Cost of Travel India: Budget Tips, Real Prices, and Where Your Money Goes

When people ask about the cost of travel India, the total amount spent on transportation, accommodation, food, visas, and activities during a trip to India. Also known as India travel budget, it’s not about how cheap the country is—it’s about how smartly you spend. You don’t need to be rich to explore the Himalayas or relax on Goa’s beaches. You just need to know where your rupees go.

Let’s be real: a Indian visa cost, the fee paid by foreign travelers to enter India, typically as an e-tourist visa. Also known as India visa fees 2025, it’s one of the first things you’ll pay—around $160 for US citizens with a 10-year multiple entry. That’s a one-time hit, not a recurring cost. Then there’s food. A plate of dal-chawal at a local dhaba? Less than $2. A three-course meal in a decent restaurant in Delhi? Under $15. You can eat well every day without breaking the bank. And if you’re hopping between cities, train tickets are cheaper than your morning coffee in New York. A sleeper class ticket from Delhi to Agra? About $10. A flight? Sometimes less than $50 if booked early.

Accommodation? You’ve got options. A clean, basic guesthouse in Jaipur or Varanasi runs $8–$15 a night. A mid-range hotel with AC and breakfast? $25–$40. Even luxury stays in heritage havelis won’t cost what you’d pay for a standard hotel in Europe. And don’t forget entry fees. The Taj Mahal? Around $15 for foreigners. The Tirumala Venkateswara Temple? Free. The Ratha Yatra in Puri? Also free. You’re not paying to witness culture—you’re paying to access convenience. Many travelers think India is expensive because they compare it to Thailand or Bali. But that’s not fair. India doesn’t charge tourists for the experience. It charges for the comfort. And you can skip the comfort.

What about adventure? Skydiving in Amritsar? About $150. White-water rafting in Rishikesh? $20–$30. Trekking in the Himalayas? Often under $10 a day if you go with a local guide. The budget travel India, a style of traveling through India with minimal spending, focusing on local transport, street food, and low-cost lodging. Also known as cheap travel India, is not a myth. It’s a daily reality for millions of Indians—and it’s just as doable for you.

So yes, the cost of travel India can be as low as $20 a day if you’re careful. Or it can be $200 if you want luxury. The difference isn’t the country. It’s your choices. The posts below show you exactly where your money goes—whether you’re flying into Goa, visiting the most visited temple in India, or checking out the safest city for tourists. You’ll see real numbers, not guesses. No fluff. No hype. Just what you need to plan your trip without surprises.