One of the world’s best value destinations — but costs vary enormously
India can be done on $20/day or $500/day. The gap between budget and luxury travel is wider here than almost anywhere. Here is what things actually cost in 2025.
Accommodation
Budget guesthouse (private room, AC, basic): $15-35/night. Mid-range hotel: $40-80/night. Heritage hotels and luxury: $150-500+/night. The mid-range in India is particularly good value — Rajasthan especially has beautiful heritage haveli hotels in the $50-100 range that would cost five times as much in Europe.
Food
Street food and local restaurants: $1-5 per meal. Mid-range restaurants: $8-20 per person. Tourist-facing restaurants: $15-30 per person. India is one of the world’s great food destinations at every price point — the $2 thali at a local dhaba is often better than the $20 version at a hotel restaurant.
Transport
Train (second-class AC sleeper): $10-25 for most intercity journeys. Domestic flight: $30-80 booked in advance. Uber/Ola in cities: very cheap — $2-5 for most city journeys. Auto-rickshaw: $1-3 for short distances (negotiate first).
Attractions
This is where India gets expensive for foreigners. Taj Mahal: $13 entry plus $7 for the mausoleum interior. Amber Fort: $8. Many UNESCO sites charge foreigners 5-15x the local price. Budget $20-30/day for sightseeing on the Golden Triangle circuit.
Daily budgets
Budget: $30-50/day. Mid-range: $70-120/day. Comfortable: $150-250/day. India is exceptional value compared to Europe or North America at every level.