Traveling across India doesn’t have to burn a hole in your pocket. With a land of vibrant cultures, majestic mountains, serene beaches, and centuries-old monuments, India offers incredible experiences for travelers on a budget. Whether you’re a backpacker, a solo explorer, or a family looking for affordable vacations, Budget India Tour Packages are designed to give you the best experiences without overspending.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know – from the cheapest destinations in India to sample itineraries, transport hacks, food options, and detailed answers to FAQs.
India is one of the most budget-friendly destinations in the world, where you can explore ancient heritage sites, pristine nature, and lively markets at a fraction of the cost compared to other countries.
Affordable Accommodation: From hostels to budget hotels and homestays.
Cheap & Tasty Food: Local Indian meals cost as low as ₹50–100.
Low-Cost Travel Options: Trains, buses, and shared cabs make traveling economical.
Endless Destinations: From Himalayan treks to tropical beaches and royal forts.
Here’s a list of places where you can travel affordably:
Explore Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur.
Entry tickets to forts start from ₹50–100.
Stay in heritage hostels or guesthouses under ₹800/night.
Local thali meals cost ₹150.
Famous for cheap beach shacks and lively nightlife.
Rent a scooter for ₹300/day.
Street food like seafood and Goan poi sandwiches at ₹50–100.
Manali, Kasol, Dharamshala, McLeodganj.
Budget stays: ₹500–700 per night.
Trekking and nature experiences are mostly free.
Alleppey backwaters, Munnar tea gardens, Kovalam beaches.
Houseboats start at ₹2,500 per group (split among friends = budget-friendly).
Local meals on banana leaves from ₹100.
Stay near the ghats for ₹500–800.
Boat rides on the Ganga: ₹200.
Street food like kachoris, lassis, and chaats: ₹30–50.
Meghalaya, Assam, Nagaland.
Natural beauty, homestays, and tribal culture.
Meals and stays often under ₹1,000 per day.
While flights are costly, budget guesthouses and street seafood stalls make it affordable once you’re there.
Different travelers need different types of packages:
Backpacker Packages – Hostel stays, local buses, street food.
Family Budget Packages – Budget hotels, trains, and affordable sightseeing.
Student Group Packages – Shared stays, adventure treks, group transport.
Customized Budget Tours – Choose destinations, stays, and meals according to your budget.
Delhi → Agra → Jaipur → Pushkar
Stay: ₹700–1,000/night guesthouses.
Food: ₹200–400/day.
Transport: Trains + buses.
Cost per person: ~₹12,000.
Kochi → Munnar → Alleppey → Trivandrum
Stay in budget hotels (~₹1,000/night).
Meals from roadside dhabas and local restaurants.
Cost per person: ~₹10,000.
Delhi → Manali → Kasol → Dharamshala → McLeodganj
Homestays & hostels under ₹700/night.
Treks and local sightseeing free/cheap.
Cost per person: ~₹15,000.
Travel off-season (March–May, September).
Use Indian Railways for long journeys.
Eat at local dhabas instead of fancy restaurants.
Book buses via apps like Redbus for discounts.
Choose hostels over hotels.
Travel in groups to split costs.
Trains: Cheapest & scenic. Sleeper class tickets can be as low as ₹300.
Buses: State-run buses cost half of private taxis.
Metro & Local Transport: Available in Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata.
Car/Scooter Rentals: Best for Goa, Himachal, Ladakh.
Flights (Low-Cost Carriers): IndiGo, Akasa, and SpiceJet often have deals.
Hostels (Zostel, GoStops, Moustache, The Hosteller): ₹500–800/night.
Homestays: Affordable with meals included.
Budget Hotels: ₹1,000–1,500/night in most cities.
Guesthouses: Cheaper in pilgrimage towns like Rishikesh, Varanasi.
Street Food: ₹30–100 per meal.
Local Dhabas: ₹100–150 per thali.
South Indian Meals: ₹60–100 (idlis, dosas, vadas).
North Indian Meals: ₹120–200 (parathas, chole bhature).
Tea & Snacks: ₹10–20.
Carry a refillable water bottle instead of buying packaged water.
Use UPI apps for cashless transactions.
Book trains at least 1–2 months in advance.
Use IRCTC Tatkal for last-minute bookings.
Follow government tourism websites for discounted packages
On average, a budget trip in India costs ₹1,000–₹1,500 per day per person, covering accommodation, food, and local transport. For a 7-day trip, you can manage under ₹10,000–₹12,000 depending on the region. Backpackers can spend even less by choosing hostels and public transport.
Some of the cheapest destinations in India are:
Varanasi – spiritual ghats, budget guesthouses, street food.
Rishikesh & Haridwar – yoga retreats, ashrams, river rafting.
Pushkar – desert charm, cheap stays, vibrant markets.
Kasol & McLeodganj (Himachal) – hostels, treks, cafes.
Jaipur & Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) – forts, heritage sites, budget thalis.
Yes ✅ With smart planning, you can do:
North India (Delhi–Agra–Jaipur) on trains & hostels.
Himachal (Manali–Kasol–Dharamshala) with buses & dorms.
Kerala (Kochi–Munnar–Alleppey) with budget guesthouses.
Traveling in sleeper trains, eating local thalis, and staying in hostels keeps costs down.
Yes. India is popular among backpackers because of its affordable hostels, safe group tours, and friendly locals. Solo women travelers often choose Goa, Himachal, Kerala, and Rajasthan for safety. Following basic precautions (avoiding deserted areas at night, using trusted apps for taxis, booking verified hostels) ensures a safe trip.
Backpacker Packages: Hostels, group treks, buses.
Family Budget Packages: Budget hotels, train journeys, sightseeing.
Student & Group Packages: Shared stays, bulk discounts.
Custom Budget Tours: Flexible options where you choose hotels, food, and transport according to budget.
Book trains/buses 1–2 months early.
Travel in off-season (March–May, Sept–Oct).
Stay in hostels/homestays instead of hotels.
Use local transport & metros.
Eat at street stalls & dhabas.
Travel in groups to split taxi/houseboat costs.
North India (Rajasthan, Himachal, Uttarakhand) is slightly cheaper because of hostels and train connectivity.
South India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka) offers affordable food but transport is costlier due to longer distances.
Both regions can be done cheaply if planned well.
Trains (Sleeper Class): ₹200–₹600 per trip.
State Buses (Roadways): Half the price of flights.
Budget Flights (IndiGo, Akasa, SpiceJet): Sometimes cheaper if booked 2–3 months early.
Shared Taxis: Useful in Himachal, North-East, and Ladakh.
For the lowest cost:
Trains: 1–2 months in advance.
Flights: 2–3 months in advance.
Hotels/Hostels: 2 weeks before (hostels fill fast in peak season).
Tour Packages: At least 1 month before for good deals.
Yes, most budget India tour packages include:
Accommodation in budget hotels/hostels.
Internal transport (train, bus, cab).
Sightseeing tours.
Food is often optional, but some packages include breakfast.
Yes, it’s possible but requires strict budgeting:
Stay in dormitories or ashrams (~₹200).
Eat street food & local thalis (~₹100–150).
Travel by city buses, shared autos, sleeper trains (~₹100–200).
Perfect for backpackers, but families may find it difficult.
Goa (Palolem, Arambol, Anjuna) – budget shacks & cafes.
Pondicherry (Promenade, Paradise Beach) – cheap French cafes, hostels.
Gokarna (Om Beach, Kudle Beach) – peaceful & low-cost stays.
Kovalam & Varkala (Kerala) – homestays and budget seafood.
Street Snacks (samosa, chaat, dosa): ₹20–50.
Veg Thali (rice, dal, curry, roti): ₹100–150.
Non-Veg Meals (fish curry, chicken thali): ₹200–300.
Tea/Coffee: ₹10–30.
Daily budget for food = ₹300–400 per person.
Carry a student ID for discounts at monuments.
Use apps like RedBus, IRCTC, MakeMyTrip for cheaper bookings.
Travel with night trains/buses to save on hotel costs.
Eat at langars (free meals at gurudwaras) in Punjab.
Use couchsurfing/hostel networks.
Yes ✅ Budget family packages usually include:
Comfortable 2-star hotels.
Private AC buses or trains.
Guided sightseeing.
It’s affordable yet convenient compared to luxury tours.
Absolutely. Many international backpackers travel across India spending less than $20/day. International tourists love:
Hostels (₹600–800/night).
Trains for long journeys.
Street food for $1–2 per meal.
India is one of the cheapest countries to explore with rich culture and heritage.
Yes ❤️ Couples often choose:
Goa: Beach shacks & scooter rentals.
Kerala: Budget houseboats & hill stations.
Manali & Shimla: Cozy budget hotels.
Udaipur & Jaisalmer: Romantic forts & cheap lake-view stays.
Yes. You can choose:
Number of days.
Type of accommodation (hostel, budget hotel, homestay).
Sightseeing options.
Transport mode (bus/train/flight).
Yes, some packages include:
Trekking in Himachal & Uttarakhand.
River rafting in Rishikesh.
Camping in Rajasthan desert.
Snorkeling in Andaman.
These activities are offered at affordable add-on prices.
Packages: Save time & offer bundled discounts on hotels + transport.
DIY Travel: Slightly cheaper if you’re experienced at bookings, but requires effort.
For first-time travelers, budget packages are safer & more organized.
Hostels (Zostel, GoStops, The Hosteller): For backpackers.
Guesthouses: Common in spiritual towns.
Homestays: Popular in Kerala & Himachal.
Budget Hotels (OYO, FabHotels): For families.
Off-Season (March–May, September): Cheaper hotels & fewer tourists.
Monsoon (July–Sept): Budget deals, but rain may affect plans.
Winter (Nov–Feb): Peak season, slightly costlier but great weather.
Most budget packages include breakfast only. Lunch and dinner are usually excluded so travelers can enjoy local food affordably.
Yes. Budget family packages offer clean hotels, safe transport, and kid-friendly itineraries. However, very cheap hostels may not suit families with small children.
Refunds depend on the provider:
Trains/Flights: Partial refund if canceled in advance.
Hotels: Some allow free cancellations, others charge 1-night fee.
Always check the cancellation policy before booking.
Traveling India on a budget is not only possible but also exciting. With the right planning, you can explore beaches, mountains, forts, and spiritual towns at just a fraction of the usual cost.
Whether you’re a solo backpacker, a student group, or a family looking for affordable holidays, Budget India Tour Packages give you maximum experiences at minimum costs.
Plan your Budget India Tour today with IndiaTourPackages.com and explore India without overspending!
