10 Budget-Friendly Places To Visit In India

Traveling and exploring new and amazing creations of god in the world is perhaps the most satisfying thing one can do. But sometimes even if you desire to go on a trip, you have to put your foot back just because you don’t have enough money, just because you don’t find any place to visit that could fit into your budget.

If there is something like this, you are at the very right place, I am Janhvi Srivastava, one of the writers at Travel o’clock, in this article I will take you through the 10 Budget-friendly places to visit in India.

Alleppey

Alleppey, or Alappuzha, the Venice of the East, is the best place to cruise lazily around in the ever-present houseboats, sample the delicious coconut-laced seafood, and enjoy one of the most beautiful low-budget destinations in India. It lies in the heart of Kerala's vast network of waterways and showcases the famed Kerala backwaters in their true glory. Alleppey is also a major hub for houseboat rides and stays, here you can go boating and night walks, from Alappuzha beach to Vembanad lake to Pathiramanal. The best time to visit here is from October to February. The ideal Duration of Stay is 2 Nights/3 Days, the average cost for a stay is INR 350- INR 800 per night, and for food INR 700 per meal. Houseboats' average price starts at INR 6000 per day for 1 BHK and includes three meals, so if you are on tour with friends you can split up the meal with friends.

Pondicherry

The French Town of India, Puducherry, or Pondicherry, has much to offer to peace and tranquillity seekers. Pondicherry is all about pristine beaches, cobblestoned streets dotted with colonial buildings, and relaxing cafes offering some of the best French food in India. The best visiting time is from October to March and the ideal duration to stay here is 2-3 days. The average cost for stay and food is INR 1000 per day approx. Staying in a comfortable cottage costs INR 300 and for budget hotels, it costs INR 500 per day. Here, you can walk the cobblestoned streets during the day and put up your feet at the innumerable cafes on the beach in the evenings. And the most important thing to tell, which is obviously about food, don’t forget to try out the Indianized French cuisine, its starting cost is from INR 200-300 for two.

Gokarna

The Less Crowded Goa, Gokarna, is a small beach town in  Karnataka that offers respite from the maddening rush of Goa while letting you unwind and relax by the beautiful blue waters of the Arabian Sea. Gokarna also attracts many spiritual and religious visitors throughout the year. If you are here, then you must visit one of the oldest Shiva temples in the country- Sri Mahabaleshwara Swamy Temple. Gokarna offers a wide range of interesting activities for water sports enthusiasts such as scuba diving, sunbathing on the beaches, trekking, camping near Gokarna beach, snorkeling, banana boat rides, and more. Gokarna’s stunning beaches such as Om Beach, Half Moon Beach, Gokarna Beach, Nirvana Beach, and Paradise Beach, all offer unforgettable experiences to visitors. The ideal duration to stay is maybe 3-4 days and the average cost for food and stay is INR 800- INR 1300 per day approx.

Pushkar

Pushkar is a town in Rajasthan, situated on the border of the Thar Desert, and is also a hippie paradise. Set at Pushkar Lake, a Hindu pilgrimage site with more than 52 ghats to bathe and make religious offerings. The town is studded with numerous temples one of which is Jagatpita Brahma Mandir, dedicated to Lord Brahma, the god of creation. Pushkar, as known as the Land of Camels, is also famous for its cattle fair, popularly known as Pushkar Camel Fair, held in November every year. The narrow lanes of Pushkar are full of inexpensive small cafes and restaurants mostly themed around spirituality. The ideal duration of stay is 2-3days and the average cost for staying will be approx INR 500- INR 1500. Famous dishes which I’d prefer you should try are Poha, Kachori, Samosa, Dal Batti Churma, and Falafel; the average cost for food is INR 300 per meal.

Rishikesh

The Yoga Capital, Rishikesh is the most tranquil place in northern Uttarakhand and is a spiritual center and preferred destination for water sports enthusiasts. The thrilling white-water rafting, the splendid beach camps, bonfires, Bungee jumping, and the exhilarating treks beckon the adventurer in you. You could also visit the breathtaking Valley of Flowers from here, you can visit places like Lakshman Jhula, Parmarth Niketan, and Triveni Ghat. The average cost of stay and food here is from INR 800- INR 1200 per day approx. Surrounded by stunning hills, Rishikesh stands witness to the beauty of the Ganges as it emerges from the mountains and rushes down the valley before touching the Gangetic Plain at the pilgrimage town of Haridwar. The average cost for a stay is INR 150 per day, for food INR 200 per meal, for river rafting INR 400 to INR 1300 per person, and beach camping costs INR 1600 per person (includes 1-day stay, 3 meals, and river rafting).

McLeod Ganj

The Little Lhasa, McLeod Ganj, located around five kilometers from the popular hill station of Dharamshala, reflects the life and culture of Tibetans who moved here after the Chinese invasion of Tibet. A trip to McLeod Ganj is unlike any other visit to an Indian hill station. This spiritual getaway and pilgrimage for Buddhists is known for its picturesque hills and valleys and serves as the base camp for one of the most beautiful and exciting treks in India. Heaven for trek lovers, McLeod Ganj offers exciting experiences to art, culture, and food lovers. The average cost for a stay is INR 130- INR 500 per day and for food, it is INR 100-INR 200 for two (Tibetan and Chinese cuisine at little cafes). Be it hotels or the food, nothing is too expensive here, especially when you know that the Tibetan experience here could be surpassed only by Tibet itself. 

Kanyakumari

Being the tip of the Indian mainland itself makes Kanyakumari enticing, it offers a rich experience like no other place in the country. The southernmost point of peninsular India, Kanyakumari is located at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean. This place is also known as Cape Comorin. On full moon days, you can see the sunset and moonrise simultaneously. The multicolored sand on the Kanyakumari beach makes the spectacle even more beautiful. Not only this but also you'll see many more amazing places here like Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue, and Our Lado Ransom Church, and one of the must-visit places is the famous Kanyakumari Temple which is dedicated to the virgin goddess Kanyakumari, the protector of the land. The deity’s diamond nose pin is just as famous as the deity herself and is said to be visible from the sea. The best time to visit this place is from October to March with the ideal duration to stay for 2-3 days. The average staying cost for one day is INR 800 and food costs is INR 200 per meal.

Hampi

Not too cold, not too hot, also known as The Forgotten Empire, Hampi is a great choice, one of the fantastic treats for history lovers and one of the most value for money and budget travel in India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, the ruins of Hampi are a striking sight of lost glory set in the boulder-strewn landscape. The ruins of the ancient temple town date back to 1500 AD. The major attractions at Hampi include Virupaksha Temple, Vithala Temple, Nandi Statue, Matanga hill, Hemakuta hill temple, Lotus Mahal, the monolithic statue of Sasivekalu Ganesha, and the Hampi Bazaar area. You could even catch the vibrant Hampi Utsav if you happen to visit in the first week of November. The average cost of stay and food is approximately INR 800- INR 1200 per day.

Kodaikanal

Located in Tamil Nadu, the beautiful hill with an excellent climate, gorgeous lake and valleys, scenic treks, stunning pine forests, snow-covered mountains, and more, Kodaikanal is rightly known as the Princess of Hill Stations. Boating on Kodaikanal Lake or cycling around it or walking at Coaker’s Walk or trekking to the nearest hillock in the night for a mesmerizing view of the Milky Way galaxy, Kodaikanal offers the best of lifetime memories without burning a hole in your pocket. The average cost of food is INR 150- INR 200 per meal and the staying cost is INR 500- INR 700. So if you are planning to go on a trip here to this place then you must visit Dolphin’s nose rock, Kodaikanal lake, and Silver Cascade Falls.

Khajuraho

Known worldwide for its erotic art sculpture outside the historic temples, Khajuraho is also known as The Temple Town, located in Madhya Pradesh. The ancient Khajuraho temples are celebrated as the last-surviving examples of some of the finest temple art in the world. Built with sandstone, the Khajuraho Group Of Monuments comprises 85 Hindu and Jain temples of which only 20 have survived the test of time. Well, many have heard about its erotic stone carvings but what many do not know is that these erotic sculptures account for only 10 percent of all stunning sculptures that can be seen at Khajuraho’s three groups of temples. This place attracts most tourists after being rediscovered in the 1850s, they mainly revolve around visiting the temple and exploring its sculptures. The best cost you will get for food is INR 150 per meal and the staying cost is INR 500 -INR 1500 per day. Not only just visit and exploring around temples but you can also go Jungle camping, bungee jumping, and attend the light and sound show.

So hey,

It’s done, there is so much beauty in our country India and even many of them could fit into your budget. These were only 10 of those Budget friendly places in India.

Do not forget to share your feedback and suggestions in the comment section below and also the place you have chosen to plan your trip to.

See you at the next one…

Have a great day !!