India suits every budget. Backpackers can get by on roughly ₹1,200–3,500 a day, mid-range travellers should plan for ₹3,000–5,000 a day, and a luxury trip runs ₹12,000–20,000 or more per person per day — all excluding flights.
Daily budgets by style
These figures are per person per day, within India, excluding international flights, and will shift with season and city.
Indicative daily budget per person
| Style | ₹/day | Looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | ₹1,200–3,500 | Dorms or basic guesthouses, street food & thalis, trains and buses |
| Mid-range | ₹3,000–5,000 | Private rooms in decent hotels, restaurant meals, a mix of cabs and trains |
| Luxury | ₹12,000–20,000+ | Boutique hotels or resorts, private drivers, fine dining |
What things cost
A dorm bed in a city runs roughly ₹400–900 a night, dropping to ₹100–400 in small towns; a decent mid-range hotel room is typically ₹2,000–4,500. Food is where India is genuinely cheap: a full thali (an all-you-can-eat regional meal) costs around ₹150, and a meal at a mid-range restaurant runs ₹250–450. Budget roughly ₹300 a day for city transport — a mix of autos, metro and the odd cab. Sightseeing entry fees vary widely by monument and are typically low for domestic sites but noticeably higher for foreign visitors at major sites like the Taj Mahal — check the specific site. Peak season, November to March, adds roughly 30–60% to accommodation prices.
Money & payments
The currency is the Indian rupee (₹/INR). UPI — India’s instant-payment system — is used for almost everything by locals, but it generally needs an Indian bank account or phone number, so most visitors rely on cards and cash instead; some UPI apps increasingly support linked international cards for tourists, so check before you travel. ATMs are widely available in cities and most towns. Carry some small cash for autos, tips and small vendors who may not take cards. Tipping is optional — around 10%, or simply rounding up, is normal and appreciated. For the best exchange rate, use authorised money changers or ATMs rather than airport counters, which charge a premium.
Save money
Trains cost a fraction of flights for the same route and are often more comfortable for medium distances — see how to get around India. Thalis and local restaurants beat hotel dining on both price and quality. Travelling in the shoulder or monsoon season, see the best time to visit India, can cut accommodation costs by 30–60%. Always agree an auto fare before you get in, or ask for the meter. Homestays, especially in Kerala’s backwaters (see our Kerala hub), are often cheaper and more memorable than a chain hotel.
- Hotel room (mid-range): ~₹3,500
- Meals (breakfast, thali lunch, restaurant dinner): ~₹700
- Transport (a train leg, or a half-day car + city autos): ~₹800
- One sightseeing entry + odds and ends: ~₹300
- Total: roughly ₹5,300/day per person — squarely in the mid-range band.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to travel in India per day?
Budget travellers manage on ₹1,200–3,500 a day, mid-range travellers should plan for ₹3,000–5,000, and luxury travel runs ₹12,000–20,000 or more — all per person, excluding flights.
Is India a cheap country to travel in?
Yes, genuinely — food, local transport and budget accommodation are all inexpensive by global standards, which is why it suits backpackers and comfortable travellers alike.
Should I pay by card or carry cash?
Cards work in most hotels, restaurants and shops in cities; carry some small cash for autos, tips and small vendors who may not accept cards.
What is the cheapest season to visit India?
The monsoon and shoulder months — roughly June to September, and October–November in some regions — when accommodation prices can drop 30–60% compared with the October–March peak.