Can India be done on a budget?

India is a super popular travel destination for westerners, and a key pull is that it can be done on a budget, though many still miss their home comforts. In this piece, we’ll explore 7 ways in which you can travel to the jewel of Asia in luxury without having to spend a fortune. These luxury travel tips should help you get the most out of your trip without having to go without the things that will make your trip as enjoyable as possible.

Having a plan is vital if you want to get the most out of your trip. Whether you decide to travel on a budget airline or want to travel in luxury by booking the cheapest private jet in India, you should make sure to do your research beforehand.

1. Stay in an Airbnb or Homestay

The first tip for luxury travel in India is to stay in Airbnb, homestays, or guesthouses that are owned by a local. These properties provide a much more authentic experience, and you’ll likely have your own bathroom, which won’t be shared with the owner and their family, unlike hotels which can cost around three times as much! You’ll also get to learn about the culture and customs of the land from your host.

2. Eat out less often than would otherwise be necessary

It’s possible to eat out every day while travelling on $50 per day when eating local food only, but it can put an enormous dent in your budget if this isn’t done intelligently. In order to save money and stay healthy, it’s worth cooking for yourself whenever possible rather than going out to eat every night. This is a mistake that a lot of people make visiting India.

As well as this, you should avoid tourist restaurants where prices are inflated due to demand: stick with eating street food dishes near markets which are usually cheaper anyway.

3. Take a rickshaw or tuk-tuk instead of travelling by taxi

Travelling around India in a rickshaw is fun, and it’s also much cheaper than taking a taxi – many people who travel to India opt for the rickshaw because it’s just as fast and often quicker than using public transport! If you’re planning on exploring some areas that are not very well known to tourists, then the chances are good that you’ll end up taking one of these vehicles.

They can be found on pretty much every street corner and will happily take you from A-B, usually for less than $2, which is an incredible deal! The price is set before you get in and so there’ll be no surprises with this kind of transport. Rickshaws are also metered, so they won’t try to rip you off if they see that you’re not a local.

4. Visit tourist places at off-peak times to avoid hordes of other tourists

If you’re visiting India, then the chances are that you’ll be going to see some of the world’s most famous landmarks and monuments, such as Varanasi, Mumbai, and Agra, which is home to one of the seven wonders of the world: The Taj Mahal.

If you want to avoid the crowds in all of these places whenever possible, then it’s worth bearing in mind that many tourists head there during Indian holidays or festivals. Hence, if possible, visit them at other times as you will be able to have a more relaxing, less stressful visit! You could also consider taking a day trip out to nearby towns such as Fatehpur Sikri, where there’s plenty to do outside of peak season while avoiding the crowds completely!

5. Eat street food as often as possible to get a feel for the culture

 

Street food is everywhere in India, and it’s not just cheap, but it’s also delicious, varied, and usually safe to eat if you stick to the popular stalls with big crowds of people around them! You can get anything from meat kebabs to samosas to dosas (which are like Indian pancakes) at these places.

The best thing about eating street food is that you’ll be sticking with the locals, which will give you a better idea of how Indians actually eat rather than being stuck in some tourist trap where prices are inflated.

6. Work out how much things cost beforehand

The reason that it’s important to know how much things cost beforehand is so that you’ll be able to tell if something is a good deal or not. A good example of this would be the rickshaws we mentioned earlier: they are metered, so you shouldn’t ever have to pay more than what the metre reads; however, some will try and get more money from you by saying that the price is different from what’s displayed.

Make sure you’re aware of this fact before heading out in order to avoid being ripped off. When it comes to accommodation, another useful tip for luxury travel in India is paying an extra $5-10 for a place that has its own bathroom.

7. Take advantage of local deals and discounts

Many travel providers offer great deals on tours around some of India’s most popular cities along with many other major tourist attractions across South Asia too. They offer activities such as Mumbai city tour, Goa sightseeing tour, and Delhi day tour, just to name a few!

The best thing about these tours though is that they’re cheaper than normal taxi prices, which means that not only can you get around easily but also see everything at your own pace without having to rush anywhere.