So how cheap is India, you've all heard the rumours, at times wildly exaggerated.
Rooms going for a song, a food budget that adds up to 50 pence a day, 2000 kilometers for a couple of Dollars
India is still a very cheap country to travel in, though it may not live up to everybody's expectations. Remember things change and life in India continues to get more expensive for visitors.
Below you'll find an approximate price for the things you might need on a trip to India as well as some price information on trains, hotels & meals/drinks the list isn't exhaustive but we'll be adding to it as new ideas come to mind!
There's also a handy currency convertor on the side bar to see how much things cost in your home currency.
Train Travel
Train travel is cheap in India no matter what class you choose to travel in.
We sampled a train trip from New Delhi to Madgaon (Margao)in Goa. The different costs appear below, There are many many variables in this but this is a decent guide to what train travel will cost you in India
The distance is 2100 Kilometers between the two, so we calculated the cost per kilometer in each class.
Again this is not definitive, merely a rough guide.
For a in depth guide to the wide range of fares on the different classes of train see the eRail link below,
AC 1st price 3332 Rps = 1.58 Rupees per Kilometer
AC 2-tier price 1965 Rps = 0.93 Rupees per Kilometer
AC 3 Tier price 1433 Rps = 0.68 Rupees per Kilometer Sleeper Class price 529 Rps = 0.25 Rupees per Kilometer
There are also rail passes available in India, if your travelling hard, or like to have a pre arranged trip these passes are worth looking into. The passes still require you to reserve berths and seat on the train.
the prices in US Dollars are below.
N.B. Users of Indian Railways passes should be aware that the purchase of a 1st class ordinary pass allows you to travel on these trains the Rajdhani exp, the Shatabdi exp, (3 Tier AC) so go on treat yourself !
Hotels in India come in all shapes and forms, from the dire to the fantastic and it isnt always dependant on what you pay!! ´
This important to remember in India, check your room first!!
You can get a hellhole for 1200rps or a delightful, simple room with views to die for, with warm friendly staff for 100rps and all other equations within that range.
In short it can be a bit of a lucky dip.
Generally these days budget rooms can be had for 200 Rps for a single and 250 Rps a double. Less if your prepared to share the bathroom,
Lower Midrange places can be had for 500 Rps for a single or 600 Rps a double, with ensuite bathroom and cable TV
Upper Midrange go for around 1200 Rps for a single 1500 Rps for a double, usually a bit tidier these rooms have ensuit bathroom Cable Tv and sometimes a fridge, which is most useful.
Top range places start at around 2500 and then the sky´s the limit.
Hostel World is good for checking out mid range hotels and Traveller Point for Budget accomodation you´ll find both linked below
Food in India ranges from the rediculously cheap, to the relatively expensive. A filling set or buffet meal, in a meals or Thali restaurant can be had for as little as 18 Rupees per head, whereas a meal in a top class restaurant can easily cost you $50 per head.
Below you'll find a ready reckoner for eating in India, For budget bums and visitors with money to burn. Again not a precise list but handy enough to calculate your costs.
Drinks
Type Cheap Expensive
Tea 3rps 50rps
Coffee 4rps 60rps
Bottled Water 10rps 30rps
Fruit Juice fresh 8rps 50rps
Soft drink Small 200ml 5rps 25 rps Medium 300 ml 8rps 15 rps
Large 500ml 15rps 20 rps
Family 2 litre 45rps 50 rps
Soda brand 8rps 15 rps
Soda Local 3rps 6 rps
Milk 1/2 litre 8rps 12 rps
Local Soft Drinks 300ml 6rps 10 rps
Breakfast
Type Cheap Expensive
Omelette/ toast 12rps 50rps
Puri Bhaji 8rps 30rps
Paw Bhaji 8rps 30rps
Snacks
Type Cheap Expensive
Samosas 4rps 20rps
Masala Dosa 12rps 40rps
Bel Puri 8rps 25rps
Mains
Type Cheap Expensive
Rajma 10rps 30rps
Channa Masala 15rps 45rps
Tandoori Chicken 40rps 100rps
Chicken Tikka 50rps 120rps
Set meal or Thali veg 18rps 60rps
Set meal or Thali meat 30rps 100rps
Alchohol
Because of different taxation state by state, there are large differences in the price of
