7 Places In India to Visit on a Budget

Travel has been the universal bucket list and India is exploration paradise for budget’ mooners. Here you can settle for palace-stay at pauper’s price, it is street food haven so you feast on dynamic cuisine without wallet-drag and you can move on wheels which will not break the bank. Whether you crack a beach day or visit culture volcano locale or soak in mountain aura or just about indulge in lame romantic escape, all expeditions can be labeled under delight budget travel.  

Pinkvilla picks up budget-friendly getaways with the once-in-a-lifetime experiences. 

Spiti Valley-Magic of Mountains

Fondly called Little Tibet, Spiti Valley sets the core in you. The hills give you world-beating sight at friendliest prices. Whether you chant in 1000 old monasteries of Dhankar or chase shooting star in Pin Valley National Park, it is indeed bountiful stay on a shoestring budget. 

Like they say, fun of travel lies in the rugged roads. Find yourself a seat in the HRTC Buses from Delhi to Kalpa INR 900 ticket (and if you are backpacking take an ordinary bus, INR 600.) Explore the route in shared jeeps through Nako, Tabo and Chandratal for anything between INR 600-1000 though most of the times you will have to take Rs.150 hitch-hikes!! Keep the fun on track with cheap rented bikes. For an aimless wanderer, cool walk around Nako Village is perfect. Why not take free trip in tourist cars in the valley, chat up and make memories!

Spiti has character Homestays and reasonable Swiss tents for accommodation. For that warmest experience pick up Home Stays at Rs600. Government guest houses in Kaza, Tabo or Losar seem to ice the cake. Stay at PWD Guest Houses @ INR 600 or settle for budget Guest Houses which cost as meager as INR 800 per night. If you are in the mood to keep the penny slightly aside for awhile woo yourself with camp nights not more than INR 1500-1800. 

Riverside lunches, evening barbeques and cookout experiences are exotic yet budget friendly options.  Your travel gets authentic when you rest with the local cuisine and here in Spiti, whether you gorge on the traditional Dham or the exotic Madra, meal in local dhaba will not rise above INR 400. 

Rough glimpse of cost per day: INR 3000 (inclusive of all)

Pushkar-Camels for Free!

Camel rides, head-spinning bhaang-lassi and heritage trip all at cost of mere weekend getaway, Pushkar in Rajasthan is an unbeatable budget destination. The cheapest way to reach Pushkar is enjoy Shatabdi Express train from Delhi to Ajmer followed by cab drive to Pushkar all at cool INR 600. If that looks cumbersome take comfortable overnight bus rides from Delhi at INR 1000. Once in the city, you can rent a motorbike or car for more convenience to get around town. Cheap bus rides are available within Pushkar for commutation. Stay in Pushkar is terribly affordable. You can chose to stay around the Brahma Temple Area which is the most vibrant part of the city at average cost per night ranging between INR 900-1200.

Green Park Haveli or the Sukoon Resort around Brahma temple are good picks. Budget hotels in Panchkund Road can be considered too. Air BnB is picking up accommodation trend. This quaint town pampers you with vacation activities at friendliest rates which may include holy dip in Pushkar Lake, evening prayers in Varah Ghat or the famous Camel Safaris. Sunrise Hare Krishna Chanting at popular Brahma Temple is major tourist attraction that too without abnormal cost attached. Do not come into persuasion of the Brahmanas at Bhraman temple, it may only lead to unnecessary expenditure. Sunset ride on Pushkar Lake come at nominal cost and high on pleasure quotient.  Traditional Vegetarian Meals creates taste sensation yet go easy on pocket which may just cost about INR 100 per meal. 

Rough glimpse of cost per day: INR 2500 

Varanasi-Budget Spirituality

One of the oldest inhabited cities of the world, Varanasi is situated at the banks of the historic Ganges. Varanasi is one of those places where you can fly down at meager amount of INR 1800 from Delhi. Whether you are doing budget travel or family trip, simply book flight ticket. If you have never traveled in Bike-Rick, this is your chance. Varanasi’s favorite commutation is Bike-Rick. As far as accommodation is concerned settle down for ISCON stay in Varanasi. No stay can be more comforting or relevant in this holy city and the cost attached is only INR 500 per night. You can also stay at Ashrams or Dharamshalas for that genuine taste. Budget hotels are available around Dashashwamedh Ghat namely Ganges Grand at INR 1500 per night.

The main spectacle of Varanasi lies in the Ghats of Ganga where you can take ghat walk (absolutely free!) and boat ride along Dashashwamedh. Over 60,000 walk down the steps of the Ghat everyday which is indeed the highest Spiritual connotation and interestingly it is free of cost. Other than that, Varanasi takes you through the bylanes which stand tall to lost era. Feast on Baati Chokha in Vishwanath Galli or visit the Vishwanath Temple, no experience can play lighter on your pocket. Soak in the sight, sound and smell of this spiritual capital without any extravaganza.

Rough glimpse of cost per day: INR 2000 

Puducherry-France at no cost

Puducherry, also known as the ‘French Reviera of the East’ is haven for inexpensive travelers. With pristine beaches, Aurobindo Ashram and the French Influence, you can indulge in some economy-old-world charm. Avail sleeper coach buses from Bangalore at about INR 1000, it ensures comfortable journey of 7 hours. You can also travel from Chennai and reach Puducherry in about 3hours at bus fare of INR 400. Inside Puducherry, auto is the best form of travel, with fare of INR 200-300 you can reach major spots in the city. Get back to basics with scooters on rent of about INR 200 a day. Aurobindo Ashram Guest Houses come with enlightening ambience at astonishingly low prices. Budget hotels ranging between INR 1000-1500 are available. Opt for an organic stay at the shack at Auorville Beach which may vary between INR 2000-2500.  You can book an auto for whole day at INR 2000 visiting Prithyanakra Devi Temple, Botanical Gardens, Puducherry Museum and Aurobindo Ashram. Keep a day for outskirt sojourn to Auroville. Beaches of Promenade, Serenity, Auroville and Paradise may turn you into beach bum. Water Sports at Paradise Beach cost you just about INR 500. Spend meager INR 400 on French feast of baguettes and croissants at the famous Le Café at White Town and realize simple pleasures in life are close to free.

Rough glimpse of cost per day: INR 5000 

Alleypey-Lazy Moderate Holiday

The Venice of the East offers you delight experience without lavish cost. Alleypey or Alapuzha, 58kms from Cochin, is the green hub of Kerala Backwaters designated for lazy holiday on the banks. Take train from any part of the country to Cochin and then bus ride. Bus ride from Bangalore to Cochin comes at about INR 800. Opt for stunning houseboat stays priced very moderate. These houseboats come with plush amenities but they float along succulent paddy field giving you gaze of sleepy village life. Haveli Backwater Resort, Bamboo Lagoon Backwater Resort or Casamaria Beach Resort offers affordable packages amounting to INR 3000-3500 per night. If you are sun and sand junkie Alleypey Beach is apt. Visit St.Mary Forane Church or explore Krishanpuram Palace where the entry fee is INR 25. Strike up a conversation with local fishermen and they'll even lend you their own kayaks for about INR 100. Government run ferry tour of Alleypey at INR 150 and that is surely a steal. Gorge on fresh fish thali at Royal Park Hotel with bill not more than INR 400 or you can savour lazy vegetarian lunch at Kream Korner Art Café at INR 300.

Rough glimpse of cost per day: INR 4000 

Hampi-Bargainous Bygone Era

India is a fascinating country. Here you can visit Hampi-the UNESCO World Heritage Site at no major price hiccup. There is possibly no other place with such phenomenal experience. Jiffy travel from Bangalore to Hospet or Hampi in Volvo buses costs you INR 600. Make up for an earthy tour of Hampi on rented bicycles just at INR 200 rent per day. You can hire an auto for the entire day for INR 800-1000. Whether you opt for 3 star stay at Kishkinda Heritage Resort or 4tar accommodation at Royal Orchid Central Keeriti, cost will stay within INR2000. For authentic backpacker taste put up at the cottages at Hampi Island with hammock and open-air dining experiences at price hint of INR 800 per night. And if you are slightly more adventurous camp in Matunga Hill and watch sunset, life after all is not that bad. Stand witness to temple ruins at Virupaksha temple, Lotus Mahal, Hazara Rama temple and Lakshmi Narasimha temple. You can take coracle ride in the peaceful waters of Tungabhadra. For some gastronomic action Mango Tree Restaurant or Tibetan Kitchen or Mowgli are must-try. 

Rough glimpse of cost per day: INR 3500 

Meghalaya-Clouds for Peanuts

The pine-fresh mountain state is home to floating clouds and houses wettest places on Earth, Cherapunjee. Gushing river, lush greens and warm homestay make up for an enthralling experience. Ride on bus from Guwahati to Shillong at INR 200 or book car at about INR 300 per 9km which works out to be around INR 5000 for single trip. Budget Resorts are available in Cherrapunji. Saimika Resort with fireplace will cost you roughly INR 2500 per night. You can enjoy star-studded night at tree-house when you opt for homestay at Ila-Jong at INR 2500 appx per night. Spend some quaint time in the cleanest village of Asia, Mawlynnong. Take boat ride in river Umngot at Dawki and also say hello to borders of Bangladesh. Meghalaya seems to gift you with some amazing caving experience. The rich Calcite formations make up for some indelible travelogue. Local khasi cuisine is an appeal but if your momo-lover you get to live this trip real cheap. Street-side pineapple adds dash of zest to the day. 

Rough glimpse of cost per day: INR 5000