Traveling Through India On a Budget

India is a place you simply have to tick off your bucket list before you die. This country in South Asia is made up of unique terrain combining the Indian Ocean (coastline) with the jaw-dropping Himalayan (peaks). The culture, landscape and low prices appeal to digital nomads, and it’s a great opportunity for video blog content, to so why not visit India on a budget? Let us enlighten you.

India is the Cheapest Country in the World

It has been ranked as the world’s cheapest country, allowing tourists to sip draft beer, buy clothing and travel from city-to-city for a fraction of the price one would normally spend. Currency conversion is the reason why India is such an inexpensive country. Tourists can chow down on a filling meal for US$1 in most restaurants but of course, the accepted currency is Indian Rupee. (Consider changing your money ahead of visiting India for the best rates.)

We love visiting India. The nature is breathtaking and the opportunity for videography is even better,” says Nate Robertson of squareship. “Whether you’re an artist on a budget or simply have always wanted to visit Mumbai, I highly recommend the trip.

The Top Trips in India that Won’t Drain Your Bank Account

So, you want to absorb as much of India as possible without financial overindulgence? Not a problem. A well-planned trip could wind up costing you significantly less; sometimes, thousands of dollars. In fact, there is a very long list of budget trips that you can embark on when in India.

Let’s take a look at a few of the low-cost ways to uncover the nature and adventure of India:

● Alleppey – The city of Alleppey is known for its lagoons and canals, which you can discover aboard a houseboat cruise. Stay in this area for 2-3 nights/days at a typical cost of INR 25-INR 700 (around US$0.38-$11 per night). Meals cost around INR 200 in this area, where you can rent a houseboat for as little as INR 6,000 per day!

● Darjeeling – Take a ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and sip Darjeeling tea in this district. Most people who visit Darjeeling will do so for 2-3 nights/days. A Jeep ride from NJP in the direction of Darjeeling should not cost any more than INR 490. Food will set you back approximately INR 300 (for two people) and a twin-sharing room costs around INR 800 per night.

● Hampi – Home to the 7th-century Hindu Virupaksha Temple, this ancient village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you want to spend two nights and three days in the best way possible (and for the lowest price), journey from Hospet to hampi. The bus costs just INR 10! Alternatively, you could pay INR 100 for an automobile. Guesthouse prices range from INR 50-200 per night or you can get something a little bit more deluxe for INR 800 per night.

● McLeodganj – Known as “Little Lhasa,” this suburb is known for being the home of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. A return trip from Delhi to McLeodganj can be arranged for as little as INR 1000. Once you arrive in McLeodganj, accommodation can be snapped up for just INR 130-500 nightly. Traditional Tibetan fare is served at the area’s quaint cafes for INR 100-200 per dish.

● Pondicherry – Spending some time in Chennai? If so, make Pondicherry your next stop. A French Quarter can be found in this city, where you will also find a promenade, tree-lined streets and stylish boutiques. The price to travel between the two places is around INR 500 and if you don’t mind sitting next to fellow travelers on a train, the price is just INR 45 one-way. French fare can be eaten for INR 500 per plate and you can rest your head at a budget hotel for a nightly rate of INR 200-300.

● Gokarna – Kick back with a refreshing drink on the beaches that share the same coast as Goa. Most people who visit Gokarna will arrive from Bangalore by bus. The fare is around INR 800 and the area’s homestays offer rooms for INR 200 and up. Get an adrenaline rush on a banana boat ride for just INR 300, before dining on the beach for around INR 200.

● Lonavala – A hiking and trekking hotspot, Lonavala is a stunning area combining hills, lakes and waterfalls. Within two nights and three days, you can witness a lot of the beauty that Lonavala has to offer. From Mumbai, the train ride costs INR 122. Best of all, this is the price of a round-trip! Buses are slightly more, but usually offer air conditioning. Hotel prices range from INR 400-600 nightly and if you eat from one of the roadside cafes, you won’t spend more than INR 200.

Finding the Cheapest deal on a Flight to Mumbai

If you want to save as much money as possible, opt for a connecting flight with a layover. You can find great deals on flights to Mumbai by searching sites like Expedia. Although this option takes longer than a direct flight, it will cost a lot less. The airport you will arrive at when you fly to Mumbai from your starting point (wherever that may be) is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Serving the entire of the Mumbai Metropolitan area, this airport has smoking zones, prayer/meditation rooms, kids facilities, a medical center and plenty of ATM machines for fast cash withdrawal.

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This was a guest post provided by Expedia.