You’ve heard India is cheap. But how cheap? Can you really travel for $20 a day? Or do you need $100+ daily? The truth is both are possible—it depends entirely on your travel style. In this complete budget guide, you’ll learn exactly how much to budget for accommodation, food, transportation, and activities. Whether you’re a backpacker, mid-range traveler, or luxury seeker, you’ll find practical costs based on real 2025 data from travelers who’ve been there.
Quick Answer: Daily Budget by Travel Style
Budget Traveler (Backpacker): ₹1,200-3,500 per day (~$14-42 USD)
Mid-Range Traveler: ₹3,000-5,000 per day (~$36-60 USD)
Luxury Traveler: ₹6,000-13,500+ per day (~$72-162+ USD)
Here’s what that looks like for trips of different lengths:
7-Day Trip:
- Budget: ₹8,400-24,500 ($100-295)
- Mid-Range: ₹21,000-35,000 ($252-420)
- Luxury: ₹42,000-94,500 ($504-1,135)
14-Day Trip:
- Budget: ₹16,800-49,000 ($200-590)
- Mid-Range: ₹42,000-70,000 ($504-840)
- Luxury: ₹84,000-189,000 ($1,008-2,270)
30-Day Trip:
- Budget: ₹36,000-1,05,000 ($432-1,260)
- Mid-Range: ₹90,000-1,50,000 ($1,080-1,800)
- Luxury: ₹1,80,000-4,05,000 ($2,160-4,860)
Important Note: These amounts do NOT include your international flight, visa ($10-80), or travel insurance ($25-150). Budget those separately.
Accommodation Costs: Where You Sleep Matters
Budget Accommodation
Hostels/Dorm Beds: ₹400-800 per night (~$4.80-10 USD)
India has over 200 backpacker hostels offering dormitory beds with basic amenities. You’ll get a bed, shared bathroom, and often a social atmosphere to meet other travelers. Popular chains include Zostel, Moustache, and local independent hostels. Most include breakfast or offer cheap breakfast for ₹100-200.
Budget Hotels: ₹800-1,500 per night (~$10-18 USD)
Budget hotels are small rooms with private bathrooms, simple decor, but clean. You’ll find these everywhere except major cities. Common in Rajasthan, Kerala, and smaller towns. May or may not have air-conditioning (AC costs ₹200-500 extra).
Homestays & Guesthouses: ₹600-1,000 per night (~$7-12 USD)
Local families rent rooms in their homes, often including breakfast. Very authentic, friendly, and often the cheapest option. Popular in Kerala, Goa, and hill stations. Book through Airbnb or local apps.
Mid-Range Accommodation
3-Star Hotels: ₹1,500-3,000 per night (~$18-36 USD)
Small hotels with better furnishings, reliable WiFi, hot water, AC, and maybe a restaurant. This is where most mid-range travelers stay. Comfort without breaking the bank. Common throughout India.
Nice Guesthouses: ₹1,200-2,500 per night (~$14-30 USD)
Upgraded guesthouses with better amenities, quieter locations, sometimes with gardens or courtyards. Great value.
Vacation Rentals (Airbnb): ₹1,500-3,000 per night (~$18-36 USD)
Private apartments or homes with kitchens. Save money by cooking some meals. Good for longer stays (weekly discounts available).
Luxury Accommodation
4-Star Hotels: ₹4,000-8,000 per night (~$48-96 USD)
Quality hotels with restaurants, room service, fitness centers, and good customer service. Popular with families and comfort-focused travelers.
Heritage Hotels & Palaces: ₹6,000-15,000 per night (~$72-180 USD)
Stay in former maharaja palaces, forts, or historic properties. Unique experience with personalized service. Found in Rajasthan, Kerala, and other regions.
5-Star Hotels: ₹8,000-25,000+ per night (~$96-300+ USD)
Top-tier hotels with premium amenities, spas, multiple restaurants, and concierge service. Taj Hotels, ITC, Oberoi are major brands.
Luxury Houseboats & Resorts: ₹4,000-8,000+ per night (~$48-96+ USD)
In Kerala, sleep on private houseboats in backwaters. In Goa and Himalayan regions, luxury resorts offer unmatched comfort. Book early—these fill quickly during peak season.
Food Costs: From Street Food to Fine Dining
Budget Eating
Street Food (Single Meal): ₹100-200 (~$1.20-2.40 USD)
Samosas, pakoras, chaat (street snacks), dosa, idli, and curries from food stalls. Delicious, filling, and the cheapest way to eat. Popular in every city and town.
Local Food Stall Meals: ₹200-300 (~$2.40-3.60 USD)
Simple restaurants with plastic chairs serving rice, dal (lentils), vegetable curries, and bread. No frills but authentic.
Budget Restaurant (Sit-Down): ₹250-400 per meal (~$3-5 USD)
Small local restaurants with proper seating, tablecloths, and printed menus. Still very cheap but slightly more comfortable.
Daily Food Budget: ₹400-800 per day (~$5-10 USD)
Breakfast (₹80-150), lunch (₹150-300), dinner (₹150-300), snacks (₹50-100). Eating only street food and local restaurants.
Mid-Range Eating
Decent Restaurant Meal: ₹400-800 per meal (~$5-10 USD)
Mid-range restaurants with decent decor, good service, and varied menus. Often air-conditioned. Found in touristy areas.
Hotel Breakfast: ₹300-600 (~$3.60-7 USD)
Buffet breakfasts at mid-range hotels, often included in room rate. Continental, Indian, and international options.
Daily Food Budget: ₹700-1,200 per day (~$8.40-14.40 USD)
Mix of local and decent restaurants, occasional splurges, some street food. Breakfast (₹200-300), lunch (₹300-500), dinner (₹300-500), drinks (₹100).
Luxury Eating
Fine Dining: ₹1,500-3,500+ per meal (~$18-42+ USD)
High-end restaurants in major cities with professional service, multiple courses, international cuisine. Found in 5-star hotels and upscale areas.
International Cuisine: ₹800-2,000 per meal (~$10-24 USD)
Italian, Mexican, Asian, or fusion restaurants. More expensive than Indian but still affordable compared to US prices.
Daily Food Budget: ₹1,500-3,500+ per day (~$18-42+ USD)
Fine dining, premium ingredients, alcohol, and international options. Breakfast (₹400-600), lunch (₹600-1,000), dinner (₹800-2,000), drinks (₹300-500).
Special India Dining Experiences
Culinary Classes: ₹1,500-3,000 ($18-36) – Learn to cook Indian food
Rooftop Dining (Mumbai/Delhi): ₹1,200-2,500+ per person ($14-30+)
Street Food Tours: ₹800-1,500 ($10-18) – Guided tour of local food markets
Transportation Costs: Getting Around India
Local City Transportation
Metro Rail (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore): ₹10-60 per ride (~$0.12-0.72 USD)
Fastest and cheapest way to move around major cities. Trains every 2-3 minutes, clean, air-conditioned. Delhi and Mumbai have extensive metro systems.
Auto-Rickshaw (Tuk-Tuk): ₹10-15 per km (~$0.12-0.18 per km)
Three-wheeled taxis without meters (usually). Negotiate price before boarding. ₹50-150 typical for short rides in cities. Cheap but can be chaotic during rush hours.
Bus: ₹5-30 per ride (~$0.06-0.36 USD)
Government and private buses. Extremely cheap but often crowded. Good experience but can be uncomfortable.
Uber/Ola (Ride-Sharing Apps): ₹50-300+ per ride (~$0.60-3.60+ USD)
Safer than street taxis, price shown upfront, air-conditioned. More expensive than auto-rickshaws but worth it for safety and comfort.
Intercity Travel
Train (Sleeper Class / 3AC): ₹300-1,500 for 8-24 hour journeys (~$3.60-18 USD)
Cheapest way to travel long distances. Overnight trains save on accommodation. Sleeper class = bunk beds, very affordable. 3AC = private berths, slightly more comfort. Must book in advance on indianrailways.gov.in
Bus (Overnight): ₹600-2,000 for long distances (~$7-24 USD)
Private luxury buses available but often uncomfortable. Budget option is cheapest but can be bumpy.
Domestic Flights: ₹5,000-15,000 for 1-2 hour flights (~$60-180 USD)
Book in advance (Tuesday-Wednesday often cheapest). Airlines: IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India are reliable.
Example Route Costs:
- Delhi-Jaipur Train: ₹350-1,200 (4-5 hours)
- Mumbai-Goa Overnight Bus: ₹600-1,500 (12 hours)
- Delhi-Goa Flight: ₹7,000-12,000 (2 hours)
Vehicle Rentals
Scooter Rental: ₹400-600 per day (~$5-7 USD)
Fun way to explore. Requires international driving permit. Fuel costs ₹50-100 extra daily.
Motorbike Rental: ₹1,000-1,500 per day (~$12-18 USD)
Popular in Goa, Himalayan regions, and Rajasthan. Adventurous but requires confidence.
Private Car with Driver: ₹1,500-3,000 per day (~$18-36 USD)
Worth it for groups. Hotels can arrange this. Driver pays for fuel and tolls (included in price).
Activities & Attractions: What You’ll Do
Monument Entry Fees: Free-₹500 (~$0-6 USD)
- Taj Mahal: ₹250 for Indians, $15-20 for foreigners
- India Gate (Delhi): Free
- Hawa Mahal (Jaipur): ₹75-200 ($0.90-2.40)
- National parks/wildlife sanctuaries: ₹500-1,500 ($6-18)
Museum Entry: ₹200-500 (~$2.40-6 USD)
Most Indian museums are very affordable. National Museum (Delhi): ₹200
Adventure Activities: ₹1,500-5,000+ (~$18-60+ USD)
- Trekking guides: ₹1,500-2,500/day
- White water rafting: ₹1,500-3,000
- Scuba diving (Goa): ₹3,000-5,000
- Paragliding (Himalayas): ₹3,000-4,500
Guided City Tours: ₹1,000-3,000 (~$12-36 USD)
Private guides for day tours. Group tours cheaper (₹500-1,500).
Yoga & Wellness Classes: ₹500-2,000 (~$6-24 USD)
- Yoga class (one session): ₹300-600
- Ayurvedic massage: ₹800-2,000
- Yoga retreat (3-5 days): ₹5,000-15,000
Costs by Destination: Where Is Cheaper?
India isn’t uniform in pricing. Some areas are significantly cheaper than others.
Most Expensive Destinations
Mumbai: ₹3,000-5,000+/day
India’s most expensive city. Budget hotels ₹1,500-2,000, meals ₹500-1,500, transport ₹100-300. Fine dining common.
Delhi: ₹2,500-4,500/day
Capital city prices. Agra (near Delhi) slightly cheaper but still mid-range.
Goa (Tourist Areas): ₹2,500-5,000+/day
Beach resort premiums. Backpacker areas cheap (₹1,500-2,500), but South Goa and resorts expensive (₹4,000-8,000+).
Mid-Range Destination Costs
Rajasthan (Golden Triangle): ₹2,000-3,500/day
Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer are moderately priced. Good value for mid-range travelers.
Kerala: ₹1,800-3,000/day
Backwater villages cheap, but Alleppey (houseboat hub) pricier. Overall good value.
Himalayan Regions (Manali, Shimla): ₹2,500-4,000/day
Remote areas have high transport costs, but accommodation cheaper than major cities.
Budget-Friendly Destinations
Varanasi: ₹1,000-1,500/day
One of India’s cheapest cities. Hostels ₹400-600, meals ₹200-400. Very authentic.
Rishikesh: ₹1,200-1,800/day
Yoga hub with cheap accommodation, cheap food, and budget activities.
Hampi: ₹1,000-1,500/day
Small town in Karnataka with minimal tourist infrastructure = minimal prices.
Kolkata (East India): ₹1,500-2,200/day
Often forgotten by tourists, very affordable.
Hidden Costs You Need to Know About
ATM Fees (Updated for 2026)
ATM fees increased May 1, 2025. Each transaction beyond your free limit now costs:
- ₹23 per cash withdrawal (plus 18% GST = ₹27.14 total) at non-home bank ATMs
- ₹7 per balance inquiry or non-financial transaction
- Free: 5 transactions at your own bank, 3-5 at other banks (depending on metro/non-metro)
Strategy: Withdraw larger amounts less frequently (₹10,000-20,000 at once) rather than multiple small withdrawals.
Currency Exchange & Credit Card Fees
International ATM Withdrawals (Foreign Card): Additional 2-3.5% fee from your US bank
Credit Card Transactions in India: 1-3.5% markup + 18% GST
Example: $100 transaction = ₹8,300 + 1.5% ($125) + 18% GST = Total ₹8,650 ($104+)
Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC): Avoid this at all costs. Merchants offer to convert to USD—always decline and pay in rupees instead.
Hotel Taxes & Hidden Fees
GST (Goods & Services Tax): 5-28% on hotel rooms depending on room rate
- ₹7,500+ rooms: 28% tax
- ₹2,500-7,500 rooms: 12% tax
- Below ₹2,500: 5% tax
Resort Fees: Some resorts charge daily ₹200-500 “facility fees” not shown upfront
Tip: Budget hotels usually include taxes in quoted price. Mid-range and above often add 12-28% at checkout.
Booking Fees & Commissions
Third-Party Websites (Booking.com, OYO): Charge 5-10% on top of room cost
Tour Operator Fees: 10-20% markup on activities and tours
Tip: Book directly with hotels/tour operators to avoid these fees.
Tipping Customs
Restaurants: 5-10% optional (₹50-100) or included as “service charge”
Hotel Staff: ₹20-50 per service (housekeeping, bellhop)
Drivers & Tour Guides: ₹100-200 per day or 10% of tour cost
Note: Tipping is NOT mandatory in India like in the US. It’s appreciated but not expected from tourists.
Money-Saving Strategies: How to Travel Cheaper
Accommodation Hacks
Book on the Ground: Hotels offer 10-20% discounts if you walk in (outside peak season). Negotiate immediately after they quote the rate.
Stay Longer: Weekly/monthly discounts available on Airbnb and homestays. 1 week stays often get 10-15% discount.
Hostels for Budget & Social: Dorm beds save ₹500-800 vs private rooms. Plus meet other travelers.
Avoid Peak Season (Oct-Feb): Prices 30-50% higher during winter months. Visit May-August or April-May for better deals.
Transportation Hacks
Book Trains in Advance: Cheaper and more reliable than buses. Book 2-4 weeks ahead at indianrailways.gov.in
Overnight Trains = Free Accommodation: Save hotel costs by sleeping on trains (Sleeper class is 3x cheaper than hotels).
Use Metros & Walk: Avoid taxis/Uber for every trip. Walk when safe, use metro for longer distances.
Group Car Rentals: Splitting a ₹2,000/day driver cost among 4 people = ₹500/person (cheaper than daily transport).
Food Hacks
Street Food & Local Restaurants: 10x cheaper than tourist-area restaurants. Eat where locals eat.
Cook Own Meals: Airbnb or homestay with kitchen. Buy groceries for ₹300-500 and cook simple meals.
Breakfast at Hotel/Hostel: Always included or super cheap (₹100-300). Don’t skip it.
Avoid Tourist Traps: Restaurants near monuments charge 5-10x normal prices. Walk 5 minutes away for local prices.
Activities Hacks
Free Activities: Walking tours, temples (free entry), beaches, markets, festivals.
Group Tours Cheaper than Private: Split guide cost with other tourists (₹500-800 vs ₹3,000+).
Many Monuments Free on Specific Days: Some museums free on certain weekends—check ahead.
Skip Premium Activities: Adventure sports (paragliding, scuba) cost ₹3,000-5,000. Trekking with local guides cheaper (₹1,500-2,000).
[INTERNAL LINK PLACEMENT: Link to “Complete India Travel Guide” article]
Real Example: How Much Did Travelers Actually Spend?
Budget Backpacker (2-Month Trip to Northern India)
Total Spent: ₹3,00,000-4,50,000 ($3,600-5,400 USD)
Daily Average: ₹1,500-2,250 ($18-27 USD)
Breakdown:
- Accommodation: ₹600/night avg (dorms & budget hotels)
- Food: ₹500/day (mostly street food)
- Transport: ₹400/day (trains, local buses)
- Activities: ₹300/day (free/cheap attractions)
Mid-Range Traveler (14-Day India Trip)
Total Spent: ₹42,000-70,000 ($504-840 USD) total
Daily Average: ₹3,000-5,000 ($36-60 USD)
Breakdown:
- Accommodation: ₹2,000/night avg (3-star hotels)
- Food: ₹1,000/day (mix of local & restaurants)
- Transport: ₹600/day (mix of trains, flights, taxis)
- Activities: ₹500/day (tours, entry fees)
Real Data: 3-Month Traveler Spending
One real traveler tracked 74 days in India spending:
Total: $12,884 USD (~₹1,07,00,000) for 2 people
Daily: $87/person per day
Breakdown:
- Accommodation: $3,270 (avg $44/night)
- Food: $2,321 (avg $31/day)
- Activities: $868 (avg $12/day)
- Transport: $1,350 (flights, trains, taxis)
- Travel Costs: $3,382 (flight, visa, insurance, vaccines)
- Other: $693
30-Day India Budget Planner
Budget Traveler (₹36,000-60,000 / $432-720 USD)
- Accommodation: ₹18,000 (₹600/night × 30)
- Food: ₹15,000 (₹500/day × 30)
- Transport: ₹12,000 (₹400/day × 30)
- Activities: ₹9,000 (₹300/day × 30)
- Reserve (emergencies): ₹6,000
Mid-Range Traveler (₹90,000-150,000 / $1,080-1,800 USD)
- Accommodation: ₹45,000 (₹1,500/night × 30)
- Food: ₹30,000 (₹1,000/day × 30)
- Transport: ₹18,000 (₹600/day × 30)
- Activities: ₹15,000 (₹500/day × 30)
- Reserve: ₹12,000
Luxury Traveler (₹180,000-405,000 / $2,160-4,860 USD)
- Accommodation: ₹135,000 (₹4,500/night × 30)
- Food: ₹75,000 (₹2,500/day × 30)
- Transport: ₹36,000 (₹1,200/day × 30)
- Activities: ₹30,000 (₹1,000/day × 30)
- Premium experiences: ₹60,000
- Reserve: ₹15,000
Final Budget Checklist: Before You Go
Pre-Trip Costs (One-Time):
- International flight: $400-1,200
- E-Visa: $10-80
- Travel insurance: $25-150
- Vaccinations: $100-300
- Passport (if needed): $130
Total Pre-Trip: $665-1,860
During-Trip Budget (by length):
- 7-Day: ₹8,400-94,500 ($100-1,135)
- 14-Day: ₹16,800-189,000 ($200-2,270)
- 30-Day: ₹36,000-405,000 ($432-4,860)
Total Trip Cost (Pre + During, Budget Traveler on 14 days):
Flight ($600) + Visa ($50) + Insurance ($50) + In-India ($200) = $900 Total
That’s 2 weeks in India for less than $1,000—no international flight even needed from some US cities with good deals.
Get More India Travel Planning Help
Need help with other aspects of your India trip? Read our other guides:
- Learn how to get your Indian e-visa online in minutes
- Get complete travel insurance coverage for medical emergencies and evacuations
- Read our complete first-time visitor guide covering arrival, customs, and cultural tips
India offers incredible value for your money. Whether you’re backpacking on ₹1,200/day or traveling in comfort on ₹5,000/day, you’ll have an amazing experience. Use this budget guide to plan confidently and travel smart.