Is India expensive to visit?
India is known as both a well-liked and very budget-friendly destination. It's generally not considered to be expensive at all, and our cost analysis agrees. When compared to the rest of Asia, it is a reasonably affordable country. It stands in the top 25% of countries in Asia for its affordability. This makes it comparable with destinations such as Mongolia and Nepal.
As this is a very popular country for tourists, you'll find a number of great places in India to visit, all at a variety of price ranges. Some of the most expensive places to visit are Pune, Bodh Gaya, and Mumbai. If you're looking for lower cost destinations, you can visit places like Jaipur, Srinagar, and Pushkar.
Average daily price of selected cities in India, by affordability
| City | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | $69 |
| Bodh Gaya | $52 |
| Pune | $51 |
| Hyderabad | $50 |
| Bikaner | $48 |
| Lucknow | $46 |
| Delhi | $45 |
| Haridwar | $31 |
| Varanasi | $30 |
| Chennai | $29 |
| Munnar | $29 |
| Pushkar | $28 |
| Srinagar | $26 |
| Jaipur | $19 |
Leh, India
How expensive is India?
The average daily spending amount for tourists in India tends to be around $39 (U.S. Dollars). Keep in mind that your travel style, spending habits, and trip length will influence these costs. However, you can keep fairly close to this budget if you opt for moderately priced hotels, dine at economical restaurants, and make use of public transportation when available. See more travel costs for India here.
How expensive is a one week trip to India?
A one week trip to India costs about $274 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $548.
How expensive is a two week trip to India?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a two week trip to India costs around $548 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $1,096.
How expensive is a month long trip to India?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one month trip to India will cost around $1,175 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one month trip would cost $2,350.
Mumbai, India
Is it expensive to backpack in India?
India is a very popular destination for backpackers, offering an extensive network of over 720 hostels across the country. The average cost for a dorm room in these hostels is approximately $6 per night. (See detailed information on hostel prices in India here.) Notably, backpackers often flock to the popular hostels in Goa, Manali, and Rishikesh. If you're looking for budget-friendly options, Agra, Khajuraho, and Jaisalmer has some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $4, $4, and $3 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in Srinagar, Varkala, and Gurgaon with an average cost of $12, $11, and $10 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in India.
- $7 for a dorm bed at The Funky Monkey Hostel in Goa
- $4 for a dorm bed at Orchards House - The Hidden Tribe in Manali
- $3 for a dorm bed at Shiv Shakti Hostel in Rishikesh
Where to find affordable hostels in India
| City | Number of Hostels | Average Price for a Dorm |
|---|---|---|
| Goa | 96 | $7 |
| Manali | 79 | $7 |
| Rishikesh | 64 | $6 |
| Mumbai | 56 | $8 |
| Jaipur | 36 | $5 |
| Udaipur | 34 | $5 |
| Jaisalmer | 28 | $3 |
| New Delhi | 27 | $8 |
| Bangalore | 23 | $8 |
| Varanasi | 21 | $5 |
| Agra | 19 | $4 |
| Pune | 16 | $8 |
| Srinagar | 16 | $12 |
| Pushkar | 15 | $4 |
| Leh | 13 | $6 |
| Pondicherry | 12 | $7 |
| Jodhpur | 12 | $6 |
| Hyderabad | 12 | $7 |
| Varkala | 11 | $11 |
| Cochin | 10 | $6 |
| Khajuraho | 9 | $4 |
| Mussoorie | 9 | $7 |
| Mysore | 8 | $7 |
| Munnar | 8 | $7 |
| Amritsar | 8 | $6 |
| Shimla | 7 | $9 |
| Alleppey | 7 | $5 |
| Dalhousie | 5 | $6 |
| Gurgaon | 5 | $10 |
| Wayanad | 5 | $8 |
| Kodaikanal | 5 | $8 |
Are hotels expensive in India?
Hotel prices in India are significantly cheaper compared to other countries around the world. You can expect to spend about $41 a night for a room on average. Some cities in India are more expensive than others, like Darjiling, where hotel prices average $74 a night. There are also even more affordable destinations such as Agra, averaging $21 per night for a hotel room.
Where to find affordable hotels in India
| City | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|
| Darjiling | $74 |
| Leh | $71 |
| Bikaner | $61 |
| Srinagar | $57 |
| Pondicherry | $54 |
| Amritsar | $31 |
| Delhi | $27 |
| Mysore | $27 |
| Pushkar | $27 |
| Agra | $21 |
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India
How expensive are sightseeing activities in India?
In India, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the country. On average, previous travelers have spent around $10 per day on sightseeing and entertainment.
- Magic Hour Tour: $37
- Private Luxury Delhi - Agra - Jaipur Golden Triangle Tour - 3 Nights 4 Days: $169
- Same day private Local City tour by cab : $24
- Private Tour Of Mehrangarh Fort : $18
- Agra Overnight Tour 01 Night 02 Days From New Delhi: $80
- Private day tour of Jaipur with Driver and Guide: $60
- Private Guided Sightseeing Tour of Jaipur Highlights: $48
- 4-Days Private Golden Triangle Tour India - Delhi Agra Jaipur Tour: $188
Is food expensive in India?
In India, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $10 per day on food, per person.
- Cooking class with family in Jaipur: $27
- Alleyway Food Tour: $42
- Private Market Tour & Vegetarian Cooking Class & Meal in a Local Jaipur Home: $50
- Private Guided Cooking Workshop Experience in Jodhphur: $22
- Cooking Demo + Lunch/Dinner and interaction with an Indian family @ Chez Anjali: $35
- Vegetarian : Private Cooking Class in Delhi: $46
Humayun's Tomb, Delhi, India
Is transportation expensive in India?
Local transportation in India can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $7 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
Expenses for intercity transportation within India can vary based on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled. On average, previous travelers have spent $38 per person per day for intercity transit. To save money, it's advisable to choose long-distance buses or trains over air travel. This is generally a more cost-effective choice despite the potential increase in travel time.
More for India
If you're planning a trip to India, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.