India

India is not like anywhere else. It’s not one destination, it’s a dozen countries stacked on top of each other. Rajasthan has desert forts and palaces. Kerala has backwaters and coconut groves. Goa has beaches and Portuguese architecture. The Himalayas have some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on the planet. And the food changes completely every 200 kilometres, with each region having its own cuisine that people spend their entire lives perfecting.

It’s also intense. The traffic, the noise, the crowds, the heat, the constant stimulation. People either fall in love with India instantly or find the first few days completely overwhelming. Both reactions are normal. The trick is to pace yourself, don’t try to see too much too fast, and give yourself time to adjust.

The budget is where India really stands apart. It’s genuinely possible to travel well on $25-40 USD per day, which gets you a clean private room, three meals, local transport, and entrance to major attractions. Mid-range travellers spending $50-100/day live like royalty. India makes your money go further than almost anywhere else on the planet.

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When to go

October to March is the main travel season and the best time for most of the country. Weather is cooler and drier, making sightseeing comfortable. December and January are the most popular months and the best time for Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra, Kerala, and Goa.

April to June is brutally hot across most of India. Delhi and Rajasthan hit 40-48C (104-118F). The only comfortable destinations in summer are the Himalayan hill stations (Shimla, Manali, Darjeeling, Ladakh, Leh) where temperatures stay pleasant.

The monsoon runs from June to September. Heavy rain across most of the country, but some travellers love the lush green landscapes and the dramatic atmosphere. Kerala during monsoon is actually beautiful if you don’t mind getting wet. Prices are at their lowest.

Ladakh (in the far north) has its own window. The roads only open June to October and July to September is the best time to visit. If the Himalayas are your priority, plan around this.

Diwali (October/November, dates change yearly) is an incredible time to be in India but expect higher prices and crowded trains. Book everything well in advance.

What it actually costs

India is one of the cheapest travel destinations in the world. All prices in USD.

Budget ($15-35 USD/day per person) Guesthouses and budget hotels ($5-15/night), street food and local restaurants ($1-4 per meal), trains in sleeper class ($3-10 for long journeys), auto-rickshaws ($0.50-2 per ride), free or cheap temple and fort entry. Very comfortable by budget travel standards. You eat well, sleep clean, and move freely.

Mid-range ($35-100 USD/day per person) Heritage hotels or nice 3-star properties ($20-50/night for a double), restaurant meals ($5-12), AC train class ($10-25), occasional domestic flights, private car and driver for day trips ($20-40/day). At this level India feels luxurious.

Comfortable ($100-250+ USD/day per person) Palace hotels in Rajasthan, luxury train journeys, 5-star resorts in Kerala and Goa, private guided tours, spa treatments. India does high-end extraordinarily well and at prices that would be laughable in Europe or the US. A night at a converted Rajasthani palace costs $80-150 where an equivalent experience elsewhere would be $500+.

Indian Railways is one of the great travel experiences in the world and insanely cheap. Delhi to Jaipur in AC Chair Car costs about $8 and takes 4-5 hours. Delhi to Varanasi overnight in AC 3-tier sleeper is about $12. Book on irctc.co.in or through the Ixigo app. Book 2-4 weeks ahead for popular routes.

Domestic flights are cheap. Delhi to Goa or Mumbai to Kerala one-way fares start at $25-40 on IndiGo, SpiceJet, or Air India. Use Google Flights or Skyscanner to compare.

International flights to India are reasonable. From Southeast Asia expect $150-300 return. From the Middle East $200-400. From Europe $300-600. From North America $500-900. From Oceania $400-800. Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM) are the main gateways.

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Where to go

Delhi (2-3 days). Old Delhi is the sensory overload. Chandni Chowk bazaar, Jama Masjid, the Red Fort, and the best street food in India (particularly the parathas at Paranthe Wali Gali). New Delhi has India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, and the Lotus Temple. The contrast between old and new Delhi is the story of India in miniature.

Agra and the Taj Mahal (1-2 days). The Taj Mahal is one of those things that lives up to impossible expectations. Go at sunrise when the crowds are smallest and the light is best. Agra Fort is also excellent and often overlooked. You can day trip from Delhi (3 hours by train) or stay overnight to catch the sunrise.

Rajasthan (7-10 days). The golden triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) is the classic starter route, but Rajasthan has much more. Jaipur for the Pink City and Amber Fort. Udaipur for the lake palaces. Jodhpur for the Blue City and Mehrangarh Fort (one of the most impressive forts in India). Jaisalmer for the desert fort and camel safaris. The heritage hotels in Rajasthan are some of the most unique accommodation in the world, and surprisingly affordable.

Varanasi (2-3 days). The oldest continuously inhabited city in the world and the spiritual heart of Hinduism. The evening Ganga Aarti ceremony on the ghats is one of the most powerful things you’ll witness anywhere. Sunrise boat rides on the Ganges show the city waking up with cremation fires, bathing rituals, and prayer. Varanasi is intense even by Indian standards. Give it at least two days to absorb.

Kerala (5-7 days). The southern state that feels like a different country. Alleppey (Alappuzha) for houseboat rides through the backwaters. Munnar for tea plantations in the Western Ghats. Kochi for the historic port town with Chinese fishing nets, spice markets, and Kathakali dance performances. Varkala or Kovalam for cliff-top beaches.

Goa (3-5 days). India’s beach state with a Portuguese colonial history. North Goa (Anjuna, Vagator, Baga) for nightlife and party beaches. South Goa (Palolem, Agonda) for quieter beaches and a more relaxed vibe. The food in Goa is its own cuisine, a mix of Indian and Portuguese with seafood, vindaloo, and bebinca dessert. December to February is peak season.

Ladakh (5-7 days). High-altitude desert in the far north, bordering Tibet. Leh is the base town at 3,500m altitude. Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, Hemis Monastery, and the Khardung La pass are the highlights. The landscape is otherworldly. Only accessible June to October. Allow a day or two to acclimatise to the altitude before doing anything strenuous.

Darjeeling and the Northeast (3-5 days). Tea plantations, Himalayan views (Kanchenjunga on a clear morning), the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (toy train), and the nearby state of Sikkim which requires a special permit but rewards you with Buddhist monasteries and mountain scenery that rivals Nepal.

What to skip

The touts and commission scams in tourist cities. In Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, people will approach you at train stations, airports, and near tourist attractions claiming your hotel is closed, there’s a “special festival” that requires a guide, or offering free transport that ends at their brother’s gem shop. Smile, say no, and walk away. Use Uber/Ola or pre-booked transport.

The standard Golden Triangle as your entire India trip. Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur are a great introduction but they don’t represent all of India. If you stop there, you’ve missed Kerala, Varanasi, Goa, and the Himalayas, which are all completely different experiences.

Bottled water from small unmarked stalls. Stick to sealed bottles from reputable brands (Bisleri, Kinley, Aquafina). Check that the seal is intact before buying. Refilled bottles from unknown sources exist and can make you sick.

Rushing between cities without rest days. India is tiring. The travel, the heat, the stimulation. Build in rest days every 3-4 days of active sightseeing. A day of doing nothing at your hotel, reading, eating, and recovering is not wasted time. It’s essential.

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Must-do experiences

Watch the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi. A fire ceremony performed every evening on the ghats by the Ganges river. Hundreds of people gather, bells ring, incense fills the air, and priests wave flaming brass lamps in synchronised ritual. It’s not a tourist show. It’s a daily act of devotion that happens whether tourists are there or not. Arrive early for a spot on the steps or watch from a boat on the river.

Eat street food in Old Delhi. Paranthe Wali Gali for stuffed parathas. Karim’s near Jama Masjid for Mughlai kebabs and biryani. Natraj Dahi Bhalle for chaat. The street food in Delhi is some of the best in the world and costs almost nothing. $1-3 will fill you up.

Stay in a heritage hotel in Rajasthan. Former palaces, forts, and havelis converted into hotels. You’re sleeping in a 400-year-old building with hand-painted murals, courtyards, and more character than any chain hotel on earth. Prices start from $30-50/night for smaller heritage properties.

Take a houseboat through the Kerala backwaters. A day cruise or overnight stay on a traditional kettuvallam (rice barge) converted into a floating hotel. You drift through palm-lined canals, past villages and paddy fields, eating Keralan food cooked on board. Day trips cost $30-50 per person. Overnight stays cost $80-150 for the whole boat.

Sunrise at the Taj Mahal. The Taj opens at sunrise and the first hour is the quietest and most beautiful. The marble changes colour as the light shifts. Go east gate for the shortest queue. Pre-book tickets online to skip the ticket line.

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Practical tips

The currency is the Indian Rupee (INR). Cards are accepted at hotels, chain restaurants, and larger shops in cities. Street vendors, auto-rickshaws, local restaurants, and markets are cash-only. ATMs are everywhere. Withdraw rupees on arrival.

Most Western passport holders need an e-Visa. Apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in at least 4 days before travel (a week is safer). The 30-day tourist e-Visa costs about $25. Double entry. Apply for the 1-year or 5-year visa if you think you might come back.

Stomach issues are common for first-time visitors. Start with cooked food, avoid raw salads and unpeeled fruit, drink only sealed bottled water, and carry Imodium and oral rehydration salts. Most travellers adjust after a few days. Don’t let fear stop you from eating the street food though. The stalls with high turnover and crowds of locals are the safest.

Uber and Ola (India’s ride-hailing app) work in all major cities and are the best way to avoid haggling with auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers. Always use the app for metered pricing.

Dress modestly, especially at temples and in more conservative areas. Cover shoulders and knees. Remove shoes before entering temples, mosques, and gurudwaras. Women should carry a scarf for covering their head at certain religious sites.

Bargaining is expected at markets, with street vendors, and for auto-rickshaw rides (if not using an app). Start at 50% of the asking price and work up. Don’t bargain aggressively. Keep it friendly.

SIM cards are easy to get but require ID. The Airtel or Jio store at the airport is the easiest option. $5-10 for a month of data. Some airports now have eSIM kiosks.

Get travel insurance. Private hospitals in India are excellent but expensive. Government hospitals are cheap but very basic. Insurance covers you for the private option.

Planning your trip

1 week Golden Triangle + Varanasi: Delhi (2 nights), Agra (1 night), Jaipur (2 nights), Varanasi (2 nights). Trains between cities.

2 weeks Rajasthan circuit: Delhi (2), Agra (1), Jaipur (2), Jodhpur (2), Jaisalmer (2), Udaipur (3), fly home from Udaipur or back to Delhi.

2 weeks north and south: Delhi (2), Agra (1), Varanasi (2), fly to Kochi (2), Alleppey backwaters (1), Munnar (2), Varkala beach (2), fly home from Trivandrum.

3 weeks comprehensive: Delhi (2), Agra (1), Jaipur (2), Jodhpur (2), Udaipur (2), fly to Goa (3), fly to Kochi (2), Alleppey (1), Munnar (2), fly home from Kochi.

Book your trip

Use the search tools above to compare prices on flights, hotels, tours, and trains across India.

More destinations from travlperks: For a similar budget with less intensity, check out Sri Lanka or Vietnam. For culture at a different pace, see our Japan guide. For beaches without the chaos, try Bali or Thailand.