Cost of Vacation in India: What 3 Weeks in India Will Cost You

What does a vacation in India cost? In this article, you will learn all about the prices and costs you can expect. From the flight to accommodations, meals, activities, and transportation. We'll show you what we spent and how you can plan your budget. This way, you'll know what expenses to expect.

Depending on the time of year, you should budget around $800 per person for a three-week vacation in India. On average, we spent about $50 per day. This includes flights, domestic flights, car rentals, and accommodations. Additionally, there are costs for meals in restaurants, activity fees, scooter rentals, and tips. We never cooked for ourselves, so we needed a little more budget.

India is vast and just as diverse as its culture and regions. From the Himalayan mountains in the north with sharp peaks to deserts and dream beaches in Goa and Kerala in the south, the country has something to offer everyone. To give you an idea of what your vacation in India will cost, I have put together an overview of prices and my expenses.

India is generally an affordable travel destination, especially for accommodations and meals.

For India, you should budget around $800 per week. We spent about $50 a day by staying in local hotels (3-star hotels) and homestays. We booked a round trip with G Adventures (Rajasthan Adventure). Activities like visiting the Taj Mahal or a safari in Ranthambore National Park are included. We booked an additional safari.

We dined in local restaurants, and transfers were included for Rajasthan. Our trip to India was a round trip in Rajasthan (14 days) with G Adventures ($1,218) plus the flight (Vistara) and 5 days in Goa with a flight to Dabolim and a 4-star accommodation by the sea. Here, we rented a scooter (1 day) and had a fixed-price taxi to and from the airport.

If you need to stick to a tighter budget, you can choose more economical accommodations and dine at street stalls or budget-friendly restaurants. You can also travel by train and public transportation to minimize your budget.

If you want to travel more luxuriously, that's also an option. During the GX World Travel Summit event, we stayed in 4 and 5-star accommodations in Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra. These start at about $150 per night, which includes breakfast, sometimes dinner.

For high-end restaurants, you need to budget more. But even these are considered cheap by our standards. You will rarely reach a daily budget of $200 in India. Book local guides to learn more about the Taj Mahal, Amber Fort, or street food in Delhi. It's worth it.

You can save money by booking flights early, traveling by train and bus on your own, and staying in affordable accommodations. I initially wanted to book a group trip with a tour provider while still having flexibility during the day. I intentionally chose this, even though I usually prefer to travel independently.

Note: Since I do not keep track of my budget while traveling and do not want to save, your expenses may vary. In some places, we dined in "better" restaurants. It can always be cheaper. The accommodation in Goa was very expensive by Indian standards. However, with a terrace jacuzzi and front-row beach access, it was priceless.

A round-trip flight with Vistara (better service than Lufthansa) from Frankfurt (FRA) to India (Delhi) costs about $600 in economy class. You can also fly directly from Frankfurt to Mumbai (BOM). The price includes one piece of 23 kg checked luggage and carry-on luggage.

There are also flights with Air India and Lufthansa. During our trip, these were more expensive. Check also for flights with layovers (British Airways via London), Qatar (via Doha), or Emirates (via Dubai). Due to climate change, I prefer to avoid layovers and fly directly, even if these flights are often pricier. It's less stressful and more comfortable.

BOOK FLIGHTS ✈️ We always search for affordable flights on Kayak. Here are my tips for booking cheap flights. Make sure to indicate checked luggage because basic flights only include carry-on luggage. This may initially distort the price, making it appear cheaper.

Book your flight as early as possible. Monitor fare trends and set price alerts (Kayak) to be informed about drops and increases in fares. During high season, from mid-November to March, prices are often a bit higher because many travelers to Nepal and Bhutan also enter through India, raising demand and leading to a ticket shortage. Therefore, book as early as possible.

India can be traveled affordably. Prices for hotels in local chains in safe areas start at around $20 per person per night in 3-star hotels (for example, Treebo Hotels). Prices can vary significantly depending on the season and region. In cities like Delhi or Mumbai, the selection is large. Around Ranthambore National Park, however, the quality can fluctuate quite a bit. The offerings are limited, and accommodations are not very cheap.

In general, however, there are accommodations in India for small budgets and backpackers. If you want to stay in 1- to 2-star hotels or hostels, there are options for even under $20 per person per night.

Note: I am not a backpacker and do not want to save while traveling. The local hotels and homestays on our trip were perfectly adequate. You can also opt for luxury in 4- and 5-star hotels. Along the coast, accommodations, like ours in Goa, right by the sea simply cost more. The standard isn't always higher, but you pay for the location. You get to decide if it's worth it to you.

In Kerala and Goa, there are also boutique hotels and resorts where you can stay very comfortably. Here, you should expect to pay from $100 per night per person. In cheaper accommodations, there is often a musty smell.

To reduce the costs of your vacation in India, there are several practical tips. While a group trip is the most convenient way to travel India, traveling independently by bus and train as well as domestic flights is cheaper. In Kerala or Goa, you don't need a guide and can explore everything without any problems or stress.

Cooking for yourself is one of the most effective ways to save on food costs. However, food in India is so affordable that you will rarely spend more than $10 to $15 out for two (alcohol is expensive).

Purchasing flight and bus tickets early can also help in reducing costs. Additionally, booking accommodations well in advance is worthwhile for securing the best prices.

Traveling in the off-season: Avoid the most popular travel times in India. We traveled at the end of October (end of the monsoon). It was still the off-season, and flights and accommodations were cheaper than in December or January. With these tips, you can enjoy an unforgettable vacation in India without breaking your budget.

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