Your Guide to Exploring India Cheap, Raw & Real
Think you need a lot of money to travel across India? Think again. With some smart planning, local support, and the right attitude, you can explore India on just ₹500 a day, yes, just five hundred rupees.
Whether you're a student, solo backpacker, or digital nomad on a budget, India has rich culture, diverse food, stunning landscapes, and affordable adventures that few other places in the world can match.
Let’s break down how to backpack across India on a tight budget, city by city, rupee by rupee.
📍 Why India Is Perfect for Budget Travel
India is a budget traveler’s paradise:
- Low cost of living
- Affordable trains & buses
- Street food that costs less than ₹50
- Hostels for under ₹200/night
- Rich culture everywhere, free of cost
💸 ₹500/day Budget Breakdown
Here’s a typical daily budget that works in many parts of India:
| Expense | Estimated Cost (₹) |
|---|---|
| Stay (hostel/dorm) | ₹150–200 |
| Meals (street food/local dhabas) | ₹150 |
| Transport (local buses/trains/shared autos) | ₹100 |
| Sightseeing (temples, forts, free spots) | ₹50 |
| Total | ₹450–500 |
🏡 Stay: Budget Hostels & Couchsurfing
- Use Hostelworld, Booking.com, or Zostel for ₹150–250 dorms.
- Couchsurf or try homestays with locals.
- In rural areas, temples and ashrams often allow travelers to stay for free or a donation.
🍛 Eat Like a Local
- Chai & Bun Maska – ₹15
- South Indian thali – ₹50–70
- Street momos, kachori, or vada pav – ₹20–40
- Carry a reusable water bottle and purify water to avoid bottled costs.
Pro Tip: Try langars at Gurudwaras for free, healthy meals.
🚍 Travel Smart & Cheap
- Book general class or sleeper class trains (they’re dirt cheap).
- Use state buses for intercity travel—safe and budget-friendly.
- Shared autos and e-rickshaws help in towns and villages.
- Travel slow: one region at a time saves money.
🕌 Places Where ₹500 Goes a Long Way
1. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
- Yoga capital, riverside camping, and budget stays
- Ganga Aarti, temples, and treks—all mostly free
2. Pushkar, Rajasthan
- ₹100 thalis, cheap hostels, spiritual vibe
- Camel safaris and colorful bazaars
3. Hampi, Karnataka
- Ancient ruins, cycling tours, and hippie cafés
- Dorms for ₹200 and meals under ₹100
4. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Cultural explosion, Ganga ghats, spiritual experience
- Free walks, affordable food, and a timeless vibe
5. McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh
- Mountain escape, Tibetan culture, scenic treks
- Budget cafés and stay options galore
🎯 Tips to Keep You Under ₹500
- Avoid peak tourist seasons
- Use offline maps to avoid getting lost and spending extra
- Befriend locals—they’ll often offer food, help, or advice
- Walk more; take fewer taxis
- Avoid paid attractions when free alternatives exist
🏁 Final Thoughts: It’s Not About the Money
Backpacking India on ₹500 a day is about more than saving cash—it's about:
- Living simply
- Experiencing raw India
- Connecting with locals
- Finding freedom in frugality
It won’t always be luxurious or easy, but it will be unforgettable.