Tourism in India is thriving! Not only tourists from all around the world but also domestic travelers are traveling in India like never before. It is estimated that the number of travelers from 2.5 billion will double to 5 billion by the year 2030. This is due to the multiple trips domestic travelers are taking in a year. Due to this, the price of traveling in India may inflate. However, with proper planning and informed choices one can explore India without breaking the bank.
If you are planning for India tours on a budget, here are some budget-travel tips from planning to practical implementation for exploring our incredible India without breaking the bank.
The Ultimate Guide to Explore India on A Budget
India is a paradise for travelers from all around the world offering numerous untouched locations. It is a diverse country with a rich history and mesmerizing landscapes that offer plenty of things to explore.
India tours can be expensive but should not necessarily have to be when planned and acted prudently. Travel is expensive to only those who focus exclusively on luxury. Vacation in India with family can be inexpensive with careful planning and some savvy tricks and trips. In this travel guide, we will discuss some amazing tips to plan your trip to India on a budget. This guide will take you from the initial planning stage of setting a budget and stick to it.
Understanding the Basics of Travel Budget
Since you want to travel on a budget, it is crucial to know the fundamentals of the travel budget. Planning your budget for traveling in India is significant to outline the anticipated expenses. This ensures you explore the beautiful country without any financial stress. No matter whether you are a seasoned explorer or a first-time traveler, understanding the basics of budgeting is important for you.
Here’s what a strategic plan of your traveling budget should include:
Set realistic goals
The first step in setting your budget for affordable tours in India is to know what you want from your trip. Some travel enthusiasts plan their trips for adventurous activities while some look for leisure time in a serene place. You may want to check out the budget India tour options available. A vast range of tour packages in India are available. The type of your trip determines your budget. Different types of trips incur different costs. So, whether you are planning to do it on your own or book an India tour package, what you need will significantly affect your travel budget.
This step helps you align your financial reality with your travel aspirations. Know matter what you expect, you cannot spend more than your budget. So, while setting your goals, assess your savings and see how much you can afford to spend on your vacation.
Prioritize expenses
The next step is prioritizing your expenses. This step includes deciding on the major expenses like transportation, accommodation, activities, and food. Decide how you will commute to your destination, where you are going to stay, where to eat, and what activities you must involve in your trip. Your travel budget is significantly affected by the transportation mode and accommodation. So, think twice and decide wisely.
Prioritizing your expenses doesn’t mean you will have to cut on luxuries. It’s the step of making an informed decision based on what you want from India tours. Using a personal vehicle with family would be cheaper than traveling through public transport. Whereas public transport will be cheaper for solo travelers. Besides, staying in a budget hotel could save you money to spend on any once-in-a-lifetime activity that you always wanted to experience.
Prepare for unexpected expenses
Sometimes things do not go as planned. This can happen when you are traveling to a new city or region. Most people forget to allocate this crucial factor while setting their budget. You should ignore unexpected expenses like medical emergencies or any last-minute itinerary changes. Experts advise to keep 10-15% of your total budget aside for any uncertainty. For ex- if you have set a budget of Rs. 50,000 keep approx. Rs. 7000 extra for any unexpected expenses. This gives you peace of mind. You will enjoy your vacation without worrying about any emergencies.
Daily Budgeting
Your travel budget must include your daily expenditure. This helps you track your daily expenses which allows you to stick to your budget. To manage your expenses and stay on track, set a daily limit for food, activities, and souvenirs. Considering this also helps you set your budget and prevent any unexpected expenses.
Why Travel Budgeting is Crucial
By understanding the importance of travel budgeting, you can transform your travel experience. Not only does it give you peace of mind but also allows you to explore efficiently without breaking the bank. You will enjoy your trip without the fear of financial burden. Moreover, it helps you organize your travel more efficiently and make informed choices to make the most of your travel budget.
Step-by-Step Guide to Set Your Travel Budget
Before you set your travel budget, select your desired travel destinations. This will serve as the foundation of your accurate and realistic budget to explore India. After that follow the step-by-step guide given below featuring all the important aspects of a travel budget.
Consider major expenses
The three major expenses to consider when traveling are:
- Transportation: Decide how you will reach your destination. This may include the fare of a flight, bus, train, or a private taxi.
- Accommodation: From luxury five-star hotels to budget-friendly hostels, everything is available in top tourist places in India. Choose according to your comfort, preference, and budget.
- Meals: You can have your meals at upscale restaurants or relish street delicacies, the choice is yours. But do not forget to consider your budget while deciding on this.
Consider daily expenses
The next important thing to consider to set your travel budget is the daily expenses you will have to meet during your trip. Whether it’s the local transport costs or the meals you will have, calculate the approximate cost and set a budget. Do thorough research about your destination and gather information on daily expenses. While doing so, you must include
- Food expenses: Calculate the cost of three meals at your travel destination. Apart from that, add a little extra for relishing the street foods while doing shopping or roaming around the town.
- Activities: If you are an adventure enthusiast, who loves to take on adventurous activities then add these expenses to your budget. Such activities cost a lot especially if you are enjoying them in one of the top tourist spots in India.
- Souvenirs: To make your trip memorable, you must buy souvenirs. But make sure to limit your desire to buy souvenirs at every famous tourist attraction.
- Entre fees: For accessing any tourist attractions or monuments, you might have to pay an entry fee. While budgeting, consider the entry fees. For this, you can Google the top tourist attractions in your travel destination and see their entry fees.
Include a contingency fund
While budgeting for traveling in India, make sure to include a contingency fund. We have already discussed that people may face unexpected expenses suddenly. You may face some medical emergencies This may break your budget planning. Hence, you should always have a little extra budget for any of these urgent situations.
Monitor and adjust your budget using tools and apps
The digital era has made our lives so functional. During your trip to India, you can use tools and apps that help you set your budget and keep an eye on your finances to stay on track. Leverage these tools and apps to manage your travel budget. If required readjust your budget to make the most of your India travel.
Tips to Explore the Country without Breaking the Bank
Embarking on your tour to India for an adventurous trip or exploring our beautiful country—India is not too expensive. Here are the tips for budget India tours that save you money and let you enjoy your trip to the fullest:
Travel during off-peak season
One of the best ways to plan your trip to India on a budget is to travel during off-peak season. Depending on the region and state, the peak seasons vary throughout the year. For ex- Winter is the peak season to explore the lands of kings—Rajasthan, whereas winter is the off-peak season for Leh-Ladakh.
Peak seasons lead to higher prices for flights, accommodation, and food. So, while planning your trip you must consider the season. Traveling in the off-peak season helps you save money and avoid large crowds. Also, that will let you explore the unseen beauty of the same place in a completely different Avatar. For ex- the beauty of Kerala in the monsoon season remains at its peak and is money-efficient.
Make travel arrangements as early as possible
Make your travel arrangements as early as possible to travel to India on a budget. Flying to your travel destination can majorly impact your budget. However, booking tickets well in advance can save you money. You will get some discounts or offers, especially on hotels and flight tickets.
Many websites help you compare rates and book hotels and flights. Leverage such sites and get the best deals. Also, if you book train tickets, most seats get reserved well in advance. Even some superfast and express train tickets have dynamic fares which tend to be expensive on the day of departure. Hence, you need to book tickets in advance to avoid any last-minute hassle.
Stay in budget-friendly accommodation
The accommodation should not necessarily have to be luxurious and expensive. If your travel goal is to explore the beauty of India in its magnificent colors then staying in a budget-friendly hotel would be a wise decision. Numerous options from hostels to budget hotels, vacation rentals, and homestays are available to keep your travel costs down. Just explore the options available at your destination.
Additionally, you can reach out to friends, family, and acquaintances who live in your travel destination. This not only helps in reducing the accommodation cost but also saves money on food. You will get some good suggestions to explore unexplored tourist destinations in the city. So, be flexible and explore more options for accommodation to save money on lodging.
Utilize public transport
One of the best ways to explore the country without breaking the bank is to utilize public transport. Indian public transportation is vast and affordable. From rails to buses, and shared auto-rikshaws, you get an extensive range of public transportation in India to commute from one destination to another. Besides, it offers an authentic travel experience of the destination. You can enjoy the mesmerizing views while traveling. For a week- or month-long vacation in India, explore the options for daily or weekly passes for extra savings.
Relish local cuisines
You can make your India travel a budget-friendly experience by relishing local cuisines. India is a country of diverse cultures that brings their own savories. Having your lunch and dinner at an upscale restaurant can break your budget. To save money, you can enjoy the street delicacies that have various options from veg to non-veg. Besides, this will let you explore the authentic cuisines of India that you will not get anywhere else in the world. From chaat to samosa to biryani, indulge in the local food which is authentic and pocket-friendly.
Take advantage of free attractions
Popular monuments like Qutub Minar in Delhi or the Taj Mahal in Agra have entry fees. However, there are plenty of other tourist attractions in India like temples, parks, markets, and scenic spots that you can explore without spending money. Whether it’s the Gateway of India in Mumbai or the pious Ghats in Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges River, they offer free entry. Besides, some monuments also provide free entry on certain dates and occasions. So, check their schedules beforehand.
Avail of student or senior citizen discounts
If you are a student, you can avail good discounts in exploring some world heritage sites in India or monuments. Similarly, your grandparents can avail of senior citizen offers while booking Indian railway tickets and entry fees for entering tourist places. Various places in India including monuments, historical places, or even transportation services offer discounts to students and senior citizens making you save a significant amount of money.
Use rewards and vouchers
Digital payment has made our lives so much easier not only by just making financial transactions a seamless experience but also benefits us by giving cashback offers, rewards, and discount vouchers. Similarly, many airlines, hotels, and credit card companies offer travel rewards. This saves you money on accommodation or restaurant bills. Use these vouchers whenever possible to save money on your India tour.
Travel in a group
When traveling with a friend group, you split your expenses and save on major expenses like accommodation, food, and transportation. For ex- if you are paying Rs. 1000 for a room per night, you can split the tariff with your two other friends in a single room. Besides, group travel helps you get good discounts on tours and activities. You will create ever-lasting memories with your friends.
Although you are planning to trip to India on a budget, we encourage you to not compromise on quality and enjoyment. Whether you are planning to explore the bustling streets of Delhi or need a relaxing vacation on the beaches of Goa, India promises its visitors a promising experience. However, it is important to set your travel budget to enjoy to the fullest without any financial stress. Keeping all the important aspects of your travel budget shared above, you can make informed decisions to explore India without breaking the bank.
Even if you are booking an India tour package from a reputed tours and travel agency in India then double check the itinerary and things they have included in the package. Make sure the tour package is worth the cost.
How Much Do India Tours Cost?
We can understand your curiosity to know the approximate cost of traveling in India. Fret not! We are always there to assist you in planning India tours on a budget. However, the traveling cost to India varies depending on the type of traveler you are—domestic or international.
From the source of your trip to your travel destination, everything affects the travel cost of a trip in India. However, we will discuss the important factors that may influence your budget.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Traveling in India
The budget for traveling in India may influenced by the following factors:
- Source country/city: The origin of your trip plays a significant role in determining the cost of your trip to India. If you are an international traveler, you will have to consider a lot of expenses like flight, taxi, and bus fare to reach India.
- Destination city: The next important aspect is your travel destination. India is a vast country. From north to south and east to west, it offers plenty of marveling cities to explore. The cost of traveling in India is widely affected by the city/place you are traveling to. Some smaller towns or rural areas are less expensive than major cities.
- Type of vacation: Whether it is an adventurous trip with lots of activities involved or a leisure vacation on a beachside resort, your vacation goal also affects the cost of your trip to India.
- Type of traveler: Exploring the country with a family will cost more than it costs a solo traveler.
- Duration: The cost of traveling in India is immensely affected by the duration of your stay in the country.
- Visa, insurance, and vaccination costs: International visitors will buy valid visas to access entry in India. The cost will influence their traveling cost. Similarly, some vaccinations are mandatory to visit India which may cause extra costs. And, the cost of travel insurance will impact the cost further.
Estimated Expenses for Traveling in India
Planning a trip to India? Here we have shared the approximate cost of major expenses to help you set your budget for India tourism. But remember, the cost varies for international and domestic travelers in many ways. Below are the common expenses to consider:
Accommodation Cost
If we talk about the budget hostels or guesthouses, it can range from Rs. 500 to Rs. 2000 per night. The luxury hotel rooms can cost you from Rs. 2000 to Rs. 5000 per night, whereas the villas and resorts for group stays in the mountains and beaches can cost from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 40,000 per night.
Transportation Cost
Transportation cost in India varies depending on the mode of transport–train, bus, or taxi. The train fare for short distances in general class may cost from Rs. 100 to Rs. 1000 whereas, the cost of third, second, and first-class tickets can cost up to Rs. 5000. Bus and taxi fares are subject to change by the owners’ personal choice.
Food Costs
Depending on where you are eating, the food costs vary. Street foods in India start at the lowest price of Rs.20 and can cost up to Rs. 500. When dining in an upscale restaurant, a one-time meal can cost you from Rs. 500 to Rs. 2000 per person.
Activities Costs
Entry fees to tourist attractions in India like national parks, museums, and monuments range from Rs. 50 to Rs. 500 per person. Besides, the cost of any activities of fun games can be from Rs. 500 to Rs. 2000 per person.
Spending Rs. 3000 to Rs. 5000 per day would be sufficient for a safe and comfortable trip to India. If you are on a low budget, you can surely get in touch with any trusted tour and travel company in India to explore India tours on a budget. The agent will not only help you explore most efficiently but also let you have the best India travel experience without breaking the bank.