India backpacking cost: How much does it really take to travel India on a budget?

When people ask about India backpacking cost, the total amount of money a traveler spends while exploring India using low-cost, self-guided methods like hostels, local transport, and street food. Also known as budget travel in India, it’s not about being cheap—it’s about traveling smart and staying true to the rhythm of the country. You don’t need a luxury hotel or a private driver to fall in love with India. Thousands of travelers do it every year with under $25 a day, and many go even lower.

What drives the India travel expenses, the daily and overall spending required to move through India, including accommodation, food, transport, and entry fees. Also known as tourist expenses in India, it varies wildly depending on where you go and how you move. A night in a clean hostel in Varanasi might cost you $5. A local train ride from Delhi to Agra? Under $10. Street food like pani puri or chole bhature? Less than $1 a plate. But if you hop on a sleeper train across Rajasthan or take a guided temple tour in Kerala, those add up. The key is knowing where to save and where to spend. Many travelers find that food and transport make up 70% of their budget—so mastering local buses, trains, and dhabas makes all the difference.

Some think India is expensive because they compare it to Europe or the U.S. But that’s the wrong frame. In India, you’re not paying for branded hotels or tourist traps—you’re paying for authenticity. A homestay in a village near Munnar, a shared auto-rickshaw ride through Hampi, or a night on a train with locals who invite you to share their chai—that’s the real value. The backpacking in India, a style of independent, low-budget travel across India using public transport, hostels, and local guides to experience culture and nature firsthand. Also known as budget travel across India, it’s one of the most accessible ways to see the country’s diversity isn’t about how little you spend—it’s about how much you experience for it. You can hike in the Himalayas, sleep on a beach in Goa, visit ancient temples, and eat like a local—all without breaking the bank.

And yes, 2025 is still a great time to do it. Prices haven’t skyrocketed like in some other countries. The biggest changes? More reliable Wi-Fi in hostels, better app-based transport, and clearer safety info for solo travelers. You’ll find plenty of real stories in the posts below—people who spent $15 a day in Rajasthan, $20 in Kerala, and still made it to the Taj Mahal and back. No fluff. No fake deals. Just what actually works.