How to Travel India on a Shoestring Budget

How to Travel India on a Shoestring Budget

Travelers are frequently surprised by India. One minute you're enjoying tea in the foothills, and the next you're watching the sunset over a bustling ghat. The best part is, you can do all this without spending much! That's the beauty of this country. You don't have to be wealthy to enjoy it. With a little mindful decision making, shoestring budget travel India isn't difficult and you can still have a trip of a lifetime.

This guide will provide budget travel tips India, smart hacks, and a handful of the best India budget destinations. Everything here is straightforward, practical, and perfect for travellers who want more adventure and less cost.

1. Start with the Right Destinations

Not every place in India is the quintessential backpacking destination. Major cities such as Mumbai or Delhi can be expensive, but there are smaller towns and cultural centres that offer more economical travel options. 

• Rishikesh: Yoga studies, great views overlooking the Ganga, and hostels for a few hundred rupees.
• Pushkar: A desert town where you can pay less to stay at a simple guesthouse with rooftop views than a dinner in a big city.
• Hampi: Ancient ruins and beautiful boulders that have an open air museum feel, with homestays for under ₹500.
• Varanasi: Spiritual culture exists on the ghats, tourist boat rides (paddle yourself), and endless street food options.
• Pondicherry: French-style cafes, ocean beaches, and quaint budget lodges.
• Jaipur: The "Pink City" with magnificent forts and palaces, offering budget-friendly guesthouses.
• Jodhpur: The "Blue City," known for its massive Mehrangarh Fort and vibrant markets, with affordable lodging options.
• Agra: Home to the iconic Taj Mahal, with numerous budget-friendly accommodations and food stalls.
• Delhi: The capital city with historical sites like Humayun's Tomb and Red Fort, offering a mix of expensive and affordable options.
• Udaipur: The "City of Lakes," with beautiful palaces and a romantic atmosphere, offering guesthouses with lake views.
• Jaisalmer: A desert city with a living fort, known for camel safaris and affordable stays in havelis.
• Bikaner: Famous for its Junagarh Fort and delicious Bikaneri bhujia, with a range of budget hotels.
• Mandawa: Known for its beautiful painted havelis, offering a glimpse into Rajasthan's rich history.
• Bundi: A lesser-known gem with a stunning palace and stepwells, providing a peaceful escape.
• Ranthambore: A national park famous for tiger sightings, with affordable jungle camps and lodges nearby.
• Ajmer: A pilgrimage site with the revered Ajmer Sharif Dargah, offering budget stays for pilgrims.
• Mount Abu: Rajasthan's only hill station, with a cool climate, Dilwara Jain Temples, and budget resorts.
• Amritsar: Home to the Golden Temple, with free community kitchens (langar) and affordable guesthouses.
• Shimla: A popular hill station with colonial architecture and scenic views, offering budget hotels and homestays.
• Corbett: Jim Corbett National Park, known for wildlife safaris and a variety of budget lodges.
• Goa: Known for its beaches, nightlife, and relaxed vibe, offering plenty of budget-friendly shacks and hostels.
• Leh: A high-altitude desert town with stunning landscapes and monasteries, with guesthouses and homestays at reasonable prices.
• Darjeeling: Famous for its tea plantations and views of the Himalayas, offering affordable stays and local food.

Traveling to places like these allows you to keep costs low, while still experiencing the incredible essence of India.

2. Travel the Cheaper Way

Transport is where many people slip up. Luckily, India’s system makes cheap travel possible almost everywhere.

• Trains: The backbone of Indian travel. Sleeper class is comfortable enough and costs a fraction of flights.
• State buses: Slower than rail, but cheaper. Also bus travel can reach non-railway towns. 
• Metros/shared rickshaws: In the cities, either buy a metro card or hop on a shared auto instead of the full price single taxi/or bus fare. 
• Budget carry-on flights: Budget airlines like IndiGo or Akasa tend to have sale prices, book early to secure their best price.

If you’re covering multiple cities by train, look into an Indrail Pass. It’s a set fee and gives you unlimited travel for a chosen time.

3.  Search for Budget Accommodations

You certainly don't need to stay in high-end hotels to get a good night's sleep. India has a huge range of accommodations, and your budget travelling can explore numerous types of budget accommodation. 

• Backpacker hostel: Dorm beds can be found for ₹300 - ₹600 per night and are perfect for solo travellers. 
• Family-owned guest houses: Basically have clean rooms and often offer a homemade meal. 
• Ashrams, especially in holy towns: Generally, provide accommodations for a nominal donation. 
• Budget hotel: These provide basic but functional accommodations, however if you want more privacy, this can do the job. 

Booking apps are always good at listing their discounts, but in some of the smaller towns, you will find better pricing if you just go in, and ask for the best price.

4. Eat Like the Locals

Food is one area where India spoils you. You can eat three meals a day without touching your budget too hard.

• Street snacks like samosas, chaats, and pakoras cost less than a bus ticket.
• South Indian dishes—idli, dosa, vada—are cheap, light, and filling.
• Thalis (set meals) usually give unlimited refills for ₹150–₹200.
• Local dhabas serve hearty meals at a price that feels almost unreal.

The rule is simple: if you see locals queuing up, the food is good, safe, and cheap.

5. Look for Free and Low-Cost Experiences

You don’t have to spend on every activity. India is full of free experiences that often feel more memorable than paid ones.

• Walking by the ghats of Varanasi costs nothing.
• Visiting temples, mosques, and churches is free.
• Local festivals—Holi, Diwali, Durga Puja—are open celebrations.
• Markets and bazaars let you wander, people-watch, and take in the colours.
• Nature—whether beaches in Goa or hills in Himachal—costs nothing to enjoy.

Some of your best moments will come from these simple, free experiences.

6. Pack Light, Save More

A heavy bag slows you down and costs extra on flights. A light backpack makes moving around easier, especially when hopping between buses, trains, and autos.

Bringing only essentials - a water bottle, clothes to keep you light, good shoes to walk in, and a small lock for the lockers in your hostels.  Anything else you need can be purchased at a low price in local markets while you are traveling.

7. Use Passes and Discounts

Small savings add up. India has passes that make a big difference if you travel often.

• Metro day passes in big cities give unlimited rides.
• Railway passes help for long multi-city trips.
• Student discounts apply at museums and monuments.

Always ask — Sometimes tickets for locals and foreigners are separate, but students or groups get reduced rates.

8. Bargain, But Be Fair

In many markets, bargaining is expected. Vendors often quote higher prices knowing you’ll negotiate. 

Start low, stay polite, and you’ll usually meet in the middle.

Same goes for tuk-tuks. Agree on the fare before you ride. Carry some cash; it is still king in many towns.

9. Connect with Other Travellers

Staying in hostels or guesthouses makes it easy to meet fellow travellers. You can share taxis, swap food tips, or even split room costs.

The bonus is inside info—travellers often pass on cheap places they’ve just discovered. It’s like word-of-mouth savings.

10. Travel in the Right Season

Yes, seasons matter. October to March is the high travel season. Prices rise and crowds fill popular sites.

If you visit just before or after—April, May, or September—you’ll find better rates. Monsoon months are even cheaper, though some regions can be tricky in the rain.

Final Thoughts

The truth is, cheap travel in India isn't just possible, it is also the norm. The country runs on small guesthouses, cheap trains, and street food stalls, feeding millions of travelers and locals around the country each day. 

Travel India on a budget to engage further with the real and authentic side of the country, as opposed to the perfect hotels and shiny tour buses.

With these budget travel tips for India, hopefully it becomes clearer that travelling cheaply does not mean being cheap; it means making better decisions about what to spend on, and what not to waste your time on.

If you plan wisely, you will soon realise (as many travellers before you have) that the less money you spend in India, the wealthier your trip.