Quick answer: A trip to India typically costs US$25-50/day backpacker, US$80-160/day mid-range, US$350-2000+/day luxury. Currency: Indian Rupee (INR / ₹) — roughly ₹83 = US$1.
India is the cheapest major travel destination on Earth — backpackers genuinely manage US$25/day, and even mid-range travelers can do it for US$60-80/day. Costs vary enormously by region (Mumbai 3x cheaper than Mumbai luxury) and by speed of travel (slow trains vs flights). Here is the real picture.
Cost tiers — budget / mid / luxury
Cost breakdown by category
- Accommodation: US$5 guesthouse → US$50 3-star → US$300+ heritage hotel
- Street food meal: US$1-3 (samosa, masala dosa, biryani)
- Mid-range restaurant: US$8-20 per person
- Sleeper train (e.g. Mumbai-Delhi): US$15-40 depending on class
- Domestic flights: US$50-150 one-way (IndiGo, Vistara)
Sample 7-day budgets
- Backpacker 7 days: ~US$200-280 (budget guesthouse + street food + sleeper trains)
- Mid-range 7 days: ~US$800-1200 (hotels + AC trains + restaurants + Taj Mahal visit)
- Luxury 7 days: ~US$4500-10000+ (heritage hotels + private driver + Oberoi/Taj properties)
How to save money in India
- Street food is safe in major cities if it’s hot and freshly cooked
- Sleeper trains beat flights for cost AND let you see the country — Mumbai-Delhi US$25 in AC3
- Always ask for hotel rates with breakfast included (most do)
- Pre-paid airport taxis save the haggle (especially in Mumbai/Delhi)
- Audio guides at Taj Mahal/Red Fort are US$2 vs US$25 for guided tours
A local insider tip
If you want maximum India in 10 days at lowest cost, do the classic Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur) on AC sleeper trains, stay in Oyo Rooms or Bloomrooms (US$25-35/night), eat at sit-down chain restaurants (Sagar Ratna, Saravana Bhavan), and add 3 days in Rajasthan’s Pushkar for the desert experience. Total ~US$700 vs US$3000+ in group tours.
Frequently asked questions
How much is 2 weeks in India?
Backpacker: US$400-600. Mid-range: US$1500-2500. Luxury: US$8000-15000+. Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur) is the classic itinerary.
Is India safe for solo female travelers?
Yes with sensible precautions — stick to mid-range or above accommodation, avoid late-night solo travel, dress modestly. Tourist areas (Rajasthan, Kerala, Goa, Mumbai) are well-managed.
How much for the Taj Mahal?
Entry: ₹1100 (US$13) for foreign visitors. ₹50 (US$0.60) for Indian nationals. Sunrise visit is the best — gates open at 6am.
When is the cheapest time to visit India?
April-September (hot/monsoon) has 30-50% cheaper flights and hotels. Trade-off is significant heat (April-June) or rain (June-September).
Should I tip in India?
Yes — 10% in restaurants if no service charge. ₹50-100 for hotel porter. ₹100-200 per day for full-day driver.
Plan your India trip
Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.