Is India Expensive? Real Costs for Travelers on a Budget

When people ask is India expensive, a country where daily life unfolds at a fraction of Western prices, yet offers world-class temples, mountains, and cuisine. Also known as a budget traveler’s paradise, it’s a place where your money stretches further than you think—unless you’re chasing five-star resorts or private tours. The truth? For most travelers, India is one of the cheapest countries in the world to explore.

Think about this: 1 US dollar, a unit of currency that buys you a hot, fresh meal from a street vendor, a 10-minute auto-rickshaw ride, or a bottle of chilled water in most cities. Also known as the magic number for budget travelers, it’s the baseline for understanding how far your cash goes here. In Delhi, you can eat three meals a day for under $5. In Kerala, a clean guesthouse room with a fan and private bathroom costs $8 a night. Even in tourist hotspots like Goa or Jaipur, you won’t break the bank if you skip the fancy hotels and stick to local eats.

It’s not just food and lodging. public transportation, from local trains to intercity buses, moves millions daily at prices so low they’re almost unbelievable. Also known as India’s silent budget hero, it’s how locals get around—and how smart travelers do too. A 4-hour train ride across Rajasthan might cost you less than a coffee in New York. A private driver for a full day, including fuel and tips, runs $25–$35. And if you’re hiking? Many trails, like Kuari Pass or Valley of Flowers, cost nothing but your time and a backpack.

Of course, India isn’t free. Luxury hotels, private tours, and high-end restaurants will charge you like anywhere else. But those aren’t the India most visitors come for. The real India—the one with spice markets in Old Delhi, temple bells in Varanasi, and backwater boats in Alleppey—is cheap by design. It’s built for locals, not tourists. And that’s exactly why it’s so rewarding.

What you’ll find in these posts are real, unfiltered answers to the questions that matter: how much a meal costs in South India, where to sleep for under $10, what $1 actually buys in Mumbai, and which months give you the best weather and lowest prices. No fluff. No marketing spin. Just what travelers actually spend—and how to make your rupees go further.