Budget travel in India is a great way of quenching your wanderlust when you feel the urge to pack your bags and set out. From lush green hill stations to crystal clear blue beaches, you can holiday in any destination within the budget that you’ve set aside for your trip. While using public transport, living in dorms and gorging on street food can help you cut costs, you can also rely on this ultimate list of 15 best budget travel destinations in India for your next vacation, or even a destination working plan.
15 Best Budget Travel Destinations in India
1. Kodaikanal
Although popular as a honeymoon destination of South India, Kodaikanal is a perfect choice for budget trips in India if you are travelling solo or with friends. Sparkling lakes, lush greenery, clouds and mist, and beautiful hills make it a perfect destination to be when you wish to escape the chaos of the city life.
- Average cost: Stay + Food = Rs 1500-Rs 2000/day approx
- Best time to visit Kodaikanal: October to March
- Places to visit in Kodaikanal: Kodaikanal Lake, Silver Cascade Falls, Coaker’s Walk
- Nearest Railway Station/Airport: Kodai Railway Station/ Madurai Airport
- Where to Stay : Hotels in Kodaikanal
Must Read:11 Best Spots for Shopping in Kodaikanal
2. Itanagar
A quaint city and the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar is a northeastern delight for budget travel in India. Situated at the lap of the mighty Himalayas, Itanagar is a mesmerising place to visit for solo travel or a fun-filled family trip. The incredible climate, classic Buddhist architecture and culture, sparkling streams and the serener greenery around will make you fall in love with the place over and over again!
- Average cost: Stay + Food = Rs 2000-Rs 2500/day approx
- Best time to visit Itanagar: October to April
- Places to visit in Itanagar: Ita Fort, Geker Sinying (Ganga Lake), Theravada Buddhist temple, Indira Gandhi Park
- Nearest Railway Station/Airport: Harmuti Railway Station/ Lilabari Airport
3. Pushkar
A religious site at the border of the Thar Desert, Pushkar is famous for camel rides, delicious street food, Jagatpita Brahma Mandir among others. Pushkar is one of the cheapest travel destinations in India to visit with family, friends or alone as apart from temples, you can also explore the lakes, 52 ghats, palaces, bazaars or even camp at the desert area.
- Average cost: Stay + Food = Rs 1800-Rs 2500/day approx
- Best time to visit Pushkar: November to March
- Places to visit in Pushkar: Pushkar Lake, Brahma Temple, Man Mahal, Desert camping
- Nearest Railway Station/Airport: Ajmer Junction/ Sanganer Airport
- Where to Stay : Hotels in Pushkar
4. Darjeeling
Another mesmerizing destination further from Kolkata, Darjeeling is a must-visit place for both budget and leisure travellers. From enjoying a ride in the Himalayan Railways up till the highest altitude railway station (Ghum Railway Station), watching the spectacular view of Mount Kanchenjunga, gorging on piping hot desi Chinese food, to visiting the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling makes for a perfect budget travel destination in India.
- Average cost: Stay + Food = Rs 1100-Rs 1500/day approx
- Best time to visit Darjeeling: March to May; October-November
- Places to visit in Darjeeling: Ghum Railway Station, Indian Mountaineering Institute, monasteries, bazaars
- Nearest Railway Station/Airport: New Jalpaiguri Railway Station/ Bagdogra Airport
Must Read: Things to do in Darjeeling
5. Mcleodganj
A quaint hill station in Himachal and a great destination for budget trips in India, Mcleodganj gives you the essence of Buddhism and Tibetan culture along with scenic vistas at a shoestring budget! From Mcleodganj, you can also try the famous Triund trek and witness the captivating beauty of the snow-clad Dhauladhar ranges. You can also enjoy visiting the local pubs and bars to enjoy the nightlife in Mcleodganj.
- Average cost: Stay + Food = Rs 700-Rs 1500/day approx
- Best time to visit Mcleodganj: October-February
- Places to visit in Mcleodganj: Naddi View Point, Dal Lake, churches and Buddhist temples, bazaars
- Nearest Railway Station/Airport: Kangra Mandir Railway Station/ Gaggal Airport
6. Udaipur
One of the most exotic cities in India, Udaipur also offers good scope for budget travel. While you can explore the opulent City Palace, take a boat ride on Lake Pichola or even check out the vintage car museum, as a budget traveller you can cut down travel costs by booking budget hotels or shared dormitories and relishing amazing street food in Udaipur.
- Average cost: Stay + Food = Rs 700-Rs 1000/day approx
- Best time to visit Udaipur: September-March
- Places to visit in Udaipur: Lake Pichola, City Palace, Fatehpur Sagar, Vintage Car Museum, Eklingji Temple
- Nearest Railway Station/Airport: Udaipur Railway Station/ Maharana Pratap Airport
- Where to Stay : Hotels in Udaipur
7. Gokarna
Another beach paradise in the southern state of Karnataka, Gokarna is a destination that enthrals both luxury and budget travellers. Stroll along the expansive beaches watching sunrise and sunset, relish local delicacies and visit the various temples in Gokarna to enjoy the essence of this place. Don’t forget to add Gokarna while planning your budget trip in India.
- Average cost: Stay + Food = Rs 800-Rs 1500/day approx
- Best time to visit Gokarna: June-August
- Places to visit in Gokarna: Om Beach, Paradise Beach, Mahabaleshwar Temple, Koti Tirtha Temple
- Nearest Railway Station/Airport: Karwar or Murdeshwar Railway Station/ Dabolim Airport
8. Goa
Experience the wild, crazy or serene side of Goa at your own pace while travelling on a low budget in the party capital of India. Unimaginably cheap booze, lots of shared accommodations that are easy on your pocket and an incredible variety of seafood and other delicacies give you a chance to enjoy the best of Goa. Oh! How can we forget the two-wheelers available on rent that take care of your travel through the length and breadth of the state? Now that’s the best budget travel destination in India.
- Average cost: Stay + Food = Rs 700-Rs 1500/day approx
- Best time to visit Goa: October-March
- Places to visit in Goa: Calangute Beach, Vagator Beach, Chapora Fort, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Cabo de Rama Fort
- Nearest Railway Station/Airport: Madgaon or Vasco-da-Gama Railway Station/ Dabolim Airport
- Where to Stay : Hotels in Goa
Also Read : Places to Visit in goa
9. Kanyakumari
One of the best budget-friendly destinations in India, Kanyakumari is a spectacular wonder of breathtakingly beautiful beaches, architectural marvels, aesthetically built temples and other places to explore. Also known as the southern tip of India is also surrounded lush paddy fields, coconut trees, astounding mountains and green valleys making it a great vacation destination to relax and unwind.
- Average cost: Stay + Food = Rs 1000-Rs 1500/day approx
- Best time to visit Kanyakumari: October-March
- Places to visit in Kanyakumari: Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari Temple, Saint Thiruvalluvar Statue, Our lady of Ransom Church, Wax Museum
- Nearest Railway Station/Airport: Kanyakumari Railway Junction/ Trivandrum Airport
- Where to Stay : Hotels in Kanyakumari
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10. Rishikesh
Located on the lap of the Himalayas, Rishikesh is one of the best destinations for budget travel in India. It is an enchanting place that offers you quite a bit for the cheapest rates, and from temples, cafes to yoga centres Rishikesh transports you to an altogether different world! If you are a daredevil and will to shell out extra money on adventure sports, plan your trip around the time when river rafting, bungee jumping, ziplining etc are allowed for tourists.
- Average cost: Stay + Food = Rs 500-Rs 1000/day approx
- Adventure activities: Rs 400 – Rs 1600 per person approx
- Best time to visit Rishikesh: September-November
- Places to visit in Rishikesh: Laxman Jhula, Triveni Ghat, Beatles Ashram, Vashishtha Gufa
- Nearest Railway Station/Airport: Dehradun Railway Junction/ Jolly Grant Airport
- Where to Stay : Hotel sin Rishikesh
11. Hampi
If you are a history buff and love wandering and exploring the ruins, Hampi is for you. A UNESCO world heritage site, Hampi tops the charts in budget travel destinations in India. Apart from the incredible ruins of the bygone era, Hampi is also famous for being surrounded by verdant valleys and hills with picturesque views perfect to capture in your lenses and cherish for years to come. Don’t forget to check out the Hampi Utsav that takes place in the month of November!
- Average cost: Stay + Food = Rs 500-Rs 1000/day approx
- Best time to visit Hampi: October-February
- Places to visit in Hampi: Virupaksha Temple, Matanga Hill, Archeological Museum, Hampi Bazaar
- Nearest Railway Station/Airport: Hospet Railway Junction/ Hubli Airport
12. Pondicherry
You can never miss Pondicherry in the list of budget tourist destinations in India. A city with cobblestoned French quarters, golden beaches, cosy cafes offering dainty delicacies, temples and Auroville Ashram, Pondicherry is the perfect place to experience French and Indian culture in a single city. If you want to travel cheap and still enjoy every bit of the place, Pondicherry is the best choice!
- Average cost: Stay + Food = Rs 500-Rs 1000/day approx
- Best time to visit Pondicherry: October-March
- Places to visit in Pondicherry: Auroville, Aravind Ashram, Paradise Beach
- Nearest Railway Station/Airport: Puducherry Railway Junction/ Chennai International Airport
- Where to Stay : Hotels in Pondicherry
Must Read: 10 Best Places to Get the Best Food in Pondicherry
13. Khajuraho
If art and history excite you, Khajuraho should be an ideal venture while looking for budget holiday destinations in India. Visiting temples covered with intricate erotic carvings and paintings in Khajuraho is a treat to your eyes as you get to admire the art and craft of the ancient era. For a relaxed and refreshing stay, you can book rooms on sharing basis or dormitories and enjoy travelling this place on your own accord.
- Average cost: Stay + Food = Rs 1000-Rs 1500/day approx
- Best time to visit Khajuraho: October-February
- Places to visit in Khajuraho: Devi Jagadambi temple, Chaturbhuj temple, Kandariya Mahadev temple
- Nearest Railway Station/Airport: Mahoba Railway Junction/ Khajuraho Airport
14. Jaisalmer
The Golden City of Rajasthan is also one of the best budget-friendly travel destinations in India. With colossal forts, opulent havelis, museums showcasing ancient manuscripts and artefacts and innumerable eateries selling authentic Rajasthani delicacies, Jaisalmer is an absolute treat for every traveller who wishes to take time out and tour this place.
- Average cost: Stay + Food = Rs 1000-Rs 1500/day approx
- Best time to visit Jaisalmer: November-March
- Places to visit in Jaisalmer: Jaisalmer Fort, Heritage Museum, Desert National Park, the Gadi Sagar
- Nearest Railway Station/Airport: Jaisalmer Railway Junction/ Jaisalmer Airport
15. Wayanad
If you love the Western Ghats and wish to spend a peaceful vacation on a low budget there, Wayanad is the place you need to plan your trip to. Mesmerising waterfalls, caves, wildlife sanctuary and numerous temples in Wayanad promise you a pleasant and incredible experience here. You can also explore the various trekking trails in Wayanad and enjoy nature at its absolute best up close!
- Average cost: Stay + Food = Rs 1000-Rs 1500/day approx
- Best time to visit Wayanad: September-April
- Places to visit in Wayanad: Thirunelli temple, Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary, Pookode Lake, Chembra Peak
- Nearest Railway Station/Airport: Kozhikode Railway Junction/ Karipur Airport
Here’s our ultimate list of best budget travel destinations in India that you must explore if you want to challenge yourself by travelling on a shoestring budget! If you’ve been to these places already, do share your experiences in the comments section.
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