Cost of Travel in India: What You Really Need to Know

When you think about cost, the total amount of money spent on a trip, including transport, food, accommodation, and entry fees, India isn’t just cheap—it’s surprisingly flexible. You can spend $10 a day or $1,000, and both are totally valid. The cost of your trip doesn’t depend on how fancy your hotel is, but on what you want to experience. Want to see the Taj Mahal tickets, the entry fee to visit the iconic white marble mausoleum in Agra? It’s under $20 for foreigners. Skip the guided tour, catch the local train, and you’ve saved hundreds. This isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about choosing where your money matters most.

Then there’s the honeymoon budget, the total planned spending for a couple’s post-wedding trip, often including flights, lodging, and special experiences. Some spend $20,000 on a Maldives villa. Others spend $3,500 on a quiet week in Kerala with houseboat stays and street food dinners. Both are real. The same goes for luxury train tickets, premium rail journeys in India like the Palace on Wheels, offering five-star service across historic cities. A ticket can cost as much as a flight to Europe—but you’re not just buying a seat. You’re buying a moving palace, meals included, guides on board, and access to places cars can’t reach. Is it worth it? Only if you care about the experience, not just the price tag.

And let’s talk timing. December is the most expensive month to visit India—not because everything gets pricier, but because everyone wants perfect weather. Flights, hotels, even temple entry lines spike. But if you go in October or February, you get the same views, cooler prices, and no crowds. Even India travel costs, the overall expenses incurred by visitors traveling within India, including daily spending and major attractions drop sharply outside peak season. You don’t need to wait for a sale. Just pick the right week. Adventure? Skydiving in India costs less than a weekend getaway. Trekking? Everest Base Camp isn’t in India, but the Himalayan trails that are? They cost a fraction of what you’d pay abroad. The real question isn’t how much it costs—it’s what you’re willing to trade for it. Time? Comfort? Crowds? The answers are all here in the posts below. You’ll see exact prices, hidden fees, and the smartest ways to stretch every rupee without missing out on what makes India unforgettable.