Discover the cheapest places to visit in India, including budget destinations, affordable trips, low-cost travel tips, attractions, and estimated daily budgets.
You don’t need a huge travel budget to explore India. From peaceful mountain towns and sun-kissed beaches to historic cities and spiritual destinations, there are plenty of places where you can enjoy memorable experiences without spending a fortune.
For Indian travelers looking for cheap holiday places, the biggest savings usually come from choosing the right destination, traveling during the shoulder season, using public transport, and staying in budget-friendly accommodation. Whether you are planning a solo backpacking trip, a family holiday, a couple’s getaway, or a low-cost honeymoon, India offers destinations for almost every budget.
In this guide, we explore some of the cheapest places to visit in India, along with attractions, things to do, transportation options, estimated daily budgets, ideal travel seasons, and practical money-saving tips.
Before choosing a destination, it helps to understand where your travel money usually goes. A budget trip becomes much easier when you can control four major expenses:
Destinations with affordable local transport, inexpensive accommodation, reasonably priced food, and plenty of free or low-cost attractions are ideal for low budget travel.
Another useful strategy is to travel by train or bus instead of flying whenever practical. Booking hotels slightly away from major tourist centers can also reduce costs considerably.
Here are some destinations that can work particularly well for travelers planning affordable trips.
Rishikesh is one of India's most popular destinations for travelers who want a combination of nature, spirituality, adventure, and affordability.
The city has plenty of budget hostels, guesthouses, cafés, and inexpensive local eateries. Many attractions can also be explored without spending much.
Top attractions and experiences:
For travelers from Delhi and North India, Rishikesh can be especially convenient because road and bus connectivity is excellent.
Estimated budget: ₹1,000-₹2,500 per person per day, excluding long-distance travel.
Best time to visit: February to May and September to November.
For a more organized trip, explore Minto Holidays' Haridwar Rishikesh Tour Package from Delhi.
If you want mountain views without spending heavily on a luxury holiday, McLeod Ganj is a great option.
The destination is popular among backpackers, solo travelers, couples, and travelers seeking a peaceful Himalayan escape. Budget guesthouses and cafés make it possible to enjoy several days here without a large travel budget.
Things to do:
Estimated budget: ₹1,200-₹2,500 per person per day.
Best time to visit: March to June and September to November.
Travelers looking for a planned mountain holiday can explore Minto Holidays' Dharamshala Tour Package from Delhi.
Jaipur is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers who want history, architecture, shopping, and local culture.
The city has accommodation across different price ranges, while local food can be surprisingly affordable. Many attractions can also be covered efficiently in two or three days.
Major attractions:
Try local specialties such as dal baati churma, kachori, and traditional thali meals for an authentic experience without spending heavily.
Estimated budget: ₹1,200-₹2,500 per person per day.
Best time to visit: October to March.
For travelers who prefer a structured itinerary, Minto Holidays offers a Jaipur Tour Package from Delhi.
Goa is often associated with luxury resorts, but it can also be one of the best cheap holiday places in India if you plan carefully.
Instead of staying at an expensive beachfront resort, consider hostels, guesthouses, or budget hotels slightly away from the busiest beaches.
Budget-friendly Goa experiences:
North Goa can be livelier, while South Goa generally offers a quieter atmosphere.
Estimated budget: ₹1,500-₹3,000 per person per day.
Best time to visit: November to February.
You can explore Minto Holidays' Goa Tour Packages from Delhi when planning a convenient Goa vacation.
Varanasi offers a completely different travel experience. The city is famous for its ghats, spiritual atmosphere, temples, narrow lanes, and historic character.
It can also be relatively inexpensive for travelers who choose simple accommodation and local food.
Don't miss:
Walking through the old city and spending time around the ghats can provide some of the most memorable experiences without a large activity budget.
Estimated budget: ₹900-₹2,000 per person per day.
Best time to visit: October to March.
Pushkar is ideal for travelers interested in culture, spirituality, desert landscapes, and relaxed backpacking experiences.
The town has affordable guesthouses and cafés, while many of its attractions are free to explore.
Things to experience:
Estimated budget: ₹1,000-₹2,200 per person per day.
Best time to visit: October to March.
Amritsar is another destination where travelers can experience rich culture and history without a huge budget.
The Golden Temple is the city's biggest attraction, and the community kitchen at the complex provides free meals to visitors.
Places to visit:
The city's famous food scene is another highlight, particularly for travelers who enjoy trying regional dishes.
Estimated budget: ₹1,000-₹2,300 per person per day.
For backpackers and young travelers, Kasol is among the most popular destinations for low budget travel in Himachal Pradesh.
The surrounding Parvati Valley offers scenic trails, riverside landscapes, cafés, and peaceful villages.
Things to do:
Estimated budget: ₹1,000-₹2,300 per person per day.
Best time to visit: March to June and September to November.
For a planned trip, consider Minto Holidays' Kasol Kheerganga Tour Package from Delhi.
Udaipur may look luxurious because of its palaces and lakes, but budget travelers can enjoy the city by choosing affordable hotels and exploring attractions strategically.
Top experiences:
A sunset by Lake Pichola can be one of the most memorable experiences of the trip without requiring a major expense.
Estimated budget: ₹1,200-₹2,500 per person per day.
Best time to visit: October to March.
Explore Minto Holidays' Udaipur Tour Package from Delhi for a planned Rajasthan getaway.
Hampi is perfect for travelers who love history, architecture, photography, and exploration.
The ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire spread across a dramatic landscape of rocky hills, temples, and ancient structures.
Things to do:
Budget accommodation and simple local meals make Hampi suitable for backpackers.
Estimated budget: ₹900-₹2,000 per person per day.
Best time to visit: October to February.
Gokarna is a great alternative for travelers who want a relaxed beach holiday without the costs sometimes associated with Goa.
Its beaches, laid-back atmosphere, temples, and walking trails make it attractive to backpackers and couples.
Popular experiences:
Estimated budget: ₹1,000-₹2,300 per person per day.
Best time to visit: October to March.
Pondicherry combines French colonial architecture, beaches, cafés, spirituality, and a relaxed coastal atmosphere.
It is possible to explore much of the destination on foot or by bicycle, helping travelers control transportation costs.
Places to explore:
Estimated budget: ₹1,200-₹2,500 per person per day.
Best time to visit: October to March.
Combining Haridwar with Rishikesh can create an economical short vacation, particularly for travelers from Delhi and nearby North Indian cities.
The two destinations offer temples, ghats, river views, spiritual experiences, and adventure activities.
If you want to combine sightseeing with a more structured itinerary, Minto Holidays' Haridwar Rishikesh Tour Package can be worth exploring.
Estimated budget: ₹1,000-₹2,500 per person per day.
Manali is one of India's most popular mountain destinations and can work for both budget travelers and premium holidaymakers.
To keep expenses low, consider traveling by Volvo or shared transport, staying in budget accommodation, and exploring attractions that do not require expensive activities.
Popular experiences:
Estimated budget: ₹1,300-₹3,000 per person per day.
Best time to visit: March to June and October to February, depending on the experiences you want.
Minto Holidays offers several Manali options, including a Manali Tour Package from Delhi.
Darjeeling is a wonderful option for travelers looking for Himalayan scenery, tea gardens, colonial charm, and beautiful viewpoints.
The destination can be explored on a controlled budget by using shared taxis, local eateries, and reasonably priced guesthouses.
Top attractions:
Estimated budget: ₹1,300-₹2,800 per person per day.
Best time to visit: March to May and October to December.
For a longer Northeast holiday, consider Minto Holidays' Darjeeling Gangtok Tour Package from Delhi.
Here are the approximate daily budgets and the type of travel each destination is best suited for:
Note: These are indicative on-ground budgets per person and can vary depending on the season, accommodation, local transportation, and activities. Long-distance transportation is not included.
Finding cheap destinations is only half the job. Your travel style can make an even bigger difference to the final cost.
Peak-season hotels and transportation can be considerably more expensive. Traveling just before or after peak season can provide better rates while still offering enjoyable weather.
For popular routes, early train, bus, or flight bookings can help you secure better prices.
Hostels, homestays, guesthouses, and simple hotels can significantly reduce accommodation expenses.
For couples and families, compare the total cost of a room against multiple individual hostel beds before deciding.
Local restaurants and traditional eateries are often much cheaper than tourist-oriented cafés and premium restaurants.
Eating local also gives you a better understanding of the destination's food culture.
Where available, buses, shared taxis, metro systems, and auto-rickshaws can be more economical than private cabs.
Set separate limits for:
This makes it much easier to avoid unnecessary spending.
Budget travel does not necessarily mean backpacking.
Families and couples can also plan economical vacations by choosing destinations with short travel distances, good accommodation choices, and efficient sightseeing routes.
For example, travelers from Delhi can explore India Tour Packages from Delhi to find different destinations and package options in one place.
Couples looking for a romantic trip can also explore Minto Holidays' Honeymoon Tour Packages from Delhi.
Saving money should never mean compromising your safety.
Keep these precautions in mind:
For a short domestic trip, a practical budget can vary considerably depending on your starting city and travel style.
A backpacker-style trip may be possible at around ₹1,000-₹2,000 per day in inexpensive destinations, while couples and families may spend more because of accommodation and private transportation.
For a 3–4 day trip, travelers should consider the following:
The cheapest trip is not always the one with the lowest room price. A slightly more expensive hotel located close to attractions can sometimes save money on transportation.
Some of the most affordable destinations include Varanasi, Hampi, Rishikesh, Pushkar, Gokarna, and Amritsar. Your final cost depends on where you travel from, the season, accommodation, transportation, and activities. Travelers who use trains or buses, stay in hostels or guesthouses, eat local food, and focus on free or low-cost attractions can keep expenses considerably lower.
Rishikesh, Udaipur, Goa, Gokarna, Pondicherry, and Manali can work well for couples on a budget. Couples can reduce costs by choosing comfortable mid-range or budget hotels, traveling during shoulder seasons, sharing transportation, and selecting destinations where several attractions are located close together. The best choice ultimately depends on whether you prefer beaches, mountains, culture, or a romantic city break.
Travelers from Delhi have many affordable options, including Rishikesh, Haridwar, Jaipur, Amritsar, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Kasol, and Manali. Road and rail connectivity can make these destinations relatively economical. Choosing buses, trains, Volvo services, or shared transportation instead of flights can further reduce the overall cost of a short vacation.
Start by choosing an affordable destination and traveling during the shoulder season. Book transportation early, compare accommodation options, eat at local restaurants, use public or shared transport, and prioritize free attractions. Creating a daily spending limit before leaving home is another simple way to control expenses and avoid overspending on shopping, taxis, and unplanned activities.
Rishikesh, Kasol, McLeod Ganj, Hampi, Pushkar, Gokarna, and Varanasi are popular choices for solo travelers. They have a strong traveler ecosystem, budget accommodation, cafés, local transport options, and plenty of opportunities to meet other travelers. Solo travelers should still research accommodation carefully, keep emergency contacts accessible, and avoid isolated areas at night.
Yes. Goa can be surprisingly affordable when planned properly. Budget-conscious travelers can stay in hostels or guesthouses, use public transport or rent a scooter when practical, eat at local establishments, and explore public beaches and free attractions. Traveling outside the busiest holiday periods can also help reduce accommodation and transportation costs.
For many domestic routes, trains and buses are among the most economical transportation choices. Government and private bus networks also connect numerous tourist destinations. Shared taxis can be useful in hill regions where public transportation is limited. Booking in advance, comparing routes, and avoiding last-minute private transfers can help keep transportation expenses under control.
Jaipur, Amritsar, Rishikesh, Udaipur, Goa, and some Himachal destinations can work well for families. When traveling with children or older family members, it is worth spending slightly more on convenient accommodation and reliable transportation. A well-planned itinerary can also prevent unnecessary travel between distant attractions and make the holiday more comfortable.
Absolutely. Couples can consider destinations such as Rishikesh, Udaipur, Goa, Manali, or Gokarna for a more economical honeymoon. Traveling outside peak periods, selecting comfortable but reasonably priced hotels, and choosing a destination with several attractions nearby can help reduce costs without removing the romantic element from the trip.
Both options can work. Independent travel may provide more flexibility, while a package can simplify accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, and itinerary planning. For travelers who want convenience without spending time coordinating every booking, comparing Minto Holidays' tour packages with the expected cost of planning independently can help determine which option offers better value.
India is one of the best countries for travelers who want memorable experiences without an extravagant budget. From the mountains of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand to the beaches of Goa and Gokarna, the heritage of Rajasthan, the spirituality of Varanasi, and the landscapes of the Northeast, there are countless destinations where low budget travel is possible.
The key is not simply finding the cheapest destination. It is about making smart choices-traveling at the right time, selecting suitable accommodation, using economical transportation, eating local food, and planning your itinerary efficiently.
If you want to spend less time coordinating hotels, transportation, sightseeing, and itineraries, Minto Holidays can help you plan a convenient domestic getaway. Explore the available holiday tour packages from Delhi and choose a destination that matches your budget, travel style, and interests.
