her tenth birthday, Dervla Murphy decided to cycle to India. Almost 20 years later, she set out to achieve her ambition. Her epic journey began during the coldest winter in memory, taking her through Europe, Persia, Afghanistan, over the Himalayas to Pakistan, and into India.

FAQs About Backpacking India

A few more commonly asked questions before you head out to backpack India…

How long do you need to backpack India?

A lifetime! And no I’m not kidding–even after 2 years in India, I reckon I’ve only seen half of it. But for backpackers with a lot of time, give India at least 6 months. Anything less than 1 month isn’t worth the flight cost if I’m being honest.

Is it safe to backpack around India?

While India definitely isn’t the safest place for solo female travellers, it is a relatively safe country overall with proper planning and research. For couples and guys, India is certainly safe enough, though do beware of scammers in and around major tourist spots.

What are the dos and don’ts in Indian culture?

Always remove your shoes when entering an Indian temple or home, never criticize the country or the military, and for female travellers in particular: dress modestly. Unless your in a backpacker enclave like Goa, shorts are a no-go.

How much does it cost to travel around India?

India is damn cheap! While not quite as budget friendly as it used to be, there are plenty of backpacker hostels to choose from as well as tons of cheap guesthouses. The street food is plentiful and costs pennies, and if you don’t mind being uncomfortable, even long distance transport will only set you back a few dollars. In short, it’s definitely possible to visit India for $500 a month, or less if you’re really ready to rough it.

Is India good for partying?

Hell yes! India’s backpacker hot spots have some of the wildest parties you could imagine. Hit up Goa and Parvati Valley for some of the trippiest vibes. Meanwhile, nightclubs and bars are plentiful in major cities.

Final Advice Before Visiting India

How did you enjoy the best India travel guide on the internet? Backpacking through India can be one hell of a crazy party at times. Take it from me, it can be easy to get carried away. It is important to keep in mind that you are an ambassador for your country, which is awesome. You can make a positive impact on people when we travel and get rid of any ugly stereotypes that may be associated with your homeland.

If you visit indigenous villages or small communities in the rural areas always ask before taking photos. The people who live in these villages are not exhibits in a museum. They are normal folks just living their lives. Always show them the complete respect that they deserve.

When buying a local craft, do not haggle so low that the price is unfair to the person who spent countless hours crafting it. Pay people what they are worth and contribute to the local economies as much as possible.

Backpacking India or any region for that matter often illuminates some of the great socio-economic inequalities of the world. Never take it for granted that you are healthy and financially able to go traveling. Show the world around you some gratitude and help to make a positive impact on it. Most of all have the time of your life and spread the love!

• Essential Info For Your First Time in India
• Buying a SIM Card in India
• 21 Beautiful Places in India
• Backpacking Pakistan

Updated December 2022 by Samantha Shea of Intentional Detours

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Will Hatton

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125 Comments

Amazing travel guide for the travelers.. Thanks for providing.

I do t see anyone talking about east north east India? Starting in Kolkata and moving north/west. Do people say that’s not an ideal route? Thoughts?

There is nothing wrong with North East India and some people absolutely love it. However it does receive far less visitors and I must confess, in my 7 times in India I never got there either! One day I would like to as some of the regions look just incredible.

I’m planning to do a few trips to India over the next 2 yrs and this web site has been very informative. It has made light work for me in deciding what to do. So, a big thanks for that.

Thanks for the fast reply! By the way I have a 5 year, multiple entry visa. I understand a single stay should not exceed 180 days, as for the rest it is a bit unclear to me. I can stay for a maximum of 180 days before having to leave India, now if I cross borders into a different country can I re-enter into India for an additional maximum stay of 180 days with the same 5 year visa. And can I continue to do this for the duration of the five year visa? Hope this makes sense as I’m sure many others do similar things. Thank you!

Best Forward Joseph

Thanks for the quick reply! By the way I have a five year visa, multiple entry. I understand I can not exceed 180 days at a time, and the validity is 5 years. The guidelines are a bit unclear to me. I wonder if I am able to stay for a max of 180 days, leave India, return for another max of 180 days for the duration of 5 years, with the same visa. I hope this makes sense. As I am looking for clarification from others who have done similar.

Best Forward, Joseph

I have in some cases read that if you stay the full 180 days, you cannot return for two months afterwards. I have also read you can only stay 180 during each calendar year.

India, being India anything is possible… so you may be able to return the very next day after leaving.

Unfortunately you will need to check directly with Indian immigration to be sure.

How easy is it to renew visa in India (extend my 180 days)? And how would one do this?

It’s painfully difficult. It requires getting a C form, making multiple visits to a Police station as well as the consulate.

For the sake of your sanity I would leave India and get your next visa from either Kathmandu, Sri Lanka or Dubai.

Love your blog!! My interest in visiting India is 100% piqued.

That said, I probably can’t take off more than 10-14 days due to my job. How would you recommend compressing these itineraries? I understand India is a big country, call me daunted ?

Where would you coming from? Because if you are flying from the UK, US or Aus then you are going to lose a few days to jet lag so if you can only get 1 days, forget it and go somewhere else.

If you can manage 14 then pick one area and explore it. That could mean doing 2 weeks in Goa, or 2 weeks up in North India enjoying the mountains.

Alternatively, if you want to see palace and fortress, then start in Delhi, take a trip to Agra and then spend 7 – 10 days in Rajasthan.

Thanks for visiting India. It’s my country and I just love it. It is a land of vivid culture, language, religion and many more interesting things. Keep writing more on India and keep sharing. Love to read your articles.

Wow!! This is such an amazing and sensational post. A complete guide to travelers who wants to visit India. You’ve done a great job, Will!! I impressed with your points on tips for female travelers in India. Yes, Still harassment over women persists in India, especially in the Northern parts. I would like to advise solo women travelers to take care of their belongings. Thanks and Have a nice journey all!!

Great article.

Hi! This post (like all of your others) is amazing & so informative – thank you!! I was wondering if you can recommend any good places to be for the Holi festival. I’d love to see it with locals rather than tourists 🙂 thanks

Hi Liv, Personally Ive celebrated in Jaipur previously, it was wild (and local) experience. I think the thing to remember is there are locals everywhere, even in tourist places, so there will be locals around to celebrate with if you want. You could also consider specifically heading to a Krishna strong hold as they will certainly be celebrating there. Northern India is well known for their celebrations. It’s an awesome event, have fun and cover your phone:)

The bike which you showed in one pic is awesome

Great guide! Definitely going to be referring to it when I take my trip. I’m planning on heading to India from mid-April this year to late May. I know it’s going to be very hot everywhere but the mountains, so I plan to spend most of my time up there, but is it still do-able to visit Delhi, Agra and maybe even Varanasi as well? It seems crazy to me to go to India and not see these places as a minimum requirement. I’ve done the south of Spain in the height of summer (think 40 at midnight in Sevilla) so I’ve been there before. Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

Hi Will im thinking on going for a month and a half with my girlfriend to the north side starting around rishikesh on February and March.

Do you think is a good time of the year to go visit? And enough time?

Thanks for all the great info! .

Hi Francisco, This is a good time to visit, as it avoids the monsoon period and it shouldn’t be as hot as some other parts of the year. In 6 weeks you should be able to cover a decent number of destinations, especially if you are focusing on a particular area of the country. Love it or hate it, there is a lifetime adventure to be had in India!

India is one my favorite countries to travel in for it’s beautiful photo opportunities! Thanks for this guide!

Amazing guide thank you so much!!

I am planning on travelling to India for 10 days which I know is not a lot but unfortunately I dont have any more time. I will be in Sri Lanka before that so I want to stick to the south of India. In your opinion, what are the best places to see in the Southern part of India? I’d like to see as much as possible but I’d rather see a couple places really well, instead of many places very fast and spend ages traveling between places. I was thinking potentially Kochi-Munnar-Kumily-Alappuzha but I would love to get your opinion

Don’t miss Hampi! 🙂

Thanks! Is there a way to get from Bengalore to Munnar?

Immense website, thanks for the effort, a huge leg up for me planning my trip, hope you still check these posts. Ive got just over 3 weeks to have a look around India in feb/march, my plan was to first visit a region in the himalayas then travel south but this is not looking practical in feb weather. So was thinking of flying into delhi, then checking out Bundi, Pushkar, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer then heading to Goa for the last week to fly out while stopping off at Ellora on way. How would you prioritise this, how flexiable can I be with trains, I don’t really want to commit X amount of days to each place booking trains in advance as I’d rather wing it, would I need to book the train south in advance though, Any recommendations?

You can’t be too flexible with trains as all the 3AC tickets (the class you want) will sell out… so do try and book ahead when you can 🙂

Hi Will. Loved your blog, relieved to have read it at the right time. I am planning to travel Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the coming month. I do not have any limitation in time but money yes. Can you advice me on below question: 1. What are must visit and must do (both in Himachal and Uttarakhand) 2. How do I find budget stay (Considering I am a solo female traveller) 3. Is there any community to connect with other travellers

Hey Sneh, sorry but all the info we have is in this gigantic guide 🙂

Wow the great post with nice tips for all traveler…

Travelling is important as it helps to keep us fresh and encourage to work. It helps us to learn many new things and culture of India. There are many amazing places to travel solo, these are some amazing places of it. I have visited some, will plan soon for next of the given list.

Hi Will. Loveddddd your blog post on India. Going in Jan. Did you travel to Sri Lanka after? If so do you recommend the best way to get there from Goa, is it ferry or plane and if you did travel there can you travel on the same visa you get for india? Thanks Maya

We haven’t been to Sri Lanka yet, but a flight is going to be the easiest! As different countries, the visa process is different and depends on your nationality too.

Thanks for sharing such an amazing article. After reading the article, I feel it your article will definitely help me a lot in my next journey.

I am literally on this page since I woke up! Feels so good to start a travel plan with this great Guide you wrote down here! Thank you for that!

My plan is a little ambitious I think. 1 month to cross the country. I would arrive in Delhi, jump straight to Rishikesh (yoga lover), then Bundi – Mumbai – Goa – a few stops until I get to Mysore for 1 week ashram. You can give me any opinions (please do it!) but what I am most concerned is the distances and not many transport options between the stops in the north, specially Delhi – Bundi – Mumbai.

What are your thoughts about it? Will be great having your support!

The country is actually surprisingly well connected. If there isn’t trains, there are buses. Having said that things can move very slowly sometimes. For an itinerary like this it might be worth flying to Mumbai to save some time.

Thanks for the great post! Absolutely inspiring! I’m going to travel in India from February till July. So far I booked my flight to Kochi and the first 2 nights in a hostel. In beginning of march I’ll be at a wedding in east India (Vijayawada). That’s all I planned so far. I don’t want to have an exact itinerary, but a rough idea where I can go at all due to waether conditions. So I guess I’ll do Kerala in Feb. After Vijayawada, I guess it might make sense to do something like your Delhi-itinerary, so I can see that area at all before the great heat arrives. (Originally I thought I’d do that last, because my flight back is from Delhi, but weather apparently doesn’t like that plan. 😉 ) Than in April I kind of have to escape to the north, I guess? Do you think it is worth spending 3 months up there, or would it make sense to go to a neighbouring country at some point? Thanks for your advice!

3 months in Northern India would certainly not be time wasted, but if you felt inclined Pakistan and Nepal are both equally if not more spectacular countries 🙂

Amazing guide, Will! Super comprehensive.

I’m so happy I found this guide — Amazing!!

Curious: you’ve mention Workaway for volunteering, which I’ve been looking into. I’m also looking at WOOFING and others. That said, I’m curious what your experience with this is in relation to visas? Do you travel India on the longer 6 month, 1 or 10 year TOURIST visa and are still able to volunteer? Or have do you recommend getting a volunteer visa?

Everything I’ve read, says that volunteering is illegal on a tourist visa, yet the volunteer visa is for the duration of work? I wouldn’t know this if travelling from project to project.

Am I overthinking this? Are backpackers just working on a tourist visa and the Workaway hosts don’t care/ask?

I don’t think you’re going to get in trouble for volunteering on a tourist visa, you should be fine 🙂

Gujarat is great great great…..the best food in india

and kassardevi after December the Beit Habad is empty from israelis that time and the weather is great, hot and cold at night.

le hishtamea Alex Sternick on he way to Gujarat

Hi clair! Thanks alot for the feedback, so the idea is to land in delhi and see some mountains and yoga, on the itinerary Will says the better months are between may and september so we are still a bit not so sure If its wise to go on that direction for the weather conditions.

You think its ok to try to see a bit of the moutains side?

Thanks you once again

Hi Francisco, it depends what time of the year you will be travelling. Currently in the north it is cold, especially at night. That doesn’t mean you can’t venture there it just means you need to check the forecast of specific places you want to visit. Especially if you are looking to go far north, road closures etc are certainly possible. If you were looking at somewhere like Rishikesh, at this time of the year, its likely cold at night but still ok in the day.

Hi clair! Thanks lot for the info one more time! 😉 yeah we arrive next week so we will stay February and march guess we will check out rishikesh and from there we collect more info and we follow your advice on moving depending the weather. Thanks again!

Hi Will, First of all, it’s amazing how much heart and effort you put in this blog. I’m planning to travel india and nepal via backpacking next autumn and your report was really inspiring to me. The limit I set myself is about 6 weeks and I am asking, do you have any suggestions, which places are really worth travelling, if I wanted an impression of not just small parts of the country? Thanks Simon

Hey Simon, I’m glad you found it so helpful 🙂 For Autumm, I recommend spending your time around Rajahstan and then heading up to Manali. Don’t miss Bundi!

Hi Will! This page is honestly amazing. So so happy I found it. A friend and I are doing Asia for 4 weeks and never really considered India till now. If you only had 2 weeks to do India, what would you recommend. I would love to go back one day and do a bit more but I only have a 2 week window before I have to start work in London. I’m from Australia 🙂

With 2 weeks in India – I would go: Delhi overnight train to Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Pushkar – Bundi – Agra / Dharamasala – Back to Delhi… Or Hampi – Goa – Gokarna Or Delhi – Rishikesh, Manali and surrounding area, Dharamasala 🙂

I am so thankful that I found this super duper helpful post about India, sadly, most of the Itineraries that you provided are rougly for a month/months, sighs…I got 10 days only to visit India…probably I will stick in Delhi.

Wow…. never seen before such a rich and helpful guide!

I’m from Israel and as you could have saw, many places had become little israel with hebrew signs everywhere this route is known in israel as the “hummous route” haha and there is not many info about places out from this route in israeli website

I want to visit again and to be honest I want to keep distance from my fellow israelis….I see them every day here 🙂 in Kasol and Old manali I didnt saw 1 tourist from other countries !!

wich places in the northen india are you recommand?far from israeli menu in resturants for 3 weeks second visit in India

Hey brother, there certainly are many Israelis in India, that’s for sure – as for where to go to escape the crowds, that’s tough to answer – India is SO massive and easy to get off the beaten track. My advise would be to head to Ladakah – still MANY tourists – and then to do a 5 – 7 day hike from there, lots of options around 🙂

I did a 2 month south india tour, and I plan to do a north trip soon. Thanks for the amazing list of places and things to do, I have added few more things after reading this. I agree with all the things you mentioned, except for non vegetarian food part. I got to taste some really good meat dishes while I was here, especially in Muslim/Christian dominated regions, and in state of kerala and tamilnadu. Meals in hyderabad was one of the best I have had, you should try hyderabadi haleem next time you are there.

I read your blog post and it was amazing there are full of information about your backpacking experience. I would like to go to India someday. I have a question? The locals from there? Are they taking advantage to a foreign tourist? I mean, when it comes to fare, food, and others?

It’s impossible to generalise against a whole nation like that. India does however have more than it’s fair share of touts and scam artists.

hi, its depend u will get bad guys all over the world, but india is nice country you should make a small group.

Great blog Will – many thanks.

If you had to recommend one place in India which fits the bill for being a relaxing place to hang out and chill for a week or so (looking for a recharge), where would it be? Ideally, somewhere with a few Western comforts and other travellers to meet. Cheers G x

Manali / Hampi / Kasol / Gokarna / Dharamasala / Jaisalmer / Bundi

Traveling to India has never seemed more appealing than after reading your stuff! great work!

I am planning on traveling from end of August to mid October but not sure where to go within India and outside of it (Nepal, Sri Lanka…)

Could you recommend a good itinerary that contains a bit of tracking in the beginning and some relaxing stuff at the end (plus good weather of course)?

Thanks in advance!

Hey buddy – thanks for your kind words! For the itineraries – look in the article… there’s about six recommended ones.

Hi I’m in India now have been here for last 11 months fly back to uk on 29th this month I am planning to come back and travel for another year love it here!! But I’m suddenly worried I may get rejected for another 1 year multiple entry visa 2 months after this one expires as I did nepal visa runs same day and had problems at immigration have you got any experience with this any advice would be much appreciated would be heart broken if my visa was rejected because I went to nepal and returned same day

Great advice on India from all perspectives. Loved the details, tips and tricks you describe accurately!!! I have been there done that and will go back again this year. Thank you very much and please keep posting inspiring travel stuff!!! Namaste 🙂 JP

Wow! The great places to visit once in a lifetime. I stayed at Jaipur Zostel & Moustache too. These are indeed the best travel guide to the budget.

The statement ” Indians suck at cooking meat ” is generalized. Being the home for curries, there are many great non vegetarian food in India ( except beef ). If you avoid meat, you’re missing a lot of really good dishes there. It really depends on where you buy meat or consume it. Most Indians know the best places to find quality meat and dishes, and the tap water in India is not for drinking. Indians buy 20 litre water cans for drinking, so packaged water is a better option. Like Anthony Bourdain, Indian food won’t give you troubles.

We are heading to India from Thailand next month. We will be landing in Chennai. My wife works remotely and needs reliable internet Wednesday to Saturday. We have give 0r take 6-8 weeks. what would you suggest for an itinerary that would let us see and experience as much as we could based on this time of year. We are not big into trekking as we are just barely on the better side of 50. Slainte!

I have no advice at all I’m afraid when it comes to needing to build an itinerary around reliable internet…

Man what a great post! We are coming to India via Chennai in about a month. we are looking to spend about 6-8 weeks. Based on the time of year how would you maximize your time. My wife works online so reliable wifi is important and we have wanted to come to India for years! Is the whole currency thing pretty much sorted out? Cheers!

Currency situation is now sorted 🙂 With 6-8 weeks, I would definitely 100% go up to the mountains -Dharamasala, Manali, Kasol, Ladakh as it’s gonna be seriously hot everywhere else in the country.

Thanks again for this blog mate, its my go-to for info for my trip at the moment Do you have any experience/advise on getting hold of a Royal Enfield in India, and if so would you advise rent or buy? and from which city?

Thanks a million

Hey brother! I would recommend buying rather than renting because you can probably sell without making a loss – there are Royal Enfields in most cities 😉

reply to will : It’s always to book trains whatever through IRCTC official website. 3ac for a caucasian tourist would not be a very good idea as it would not provide them desired comfort and privacy.

What on earth are you talking about? Being caucasian does not make you rich… And anything above 3AC is a rip off.

Hi. This is a very honest informative article. I’ve just started my search of destinations. I plan to leave in 2 days time and go for 2 weeks. Oh, where to go, where to go. I like the idea of a 3 day boat trip, fishing, a chilling on rustic beaches

Hi Will, his was so helpful, thank you for sharing. I’m hopefully going to follow your northern route for a while as I need to escape the heat during June-July. I was wondering if you could advise me on whether or not I need to pre-book rail and bus tickets around the Rish-Amr-Mcl-Bhag-Man-Kasol areas or if you were able to buy on arrival? Regards, Tristan

It’s always worth pre-booking trains in India. Buses not so much but train tickets sell out weeks in advance on some routes, especially for 3AC – which is probably the class you want.

Thank you, relevant trains booked, taking a gamble with the buses. Have read and reread this post more times than I can count now. You’re a star, not only for providing this info but ditching your desk too. Hopefully I can join one of your trips to Pakistan in the future!

Thanks Tristan, I’m glad you found this mammoth post helpful! Come join me for a smoke in Pakistan some time 🙂

Loved this blog Will. I did a 6 month tour of India back in 1992 and have been back on many shorter trips since. My Mum and Stepfather have a small villa in South Goa on an incredible stretch of beach called Velsao, so i visit them twice a year. I live in UAE so its only a short flight. I just turned 50 and plan to move to Philippines in a couple of years with my Filipina wife to take things easi(er). Before that i plan to do a 3 month tour of India – some places ive been to before, but many ive read about and missed out previously. That may hopefully get the country “out of my system”. Trouble is ive got about 40 places on my list already and your blog gave me another 10 at least. I am looking at Pondicherry in the South to Srinagar in the North…. so i think 3 months is cutting it a bit fine, might need to add another 6 weeks at this rate. Back in 1992 i was really on a tight budget, probably 50 quid a week, this time i will have more money, im not sure i can handle too many overnight bus journeys any more. Cheers. Andy

Hey Andy! Sounds like an epic adventure dude – traveling in India is always different, that’s why I love to return! 🙂 Hope to catch you on the road for a beer sometime 🙂

Yep should be a good one. Trying to get the Mrs excited about joining me. She is trying to persuade me instead to back pack from South to North Philippines. I think there might have to be some compromise, or better I save harder now and we do both. Cheers.

Hi Will, Me and a friend have 6 weeks in india in June/July, we fly into Delhi and out of Kulcuta. As its high summer we are staying out of Rajesthan. However do you think we have time to head north out of Delhi into the mountains for 2 or 3 weeks before heading east towards Kulcuta? if so how would you alocate the time? I was thinking a few of the places of your itinery #3 before heading east.

Cheers Fred

Hey Fred, I would definitely recommend going up to the mountains – it’s gonna be fucking hot around Delhi and Kolkata. Swing up to Manali, visit Kasol for sure, you could swing up to Ladakh if you want to do some hiking… Honestly though, going at that time of year; I would try to spend MOST of it in the mountains, it’s going to be sweltering everywhere else.

Thanks for the advise Will, How does this look as a rough itineary, will it be possible in 6 weeks? Delhi- Paliala- Amristar- Dharamshala- Manali(and Vashisht)- Leh(Ladakh)- Rishakesh- Agra- Varanesi- Kolkuta

Many thanks in advance

Ambitious but do-able – if you go at the right time of year! I would recommend flying back down from Leh, to Delhi, and possibly skipping Rishikesh – you’ll save some time that way.

Hi Will, I get new piece of info everytime re-read your article! Thumbs up for the superb insight of your baling in India. Any recommended website to book the houseboat accommodation in Srinagar?

Hey Will! Really appreciate your website, its hugely helpful when planning a trip to have advise from someone like minded! My partner and I are off to India in September for two months to kick off our big travels. Im working through a rough itinerary, enough to know the areas that we will go so we can book the trains in advance. So far we have Delhi – Varanasi – Khajurajou – Agra over 12 days then a 10 day Vipassana course in Pushkar. After that Pushkar (4 days) – Bundi (3 days) – Udaipur (5 days) – Jaisalmer (3 days) – Jodhpur (2 days) – maybe Bikaner. It looks we have 12 or so days free after that Im wondering what you would recommend. Is this enough time to head up to Manali or somewhere up there and if so where would you recommend? We are kiwis and into hiking but dont want to be taking a crap load of hiking gear so cant really do any huge hikes. I also dont want to be a tick box tourist jumping from sight to sight, would be better to just stick with what we have and space it out more to get more involved with the places we are at? Cheers!

Hey Renee, you are going to have an epic time in India and hell yes; book those trains in advance! AC3 all the way! Your itinerary looks solid and yes for sure, with 12 days left it makes sense to head up to Manali for a few days and explore the area around Kasol – there’s some great hikes you can do, and I strongly recommend taking some chill time at Kalga – go visit Hans and stay in his Sunset Guesthouse. Kheerganga is a popular trek destination but personally, I loved the hike and was less keen on the end destination – crowded and litter everywhere. Vashisht is a chill place to spend some time. RE Hiking gear – you won’t need to carry much, just be sure to have proper hiking shoes and you should be golden. You can buy waterproofs and warm clothes easily once in India and you won’t need camping gear unless you want to do something more ambitious. Have an epic trip!

Great info Will, this will definitelycome in handy as a great source of info for our travels later this year where hopefully I will be one step behind you. You never know, I may be able to buy you that beer finally. Happy travels Dude

Looking forward to the beer bro!

Two friends and I are planning on traveling to travel India in late February for a month. We are al 18/19. Our initial plan is to fly into New Delhi then travel to Varanasi, Khajuraho, Agra, Jaipur, Pushkar, Bundi, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and back to Delhi. Is there anything you would recommend doing or not? We are also considering Udaipur? We are looking for a mixture of a proper Indian experience and a relaxing/spiritual time. We all enjoy a good smoke etc but don’t have the biggest budget. Any thoughts? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

Hey buddy, That’s a pretty fucking good itinerary, it’s actually similar to the first itinerary I did myself! I would cut Jaipur and make the dash down to Udaipur. Make sure you spend enough time in Bundi, it’s the highlight! India is cheap – but, you have to haggle! If you don’t, it ain’t cheap at all.

This has been the most helpful thing I’ve read leading up to my trip–thanks! I’d love a bit of advice. Right now what’s set in stone for my trip are stops in Delhi, Jaipur (for a wedding), and a variety of stops in the south. What’s up in the air is another stop in Rajahstan. If you had to pick just one stop inbetween Delhi and Jaipur what would it be? I was most interested in Varanasi and Udaipur I think but would love your take. Thanks man!

Hey bud, between Jaipur and Delhi – there isn’t much to stop at to be honest. You could swing to Ajmer Fort, 11km outside of Jaipur but you would be better off making a dash down to Bundi.

Hi Will! This is such an amazing guide, I’m going to take all of your tips into account on (and while planning) my trip!

In November I’m flying to Delhi and then the plan is as follows: Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Keoladeo National Park – Jaipur (might scrap this after reading your post) – Pushkar – Bundi (after reading your post ;)) – Chittorgarh – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Jaisalmer – Bikaner – Nawalgarh – Mandawa and then back to Delhi.

I’d like to do this in about a month. Do you have experience with Chittorgarh and Udaipur? I’ve read good stories on these locations, but am not sure yet. Also, are you familiar with Bikaner, Nawalgarh and Mandawa? Then last but not least, do you think the Keoladeo National Park is worth a visit?

Thanks in advance for your answer!!

Hey Laura, I actually lived in Udaipur for a month – loved it there, amazing city! I’m stoked you are heading to Bundi, definitely one of the highlights of Rajahstan! I have no tips for Bikaner, Nawalgarh or Mandawa I’m afraid! Have an awesome trip.

I see these blogs looks very useful,but manali and shimla is also great places for travelling.these are perfect for the tourist.December and January tourist can enjoy a lot .so we have to go in these months.

Wow Will this is such a detailed and useful guide! It must have taken you ages 🙂

Great Article Will. I am in early phase of my planning to travel whole of India. I was born and raised there but have been living in US for last 15 years and working in the corporate world. I love the diversity of culture and being a photographer want to capture the true essence of the country. I am planning on following the route Guru Nanak (1st Sikh Prophet) took during his 5 travels around India and world. I believe this will give me good structure and allow me to explore some historical sites as well. I can also stay in these historical gurudwaras and visit other local locations nearby or enroute. I want to get your feedback on what would be an ideal loop and whether there are any concerns from your experience, carrying camera gear around. I have home in Chandigarh and will probably travel out from Delhi. Here are websites showing the different locations Guru Nanak visited. Appreciate your feedback with this. I am planning to account around 3 months for this and if needed can rent my own vehicle as well. Money is not an issue but I would like to get the best experience. http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/The_Udasis_of_Guru_Nanak http://www.singhsahib.com/travel-route-map-of-sikh-guru-nanak-dev-ji.php

Okay, we’ll scratch Jaipur off the list! 🙂 I found a sleeper bus from amrit to bikaner via Neelam Travels (10hrs) and it made delhi-dharam/amrit-bikaner doable. I also read about Indian Himalayas and I think that part including Leh and Srinagar and Rishikesh should be a whole another trip for another time. I would really love to include Nepal cause I heard that the atmosphere and the people are more pure. Is that true? We also plan on trekking in the himalayas from Kathmandu(?) for 3 days. Do you think I should trade Nepal for Manali and Kasol? Thanks soooo much! 🙂

So Ladakah and Srinigar should definitely be saved for another whole trip but you can get up to Manali relatively easily, I recommend staying in Vashisht for a more chill vibe, with less people, or Old Manali if you want to party. From Manali, head to Kasol – You don’t need to spend any time here and can instead transfer from Kasol up to Kalga; Kalga is awesome and has a very chill, somewhat Tibetan, vibe – go and stay in the Sunset Cafe and say hello to my friend Hans! Sunset Cafe in Kalga is just a gorgeous place to soak in some mountain views and from here you can do a relatively easy two day round trek up to Kheerganga. Nepal is amazing – I would hesitate to say the people are more pure, you have good people and bad people in every country in the world, but there is certainly less hassle in Nepal. Saying that; if you get yourself up to Manali, and especially Kalga, you won’t have any hassle up there – plus the hash is awesome. Nepal is great but my gut instinct is that you should save it for another trip and trade in Kathmandu (a fascinating place but a city all the same) for some time around Kalga; Manali and Kalga is a great place to end a trip 🙂

Wow! Sunset Cafe is beautiful! Will definitely include that in our itin. So, we decided to stick with our route but added Manali and Kalga before going to Dharamsala. We traded Jaipur for Bundi and moved some days to spend a 4-day trek in Pokhara and 2 days around Kathmandu. Thanks so much for all your suggestions! 🙂

Hi Will! Many thanks for this meaty post! My friend and I (both women) are planning to backpack India for 3 weeks and Nepal for a week in July. What do you think of this route? Delhi-Dharamsala-Amritsar-Bikaner-Jodhpur-Pushkar-Jaipur-Agra-Varanasi-Nepal-Delhi

Any tip/advice/suggestion would be much appreciated! 🙂

For three weeks, that’s a truly massive amount of ground to try to cover… I would probably cut Varanasi and to try and see India and Nepal in three weeks just isn’t possible, unless you simply want to spend a couple of days in Kathmandu, this look like a very tiring itinerary to me though to be honest. It’s gonna be hot! Especially in Rajahstan… Do not miss Bundi in Rajahstan though, epic place. Maybe go Delhi – Agra – Jaisalmer (via Delhi, skip Jaipur it’s shit), Jodhpur, Pushkar, Bundi, Delhi – from Delhi you could then make a dash to either Varanasi, Kathmandu or up to Dharamasala and Amritsar, but not all three. Not unless you want to spend like a day in each place anyway because the distances are absolutely massive and you’ll lose a lot of time travelling. Amritsar will be hot, you should maybe make a break for Manali or go trekking around Kasol instead; doable from Delhi in six or seven hours I think, bus, and will be cooler, well worth it. Good luck!

Thanks for your response! ? Why is jaipur shit? ? I thought the pink city is a must see. Anyway, we’ll do 2 days in delhi, 2 days in dharamsala, 1 day in amritsar (golden temple), 2 days bikaner; Jaisalmer is too far so we won’t be able to do it. We opted for Bikaner (just for the overnight desert safari) instead. Then 2 days jodhpur, 1 day pushkar. And maybe skip Jaipur and do Bundi for 2 days then agra for 2 days and varanasi for 2 days. From varanasi we’ll take the bus to sunauli (1day) then 3 days in pokhara and 3 days in kathmandu then fly back to delhi. 23 days all in all. We’ll take sleeper buses/trains to save on accomodation costs. What do you think? Many thanks! ?

Sorry for the unnecessary question marks; those are emojis that apparently didn’t work. 🙂

Jaipur just isn’t so great; if you have to skip somewhere that’s on your list, I would skip Jaipur. I guess it depends what you want but it’s possible to do an overnight train from Delhi to Jaisalmer and then work your way back through Rajahstan via Jodhpur, Pushkar, Bundi. I would definitely not miss Bundi. I would also spend 2 nights in Pushkar and one night in Jodhpur, there’s more to see and do in Pushkar. Pokhara and Kathmandu are both nice – your trip is totally doable, just bear in mind that it’s a lot of long journey… like, a lot! I would consider cutting Varanassi and spending a week in the Indian himalayas; around Manali and Kasol is great trekking and it’s really chill; which you might want towards the end of your trip. Pokhara is pretty nice but it’s still a city and Kathmandu is amazing but far from chill. Do whatever works for you for sure, just throwing some stuff out there 🙂 – they are all great destiantions, but to get them all in to 3 weeks will be tiring.

The most racist blog I have ever read about backpacking in India. Indian men want white girlfriends who can get them out of the country? Most white female travellers I have met date Indian men who literally pay for their entire trips including flights, accomodation and experiences. Maybe you can cut down on the racism next time you visit an Asian country or you might as well stay in your little bubble of white privilege and spare us the torture of such racist blogs.

You’re an idiot – most white female travellers you have met date Indian men? That is clearly wrong. If you don’t like my blog, fuck off and don’t read it – problem solved.

salivating at the thought of masala dosa. Fuck it, I’m back there next year. There’s also a plant that only flowers every twelve years up in the Tamil hills, so that alone makes it worth the effort.

Cheers for the rump-kick.

Shine on, Dude.

Hi Will, I’m an Indian living in Mumbai. I have travelled the coastal areas of Gokarna and Goa on the bike several times. However I’ve always been fasinated with the Himalayas, and your article would make a dead man want to backpack. Im Planning to ride from Mumbai to rishikesh – manali – khirganga – kasol – leh and the places youve mentioned next month. Thanks again for everything you do. This is pretty awesome.

That sounds like an amazing ride dude! Happy trails…

Waouh just thank you for doing such an amazing post on this country !! I’m planning to visit India by the end of the year for the first time, and you litteraly answered every single questions I have !!! Bouddha bless you ^^ I’ll definitely start with the easy itinerary for a first 🙂 especially as I may be travelling solo, I prefer to play it safe first ! Thanks again. This is Amazing content !!!

I’m happy you found it helpful 🙂

Sharing your experience like these will definitely help a lot of people, including myself. It’s a great advantage to know what to expect so travelers can prepare themselves properly!

Great post man. Currently travelling around India with my Girlfriend for the first time. Absolutely incredible place and we echo everything you have said!!

Any recommendations for Rajesthan?

Bundi is my favourite place in Rajahstan. Don’t miss it out. Go up into the fort early on in the day and take a staff to ward off the monkeys; it’s an amazing experience and view up there. Indiana Jones-esque shit!

India always a romantic land! I have backpacking to a lot of places, perhaps I will planed to India! Your post so clearly! Thank you!.

It has always been a dream of mine to travel along the original hippie trail and end up in Goa. Fingers crossed, I get to actually do that one day! Thanks for all the details about India 🙂

If you do the original hippie trail, you shall have to come through wonderful Pakistan as well! 🙂

Hi Will, Just found your this post and your blog – great advice here! I’m thinking about going to India from April-September this year and was wondering if you could help me out with a few queries. I want to slow travel through the south of the sub-continent, or at least start off doing this, though it will be ‘off-season’ for the months that I’m hoping to go. Have you had much experience travelling during the off-season? Would I be better off travelling the north of the country where it will be much cooler?

Hi Dom, India is so big that even in off season you will still find places to go and things to do. When the heat arrives (and in some places it does get damn hot) head for the hill-stations, or to the mountains in the north. If its monsoon season, try and plan head, check local weather forecasts, often info is pretty good on where and where it going to rain. Try to keep out of its path.

Thanks for sharing your experiences about India. Have couchsurfed through the US but wouldn’t have imagined doing it in India, have heard so many bad things and it seems like a risky country but also equally fantastic. I didn’t realise it was such a cheap country either. What would you recommend in terms of carrying currency? Is it dangerous to have cash on you? Someone told me i might be better with an http://icicibank.co.uk/personal/travel_card.html “>Indian Rupee Travel Card but wondered what your experience was. Thanks.

Thanks for your comment! You definitely can couchsurf in India but I have to say I would be very careful as a woman – when I was surfing and I had female surfers with me, even when I was there, we had to be on our guard 24/7. It is safe to surf if you have a male companion but otherwise I wouldn’t recommend it. The CS boards are great ways to find travel buddies though! I simply took my debit card and got out the maximum amount of cash – 10,000 rupees ($200) – once every two weeks, it was always absolutely plenty. I usually had about 500 rupees on me and the rest in my day bag which came with me everywhere; I got pickpocked once (whilst drunk) and lost about 3000 rupees ($60) – really not too bad for over 14 months in the country. If your careful and avoid flashing your cash you will be fine; muggings are extremely rare in India; it certainly is not like south america! Let me know how you get on and definitely give India a go; currently the rupee is weaker than it has been in thirty years so it really is wonderfully cheap! 🙂

We traveled across India on bicycles for 5 months. We finished less than half a year ago. And all this time I felt safe there. Talking about the money. We always had cash with us just because outside bigger cities it’s not possible to pay with credit card and the same way it’s almost 100%, that you will not be able to pay with credit card for those cheap hotels, even if they will be in big cities. Taking out cash is not a problem, as there are a lot of ATMs, many with security guards. I would suggest to have two credit cards. One with small amount of money on it, used for cash withdrawals. And second one, hidden, with all other money.

Hi Kaspar! I would love to do some long-distance cycling adventures, I have a buddy who cycled from Australia to the UK via most of the ‘stans – a seriously epic adventure. To be honest when I was in India I never really had many problems with money – it certainly helped to have cash on me where possible, I got the best exchange rates but I mostly just used my debit card to make cash withdrawals. Although I was robbed a couple of times, without my knowledge, in my 14 months in India I never felt particularly threatened – then again, I met a lot of female backpackers who did.

Hi Will !.just found your post and found it absolutely helpful. I am from northeast india and always dreamt of backpacking through the country. .After reading your detailed information i just want to jump onto next train available..hopefully i get to do it someday.

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Travel Tips

Costs of visiting india: budget to luxury.

The costs of visiting India can vary widely depending on a number of factors, such as the season, duration of stay, travel style, accommodation type/level, transportation, and activities. That said, generally speaking, the costs of visiting India can be very affordable, even at the luxury level.

In this article I will share some examples of the costs of visiting India, from hotels, transportation, food, doctor visits and so much more. I spent a month traveling throughout India, so if you are planning a trip to this part of the world, I hope this article will help you with budgeting and your overall expectations on costs.

India is a land of vibrant colors, diverse cultures, and ancient history that attracts travelers from around the world. One of the most fascinating aspects of traveling to India is how affordable it can be, even for those who want to indulge in luxury experiences. From budget to mid-range to luxury travel, India offers options for every type of traveler.

Daily Range for Costs of Visiting India

Overall daily costs of visiting India for budget to luxury:

• Budget traveler being around $30-45 per day.
• Mid-range traveler could spend $65-100 per day.
• Luxury traveler could spend $200-400 or more per day.

Some of the main expenses that you can expect to encounter during your trip to India include:

• Flight tickets: The cost of a round-trip flight to India can range from $500 to $1,500 depending on your departure city and the time of year you’re traveling.
• Accommodation: The cost of accommodation can vary widely depending on your preferences and budget. Budget travelers can find guesthouses and hostels for as low as $5-10 per night, while mid-range hotels can range from $35-70 per night. Luxury hotels and resorts can cost $100-$150 or more per night.
• Food: Food in India is generally very affordable, with street food options available for as low as $1-2 per meal. If you’re eating at mid-range restaurants, expect to pay around $10-20 per meal, while luxury restaurants can cost $35 or more per meal.
• Transportation: While India’s public transportation system can be crowded and chaotic, it’s also very affordable if you choose to travel that way. Private transportation options like hiring a driver or taking a luxury train can be surprisingly affordable. For example, the Palace on Wheels luxury train tour of Rajasthan costs around $500 per person per night, including all meals and activities. Public transportation on local buses and trains cost only a few dollars. Taxis, Tuk Tuk or private drivers can be more expensive, with costs varying depending on the distance and duration of your journey. What ever you do, make sure you negotiate the price beforehand. Uber is really your best transportation option.
• Activities: The cost of activities in India can vary widely depending on what you want to do. Visiting temples and other cultural sites is usually very affordable, while adventure activities like trekking and wildlife safaris can be more expensive.

Overall, you can plan your budget according to your preferences, travel style, and duration of stay. It is recommended to plan ahead and research well to get the best deals and make the most of your trip to India.

Here is a look at the paltry prices I paid in India

Most goods and services in India are far, far cheaper than other places in the world—some, will really surprise you. Leave a comment below and share which single items surprised you the most. At the time of writing this, there were 65 Indian Rupees (INR) per 1 $USD.

• UBER Rides – I never used a cab, but rather rode UBER everywhere I went. I was blown away at how cheap a ride was. My lunch would often cost more than a long duration ride. For example, a 17km ride from Mumbai (Bombay) airport to my hotel took nearly 1 hour and only cost 670INR ($10 USD). In contrast, an airport UBER ride in the States which was about 12 minutes long cost more than double that price for a 5th of the time and about the same distance in miles.
• HOTELS – Because hotels were so inexpensive, I often stayed at 5 Star properties. My best value was at the Crowne Plaza in Delhi in which I got upgraded to a suite. The cost for one night where I ordered room service and had to pay their extraordinarily high taxes came in around $140 (USD). Mind you, you could get a very nice hotel throughout India for less than $50/night.

• DOCTOR VISIT – I felt a cold or flu coming on before an important presentation, so I thought maybe I could thwart it off by having a doctor prescribe some antibiotics or something. The office visit by a highly trained doctor was 500INR for locals and 1000INR for foreigners, a whopping $15 to visit a doctor. Mind you, this was not in a tourist area where rates could be higher, but still very affordable.
• PRESCRIPTIONS – Everything the doctor prescribed could be purchased at a local chemist (pharmacist), there was antibiotics, stomach medicine and other items…everything came to about 700INR (less than $12).
• PRESCRIPTION GLASSES – I wear both contacts and prescription glasses. My RX number is pretty high and now find it difficult to read close up when I have my contacts or glasses on, so I thought I would try progressive lenses. With an exam, designer frames and RX lenses, they would probably cost $600-$800 in the U.S. In India, if you buy a pair of glasses, the exam is free, a $100 savings from the States. My total cost with a little negotiating and the taxes came to 8000INR ($123 USD).
• ORIGINAL ARTWORK – I don’t often buy souvenirs, but do like to find nice gifts for friends and family. I went to an extraordinary gallery where they hand paint the most intricate pieces. I purchased 6 of these paintings for about 16,000INR (Negotiated down from 25,000) which came to about $250USD.

• FLIGHTS – I took several flights within India; from Delhi to Ahmadabad, Ahmadabad to Mumbai, Mumbai to Delhi, Delhi to Rann of Kutch . Flights for those routes cost between $25 to $70. Super cheap. I would highly recommend Vistara , best airline I flew while in India (note: opted for the premium coach, not much more, but really worth it).

• SPA TREATMENT – I had several massages in India in various cities, they ranged from $8 to $35 for an hour. The higher price was at a luxury hotel.
• SHOE SHINE – There is a lot of dust in India, so getting your shoes shined every so often is a must. I got a pair shined at a train stop and the individual told me to pay him what I thought was fair. I had asked a local what a fair amount would be and they said 50 INR. I paid the guy 100, which was about $1.50. Unfortunately, they use very cheap shoe polish, so the shine was not that great.

I should mention that in India some negotiation is required to get the best deal, you would NEVER pay the asked or advertised price.

So why is the Cost of Visiting India so affordable?

There are several factors that contribute to India’s low cost of travel, including:

• Exchange Rate: The Indian rupee has a lower value compared to most major currencies, making everything from food and transportation to accommodation and shopping much cheaper for travelers.
• Competition : India’s tourism industry is highly competitive, with many hotels, restaurants, and tour operators vying for business. This competition helps keep prices low and quality high.
• Low Labor Costs : Labor costs in India are much lower than in many other countries, which means that luxury services like spa treatments, private tours, and personal assistants can be much more affordable.

If you have any questions about the costs of visiting India, leave a comment below. So, until next time, we’ll see ya on the road…

Mike Shubic

Tags: costs of visiting india , how much does it cost to travel to india , how much does it cost to visit india , India , prices in india , prices of things in India , traveling to India

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How much does it cost to travel in India?

Cost of travel in India is a matter of perspective. Some explore the country on 1500 INR a day (~20 USD) and call it budget backpacking, other under 600 INR (~8 USD). Some people wouldn’t mind spending over 10k INR (~150 USD) per day for a high-end experience – and India has many unique experiences to offer.

To embrace different budgets and perspectives, I connected to over 50 travelers from different countries with their own travel preferences.

In this post, I would like to give you an overview of different types of travel in India, how your experience will look like (so you can set realistic expectations) within the given budget and what is an approximate breakdown of the travel expenses in India. For your convenience, here are the key questions I will write about further in this post:

Type of travelers in India

• Travelers talk about the cost of travel in India
• Factors that define your price range
• Backpacking in India budget and what your experience will look like
• Mid-range travel in India budget and how your experience will be
• Luxury travel in India and what are its perks
• Further read about the cost of travel in India

Your definition of budget depends on your origin and lifestyle. After talking with other travelers, I have underlined the following main categories of travelers and daily budget range for each:

Note: The prices in the table above are per person per day. For accuracy of the information and elimination of too many numbers, I will write all future costs in Indian Rupees only. At the moment of writing, 1 USD = 68 INR, 1 EUR = 79 INR, 1 GBP = 89 INR. Some numbers in the table above were rounded up during currency conversions (the cents part).

Travelers talk about the cost of travel in India

To give you a further insight into the variety of travelers exploring India and their view of the traveling budget, I’m quoting several people I’ve connected to:

“My budget always depends on the season and places I choose to explore. I’ve been on two long trips in Goa and Rajasthan with a friend. It came on average to 1000-1500 INR per person per day. I believe it’s a required minimum for a comfortable travel in India on a budget. ”  Divyanka, India

“I and my friend traveled around North India for  1000 INR per person per day. There are budget accommodations, great food, fresh and cheap fruits and vegetables, though forts and monuments are quite expensive”. Anna, Netherlands

“My budget was 20-25 USD ( 1400 – 1700 INR ) per day and it seemed to be right. I mostly traveled by public transport, but I didn’t find it uncomfortable. I visited quite a lot.” Chris, USA

“My travel budget in India was 500 INR a day on average and I went almost everywhere. My accommodation is a combination of Couchsurfing and backpacker hostels. Sometimes BATI  members host me. Taking public transport and eating from small roadside shops are also good budget-saving solutions ”.  Sarvarakshani, Sri Lanka

“I and my husband usually travel together. We are both working professionals limited in time so we often don’t plan vacation according to the seasons. I would say, a couple needs 6k-8k INR per day in India if you plan to stay in a good hotel, experience signature cafes and restaurants of the destination. Overall, accommodation is a very important factor for us and we choose only good properties.”  Ayushi, India

Factors that significantly impact the cost of travel in India

As you can see, opinions from travelers differ. Also, I’ve taken quite a wide range for each traveler category (e.g. 600-2000 INR, 2k-5k INR/day, etc.) Let’s look into key factors that significantly impact your daily travel costs in India.

Are you an AC or a non-AC person?

AC really adds up to your total costs be it accommodation, transport or restaurants. If you are a budget backpacker, you can expect paying at least 300/day for a bed in an AC dorm and minimum 600 INR/day for a basic guesthouse AC room.

For instance, I can’t handle AC. I constantly catch cold because of AC and my Indian friends can’t stop making fun of it. So, I specifically book rooms with no AC, take non-AC train tickets, ask all Ola/Uber drivers to turn it off while I’m inside the cab and keep my friends hot when I’m around (sorry – not sorry).

By the way, do you find that room for 600 INR in Varkala cute? AC equivalent will start from 1000 INR.

Cost of traveling in India differs from big cities to small towns

Delhi and Mumbai are expensive cities whether you are a local or a foreigner. I’ve met plenty of folks traveling there on 700 INR per person per day and then complaining how much they hate Delhi . Well, if you want a comfortable stay and experience big city life, you need to be ready to pay.

Often the amount you will spend per day traveling in Delhi or Mumbai can cover your 2-3 days in smaller towns like Kochi, Jaisalmer, Darjeeling, etc.

If you visit offbeat locations, your accommodation costs will decrease. At the same time, there might not be organized cab service (e.g. Ola/Uber), so you will need to hone your bargain skills and hope to get a good deal.

Are you traveling solo or with a friend/partner or with a family?

Overall, it’s more expensive to travel solo, than with a friend/partner. You will very rarely encounter single rooms in Indian hotels, thus accommodation costs are almost the same for one and two people. Sometimes hotels do charge less from a solo traveler for the double room, but I rarely encountered it. Same works for local transport if you hire a personal auto or cab; it comes less for food and sometimes you can bargain better deals for two or more people.

If you travel as a family with kids in India, your costs will also increase. You might opt for a calmer locality outside of the common chaos. You will choose better places to eat. Outside of big Indian cities many restaurants and cafes open after 9-10 a.m. and work till 10-11 p.m. In this case, you need to think of hotels with a variety of good food options for breakfast. You might opt for hiring a personal car over choosing a crowded bus. These small details add up.

Style of travel in India

Are you a ‘Do it Yourself’ person or prefer a travel agency for help? Do you prefer heritage sites or offbeat locations? These small details impact the price-range a lot. E.g. offbeat locations are often low-priced or free. These are the breaking deal for foreigners, who have to pay 500 INR per famous heritage site.

Let’s analyze each daily budget apart and see how your experience change depending on your daily travel budget in India.

How much does it cost to backpack India – budget traveler package

You might have noticed that I further split budget backpacker into two categories: backpacker minimalist (600-1000 INR/day) and backpacking comfort (1000-2000 INR/day).

While backpacker minimalist will need to compromise sometimes on the itinerary, places to stay and what to visit, with backpacking comfort budget you can travel on a budget anywhere in India without restrictions as such. To set your expectations real, here is how your travel experience will look like:

Cost of budget accommodation in India

Backpacker minimalist: You will be mainly staying in hostels (100-400 INR/per day) or budget non-AC guesthouse rooms (300-600 INR/per day). In guesthouses, you will be renting rooms with basic conditions (bed with thin mattress, fan, charging point, bucket hot water or geyser in some case, basic view from the window).

Note: You can get personal rooms for 100-150 INR/night with little to no conditions, questionable cleanliness standards , rent just extra matrasses in rooms with more people, stay in Ashrams, go for Couchsurfing. There are plenty of ways to save on accommodation, but in this post, I’m talking about common  travel with basic comfort at least .

Backpacking comfort: You will stay in nice hostel chains (e.g. Zostel) in good locations, good budget guesthouses (500 – 700 INR/day) or rent basic AC guesthouse rooms (600-800 INR/per day).

Backpackers can significantly cut costs if they stay in a place for a longer period of time. For instance, if you know you will be doing yoga in Rishikesh for a month, why not to rent a room for 4-5k INR instead of paying a daily charge. If this destination is on your list, read my quick overview of interesting experiences in Rishikesh .

Personal experience: my best deal ever was in Jaipur (hostel, 75 INR/night low season), guesthouse in Jaisalmer (300 INR/room with hot water & Wi-Fi). When I’m on a budget, I try to integrate into 200-500 INR/stay if I’m traveling alone and in 600-1000 INR/per room whenever friends join me.

Tip: If you are traveling with someone, you can get better deals. In India, the main expense for budget travelers is accommodation . If you share it with your friends/partner, you can save quite a bit or reinvest in other experiences.

Where to look for budget accommodations in India?

If you are a foreigner, the best bet for you is checking platforms like Agoda, hostelworld, Booking. There will be always local options on spot, but many of them are not allowed to host foreigners because of C Form.

Most probably you will be able to find a few options on spot by yourself, but it will result in additional hassle and time. The guesthouse owners who deal with foreigners offer accommodations either on bus/train stations in popular tourist spots or place their properties on international platforms mentioned above.

If you are an Indian, you don’t have restrictions on where to stay and you can find accommodation on spot if you don’t mind walking around for a while. Otherwise, you can always use online platforms mentioned above.

Cost of budget food in India

Within backpacker’s budget, the best value for money is vegetarian food in local places (many foreigners call it “hole in the wall” but there are actually numerous great eateries in each city). Your food expense will typically be around 300 INR/day: breakfast 30-70 INR, lunch 100-150 INR, dinner 100-150 INR.

In India, you will find the same food for different budgets that cater to different categories of local people. For instance, you can get dosa (pancake) in South India for 50-70 INR from a budget café. You can buy dosa for 10 INR as well from an open food stall on the street. Same for parathas (type of bread) in North India.

Here are a few prices for common dishes to give you an idea:

• Omelet from an open food stall – 20 – 30 INR
• Fresh juice on the street – 30 INR/glass
• Sugarcane juice – 10 INR/glass
• A plate of momos from the street vendor (12 pcs) – 20 INR
• Thali in a budget café (number of small dishes on a plate) – 70 – 150 INR
• Chai from the street – 10 – 20 INR per glass/cup
• Samosa/Pokoras – 10-50 INR
• Bread-omelet – 20-30 INR/plate
• Fried noodles/rice with vegetables in budget open café – 30 INR half plate
• A liter of milk – 23 – 30 INR
• Bread loaf – 20-30 INR
• A liter of water – 20 INR; Refill – 5 INR on water spots or free in many cafes and hotels.

If you would like to try non-Indian dishes (e.g. pasta, pizza, etc.) or occasionally non-veg, you will need to upgrade your budget to “backpacking comfort”. A few prices to give you an idea:

• Half plate of butter chicken from a restaurant will typically cost 200-250 INR. I do not recommend eating non-veg from the streets unless you personally know about the quality of the place. Also, I suggest avoiding eating non-veg during Navratri (fast during spring and autumn) and 2-3 weeks after it.
• A medium veg Domino’s pizza would cost around 400-500 INR. They often run “buy one get one” offers, so you can get two in 550 INR or so together with GST tax. A plate of white-sauce pasta from a café will cost around 150-200 INR, as a rule.

India has a great variety of vegetarian options and I recommend sticking to local cuisine while in India unless you have certain allergies.

Tip: If you are a foodie, I recommend finding a friend for sharing. Portions are big huge in India. If you eat alone, you will mostly order one dish (and try to finish it at least). More people will give you exposure to more foods.

Saving tip: If you live in hostels, some of them (from my experience) allow you to use their kitchen. So if you live somewhere longer, just buy veggies and cook. My monthly food expense in Delhi (when I was eating vegetarian at home) was 5-6k INR.

Read also: how much to tip in India for different services and when you should NOT tip. 

Budget itinerary in India

If your travel budget is within 1000 INR per day (solo), you will need to compromise with itinerary and mainly visit popular tourist cities and towns which cater to different budget categories. Alternatively, you can travel to many “expensive” destinations in low or offseason to further save. Here are a few suggestions for you:

• Explore Royal Rajasthan (Jaipur – Pushkar – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Jaisalmer)
• East of India (Varanasi – Kolkata-Darjeeling)
• Budget Himalaya (Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun, McLeodGanj)
• South India (Alleppey, Kochi, Varkala, Kanyakumari)
• Offbeat (you base yourself in one of the popular places mentioned above and make day trips to less-touristy villages/small towns around. They usually don’t have double-pricing standards from my experience. At the same time, it’s way easier to find accommodation in a popular place, especially if you are a foreigner).

I would not recommend going to upper Himalaya (e.g. Kashmir, Ladakh) or North-East if you are under 1000 INR. It is doable, but you will be missing out plenty of interesting quality experiences. It really makes a difference if you stay on a houseboat in Kashmir in a calm and scenic area for 1000 INR than see the road and another boat from your window for 300 INR.

If your daily backpacking budget in India is 1500-2000 INR I can’t think of any itinerary limitations. There will be some places where you’ll have to juggle with a budget if you need shopping for trekking or arrange a permit to go to remote areas. Overall, it’s easy to backpack comfortably in India within this range.

Budget transport in India

Budget minimalist (<1000INR):  Within this budget, the best choice is traveling by land transport: local government non-AC buses, sleeper class and 2 nd Seater in trains. If you are familiar with train travel in India and don’t mind crowded places, try unreserved coaches. You can cross just any distance in India within 60 INR (comfort not included), though I wouldn’t recommend it during your first visit.

Within a town or a city, you will mainly commute by local non-AC buses, shared auto rickshaws or walk around if possible. Once in a while, you can take a personal auto rickshaw or cab, but these are rather exceptions than a norm.

Saving tip: hitchhiking is a thing, especially in the mountainous areas, but I wouldn’t recommend doing it alone as a foreigner for several reasons. This is a different part of India worth-experiencing, but it is memorable because of meeting interesting people. For instance, I got a lift from a mountaineering teacher in Ladakh. I have never met people of this profile, that’s why taking advantage of this encounter, I asked as many questions as I could to feed my curiosity. Nevertheless, if you get people who don’t speak English, you will miss out on such experiences.

From the other side, you will also meet many local villagers talking in their own way. I would recommend trying hitchhiking only if you have a company, you are an experienced traveler in India and you had hitchhiking experience in the past and know how to do it.

Backpacker comfort (1k-2k INR/day): You can travel between the cities by 3rd AC trains and comfortable AC Volvo buses. If you plan your trip in advance, you can even get cheap flight tickets (I once booked Mumbai to Hyderabad for 1400 INR). Within a city, you will travel by public transport, but you can occasionally commute by personal auto (~10 INR/km) or an Ola/Uber cab.

Budget sightseeing in India

If you are an Indian or from one of the SAARC countries, you don’t really have any restrictions on this point. If you are a foreigner, most of heritage sites in India use double-pricing policy . The ticket price is usually 500 INR per site which sounds exorbitant for budget travelers.

If you are a foreign minimalist backpacker (<1000 INR/day), you will be mostly skipping trendy palaces and forts except Taj Mahal. It’s a very chaotic and crowded place that does not look that serene the way it is promoted, but you don’t want to be challenged after your trip that you went to India and haven’t been to Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal ticket costs 1000 INR.

Most probably you will visit a famous fort or a palace in each state to explore different architecture. Nevertheless, your main sightseeing will be focused on offbeat places – never fear, some less-known places are really jaw-dropping; museums – they are often overlooked, so you get reasonable ticket prices there (10-30 INR as a rule); beautiful natural sites; free tourist sights , fascinating temples and open public spaces.

Within overall budget 1500 INR/day or more during a few weeks, you can comfortably mix a few heritage sights per week with offbeat places.

Summary of a daily budget for backpackers in India

Other popular costs:.

• Local intercity bus: 0.8 – 1.2 INR/km. This is my personal calculation from thousands of km on the road. The further you go, the cheaper it gets. E.g. Rishikesh – Dehradun, 43 km, 47 INR.
• Autorickshaw: 18-25 INR base rate for first 2 km + ~10 INR for each additional km
• General unreserved ticket: 60-65 INR for any distance
• Sleeper train: 300 – 700 INR/ticket for 5 – 24 hours journey. There are more and less expensive options depending on the train and distance.

Overall backpacking Minimalist (600-1000 INR per person) : I have added 100 INR per day in the final costs for occasional intercity trips once in a few days, some monthly expenses that are divided equally by days (e.g. Indian SIM Card – 200 INR/month for internet + calls), other unplanned expenses which you need to avoid by all means.

Personal experience: I would say, you need to be quite self-organized to backpack in India on a minimalist budget (especially as a foreigner). It mostly means saying no to hostel parties , skipping shopping , sometimes basing yourself longer in a place and making day getaways and walking. A lot of walking . When I was broke, I traveled India for 600-700 INR/day , including occasional expensive sightseeing. But I was tracking every single rupee spent in my excel spreadsheet.

Overall comfort backpacking (1000 – 2000 INR/day) : I have added 200 INR per day in the final budget for intercity transport during occasional getaways, monthly expenses (e.g.SIM Card) and unexpected delays and cancelations in the plan. You typically travel within a range 1000-2000 INR/day with an average daily budget of 1500 INR. In addition to basic comfort stay and commuting, you can afford occasional shopping, bring some souvenirs home and explore more tourist sights.

If you are an Indian, you can manage in the lower end of the daily budget as you already know how things work in your country . If you are a foreigner staying in India less than one month, I recommend not to be a backpacking minimalist. Travel is about experience and India has a lot to offer.

If you are a long-term budget traveler , track your expenditure on accommodation/food/transport and save some daily money for experiences. Try to travel slow, stay and explore same town longer, manage within 700-800 INR/day and put at least 200 INR aside every day, that’s 1400 INR per week, that’s 5600 INR per month!! Then once in a while rent that houseboat in Kashmir , go for a Thar Desert safari , attend a cooking class, go for river-rafting and other unique experiences which will make even your budget journey unforgettable .

This chapter was long as it included plenty of budget saving tips and prices. Check also other useful in-depth resources for further reading at the end of the post.

Mid-range explorer travel budget in India

You have a strong value for money and mostly you don’t mind paying a bit extra to try something new and add comfort to your travels. You have a budget range of 2000 INR – 6000 INR/day, but typically spend around 3k INR per person per day. What your experience will be like:

Cost of mid-range accommodation in India

As a mid-budget traveler, you have more options to choose from: proper AC and non-AC rooms in good guesthouses or hotels. Approximate range for accommodation is 1000 – 3000 INR per day with an average cost of 2k INR per room. The rooms will have hot water, TV, heater or additional blankets (in hill areas during the cold time).

Note: I rarely encountered single rooms in hotels in India, hence traveling with a friend or a partner comes almost for the same price.

Personal experience: when I intend to spend more than 1000 INR on accommodation, I rather choose an area where I’d like to stay and then look for options. Once you increase your accommodation budget over 600 INR/day, you get a significant upgrade – there adds up a TV, AC, toiletry, phone to connect to reception, café – where you can place a room order.  

You feel the difference that you are not a budget traveler. Nevertheless, if you take a hotel range from 1000 INR to 3000 INR per night, you will mostly get the same package under different branding. In 3k INR you will get flatter and upgraded TV, better furniture and interiors, more expensive toiletry, more varieties of food. In a nutshell, it will be still a similar package. If it doesn’t make a big difference for you, I recommend staying in better areas, where you would like to explore places to save time on commuting.

Cost of food in common cafes and restaurants

In terms of food, you might explore more dining options in cafes or restaurants with AC facilities and proper menus. Be it vegetarian or non-vegetarian, Indian or international cuisines, there are so many food varieties you can experiment with.

Talking about international cuisines, I found that many of them are adapted to the Indian market. Even the blandest food gains some spicy flavors. When I go out with friends to an AC cafe, I typically spend from 150 to 300 INR per meal. The smaller is the city, the cheaper are the prices. Overall, daily food costs come to 500-700 INR on average.

Cost of commuting with comfort in India

For mid-range travelers, I would recommend 3 rd AC or AC Chair for trains, AC Volvo buses (1.5 -2 INR/km) and occasional economy flights if you book them in advance. In my opinion, 3rd AC is one of the best value classes for the trains – it is comfortable, yet comes at a cheaper price than 2nd or 1st AC.

Uber/Ola come very handy while commuting around. In Delhi, I recommend metro – it is amazing and really helps to escape heavy traffic. In tourist locations, you can consider hiring an auto (700-1000 INR) or a cab(1500 – 2000 INR) occasionally for the whole day to take you around. Yet, this will be rather an exception if you are traveling alone.

Some prices to give you an idea:

• Delhi – Chandigarh AC bus – 260 km, 5 hr, 500 INR
• Delhi – Dharamshala AC bus – 490 km, 10-11 hr, 700-900 INR
• Bangalore – Delhi economy flight (in advance) – 2200 km, 2.5 hr, 3600 INR

Your travel style and itinerary in India with a mid-range budget

You won’t have any restrictions in choosing places to visit, but you will be better off if you focus on one region (e.g. South India, North India, North-East India) to save on flights and travel mainly by land transport.

In addition to regular tourist sights, you can plan several (2-3) unique local experiences a week within your budget, like cooking class, Bollywood dancing class, a few hours food/city tour, adventurous activities (paragliding, river rafting, etc.). If you are a foreigner, you can visit way more heritage sites if you have a budget because of the double-pricing of the sights.

Summary of costs for mid-range travel budget in India

*Note this is a mean average. In some days you will spend more, in some less. Within this budget, you can afford occasional shopping. There are some mean intercity costs and daily miscellaneous expenses (you liked a scarf, nice coffee shop, that cool hand design – mehendi, etc.) included in the range. I’ve linked other in-depth posts to read on the topic in the last chapter .

Luxury enthusiast – perks of luxury travel in India

For you, sky is the limit and you really value time and experience. You are ready to pay extra to focus on the vacation itself rather than resolving its planning and operational side. Or, you might be traveling for business purpose and prefer planning your trip in a best way. You are ready to spend over 6000 INR per day and looking to explore the best what India hospitality sector has to offer!

Luxury accommodation in India

A common range for 4-star hotels is between 2500 INR to 4000 INR per night and 5-star usually costs 4500-7000 INR depending on the season and city. During offseason, you can find Radisson blue for 3-4k INR/night in smaller cities.

Read a review of Lakshman Sagar Royal Lodge by Lauren and Ben.

Personal experience: Once you pay for accommodation 4k+ INR per day, you feel another upgrade in the services. I haven’t stayed in luxury hotels in India so far, but I’ve visited quite a few during lunches, conferences, and meetings. Even if you are not a luxury traveler, I encourage you to visit at least one hotel and maybe take a meal there. You will feel a huge contrast in the service level and attitude of the staff.   Though they do offer more spacious rooms, impressive interiors, high-quality furniture, in my opinion, the main shift is in the service level .

A few interesting experiences:

• Staying in a heritage hotel in India – there are some of the palaces converted into hotels (especially in Rajasthan) or heritage villas (especially in Kerala): Jai Mahal Palace in Jaipur, Lake Palace in Udaipur, Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai – you name it. There are hundreds of similar properties all over India that cost between 3000 up to 50000 INR per night.
• Renting a houseboat to explore the backwaters of Kerala. A typical houseboat will start at 6000 INR per day, but the price can hype well beyond 10k INR depending on the facilities. Ensure to negotiate a small boat ride as well to visit smaller canals, which are not accessible by huge houseboats.
• Rent a private villa near the sea in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Tamil Nadu.
• Stay at a tea plantation in Munnar, Ooty or neighboring places.

Visit some of the famous restaurants and food chains in India

Food is really affordable in India and caters to people from different budgets. Even if you choose only reputable and branded restaurants and chains you will be mainly landing into 300-500 INR per meal.

From my experience, the most expensive meal I’ve taken is Barbeque Nation. It’s a buffet style meal charging anywhere from 500 to 900  INR depending on the deal and choices.

Same as with palace hotels, there are a lot of signature expensive dishes , but here I’m talking about common prices than exceptions.

Where your prices can rise? If you consume alcohol in bars/nightclubs it does add to the overall amount. Alcohol is expensive in India. I’m not an expert on this topic, just a general example. You can get a cheap beer from a beer&wine shop for 100 INR. If you buy same beer in the lounge or nightclub, there comes additional commission and price can reach 400-500 INR.

Travel without worries

When your daily budget is over 6k per day, you can go on a fully organized tour or hire a guide. A knowledgeable person is invaluable in understanding better this country and culture, especially if you are a foreigner. Nevertheless, read reviews carefully to understand the authenticity and goals of the tour.

The beauty of India is in its diversity – don’t miss it especially if you are a foreigner. Some of my Indian friends do travel on a higher budget (5k+ per day), but they still take street food at times because it’s yummy, go to free parks and shop at local markets. I’ve met some foreigners trying to stay away from such experiences. In many cases, media is at fault.

This is your call, but I would recommend getting deeper into the essence of the country. As a luxury traveler, you have a privilege to experience the extremes of the country and see that real India which has inspired thousands of novels and movies worldwide. It is a country that combines so many realities and each of them has its own beauty.

Useful resources to further read about the cost of travel in India

Whether you are a budget or a luxury traveler, you need to know the basics of how things work in India. Here you can find more in-depth articles to gain an insight:

• How to find accommodation in India – different international and local sources to find the best value deals.
• Guide to Indian seasons – best time to visit India depending on the itinerary
• Transport in India – types of transport you find in India
• How to travel by train in India
• Getting an Indian SIM Card
• Shopping in India

As much as I love numbers, it was one of the most intense posts to write in order to give you more or less accurate figures. The costs are based on personal experience and suggestions of other travelers from different categories. I hope it will help you budget your trip to India better. If you have any suggestions or would like to share your experience, I’m eyes and ears open ;).

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4 thoughts on “How much does it cost to travel in India?”

Super impressed with the article! India in terms of sheer value for money in every single thing is probably one of the best countries to visit in the whole world. A little bit of planning on the logistics and eating locally means you can live like a king in this beautiful country

Thank you for feedback, Ojas! Indeed, India is one of the best value travel destinations)

Indeed, quite informative! Would like to go through other pages. Found “500 INR room in Mahabaleshwar hill station”. Could you let me know where is it? It would be comprehensive if you could share the stay details. There might be many recommended places but it would be great if someone shares their personal experience.

Thank you for reading and feedback, Srini!

As far as I remember it was 1-2 blocks away from the Mall Road (~10-15 min walk from the bus stop). That time I was on a budget, so it was a great deal for me, however, to be honest with you, I’m not ready to give a detailed review with pros & cons for specifically this place.

It was neutral, but good value for money if you are on a budget. I usually cover accommodations on the destination posts if I like or don’t like them or have something important (in my perspective) to share with future travelers 🙂 Hope it makes sense)

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A Frugal Traveler’s Guide to the Ultimate Budget Trips in India

Welcome to another episode of Best from the Rest on your favorite channel, TravelXP !

 In today’s episode we will take you to the most awesome destinations in India which…

wait for it.. wait for it… wait for it…which won’t burn a hole in your pocket!!!

I mean isn’t it like super-duper awesome?!

So what are you waiting for? Hop on!

First stop on our itinerary is…..

The party destination Goaaaa….where we will… be visitinnng..

ZzzZzz…

Wait a minute!

Did I again start daydreaming while writing my article?!

But hey… who won’t? India is an incredibly beautiful country which has a lot to offer and the prospect of exploring all that without burning your pocket is sure to make anyone get lost in wanderlust.

Well, anyway, why waste the awesome list of budget trips in India I had planned to take you all on my travel show of dreams 🙂

So, here’s presenting the frugal traveler’s ultimate list of best low budget tourist places in India.

India is a land of breathtaking landscapes, scenic locations, delicious food and thrilling adventures. From the majestic Himalayas to tranquil beaches to culture rich historic locations, India has something for everyone.

If you are someone who is looking for a budget experience, you are in the right place since India consistently ranks as one of the best countries in the world to travel on budget. Throughout the country, from north to south, you will find places both popular and offbeat that promise you a soul stirring experience without burning a hole in your pocket.

Table of Contents

Top Low Budget Trips in India:

Best cheap places to visit in north india:.

The northern states of India are replete with tourist attractions ranging from beautiful scenic locations to historical monuments and spiritual destinations. What makes them stand out in a budget traveler’s itinerary is the fact that you can find plenty of options for transportation, food and stay at pocket friendly rates throughout the north.

Travelling by road is a delight in itself thanks to the wonderful roads and abundance of natural beauty around. Not only this, you will find delicious food at local eateries which will tingle your taste buds the right way.

If exploring the northern part of India is in your mind, here is our curated list of low budget tourist places in North India. Pack your bags, get-set-go!

 ‘The Queen of the Hills’, Mussoorie is one of the best budget travel destinations in India. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, Mussoorie offers stunning views of the hills without being too heavy on your pocket. One can find affordable accommodation, food and transport if booked in advance. Mussoorie can be explored even with a shoestring budget if planned well.

The “Yoga Capital of the World” – Rishikesh is a budget traveler’s paradise. Ancient temples, ashrams, serene locales, famous cafes, thrilling adventure sports, there is a lot to explore in Rishikesh. But thanks to the countless dharamshalas in the pilgrimage town, one can find different accommodations according to their budget. For food, one can have dhaba food which does not compromise on taste but is pocket friendly. Except for adventure sports like white water rafting and treks, everything else in Rishikesh can be explored for free.

Known worldwide for the iconic Taj Mahal, Agra is a great choice for budget trips in India. Like any other budget destination, Agra has options for affordable food, stay and transportation. Agra and nearby destinations have many magnificent monuments which you can explore at nominal entry charges. It is easy to find a budget accommodation in the city and local shops provide delicious food at modest prices. Nonetheless, Agra and nearby destinations are good for a short stay.

Revered as one of the oldest living cities in the world, Varanasi is a melting pot of cultures. The various sights, sounds, experiences and fragrances make any trip to Varanasi a one in lifetime experience. Nevertheless this ancient city by the holy Ganges makes for an interesting budget destination. Affordable accommodation can be found in budget hotels and numerous dharamshalas across the city. Pocket friendly food is available right around the corner and no tourist needs to travel far for cheap good food. Except for the Ganga boat ride, everywhere else in the city can be explored for free.

A colorful little hill station, McLeodganj is popular amongst travelers as the Land of His Holiness the Dalai Lama . Once you step in McLeodganj, be ready to be mesmerized by the scenic beauty of surrounding mountains, monasteries and monks clad in traditional attire. It is one of the best cheap travel destinations in north india where one can find plenty of options for reasonably priced stay and food. No wonder it’s quite popular with trekkers and budget travelers.            

One of the most divine tourist destinations in India, Amritsar is the home of the famous Golden temple. From marvelous shrines to delicious food to diverse historic sites to lively people, Amritsar is delight for budget travelers. Any trip to Amritsar is incomplete without having the sumptuous langar which is served free of cost at the Golden temple. Local food stalls in the market area around the Golden Temple too serve good quantities of Punjabi food at decent rates. The temple also provides accommodation for budget travelers at reasonable rates.

Best Low Budget Tourist Places In South India :

 When it comes to travel options, India’s southern states, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Telangana offer a lot. The best budget trips of South India include the best of majestic hill stations to thrilling wildlife safaris to pristine beaches to historical city vacations that you can travel even while being on a tight budget. So, welcome to the experience of a lifetime!

One of karnataka’s hidden gems, the ancient city of Hampi is an architecture lover’s paradise. Treat your senses with the visual delight of ancient ruins surrounded by beautiful hills and rivers. Hampi every year has its share of architecture lovers, adventure buffs, pilgrims and off beat travelers from all around the globe.

Having said that, Hampi is also one of the best low budget travel destinations in South India, where you will get pocket friendly options for food, stay and transport. The city is lined with budget hotels and homestays and one need not go far for tasty local food available at reasonable rates. The entire city can be explored on a rented cycle or a bike. Entry fee to all monuments is minimum.

Gokarna is a small town located on the shores of Arabian Sea. It is often called the “Kashi of South India”. This palm tree lined golden beach town is an important pilgrimage center for Hindus. As serene and tranquil as some Goa beaches, Gokarna is a lot lighter on the pocket, even during the peak season. The town is lined with budget hostels and homestays, and is best explored on a bike/cycle. Remember to dig in delicious Kannada food which will give the taste of the local cuisine without burning a hole in your pocket.

Kodaikanal, literally meaning “the gift of the forest”, is one of the finest hill stations of India located in the state of Tamil Nadu. Kodaikanal is blessed with a bounty of dense forests lined with granite hills, beautiful valleys, enchanting waterfalls and tranquil lakes. The stunning beauty of this hill station is bound to leave a lasting impression on your mind. Kodaikanal is one of the best locations to experience cheap trips in India which is suitable for honeymooners, budget travelers and all other travelers alike. You will find cheap options for budget stay and food throughout the hill station.

Pondicherry

The French capital city of India, Pondicherry is located in the state of Tamil Nadu. Once you visit Pondicherry, you are bound to feel as if you are suddenly abroad and not in India. In the city, you will find French colonial heritage, beautiful ashrams, churches and temples, picture perfect beaches and delicious food. Having said that, Pondicherry is also one of the best places for budget trips in South India, where you can stay for almost free at budget accommodations like Aurobindo Ashram. Numerous cafes and eateries serve delicious French and local food at economical rates.

Best Budget Travel Destinations In East India

Home to the best of dense forests, snow-capped mountains, tranquil lakes, enchanting waterfalls, and ancient monasteries, the Eastern part of India is truly magical. Every person who is a traveler by heart must visit the eastern part of India especially the north east to take one step closer to heaven on earth. Following are some of the top budget destinations in east India that constantly rank high in the best budget friendly places to travel in India.

One of the best offbeat travel destinations in North India, Tawang is located in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Tawang is known for its alpine peaks, beautiful monasteries and friendly Buddhist monks. The city hosts many festivals and fairs each year which add a colorful demeanor to the hills. You can explore the exquisite arts and crafts by local craftsmen called Monpas. Cheap accommodation is available in the form of budget hotels and homestays. Local food options include noodles, soups and momos which cost less and are readily available.

Riding the Himalayan railways toy train and chugging towards Darjeeling is still once in a lifetime experience for every traveler. Deemed the “Queen of the Hills”, Darjeeling is one of the most mesmerizing hill stations of Eastern India.

Once up in the hills, take in the fresh mountain air, sip a cup of heavenly Darjeeling tea, rise early and experience the magic that is sunrise over the Tiger hills and be mesmerized by the views of majestic Kanchenjunga.

What makes it better is Darjeeling is still one of the best low budget places to travel in India. Budget hotels, lodges and homestays are available throughout the hills. Local food is available at pocket friendly rates. Except for adventure sports options, everything else costs less and can be covered while on a budget.

The coastal town of Digha is a popular choice amongst places to visit around Kolkata. It is a short drive away from Kolkata, which makes it a favourite weekend getaway for travelers from Kolkata. Digha is famous for its pristine beaches and delicious sea-food. Affordable stay and local food is readily available. Digha is still largely unexplored which makes it ideal for travelers looking for a peaceful experience without splurging a lot of money.

Puri is a beautiful beach city located in the state of Odisha in Eastern India. Once you land in Puri, sunlight landscapes of pristine beaches lined with palm trees and gushing sea waves greet you.

Puri is one of the char dham holy pilgrimage sites of Hindus and is visited by thousands during the magnificent Rath Yatra every year. The city is lined with old shrines and ashrams, who each have their little history which they weave beautifully into the larger canvas of Lord Jagannath.

Puri offers a rare glimpse into the lives of the tribals and Odia heritage and culture. Local artifacts can be bought from many shops lining the city or Government artifact shops but a bit of haggling would be necessary to get a good price.

Being a pilgrim city, Puri offers a variety of budget options for tourists. Budget accommodation can be found at the ashrams or the area around them. Local food tastes the best and is pocket friendly.

Puri is thronged by lakhs of holy worshippers and other tourists every year which makes it one of the most admired budget tourist places across the world.

Best Cheap Trips In West India

The western part of India has a lot to offer in terms of a travel destination. From alluring Goan beaches to stunning Architecture and sand dunes at Rajasthan, to wildlife sanctuaries at Gir and Tadoba, to tempting food and magnificent views everywhere, western India has a lot of budget friendly options.

After visiting the best budget tourist places in North, South and East, in the concluding part of our India budget travel guide, we present the most noteworthy budget travel destinations of western India.

Think of Goa, and the first thing that comes to your mind is beach shacks, chilled beer and never-ending colourful parties. But there’s more to Goa than parties. Goa is home to beautiful palm lined beaches with clear sand and clearer water which you can leverage to dive or even surf.

You can enjoy various water sports when visit the beaches. Visit the old Portuguese churches and forts and experience a bygone era. Don’t forget to taste the famous Goan fish curry which is treat for your taste buds. Experience all this without burning a hole in your pocket since Goa is still one of the best low budget places to travel in India.                You can easily find budget options for stay, food and travel while in Goa.

The state of Rajasthan needs no introduction. The princely state of Rajasthan is the home of many historical cities like Jaipur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer. Udaipur, known as the ‘City of Lakes’, is built around a series of artificial lakes, gardens and beautiful palaces. It is truly the crowning jewel of Rajasthan. The City Palace, made of white marble stands out in the middle of Lake Pichola. No wonder it’s a sight to behold.

Though Rajasthan is synonymous with luxury, there are ample budget options for accommodation and food. Don’t forget to try the mous Dal bati churma or the mirchi wada while you are in Udaipur.

Mahabaleshwar

The nearest hill station to the buzzing city of Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar is a boon for Mumbaikars. As soon as you land in Mahabaleshwar, you will be greeted with a crisp air, serene environment and a soothing climate that makes it the most wonderful hill station in Maharashtra.

Mahabaleshwar is famous for its elevated viewing points, scenic hills and ancient forts and temples. Don’t forget to taste the delicious Mahabaleshwar strawberries while you are here.

Mahabaleshwar gets its name from the Mahabaleshwar Shiva temple which is visited by devotees from all around the country.

There is a wide range of accommodation and food options catering to everyone. Adventure lovers can experience a sense of thrill thanks to the moderate to difficult trekking trails available in Mhabaleshwar.

Capital city of the state of Gujarat, Ahmedabad is an amalgamation of old and the new world.

A historic city where you can still see the signs of a bygone Mughal era, British Raj and Maratha rule, a city which was an important part of India’s freedom struggle to an urban metropolis which is a hub for textile and world-class education, Ahmedabad has it all.

This 600+ years old walled city was recently declared a world heritage site by UNESCO making it India’s and world’s first heritage city.

Ahmedabad is famous for lip-smacking food, unique cotton textiles and beautiful temples, mosques and step wells.

Ahmedabad ranks high on the list of best budget destination in India thanks to the ample budget staying and food options. All the monuments in the city can be explored either free or by paying minimum entry fees.

India is an incredibly diverse country waiting to be explored. Our curated list of most amazing low budget tourist places in India will be helpful for anyone looking forward to a weekend trip to India or a month long vacation.

So pack your bags, get-set-go!

Budget Trips In India – Frequently Asked Questions

Q. how can i travel with low budget in india.

A. If you are planning a trip esp. a budget trip in India, follow the following tips. Most of the tips are helpful for any destination around but more so India. Check them out :

• Research your destination thoroughly
• Prefer off season to go for a vacation
• Travel in a group as far as possible to share costs of transportation and stay
• Check out offbeat locations in the country
• Stay in hostels and homestays
• Use public transportation

Read our latest article on how to travel in India with low budget where we done a detailed analysis on the subject.

Q. Which is the best place in India to visit in low budget?

A. Answer to this question would depend on where you are located in India. Our article covers all the top low budget places to travel in India segregated by regions. If you are looking for a shorter list of destinations you can cover in a shorter span of time, please refer our blog on top low budget travel destinations in India .

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• 30 Budget Trips In India For That Pocket-Friendly Escape In 2024

23 Mar 2023

We know the feeling when long weekends or holidays approach or when there is simply that itch to bunk college or work and take off with friends to obscure places. Are you feeling jealous of scrolling down any social media by looking at the vacation pictures of your friends or colleagues? There are some pocket-friendly places where you can spend your weekend and relax with your family. Plan for the budget trips in India which are popular and offbeat and will surely give you a mesmerizing experience. No worries if you just have a few thousand in your pocket for there is a long list of budget trips in India that you could opt for. From north to south and east to west, there is an extensive number of places that are just waiting to unravel. These budget locations are a crowd-pleaser and make the tiny escapes totally worthwhile. One cannot visit each and every place in the below list, but most of them will be quite convenient for almost all travel enthusiasts out there.

30 Places For Budget Trips In India In 2024

• Alleppey – The Venice Of The East
• Goa – The Land Of Beaches
• Pondicherry – The French Town
• Gokarna – The Less Crowded Goa
• Rishikesh – The Yoga Capital
• Darjeeling – The Land Of Thunderbolt
• McLeodganj – The Little Lhasa
• Sikkim – The Organic State
• Kanyakumari – The Southernmost Tip
• Hampi – The Forgotten Empire
• Nainital – The City Of Lakes
• Lonavala – The ‘Chikki’ Town
• Munnar – The Green Hill Town
• Udaipur – The White City
• Varanasi – The Oldest City
• Meghalaya – The Abode Of Clouds
• Ooty – The Queen Of Hills
• Shimla – The Iconic Hillstation
• Khajuraho – The Temple Town
• Jaipur – The Pink City
• Kasol – The Heaven’s Gateway
• Dehradun – The City Of Love
• Itanagar – A Peaceful Capital City
• Pushkar – The Land Of Camels
• Digha – The City Of Underwater World
• Kodaikanal – Princess Of Hill Stations
• Amritsar – Gateway To Punjab
• Jaisalmer – Land Of Rich Culture
• Savarkut, Maharashtra – Explore The Clean City
• Maval, Maharashtra – Experience The Perfect Getaway

1. Alleppey – The Venice Of The East

Image Source Alleppey, the Venice of the East, is famous for the verdant countryside, lagoons, and the waterways. It is the best place to cruise lazily around in the ever-present houseboats, sample the delicious coconut-laced seafood, and enjoy one of the cheapest solo trips in India . Alleppey happens to be one of the most beautiful destinations for low budget trips in India. Ideal Duration Of Stay: 2 Nights/3 Days Best Time To Visit: October To February Average Cost:

• Stay: INR 350 – INR 800 per night
• Food: INR 700 per meal.
• Houseboats: Start at INR 6000 per day for 1 BHK and includes three meals, so split it up with friends if you can.

Places To Visit In Alleppey:

• Alappuzha beach
• Vembanad lake
• Pathiramanal island

Things To Do In Alleppey:

• Stay in a houseboat
• Go for a night walk

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Cochin International Airport (75 Km), Alappuzha Train Station Famous Dishes: Puttu, Kadala, Beef Roast What To Buy: Coir Items, Handicrafts

Must read: 24 Cheapest Places In India

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2. Goa – The Land Of Beaches

Image Source For those seeking some budget trips in India , Goa is the hot favorite of all; backpackers are no exception. Get lost on its beaches, Portuguese architecture, forts, local markets, and the palm tree-lined quaint villages. You can even hire a motorbike and explore on your own! There are plenty of pubs to chill out too. This beachy paradise is perfect for budget solo trips in India. Ideal Duration: 2 Nights/3 Days Best Time To Visit: November To March Average Cost:

• Train travel Mumbai to Madgaon and back: INR 450
• Stay: Decent accommodation and beach huts starts at INR 500/- per night

Places To Visit In Goa:

• Anjum beach

Things To Do In Goa:

• Watch the beautiful Dudhsagar falls
• Explore the forts
• Visit world heritage sites

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Dabolim Airport/ Vasco Da Gama railway station, Margao railway station Famous Dishes: Goan fish curry, Bebinca, Pork Vindaloo, Fonna Kadi, Chicken Cafreal What To Buy: Cashew nuts, Spices, Feni, Painted Tiles

3. Pondicherry – The French Town

Image Source Why shell out thousands when you can get a French experience through some cheap trips in India? With low budget trips in India to Pondicherry, you can get the French flair right here in India. Walk the cobblestoned streets during the day and put up your feet at the innumerable cafes on the beach in the evenings. And yes, don’t forget to try out the French food around here. Ideal Duration: 2 Nights/3 Days Best Time To Visit: October To March Average Cost: 

• Bus travel from Chennai to Pondicherry and back: INR 500
• Stay: Comfortable cottage stay at INR 300 or budget hotels at INR 500
• Food: Try out some Indianized French cuisine starting at INR 200-300 for two

Places To Visit In Pondicherry:

• Paradise beach
• Aurobindo Ashram

Things To Do In Pondicherry:

• Cycling tour
• Shopping in Pondy bazaar

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Chennai International Airport/ Puducherry Railway Station Famous Dishes: Crab Masala Fry, Mutton Rolls, Khowsuey, Parotas What To Buy: Textiles, Pottery, Tibetan Handicrafts, Aromatherapy Product

Suggested Read: 60 Best Hill Stations In India That You Must Explore At Least Once In Your Life

4. Gokarna – The Less Crowded Goa

Image Source Looking for some peace and tranquility in one of the low budget places to visit in India for 3 days ? Then, the Om Beach in Gokarna near Mangalore is one of the perfect 3 days trip places. You could try hiring some boats with the local fishermen to take you around the beaches in Gokarna. And if you start getting restless, there are a bunch of water activities you could go for. And what’s more? The Gokarna beaches still fall under the budget trips in India! Ideal Duration: 2 Nights/3 Days Best Time To Visit: June To August Average Cost: 

• Bangalore to Gokarna and back by bus: INR 800
• Goa to Gokarna and back by train: INR 90

Places To Visit In Gokarna:

• Mahabaleshwara temple
• Gokarna beach

Things To Do In Gokarna:

• Sunbathing on the beaches
• Camping near Gokarna beach

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Dabolim Airport/Murdeshwar & Karwar Railway Station Famous Dishes: South Indian Cuisine, Prawn Pizza What To Buy: Brass Lamps, Kallu Sarkkare, Handicrafts

5. Rishikesh – The Yoga Capital

Image Source Looking for cheap solo trips in India ? Look no further than Rishikesh. The thrilling white-water-rafting, the splendid beach camps, and the exhilarating treks beckon the adventurer in you. A trip to Rishikesh tops the charts among the adventurous budget travel in India . You could also visit the breathtaking Valley of Flowers from here. Mind you, it’s a completely vegetarian and alcohol-free destination, but totally worth it! Ideal Duration: 1 Night/2 Days Best Time To Visit: Late September To Mid November Average Cost: 

• Travel to and from Delhi: INR 300
• Stay: INR 150 per night
• Food: INR 200/meal
• River rafting: INR 400 to INR 1300 per person
• Beach camping: INR 1600 per person (includes 1 Night stay, 3 meals and river rafting)

Places To Visit In Rishikesh:

• Lakshman Jhula
• Parmarth Niketan
• Triveni Ghat

Things To Do In Rishikesh:

• River rafting
• Bungee jumping
• Camping and bonfire

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Jolly Grant Airport/Dehradun Railway Station Famous Dishes: Aloo Puri, Chole Bhature, Pani Puri What To Buy: Glass Bangles, Carved Stone Idols, Pickles, Ayurveda Medicines

Suggested Read: 49 Beautiful Places To Visit In North India

6. Darjeeling – The Land Of Thunderbolt

Image Source Chugging up to Darjeeling from New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri is a once in a lifetime experience. And what makes it better is that it is still one of the best budget-friendly trips in India . Once up in the hills, just take in the salubrious air, sip the Darjeeling tea, rise early and gaze at the sunrise at Tiger hills and get ready to be mesmerized by the magnificent Kanchenjunga. And the best part is, one can plan a great start to the New Year as Darjeeling is a great escape for those who are planning for budget trips in India in January . Ideal Duration: 2 Nights/3 Days Best Time To Visit: March To May and October-November Average Cost: 

• Travel from Kolkata to Siliguri or New Jalpaiguri by bus and back: INR 490
• Toy train up to Darjeeling from NJP: INR 250
• Jeep ride from NJP to Darjeeling : INR 150/person
• Stay: INR 800/- per night [twin-sharing basis]
• Food: INR 300 for two

Places To Visit In Darjeeling:

• Ghum Monastery
• Peace Pagoda
• Tea Estates

Things To Do In Darjeeling:

• Go river rafting in Teesta
• Trekking in Sandakphu
• Take a ride in toy train

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Bagdogra Airport/ New Jalpaiguri Railway Station Famous Dishes: Thukpa, The Naga Cuisine, Chaang, Momos What To Buy: Hand Knitted Items, Tea, Handicrafts

7. McLeodganj – The Little Lhasa

Image Source A colorful hill station, Dharamsala is a mini-Tibet and one of the most beautiful destinations for budget trips in India . The dual cities of Dharamsala and McLeodganj are lined with numerous monasteries and temples to visit and the views of the hills and valleys are nothing short of magical. For those who love treks, be sure to try Triund trek and camp. Plan one of the best of budget trips in India in January and get to witness snow-clad mountains of the Dhauladar Ranges on top of Triund. So, if you are looking for some adventurous cheap trips in India, you sure can count on Dharamsala and McLeodganj for they are some of the best places for 3 days trip. Ideal Duration: 2 Nights/3 Days Best Time To Visit: October To February Average Cost

• Delhi to McLeodganj and back: INR 1000
• Stay: INR 130/night – INR 500/night
• Food: Tibetan and Chinese cuisine at little cafes @INR 100 – 200 for two

Places To Visit In Mcleodgunj:

• Naddi view point
• St John In The Wilderness

Things To Do In Mcleodgunj:

• Boat riding
• Shop at local markets

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Gaggal (30 km)/Kangra Mandir railway station Famous Dishes: Momos, Tibetan Cuisine What To Buy: Woolen Items, Incense Sticks, Singing Bowls, Colorful Bags

Suggested Read: Top Things To Do In Dharamshala

8. Sikkim – The Organic State

Image Source Sikkim is one of the loveliest and cheapest holiday destinations in India. A great escape for those planning their budget trips in India in February , Sikkim serves as the best place for families, friends, and couples alike. Nothing beats its wonderful climate, scenic view of the Himalayas, picturesque treks, strong Tibetan Buddhist culture, and yummy local food. And all this comes well in your budget. Ideal Duration: 2 Nights/3 Days Best Time To Visit: March and May, October and Mid-December Average Cost

• Kolkata to Siliguri (Train) : INR 185 one side
• Siliguri to Gangtok (Bus): INR 165 one side
• Stay: Budget hotels are available at INR 600 up, but there are dorms too for INR 120 or single rooms for INR 250
• Food: Plenty of cheap places around, momos being the specialty here: INR 100 up per meal

Places To Visit In Sikkim:

Things To Do In Sikkim:

• Go for a yak ride
• Paragliding in Gangtok

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Bagdogra Airport/ New Jalpaiguri Railway Station Famous Dishes: Gundruk Soup, Sinki Soup, Thukpa, Yak Cheese What To Buy: Woolen Carpets, Choosees, Tea, Prayer Flags

9. Kanyakumari – The Southernmost Tip

Image Source Being the tip of the Indian mainland itself makes Kanyakumari enticing. The confluence of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean — behold it, to believe it! A must-see is the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the breathtaking sunrise and sunset views here. This destination is certainly proving to be one of the best budget trips in South India. Ideal Duration: 2 Nights/3 Days Best Time To Visit: October To March Average Cost: 

• Bus fare Trivandrum to Kanyakumari and back: INR 500
• Train one way fare: INR 180
• Stay: INR 800 / night
• Food: INR 200 per meal

Places To Visit In Kanyakumari :

• Vivekananda rock memorial
• Thiruvalluvar statue
• Our Lado Ransom Church

Things To Do In Kanyakumari:

• Bathe at Triveni Sangam
• Watch the beautiful sunset
• Seek blessings from Goddess Kanyakumari

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Trivandrum International Airport/Kanyakumari Railway Junction Famous Dishes: Kothu, Banana Chips, Pazha Sarbath, Aval What To Buy: Shells, Handloom Saris

Suggested Read: 40 Things To Do In Pondicherry

10. Hampi – The Forgotten Empire

Image Source Not too cold, and not too hot, Hampi is a great choice in case you are planning for budget trips in India in February. This is one fantastic treat for history lovers and one of the most value for money and budget travel in India . Relive the Vijayanagar history just wandering about Hampi or maybe perch on the omnipresent huge boulders to survey the land around you. You could even catch the vibrant Hampi Utsav if you happen to visit in the first week of November. Ideal Duration: 2 Nights/3 Days Best Time To Visit: October To February Average Cost: 

• Train travel from Bangalore to Hospet and back: INR 500
• Hospet to Hampi: INR 100

Places To Visit In Hampi:

• Virupaksha temple
• Matanga hill
• Hemakuta hill temple

Things To Do In Hampi:

• Ride a bike to the hippie side of Hampi
• Cliff jumping
• Relax at Lotus Mahal

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Hubli Airport (143 km)/Hospet Railway Station (12 Km) Famous Dishes: South Indian Cuisine like dosa, Idly What To Buy: Brass Items, Hippie Clothes, Funky Jewellery, Leather Crafts

11. Nainital – The City Of Lakes

Image Source Being a hill station, Nainital is a good option for budget trips in India in December . Undoubtedly, one of the top hilly budget tourist places in India , Nainital is known for its main attraction – the Naini Lake & the beautiful hills that surround it. In addition to that, it also happens to be one of the best places to plan budget trips in India for couples . The rope-way to Snow view to get a dekko at the mighty Himalayas is a must-do here. Ideal Duration: 2 Nights/3 Days Best Time To Visit: March To June Average Cost: 

• State transport buses, Delhi to Nainital (roundtrip): INR 368
• Private Volvo bus (roundtrip): INR 800
• Stay: Spoilt for choices here, budget stay starts at as low as INR 150/night.
• Food: Lot of Punjabi food around, meals can start from INR 200 for two
• Boating: INR 150/hr for paddle boat
• Ropeway: INR 150 (roundtrip)/person

Places To Visit In Nainital:

• Nainital lake
• GB Pant zoo

Things To Do In Nainital:

• Boating at Naini lake
• Pray at Naini Devi temple
• Ride in Nainital ropeway

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Pantnagar Airport/Kathgodam Railway Station Famous Dishes: Baadi, Bhatt ki Churkani, Aloo ke Gutke What To Buy: Pine Cone decorations, Aroma candles, Woollens

Suggested Read: 15 Romantic Budget Resorts In India

12. Lonavala – The ‘Chikki’ Town

Image Source It can’t get better than this for a quick getaway from Mumbai. Plenty of hikes, numerous waterfalls in the monsoons and the delicious chocolate fudge and chikki promises a memorable experience. There are exciting treks to try to a number of forts around Lonavala. Yes, it does not come for free. But it is still one of the best budget travel destinations in India, especially if you hail from Mumbai. Ideal Duration: 2 Nights/3 Days Best Time To Visit: October To May Average Cost: 

• Train from Mumbai to Lonavala: INR 122 (roundtrip)
• Buses from Mumbai to Lonavala: INR 250 one way
• Stay: There are ashrams and dharamshalas @INR 400/night and budget hotels @INR 600 up
• Food: Plenty of small restaurants and roadside cafes; a good meal will come for approx. INR 200

Places To Visit In Lonavala:

• Lonavala lake
• Della Adventure park

Things To Do In Lonavala:

• Witness views from Tiger’s leap
• Watch the sunset

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Pune Domestic Airport/ Lonavala railway station Famous Dishes: Pitla Bhakri, Misal Pav, Masala Pav, Vada Pav What To Buy: Fresh Chikki, Handcrafted Mementos, Classic Keychains

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13. Munnar – The Green Hill Town

Image Source What can get better than the fresh air, refreshing aroma of tea plantations, and the reviving hills of Munnar for those who are planning budget trips in India for couples ? Travel via Cochin, apart from the spectacular scenic drive, you could even enjoy a visit to the Elephant training Centre on the way. The tea gardens of Munnar are its hallmark, but one can even try the Eravikulam National Park or even some early morning treks to Rajmala hills. Ideal Duration: 2 Nights/3 Days Best Time To Visit: September To March Average Cost

• Buses from Ernakulam or Cochin and back: INR 180 – INR300
• Stay: Cottages start at INR 600
• Food: INR 100 per meal

Places To Visit In Munnar:

• Atukkad Waterfalls
• Top Station

Things To Do In Munnar:

• Treehouse stay
• Tea Estate tours
• Camping and trekking at Echo point

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Cochin International Airport (75 Km), Ernakulam Railway Station Famous Dishes: Appam with stew, Kerala Prawn Curry, Beef Fry, and Malabar Parotta What To Buy: Tea, Cashews, homemade chocolates, and Spices

Suggested Read: 43 Famous Historical Places In India

14. Udaipur – The White City

Image Source City of Lakes or the White City, call it what you may, Udaipur is without a doubt one of the most exotic cities in India. If you are planning a short trip, Udaipur is the best place for 3-5 days trip in India. Once you are done gazing at the magnificent palaces and lakes, take a peek at some rare automobiles at the Vintage car museum. Do sample the delicious Dal Baati Choorma and Jalebi along the way. Ideal Duration: 2 Nights/3 Days Best Time To Visit: September To March Average Cost: 

• Delhi to Udaipur (State transport bus) : INR 650
• Stay: Starts at INR 400/night for shared dormitories
• Food: Street food is a must-try: INR 50 /person

Places To Visit In Udaipur:

• Lake Pichola
• City Palace
• Sajjangarh Palace

Things To Do In Udaipur:

• Sunset boat cruise
• Do some nature photography
• Enjoy a ropeway ride

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Maharana Pratap Airport/ Udaipur Railway Station Famous Dishes: Dal Baati Choorma, Pyaaz Kachori, Mirchi Bada What To Buy: Ethnic sarees, Paintings, and sculptures, Authentic jewelry, Wall Hangings

15. Varanasi – The Oldest City

Image Source Looking forward to plan budget friendly trips in India ? Varanasi can prove to be a great pick to culture vultures and all travelers alike. A cultural hotspot, Banaras or Varanasi, is situated on the banks of River Ganges. It is one of the cheap places to visit in India . The Ganga ghats are sites to experience the cultural flavor of India. So get on that boat ride and take in the most incredible sights from laundry to religious rituals. Don’t miss out on the Banarasi thandai and Banarasi paan! Ideal Duration: 2 Nights/3 Days Best Time To Visit: November To February Average Cost: 

• Delhi to Varanasi and back (train): INR 652
• Stay: INR 200/night
• Food: Street food starts at INR 30 for two, Local food at INR 150 for two
• Boat ride on the Ganges: INR 250/hour

Places To Visit In Varanasi:

• Kashi Vishwanath temple
• Sankat Mocha Hanuman temple

Things To Do In Varanasi:

• Witness evening Aarti ceremony
• Sightseeing tour of Sarnath
• Shopping in local market

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport/Varanasi Railway Station Famous Dishes: Chena Dahi Vada, Malaiyyo, Chura Matar, Baati Chokha What To Buy: Banarasi Silk Sarees, Gulabi Minakari, Wooden Toys

Suggested Read: 12 Best Things To Do In Varanasi

16. Meghalaya – The Abode Of Clouds

Image Source This “Abode of the Clouds” is one of the most unusual states in the country. You will see “natural” living bridges made from roots of ancient trees, get pleasantly drenched in world’s wettest place, Cherrapunjee, or even get up at 4 in the morning for some sumptuous local breakfast. Ideal Duration: 2 Nights/3 Days Best Time To Visit: October To June Average Cost: 

• Bus travel from Guwahati to Shillong and back: INR 60 – INR 200
• Stay: INR 600 per night
• Food: Starts at INR 60 per meal

Places To Visit In Meghalaya :

• Cherrapunji

Things To Do In Meghalaya :

• Trek at Umden village
• Kayaking in Umiam lake

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Shillong Airport/Guwahati Railway Station Famous Dishes: Jodoh, Nakham Bitchi, Pumaloi, Bamboo Shoots What To Buy: Artefacts made of Bamboo and Cane, Cotton and Silk Products

17. Ooty – The Queen Of Hills (South)

Image Source The Queen of Nilgiris, Ooty happens to be one of the best hill stations in South India for those planning for budget friendly trips in India . Ooty is one of the perfect destinations for budget trips in South India . A trip to Ooty, one of the best hill stations in South India, is amongst the best budget trips in India that you could ask for. It is also one of the cheap places to visit in India . The senses exult here in the midst of the exotic botanical gardens, Rose garden, verdant hills, historical buildings, tea plantations and of course, homemade chocolates. Ideal Duration: 2 Nights/3 Days Best Time To Visit: October To June Average Cost: 

• Chennai to Ooty and back (bus) – INR 1400
• Stay: Starts at INR 300
• Food: Starts at as low as INR 50 for two

Places To Visit In Ooty :

• Nilgiri Mountain Railway
• Emerald lake

Things To Do In Ooty:

• Jungle camping
• Kotagiri trek

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Coimbatore International Airport/Mettupalyam Railway Station Famous Dishes: Kebabs, Chinese food, Chocolates and Momos What To Buy: Authentic Spices, Leather Products, Ornaments, Tea

Suggested Read: 19 Places To Visit Near Shillong

18. Shimla – The Iconic Hillstation

Shimla is one of the best hillstations for budget tours in India . The capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is a lovely spot if you are looking for cheap holiday destinations in India. The hill station not only has many sightseeing attractions, but also mesmerizes with its scenic charm. Even if you will walk into a decent restaurant the price range would be inexpensive. There also are various budget hotels and resorts in Shimla that will make your budget escape unforgettable. If you are looking for low budget tourist places in India , then you can consider Shimla. If you’re thinking of a snow-laden escape, meandering past valleys sprinkled in white, then Shimla makes for dreamy winter road trips in India ! Ideal Duration Of Stay: 2 Nights/3 Days Best Time To Visit: November To February Average Cost: 

• Stay: INR 700 – INR 1500 per night
• Food: INR 150 per meal.

Places To Visit In Shimla:

Things To Do In Shimla :

• Nature camping
• Treehouse Stay

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Jabbarhatti Airport/Shimla Railway Station Famous Dishes: Meethe Chawal, Khoru, Patore, Chaa Gosht What To Buy: Himachali Hats, Local Handicrafts, Traditional Jewelry, Wooden Items

19. Khajuraho – The Temple Town

Image Source Known across the world for its erotic art sculpture outside the historic temples, Khajuraho happens to be an ideal choice if you want to tour top low budget tourist places in India. This destination is made budget-friendly primarily through hostels like Zostel and many budget stays. It is one of the cheap holiday destinations in India that you can explore. Ideal Duration Of Stay: 1 Night/2 Days Best Time To Visit: October To February Average Cost: 

• Stay: INR 500– INR 1500 per night

Places To Visit In Khajuraho:

• Kandariya Mahadev temple
• Chaturbhuj temple
• Devi Jagdambi temple

Things To Do In Khajuraho :

• Attend the light and sound show

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Khajuraho Airport/ Mahoba railway station Famous Dishes: Rogan Josh, Mutton Kebabs, Chicken Biryani, Sabudana Khichdi What To Buy: Handloom items, Miniature stone replicas, jewelry, silverware, and brassware Suggested Read: 10 Ultimate Destinations For Boat And Cruise Vacations In India

20. Jaipur – The Pink City

Jaipur, the Pink City is the capital of Rajasthan . The City is part of the famous Golden Triangle Tour of India (Including Delhi and Agra). Jaipur is a perfect place for a 2-3 days trip in India . This tour is loved majorly by foreign travelers visiting India to catch a glimpse of its incredible heritage. Hence, with a booming tourism scenario comes a myriad of choices for the budget travelers as well. Right from the street food to quirky hostel stays, this has to be in your list of short trips in India on budget. Ideal Duration Of Stay: 2 Night/3 Days Best Time To Visit: October To March Average Cost

Places To Visit In Jaipur

• Amber Palace

Things To Do In Jaipur

• Nahargarh fort cycling
• Village jeep safari
• Shopping Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Sanganer Airport/ Jaipur Railway Station Famous Dishes: Laal Mans, Daal Baluchi, Pyaz Kachori, Dal Batti What To Buy: Leheriya Saree, Bandhani Dupatta, Jewelry, Blue Pottery

21. Kasol – The Heaven’s Gateway

Kasol is a village town in the district of Kullu in Himachal Pradesh. Situated on the banks of the Parvati River, this hamlet has a couple of cheap stay options in the form of camps. The town has local eating points and amazing cafes which serve delicious food. There is a German bakery too in the center of this little hamlet which serves some of the best bakery items you would have ever tasted. The scenic views and delectable food options make it one of the best places in India for a 3 days trip. Ideal Duration Of Stay: 2 Night/3 Days Best Time To Visit: April, May, October and November Average Cost

• Food: INR 300 per meal
• Stay: INR 350 for a triple sharing tent

Places To Visit In Kasol :

• Kheerganga trek
• Parvati river

Things To Do In Kasol :

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Bhuntar Airport/ Joginder Nagar Railway Station Famous Dishes: Falafel and Tabbouleh, Momos, Egg Parantha What To Buy: Himachali Caps, Dreamcatchers, Handicrafts. Chilham

Suggested Read: 12 Resorts In Kasol

22. Dehradun – The City Of Love

Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand is a beautiful valley with scenic mountain views. The city often gets overlooked due to the famous cities close by but it is one amazing place that can be explored on a 3-4 days trip in India with shoestring budget. The city has cafes with splendid vistas where one can enjoy meals with a view and a number of tourist attractions like the FRI, IMA, and many more. Ideal Duration Of Stay: 2 Night/3 Days Best Time To Visit: March To June Average cost

• Food: INR 400 per meal

Places To Visit In Dehradun :

• Robber’s cave
• Sahastradhara
• Tapkeshwar Temple

Things To Do In Dehradun :

• Paragliding
• Shopping in the Tibetan market

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Jolly Grant Airport/ Dehradun Railway Station Famous Dishes: Kandalee ka Saag, Gahat ki Daal, Aloo ke Gutke, Kaafli and Gulgula What To Buy: Brassware, Pashmina, Spices, and Local produce

23. Itanagar – A Peaceful Capital City

Image Source Itanagar in the Northeast of India is the capital of Arunachal Pradesh. Situated in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas, the city proudly homes the medieval Ita Fort. Another major attraction in Itanagar is the Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum, which features textiles and handicrafts. There is also a unique yellow-roofed Buddhist temple, which was consecrated by Dalai Lama. The lush green hills, the gushing streams and a very peaceful environment, is what Itanagar is all about. Relax by spending some time at the Geker Sinying also known as the Ganga Lake, which is forest and orchids. This enchanting destination is one of the budget-friendly places to visit in India that offers a satisfying getaway with its unique highlights. Ideal Duration Of Stay: 2 Night/3 Days Best Time To Visit: October To April Average Cost

• Food: INR 150 per meal
• Stay: INR 1500

Places To Visit In Itanagar:

• Namdapha National Park

Things To Do In Itanagar:

• Witness wildlife at Itanagar wildlife sanctuary
• Angling in Itanagar

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Lilabari Airport/ Harmuti Railway Station Famous Dishes: Momos, Thukpa, Brown Bread What To Buy: Handicraft Items, Thangkas, Wood Carvings, Shawls

Suggested Read: 16 Most Beautiful Villages In India That You Must Visit

24. Pushkar – The Land Of Camels

Image Source Pushkar is among the famous places to visit for 3 days in India, a revered town in Rajasthan on the border of the Thar Desert. Set at the Pushkar Lake, a Hindu pilgrimage site having 52 ghats meant for sacred bathing. The town is studded with numerous temples one of which is Jagatpita Brahma Mandir, dedicated to Lord Brahma, the god of creation. The temple’s origin dates back to the 14th century. Pushkar is also famous for camel rides and different kinds of shakes. The accommodation facility is available for every budget and the food is cheap. Also, there are various adventure activities that you can enjoy at Pushkar. All these things make Pushkar one of the best places for a 3 days trip in India. Ideal Duration Of Stay: 2 Night/3 Days Best Time To Visit: November To March Average cost

• Stay: INR 500 – 1500

Places To Visit In Pushkar :

• Pushkar lake
• Varaha temple
• Gayatri Mata Mandir

Things To Do In Pushkar :

• Food walk tour

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Sanganer Airport/Ajmer Junction Famous Dishes: Poha, Kachori, Samosa, Dal Batti Churma, Falafel What To Buy: Handicraft Items, Silver articles, Rose products

25. Digha – The City Of Underwater World

Image Source This is a town in the state of West Bengal, which is known for its marine life and is best for budget solo trip in India. Digha is renowned as the resort beach town in West Bengal and is a must-visit place in the state if you are looking for a budget trip. Those looking for a peaceful travel experience, this beach town is unexplored and is therefore an ideal place to visit for 3 days in India. Ideal Duration Of Stay: 2 Nights/3 days Best Time To Visit: October To February Average cost

• Train from Howrah to Digha: INR 150/-

Places To Visit In Digha:

• Digha beach
• Amaravati park
• Marine Station

Things To Do In Digha:

• Take a stroll in the park
• Sunbathing on the beach
• Witness the fishes in the aquarium

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Kolkata Airport/ Howrah Railway Station Famous Dishes: Pomfret, Rohu, Bhetki, Fried Fish, Tiger Prawns What To Buy: Jute Products, Handicraft showpieces

Suggested Read: Jaipur In March

26. Kodaikanal – Princess Of Hill Stations

One of the most famous honeymoon destinations in India, Kodaikanal is also the cheapest and the loveliest. The beautiful hill town has a wonderful climate, gorgeous lakes and valleys, snow-covered mountains, and more. Tourists are attracted to this place as it offers an ideal getaway for a 3 days trip in India from busy city life. You get a chance to connect with nature and stroll through the forests. Ideal Duration Of Stay: 1 Night/2 Days Best Time To Visit: October To March Average Cost

• Stay: INR 500 – INR 700
• Food: INR 150 to INR 200 per meal

Places To Visit In Kodaikanal:

• Dolphin’s nose rock
• Kodaikanal lake
• Silver Cascade falls

Things To Do In Kodaikanal :

• Walk at Coaker’s walk
• Trek to topmost point
• Boating in Kodaikanal lake

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Madurai Airport/Kodai Railway Station Famous Dishes: Thukpa, Momos, Soupy Noodles What To Buy: Eucalyptus Oil, Chocolate Factory, Spices, Natural Oils, Kodai Cheese

27. Amritsar – Gateway To Punjab

Image Source Amritsar is one of the cheap places to visit in India . You must have heard about the famous Golden Temple, believe us, it is even more beautiful and peaceful in real life. For a budget visit, you can eat at the langar provided by the temple which is delicious as well. It also offers cheap accommodation options. For a tranquil trip, you should visit Amritsar. This prominent city is the best place for 4 days trip in India that will make your vacation an unforgettable one. Ideal Duration: 2 nights/3days Best Time To Visit: November To March Average cost: Stay: INR 830 onwards Food: INR 500 for two Places To Visit In Amritsar:

• Golden Temple
• Jallianwala Bagh
• Durgiana Temple

Things To Do In Amritsar:

• Eating street food
• Bird-watching

Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport/ Amritsar Railway Station Famous Dishes: Amritsari Kulchas, Chole Puri Pinni, Amritsari Fish Tikka What To Buy: Shawls, Pakistani Jutti, Phulkari Embroidered work textiles

Suggested Read: 10 Richest Cities In India

28. Jaisalmer – Land Of Rich Culture

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only. One of the pleasant places to visit for 4 days in India is Jaisalmer which you must surely add to your itinerary while planning for your next vacation. Jaisalmer is one of the popular places in Rajasthan where you will get to witness marvelous forts and temples. Jaisalmer has a low cost of accommodation, affordable price for food, and low train fares. Ideal Duration Of Stay: 2 days/ 3 nights Best Time To Visit: November to March Average Cost: Stay: INR 500/- to INR 1000/- per day Food: INR 200/- to INR 600/- per day Train: INR 440/- Places To Visit In Jaisalmer: Jaisalmer fort, Jaisalmer government museum, Mandir palace, Jain temples of Jaisalmer. Things To Do In Alleppey: Visit forts and temples Nearest Airport/Railway Station: 7 min via Gadisar road Famous Dishes: Mutton saag, Gatte ki sabzi What To Buy: Mirror work embroidery products, camel leather products

29. Savarkut, Maharashtra – Explore The Clean City

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only. Planning for some low budget trips in India ? Savarkut in Maharashtra is one of the cheap places to visit and is one of the peaceful places. Savarkut is one of the cleanest places where you can opt for adventurous activities like water rafting, rappelling, kayaking and others. Ideal Duration Of Stay: 2 days/3 nights Best Time To Visit: December to February Average Cost: Stay: 2000 INR to 3000 INR Food: 1000 INR to 2000 INR Places To Visit In Savarkut: Savarkut village, Kolad, Igatpuri Things To Do In Savarkut: Kayaking, rafting Nearest Airport/Railway Station: Kankavali Railway Station Famous Dishes: Popti What To Buy: Essentials made from organic cotton

Suggested Read: 25 Paradisaical Honeymoon Places In India In March!

30. Maval, Maharashtra- Experience The Perfect Getaway

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons Looking out for cheap tour packages in India? Maval in Maharashtra is one of the places where you can spend your weekend and the best thing about the place is the budget-friendly price. It is a perfect getaway from Mumbai as the place is just 87 km from Mumbai. Ideal Duration Of Stay: 2 days/3 nights Best Time To Visit: Anytime of the year Average Cost: Stay: 1000 INR to 3000 INR Food: 500 INR to 1000 INR Places To Visit In Savarkut: Bhaja falls, Takve lakes Things To Do In Savarkut: Camping and water sports Nearest Airport/Railway Station: At a distance of 3.98 km Famous Dishes: Eastern Indian cuisine, street food What To Buy: Paithani and himroo sarees.

Further Read: 31 Best Places to Visit in August in India

So whether you’re looking for 2 days trip in India or a month-long vacation, this list of budget trips in India will come in handy. So, pull those lazy buddies out, pack your bags and go for some amazing budget holidays in India . For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer please click here .

Frequently Asked Questions About Budget Trips in India

Which are some of the offbeat destinations to plan budget trips in India?

Amidst an array of awe-inspiring destinations in India, there are some offbeat destinations which can easily be planned for an ultimate budget trip. Some of these destinations are: 1. Digha - West Bengal 2. Savarkut - Maharashtra 3. Maval - Maharashtra 4. Hampi

What are some of the best tips to keep in mind while planning budget trips in India?

If you are planning a budget trip in India, make sure to go through the following tips. These tips would certainly come in handy while planning your budget trip and will allow you to have a seamless vacation. Check them out: 1. Research thoroughly - Make sure you research in depth about your destination. Research about the best budget hotels, pocket-friendly restaurants, and transportation options. 2. Travel during off-season - If you intend to have a vacation that is easy on your pockets, it is vital to travel during off-season, when the demand is less and prices are not inflated. 3. Travel in a group to share costs related to accommodation and transportation. 4. Travel to offbeat places in the country. Places that are already very popular amongst tourists would naturally cost you more. It is wise to travel to unexplored places and save some bucks! 5. Find accommodation in homestays. Homestays are relatively cheaper than hotels. You can also look for accommodation in budget-friendly hostels. 6. Travel via public transport instead of taxi/cab. Keeping these tips in mind would surely aid you while planning your ideal budget trip in India.

Which destinations in India can be explored at a very low budget?

There are some incredible places in India that can be explored at a very low budget. Some of them are: 1. Pushkar 2. Ooty 3. Lonavala 4. Nainital 5. Rishikesh 6. Hampi

Which place is best to travel for 2-3 days in India?

The best place for a 2-3 days trip in India would depend on your location. If you are located in North Delhi, then Shimla and Jaipur would be a good choice. For people living in South India, Mysore and Coorg must be on the list. For West India, head to Alibaug or Mahabaleshwar. Northeast Indians can head to Pelling or Darjeeling. And East Indians would love to visit Sunderbans or Puri.

What is the best place to visit in South India with a low budget for a 3 to 4 days tour?

Hampi, Coorg, and Ooty are some of the best places to visit in South India if you are a budget traveler.

Which is the cheapest city in India?

Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore are arguably the cheapest cities in India. It is affordable for a majority of Indian citizens to rent out a place in these metro cities. Also, the dining options here are pretty cheap compared to other metro cities.

Which Indian city is costly?

Mumbai is the most expensive city in India. The city is better known as the home of Bollywood, the city of dreams, and the economic capital of India. If you’re staying in Mumbai, your daily budget will exceed INR 500-1,000.

How can I travel cheaply in India?

If you plan to travel cheaply in India, you can live for free at an ashram in Pondicherry, drink at shacks in Goa that serve vodka shots for INR 60 per glass, travel by state-owned buses in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, and prefer staying at homestays.

How much does a meal cost in India?

A meal in India costs INR 100 at street joints, INR 250-500 at medium-level restaurants, and over INR 1,000 at upscale restaurants. Make sure you taste the local street food while you’re in India. The flavor and the aroma of Indian cuisine are distinct and usually hits all your senses.

Which is the cheapest country to visit from India?

There are various countries that you can consider visiting from India on a low budget. Some of them have been listed below: 1. Malaysia 2. Sri Lanka 3. Bhutan 4. Nepal 5. Thailand 6. Laos 7. Singapore

Trip to Sri Lanka at Rs 13,500/-

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Maldives Honeymoon Trip at Rs 39,800/-

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Vacation in Dubai at Rs 27,499/-

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The Ultimate Guide to Budget Travel in India

By: Author Ruben Arribas

Posted on April 3, 2024

Categories India

Traveling on a budget in India isn’t just possible but likewise very fulfilling. With its multiple cultures, staggering scenes, and affordable choices, India is a phenomenal destination for budget-conscious travelers. Remember, you can apply for the  India evisa  to visit. This guide will dish out some effective tips to help you take full advantage of your budget while exploring this charming country.

Table of Contents

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

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Let’s move forward!

How to Tour India on a Low Budget?

There are several ways to enjoy your trip to India without breaking the bank. Below are some useful tips.

Utilize local transport

Opt for local modes of transportation, such as buses, trains, and auto-rickshaws. These are financially savvy as well as offer a more valid travel experience. Trains, in particular, are an affordable and efficient way to traverse long distances in India.

Go for budget accommodations

India provides several budget accommodations, including hostels, guesthouses, and low-budget hotels. Lodging in these spots helps you save money as well as permits you to connect with other explorers and locals.

Eat street food

One of the joys of traveling in India is savoring its diverse street food. Local street vendors offer delicious and inexpensive dishes, from chaats to dosas to samosas. Eating at street stalls is not only a budget-friendly option but also a culinary adventure.

Bargain and haggle 

Bargaining is a typical practice in India, particularly in local markets and with auto-cart drivers. Be ready to negotiate the price of goods and services to get the best offer.

Travel off-peak

Visiting India during the off-peak or shoulder seasons can significantly reduce costs. You will find lower costs for facilities and less crowds at well-known tourist destinations.

Visit free attractions

India is home to numerous free and low-cost attractions. Explore historical monuments, temples, parks, and markets that don’t charge entrance fees. For example, visiting the India Gate in Delhi or the Howrah Bridge in Kolkata is free.

Travel light

Pack light to avoid excess baggage charges and make use of India’s affordable laundry services. Carrying only the essentials will make your journey more convenient and budget-friendly.

Plan your itinerary

Plan your route efficiently to minimize travel expenses. India is vast, and while you may want to see it all, focusing on a specific region or state will help you save on transportation costs.

For accommodation, you can find cheap rooms starting from  $10-15 USD . The mid-budget can go from  $20-50 USD  room for two people with breakfast included. And for luxury accommodation expect to pay more than  $50 USD  for a room for two people with breakfast.

Read more about all the places to stay in India and book your stay with  Booking  and  Agoda !

Use public facilities

Always use public facilities in India if you are on a low budget. Public facilities such as restrooms and drinking water stations are available at many tourist sites and train stations. Utilize these services to reduce personal expenses.

Always stay hydrated

The climate of India can be humid and hot. Therefore, it’s crucial to stay hydrated. Abstain from always purchasing bottled water by conveying a reusable water bottle and topping it with filtered water. This is readily accessible in many spots.

Buy a SIM card.

Purchasing a local SIM card can help you save some money on international roaming fees. You will get affordable data rates and local calls, making it more straightforward to explore and communicate while touring India.

Conclusion 

Don’t forget that India is a nation of contrasts, and luxury and budget encounters coexist. It is within the realm of possibilities to partake in the beauty and culture of India on a low budget; however, be ready for a degree of culture shock and various standards of comfort. 

About the Author : Ruben , co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.

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Travel Budget for Delhi Visit Delhi on a Budget or Travel in Style

• Delhi Costs

• Delhi Hotel Prices
• Best Hotels for One Night in Delhi
• Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Delhi
• Best Hotels for One Week in Delhi
• Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Delhi
• Best Luxury Hotels in Delhi
• Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Delhi
• Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Delhi
• Best Business Hotels in Delhi
• Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Delhi
• Best Cheap Hotels in Delhi
• Is Delhi Expensive?
• How much does a trip to Delhi cost?
• A Guide to Dilli Haat in Delhi, India
• India Costs
• Pondicherry
• Kolkata (Calcutta)
• Himachal Pradesh
• Jammu and Kashmir
• Madhya Pradesh
• Maharashtra
• Odisha (Orissa)
• Uttar Pradesh
• How much does it cost to travel to Delhi? (Average Daily Cost)
• Delhi trip costs: one week, two weeks, one month

Is Delhi expensive to visit?

• How much do I need for a trip to Delhi?
• Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
• Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to Delhi?

You should plan to spend around $45 (₨3,724) per day on your vacation in Delhi. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

• $12 (₨987) on meals
• $5.28 (₨441) on local transportation
• $46 (₨3,864) on hotels

A one week trip to Delhi for two people costs, on average, $624 (₨52,141) . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

• Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 45 ₨ 3,724
• One Week Per person $ 312 ₨ 26,071
• 2 Weeks Per person $ 624 ₨ 52,141
• One Month Per person $ 1,336 ₨ 111,732
• One Week For a couple $ 624 ₨ 52,141
• 2 Weeks For a couple $ 1,247 ₨ 104,283
• One Month For a couple $ 2,673 ₨ 223,463

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Delhi cost?

A one week trip to Delhi usually costs around $312 (₨26,071) for one person and $624 (₨52,141) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Delhi on average costs around $624 (₨52,141) for one person and $1,247 (₨104,283) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Delhi will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Delhi on average costs around $1,336 (₨111,732) for one person and $2,673 (₨223,463) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Delhi has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Delhi is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in India, which is a very affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It falls in the average range in the country for its prices. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.

Within Asia, Delhi is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Luang Prabang, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Taipei.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Delhi Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Delhi?

The average Delhi trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Delhi travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Delhi

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Delhi is $23 (₨1,932). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Delhi is $46 (₨3,864). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

• Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 23 ₨ 1,932
• Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 46 ₨ 3,864

Hotel Prices in Delhi

Looking for a hotel in Delhi? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Actual Hotel Prices The average hotel room price in Delhi based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $27. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Recommended Properties

• Jashn's Inn Budget Hotel - Kayak $ 57
• The Oberoi New Delhi Luxury Hotel - Kayak $ 114

Transportation Budget in Delhi

The cost of a taxi ride in Delhi is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $5.28 (₨441) per person, per day, on local transportation in Delhi.

• Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 5.28 ₨ 441

Recommended Services

• Private Half-Day Guided Shopping Tour with Transfer in Delhi Viator $ 30
• Taj Mahal Sunrise All Inclusive Tour with Transfers Viator $ 7.00

Flights to Delhi

Rental cars in delhi, what did other people spend on transportation in delhi.

Typical prices for Transportation in Delhi are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Delhi, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Tuk Tuk Ride ₨ 10
• Taxi to Airport ₨ 160
• Subway ₨ 32
• Uber Cab ₨ 80
• Delhi Metro Smart Card ₨ 150
• Auto-rickshaw ₨ 100

Food Budget in Delhi

While meal prices in Delhi can vary, the average cost of food in Delhi is $12 (₨987) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Delhi should cost around $4.72 (₨395) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Delhi is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

• Food 2 Meals for one day $ 12 ₨ 987

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• Evening Food Tour Viator $ 40
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What did other people spend on Food in Delhi?

Typical prices for Food in Delhi are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Delhi, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• McDonalds ₨ 293

Entertainment Budget in Delhi

Entertainment and activities in Delhi typically cost an average of $13 (₨1,084) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

• Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 13 ₨ 1,084

Recommended Activities

• Taj Mahal & Agra luxury tour with guide(Skip the line Entry) Viator $ 57
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What did other people spend on Entertainment in Delhi?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Delhi are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Delhi, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Red Fort ₨ 870

Tips and Handouts Budget in Delhi

The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Delhi is $3.65 (₨305) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Delhi is 5% - 15% .

• Tips and Handouts 1 For guides or service providers $ 3.65 ₨ 305

Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Delhi

Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Delhi is $1.50 (₨125), as reported by travelers.

• Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps 1 $ 1.50 ₨ 125

Alcohol Budget in Delhi

The average person spends about $8.67 (₨725) on alcoholic beverages in Delhi per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

• Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 8.67 ₨ 725

Water Budget in Delhi

On average, people spend $0.42 (₨35) on bottled water in Delhi per day. The public water in Delhi is not usually considered safe to drink.

• Water 2 Bottled water for one day $ 0.42 ₨ 35

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MyFunkyTravel

Backpacking | Budget Travel | Living Abroad

India Cost of Travel – What is a typical Backpacker Budget?

This post looks at the estimated cost of travel in India. Read our suggested shoestring and more comfortable backpacking budgets for this mystical land. We also have some typical travel expenses and info on using the Indian currency.

India Cost of Travel in 2023

Shoestring backpacker budget.

• US$20/day | 1630 Indian Rupees

While real hardcore budget types may be able to get by on even less, just over 1600 Rupees per day is a realistic India backpacking budget for most travellers. This covers all your daily travel expenses including the cost of budget accommodation, transport and meals. You’ll still need to be a bit selective when choosing your daytime activities in India and evening entertainment to stick to this budget.

An India backpacker budget of $20/day will allow you to travel in one of the better classes on the country’s extensive but crowded rail network. You should also be able to afford to dine in perfectly nice local restaurants each night. Accommodation is very good value as a rule so there’s not much danger of you going over that budget if you’re sensible.

That said, one or two of the major attractions can be relatively pricey, with foreigners charged as much as 20 times more than Indians in some cases so those costs can add up a little. There will be days when you go over $20 as a result, but overall India is not at all expensive to visit.

More Comfortable India Backpacking Budget

• US$30/day | 2450 Indian Rupees

On $30 per day you can travel very comfortably indeed on our India backpacking route and if you have some cash saved up, you are likely to have a much more enjoyable trip on this kind of budget. You would find yourself suddenly able to stay in decent 2 or 3 star hotels, eat all your meals in good restaurants and be able to afford the odd flight to save time on the longer journeys.

You won’t have to worry so much about the cost of entering temples or forts eating into your budget and the fact you are eating in better places, should increase your chances of avoiding the dreaded Delhi belly. Don’t count on that though!

How much do things cost in India?

The cost of food in India per day can be cut down to just a few hundred Rupees and that’s with at least one meal out in a relatively decent restaurant. Eating street food is even cheaper but not advisable in most cases. When it comes to accommodation, you can often find basic private rooms in guesthouses for the same price as a dorm bed but they may not have many of the same facilities as a hostel.

Compare Indian prices with the cost of travel in New Zealand  and the cost of travel in China for an idea of how it compares to other countries in the Asia/Pacific region. Spoiler, it’s a lot cheaper than most!

India Budget Travel Tips

• Bargain in markets and some shops to get better prices. Some kind of bartering is the norm in many Indian retail settings unless prices are clearly marked. You can also bargain prices down with taxi drivers who will often try to charge foreigners higher fares.
• Travel in the off season to get the very best deals on accommodation, transportation and potentially activities. While there is some regional variation, May to September is loosely considered to be the off season for travel in India with the monsoon season lasting from July to September.
• If you’re intent on saving every last Rupee, book tickets in the cheapest train classes. It might not be comfortable, but you’ll certainly have an experience to remember!
• If you’re looking at internal flights, booking early or waiting for the last minute deals may be the way to go. However it’s usually cheaper to travel by train.
• Carry a reusable, filtered water bottle to save money on buying bottled water. It’s not advisable to drink water straight from the tap in India.

Money – Indian Rupee

£1 = 95 Rupees

€1 = 81 Rupees

US$1 = 71 Rupees

These exchange rates are correct as of January 2023. Other currencies such as the US Dollar are rarely accepted in India so you’ll need some Rupees to get by. It’s also worth noting that the Indian Rupee is a closed currency meaning it’s hard to buy outside of India. Your best option is either to enter India with another currency and exchange it on arrival or use an ATM to withdraw cash.

These estimates for the cost of travel were last updated in January 2023.

One thought on “ India Cost of Travel – What is a typical Backpacker Budget? ”

Agree to this discussion. In India, we have numerous options to backpack in various terrains without compromise in safety or time. And duration can be as short or long as we want. From 3 to 10 days, any part of India , say North , South , East or west can be easily planned out. I did something similar. And I want to encourage you to read it and try one yourself. My first back back trip . It was in Rajasthan. Here’s the link. https://thebongtraveller.blogspot.com/2016/02/rajasthan-best-backpacking-destination.html https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/471bcb12d1e7b594a83132b0360f67292342aa00f6353e6f98a5b5cb9831b1d1.jpg

Above photo was taken by me in City Palace while attending the evening light and sound show.

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Global Gallivanting

The average daily india backpacking budget.

India is one of the cheapest places to travel in the world but even so. If you’re backpacking India or traveling on a tight budget it’s useful to work out an average daily India backpacking budget.

It’s useful to know how much things cost in India because, if you can figure out how much you are likely to spend each day when traveling in India, then it’s easier to save up and plan for your trip.

I’ve travelled all over this amazing country many times. So to help you plan your trip to India I’ve broken down my usual daily expenses to reveal the average daily India backpacking budget. I’ve also written down some typical costs and lots of tips for traveling India on a budget.

So how much does it cost to backpack in India?

The cost of backpacking in India can vary depending on the level of comfort you need and your style of travelling.

India is changing quickly, and as it modernises the range of options and services for travellers are increasing; you can still travel here dirt cheap or you can also travel in pretty good comfort, or even ultimate luxury, for less than in many part of the world.

The good news for budget travellers is that backpacking in India is still great value and India remains one of the cheapest places to travel in the world.

So what’s the average daily India backpacking budget?

It’s always hard to generalise because the end cost will be different for everyone depending on the places travelled, the style of travel and comfort and the travellers’ skill in haggling!

But, my simple answer is that most budget travellers spend between ₹1,300 – ₹2,300 a day backpacking around India. That’s roughly $20 – $35/ £12 – £23  a day (not taking into account initial cost of flights and visas)

So, here’s a quick run down of the average costs you are likely to encounter while backpacking around India.

I have displayed costs in local currency  ₹ Indian Rupees, £ British Pounds and US Dollars but be aware that exchange rates and prices can and do change.

The Average Cost of Backpacking India

Update – most attractions now charge 500 rupees so if you plan to do alot of sightseeing this could push up your daily india backpacking budget.

If you found this useful please pin me and help out another traveller! 🙂

More Budget Tips for Backpacking India

Of course, somedays you will spend more, and somedays you will spend less – fitting in all these activities and expenses into one day you would be pretty exhausted and India is not a place that you will enjoy rushing but this should give you an idea of the common costs to budget for.

Accommodation is the hardest to determine an average price as guesthouses can range between ₹ 300 to ₹ 1000 in a more expensive city like Mumbai or if you are just longing for a bit more comfort. New backpacker hostels are now starting to open up in India but usually a budget guesthouse is cheaper than 2 beds in a hostel.

The fares on local buses and Indian Railways (in the cheapest classes) are great value (but trains can be hard to book see my guide on train travel in India ) Deluxe tourist or sleeper buses cost more and traveling long distances quickly is going to eat up a backpacker’s budget.

Traveling slow can reduce the costs and hassle factor of backpacking India, although if you were taking a long distance bus or train then you would often travel overnight so you wouldn’t need to spend on accommodation that night.

Eating Indian food is always cheaper than Western food and a good way to make your India backpacking budget stretch further while enjoying the amazing local cuisine. Skipping a few beers would save you money (India doesn’t really have a big drinking culture anyway) There are also many free or cheaper sightseeing options so you probably wouldn’t visit a ₹ 250 attraction every day.

So basically some days you will spend more and some less but the average daily India backpacking budget would be around ₹1,250 per day (£12 or US$18) .

For one month backpacking in india i would allow at least ₹ 40,000  ( £400 or us$ 600).

These are the costs for 2 people traveling together, if you were traveling alone then you would be paying the whole cost of the accommodation and taxis yourself, meals are also often made for sharing so you can split the cost of this if traveling together so you would spend more traveling alone.

I average about ₹ 2,000 INR per day if I am traveling solo and often, as a solo female traveler I will opt for a higher class of train or slightly nicer guest house or restaurant if I feel that I need to for safety or sanity. (See my tips for traveling India as a solo female .)

You could backpack India cheaper than this – but you might not enjoy it

It’s still definitely possible to backpack India for ₹1000 a day (£10 / $16) – public transport is great value in the lowest classes, street food can be found for next to nothing and there are many dirt cheap guesthouses.

But India can be a challenging place to travel and it’s often better to be prepared to spend a little more to make your travels easier and more enjoyable. It’s always better to have too much money than not enough so be aware of this when planning your own India backpacking budget.

See a more detailed breakdown of the costs of backpacking India and budget tips here

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This post is extremely helpful! Scott spent a few months in India a few years back, but we are planning on planning another trip (possibly a year long trip) through India! Sometimes it’s hard to get a good estimate of cost before the trip if it has been awhile since visiting since places are always changing. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Megan, I’m glad you found it useful. Yes, some places are more expensive than others but these figures are my averages and of course costs can vary depending on your ability to haggle! If you are planning to travel India for a year I would advise budgeting a little more for when you need a bit more comfort (and a visa run after 180 days)

Great article! We kept detailed records of our expenses. We spent an average of $12 USD per person per day, but that also includes a lot of CouchSurfing (had rich experiences through that!) CouchSurfing is big in India, so I would highly recommend it to get immersed into the culture and meet some great people.

That’s pretty good. I think couch surfing is a great way to get a more local experience as well as saving money but as a solo female I’m still quite cautious about couch surfing in India although as a couple it would be great!

This is so helpful, thank you for sharing! We’re on a 10 month trip (with an overseas move at the end), and will be arriving in India in March/April. After blowing slightly over our budget in SE Asia in the last couple of months, we’ve been hoping India will be a chance to make it up again… This post has been very reassuring! Beautiful photos too ????

Hi Miranda! Thanks so much! 🙂 I’m really glad that it helped, of course there are still many temptations to blow the budget in India but I hope you have a great time in India! 🙂

I wish I have found your blog sooner! I’m back from India now after 2.5 months and I could vouch the (approximate) accuracy of this information!! I am trying to write about my travel budget in India as well but yours seems to be so comprehensive I might as well share your blog link to my reader! 😉

Wow thanks Jay! I’m so glad that you found it so useful! Hope you had a great trip in India! 🙂

Thank you so much for this article! I fly to India on Sunday and reading this really helped put my mind at ease regarding how I should plan my budget while I am there. Its always inspiring to read about people who have quit their jobs to travel and have been doing it for some time – I quit my job last month to do the same thing and this is the start of my travels!

Hi Georgette

Glad you liked the article and exciting that you are traveling to India soon – you can travel here very cheap but sometimes its a good idea to allow a little more in the budget so you can upgrade to a more comfortable hotel or transport option every now and then.

Hope your travels go well and glad to hear you got out of the system to see the world and make the most of your life.

Happy Travels 🙂

Were you able to visit Goa? The beach was beautiful and it wasn’t costly. Great job on the article, I’m pretty sure a lot of travelers will find this very helpful and head to India tomorrow! 🙂

Thanks Agness, yes I’m actually based in Goa most of the year! 🙂 Glad you found the article useful and that you enjoyed Goa. Hope you continue to have many more happy travels in India 🙂

It’s very cheap to travel in India unless you need to stay in a luxurious hotel, book a private taxi, and dine at a famous multi cuisine restaurant. The most important things to save money in your trip is to book a budget hotel that provides all the facilities and amenities in an affordable price. Also you should choose shared transportation and dine in a budget restaurant.

Thanks for your tips – yes it is easy to travel on a budget or to have a more luxurious experience in India – sab kuch milega 🙂

Thank you for your article! Really has helped me prepare my trip! Am planning to be in india for a month or so from the end of september, then into sri lanka, over to thailand and then slowly make my way through the surrounding countries and then onward to taiwan. As have friends settled there. Cannot wait! First time going east so all new experiences!

Hi Ross! So glad it helped you – your trip sounds really exciting! Hope you have a great time 🙂

I have found that getting by on 2000ir is about right. Your article is very useful.

Im planning a holiday to india for 3 weeks it will be my first time visit i will definantly be going on a budget would 300 hundred pounds be sufficient or should i save more im hoping to go in august september time

Hi Kenny – it should be OK if your happy sticking to a tight budget

People are often surprised at how affordable India is and in terms of value for money or getting a bang for your buck there aren’t many better places. What India lacks in infrstructure it makes up for in the abundance of services.

https://indiasomeday.com/en/article/cost-travelling-india/

This post is really useful and accurate. Some places are expensive to visit. Somehow we can manage by tour packages. Being independent traveler is most satisfying goal.

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