Is India Cheap for US Citizens?

When you hear India, a country where daily expenses for travelers can be a fraction of what they’d pay at home, you might assume it’s automatically cheap. But India cheap for US citizens isn’t just about price tags—it’s about what you get for your money, where you spend it, and how you move through the country. For many Americans, a week in India costs less than a weekend in Orlando, but that doesn’t mean every hotel, tour, or meal will feel like a bargain. The real question isn’t whether India is inexpensive—it’s whether your expectations match the reality.

Travel budget, the amount of money a visitor plans to spend per day on lodging, food, transport, and activities in India varies wildly. In a small town in Rajasthan, you can eat three meals a day for under $5, sleep in a clean guesthouse for $10, and hire a driver for a full day for $25. In Goa or Delhi, those same costs double—or triple—if you want comfort, air conditioning, or a pool. Cost of traveling in India, depends heavily on your choices, not just the destination. A luxury train ride from Delhi to Jaipur can cost more than your entire flight from the US. But a local bus, a street-side thali, and a homestay in Kerala? You’ll pay less than $20 a day. It’s not magic—it’s control. Most US travelers who find India expensive aren’t spending on the wrong things—they’re spending on the wrong experiences.

India tourism expenses, are lowest when you avoid tourist traps and follow local rhythms. That means skipping overpriced safari packages sold by hotel lobbies and booking directly with small operators. It means eating where the locals eat, not where the guidebooks point. It means taking overnight trains instead of domestic flights. And it means understanding that tipping, bargaining, and cash payments still matter—no matter how digital the world seems. The biggest surprise for many Americans? The cheapest things in India aren’t the souvenirs or the temples—they’re the moments. A sunrise over the Ganges, a chai break with a rickshaw driver, a silent walk through a village market. Those cost nothing. And they’re the reason people come back.

If you’re planning a trip, don’t just ask if India is cheap. Ask: what kind of India do you want to see? The one with luxury resorts and curated tours? Or the one with spice markets, train platforms at dawn, and families sharing meals on the sidewalk? The answer will tell you how much you’ll really spend—and how much you’ll remember.