India Travel Budget: How Much Does India Actually Cost?
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India is one of the world’s most budget-friendly destinations — but it can also accommodate luxurious experiences at a fraction of what they’d cost in Europe. The range between budget and luxury is wider here than almost anywhere.
Quick Summary
| Style | Daily Budget (per person) |
|---|---|
| Budget backpacker | €20–35/day |
| Mid-range traveller | €50–90/day |
| Comfortable traveller | €120–200/day |
| Luxury (heritage hotels, private drivers) | €250–500+/day |
Accommodation
Budget guesthouses: €5–15/night for a basic double room. Clean, functional, fan-cooled. Available in all tourist cities.
Mid-range hotels: €25–60/night. Air-conditioned rooms, often with breakfast included. Good quality throughout the country.
Heritage hotels (havelis, palaces): €80–250/night. Rajasthan in particular has extraordinary heritage properties — converted forts, maharaja palaces, and Mughal havelis now operating as hotels. Samode Haveli in Jaipur, RAAS in Jodhpur, and Devi Garh near Udaipur are exceptional.
Luxury five-star (Taj, Oberoi, ITC): €200–500+/night. India’s luxury hotel groups operate some of the world’s finest properties — the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, the Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra (with Taj Mahal views from every room) — at prices well below equivalent European luxury.
Food
Indian food is extraordinary, and eating well costs almost nothing.
Street food: €0.30–1 per item. Samosas, pani puri, chai, and dhokla from street stalls and local sweet shops are the real food of India. Eat where the locals eat and the food is fresh.
Dhaba (roadside restaurant): €2–5 for a full thali (metal tray with multiple dishes, rice, and bread). The best simple food in India comes from dhabas.
Mid-range restaurant: €5–15/person with drinks. Excellent Indian food across all regional cuisines.
Fine dining: €25–60/person. Indian Accent (Delhi), Wasabi by Morimoto (Mumbai), and top-end Rajasthani restaurants serve extraordinary food at prices that would be considered mid-range in London or New York.
Chai: €0.10–0.30 for a cup of spiced milk tea from a street chai wallah. This is India’s national drink and one of the world’s great pleasures.
Beer: In states where it’s available — Kingfisher or Cobra, €1–3 at restaurants. Some states (Gujarat, Bihar) are officially dry.
Transport
Trains: India’s rail network covers 23 million passengers per day. Book at irctc.co.in or through Cleartrip. Prices are very cheap by global standards:
- Delhi–Jaipur: 2nd class AC (3A) ≈ €8–12; 1st class AC (1A) ≈ €25–40
- Delhi–Varanasi overnight: 3A ≈ €12–18
- Mumbai–Goa: 3A ≈ €10–15
Book at least 2–4 weeks ahead — popular routes fill up, especially during festivals.
Domestic flights: IndiGo, Air India Express, and SpiceJet offer cheap fares. Delhi–Kochi (Kerala) runs €50–100 booked in advance. Flight prices spike on short notice.
Local transport:
- Auto-rickshaw: Everywhere, €0.50–3 for short trips. Use apps (Ola, Rapido) for fixed prices.
- Uber/Ola cab: Reliable and cheap. Delhi to airport ≈ €8–12.
- Taxi (private car + driver): €50–80/day for a hired car with driver — extremely good value for Rajasthan, where road travel is required.
Attractions
| Attraction | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Taj Mahal | ₹1,100 (€12) for foreigners |
| Agra Fort | ₹650 (€7) |
| Red Fort (Delhi) | ₹600 (€6.50) |
| Qutb Minar | ₹650 (€7) |
| Humayun’s Tomb | ₹650 (€7) |
| Amber Fort (Jaipur) | ₹550 (€6) |
| City Palace (Jaipur) | ₹700 (€7.50) |
| Mehrangarh Fort (Jodhpur) | ₹600 (€6.50) |
| Ranthambore Tiger Safari | ₹1,500–2,500 (€16–27) per person |
| National Museum (Delhi) | Free on Fridays |
Sample 7-Day Budget (Golden Triangle)
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €70 | €280 | €630 |
| Food | €56 | €140 | €280 |
| Transport (trains + local) | €40 | €100 | €200 |
| Attractions | €40 | €60 | €80 |
| Extras | €30 | €70 | €140 |
| Total (per person) | €236 | €650 | €1,330 |
Money-Saving Tips
- Train over flight for routes under 6 hours — cheaper, more comfortable, and culturally richer
- Book trains early on IRCTC — 60-day advance booking window opens at 8am IST
- Eat at dhabas and local restaurants — the food is often better than tourist restaurants at a fraction of the price
- Negotiate — auto-rickshaws, markets, and small guesthouses expect bargaining. Politely and with good humour
- Heritage hotels at off-peak prices (April–September) are 40–60% cheaper than peak season
- Museum reciprocity: Some sites include multiple monuments in one combined ticket — always ask
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