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Cost of a Trip to India

Cost of a Trip to India

Cost of a Trip to India

One of the best things about an Indian tour is that it can be extremely affordable if one is on a budget trip. Decent hotels that charge nominally  are available for budget traveller and backpackers. Luxury travellers are equally spoilt for choices with some of the top rated luxury and 5-star hotels and resorts, in between the two there is  a wide range of comfort and boutique hotels and tours on offer.

Food is not expensive either if one chooses the right hotels for a budget trip. In any part of India, you can get tasty food for a very low price. 

Whether you are on a budget trip or a luxury tour of India, you need to have a perfect idea of what it would cost to travel in India. Proper planning helps you to manage your finances while preventing you from spending more than what is needed. 

Here is a complete guide on what it would cost for an Indian trip covering every expense right from the word “go”.

 

Arriving at Your Destination – International Flight Expenses

The factors that impact the cost of travelling to India include:

 

Starting point of your journey – the origin

From USA to India – Approximately 800 USD – 1200 USD for a round trip in economy class.

From Europe to India – Approximately 800 USD – 1100 USD for a round trip in economy class.

From Australia to India – Approximately 750 USD – 900 USD for a round trip in economy class.

From South America to India – Approximately 2100 USD – 3000 USD for a round trip in economy class.

 

Time of Travel

Flight fares may vary depending on the time of the journey. The cost of flight would be higher during festival times, Christmas and New Year. If you are on a budget trip to India, it is best to avoid these times and opt for other months when the flight cost would be lesser.

Likewise, if you are planning a trip during peak tourist season in India, that is between November and March, the rates will be on the higher side. This is the most ideal time to visit most of the tourist attractions in India and hence these are the peak tourist months.

Off season rates are lower than normal but they are not the ideal months to visit India as you may have to experience hot summer months or heavy monsoon times. 

 

Airlines and class of travel

Some airlines charge you much less than others. If you are on a budget tour, you can opt for airlines that charge you less and go for economy class. 

To get the best deal, book your flight well in advance. As the departure day draws closer, the rates would increase. 

 

Cost of Accommodation in India

The accommodation options are many for all types of travellers, right from backpackers to luxury travellers. Accommodation expenses can take a huge chunk out of your pocket. Proper planning goes a long way in saving money for the essentials and also for spending on luxurious hotels and resorts once in a while even if you are on a budget tour. When you have come all the way from abroad, it is only fair that you experience what it feels like to live in palaces where maharajas of the past lived.

Here are the types of accommodation available in India and the cost involved:

Hostels: These types of stays are best suited for backpackers on a tight budget. The hostels are very well maintained and most of them are ideally located in scenic settings. These hostels serve as a great place to meet fellow tourists. Most of these hostels offer various activities to entertain guests. Some hostels offer complementary breakfast as well. 

Even the lowest priced hostels offer a very good environment. So, we suggest not to go by price to decide on the quality offered by hostels.

Cost: $6 to $20  per day 

Boutique Hotels: Boutique hotels have become the trend as families opt for these types of hotels as they offer personalized experience and provide good value for money. 

Cost: $30 to $100 per day

Resorts: Resorts offer great services to their guests and most of the resorts offer complimentary breakfast. The rates of rooms in resorts are based on the type of accommodation you choose. Right from single room to duplex rooms to cottages and apartment style rooms, resorts have a good range of options to choose from. Rates would vary accordingly.

Cost: $60 to $200 per day

Luxury Hotels and 5 Star Hotels: Luxury hotels and 5 star hotels offer excellent amenities and are suitable for those willing to spend higher amount on accommodation.

Cost: $300 to $2000 and beyond per day

To sum up:

The cost of accommodation in India for budget travellers will be $6 to $20 per day.

The cost of accommodation in India for mid-budget travellers will be $30 to $100 per day.

The cost of accommodation in India for luxury travellers will be $300 to $2000 per day.

 

Cost of Meals – How Much Would a Good Food Cost in India?

One of the best things about Indian travel is you don’t have to spend much on good food. Great tasting quality foods are decently priced and you don’t have to dig deep in your pockets to pay your restaurant bills when you are in India. 

As India is a culturally rich country that is home to various cultures, you get to enjoy a wide range of delicious meals specific to each culture and region. The best part of it is that you don’t have to travel to that particular state to enjoy the taste of their special foods as almost all metro cities and other big cities offer other state’s special foods as well. You can enjoy idli and dosa with sambar, a typical South Indian food in North India and have North India’s special paratha and chole bhature down South. 

As far as the cost is concerned, the food is not expensive in India if you were to choose a decent hotel that maintains good hygiene. The rates of food in 5 star hotels and luxury hotels would be higher.

For budget travelers: Cost per meal would be around $1 to $4

For luxury travelers: Cost per meal would be around $30 to $50

Coffee and tea at local shops would not even cost $1. You can drink 4 cups of tea for approximately $1 in local shops.

 

Transportation Within India

With diverse culture across India, the list of tourist attractions is long and compelling. From North to South and from East to West, there is not a single state that does not boast of natural places, heritage sites, ancient places of worship and monuments. Some offer beaches as a bonus. So overwhelming, right? So, what would be the cost if you have plans to travel the length and breadth of India?

Let’s first look at the available options to travel within India. Here, we have to consider two aspects – the first one would be inter-state travel and the second one would be travelling within a state or city.

To travel from one state to another and from one city to another, the options available include:

  • Domestic flights
  • Trains
  • Buses
  • Cars

For budget travel, the best option is to travel by train. It is highly recommended to reserve your tickets for train journey to prevent last minute boarding in unreserved compartments, which could be crowded. 

The rates would vary depending on the class you choose for your travel. Sleeper class costs less while AC coaches cost the highest.

Cost of travel within India by train from one state to another: $10 to $60 

To travel within cities, you can opt for state-run buses, local trains or auto rickshaws or travel cabs. Of the options available buses would be the cheapest and local trains are also very budget-friendly.

Buses and trains will be crowded in peak hours and hence it is recommended to avoid travelling during peak hours. 

Cost of travel within the city using any of these modes: $5 to $20 per day.

 

Cost Involved While Sightseeing in India

Some of the heritage sites charge entrance fee to visitors. Foreign visitors are charged higher; the difference in rates could be owing to the difference in currency rates. Spending $3 or $5 towards entrance fee may not be high for a visiting tourist but for an Indian, the conversion rate would be INR 2,400 to INR 4,000 approximately. 

While in some places cameras are not allowed, some sites charge an additional sum for cameras. 

Cost per tourist attraction that charges entrance fee: $1 to $10

 

Adventures and Other Tourist Related Activities

Some tourist attractions involve you with the activities they have on offer; like a camel ride or a boat ride. Adventurous activities are not to be forgotten as well. These activities may cost you sizeable amount and you want to set aside a sum so you don’t spend over your budget. 

Cost for fun rides and adventures: $2 to $20 approximately depending on the activity you take part in.

Let’s sum up:

For a budget traveller, the cost of travel in India would be:

International round trip flight expenses: $500 to $1500

Accommodation: $6 to $20 per day

Food expenses: $1 to $4 per day

Transportation within city: $5 to $20 per day

Travelling between states: $10 to $60

Average Entry fee in tourist attraction per place where fee is applicable: $ 4 to $15

Tour guides: $5 to $50 (depends on the duration and the quality the guide).

Hiring a guide outside a monument may charge you between $5 to $10, whereas the charges of a trained professional guide would be between $40 to $50.

So, approximately, the cost of travel in India for a budget traveler would be $12 to $44 per day for accommodation, food and transportation within the city of travel. 

Assuming you stay in India for a week, you may have to spend $90 to $350 for a week of accommodation, food and transportation within the city.

Let’s assume: 

    • you travel 5 states, you will be spending $50 to $300 on transportation.
    • you visit 20 chargeable tourist attractions, you will be spending $100 to $300 as entry fee.
  • you hire guides in all 20 tourist attractions, you will be spending $100 to $1000.

So, you will be spending $250 to $1600 towards travelling between states, on entry fee and towards tourist guide charges during your stay in India.

Now, the total expenses for one week of Indian trip would approximately be:

International flight expenses: $500 to $1500

Accommodation, food and transportation: $84 to $308

Transportation expenses: $110 to $900

Entry fee: $100 to $300

Tour guide charges: $100 to $1000

So, a traveler with a very tight budget, the cost of India trip for one week would approximately be $1500 (we consider the maximum amount for entry fee and tour related activities such as tour guide charges). International flight expenses are not included here.

For a traveller with mid-range budget, the cost of Indian trip for one week would approximately be $2500. International flight expenses are not included here.

Other expenses would be:

  • Travel insurance
  • Shopping
  • Tips 

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