The Living

If you’re looking for a cheap place to spend the nights, you have hostels available to you for as low as ₹50 for dorm style rooms, ₹250-500 for a budget room that includes a bed with a thin mattress and private bathroom or ₹500-1000 for a nice, air-conditioned room.
The Eating

Even if you haven’t gotten your ideal stay in ₹500, when it comes to good, simple and cheap food—India is the country to be at. With street stalls and snack shacks at every corner, whether it’s samosas, coconut water, ragda puri, vegetable-cheese sandwiches, momos or piping hot masala chai—from North to South Indian cuisine, your food is easily accessible, economical and totally on-the-go. Our only caution—eat at your own risk, this is not a Delhi-Belly proof diet. (Roadside Khaana: Anywhere between ₹10 – 150)
Your Ride

Bus, train, taxi or auto-rickshaws—if you need to travel cheap within the country, you’re in luck. If you’re willing to rough it out, get yourself a 3rd class ticket for as little as ₹50 (but be warned, no assigned seating!) If you’re looking for a little bit of comfort, upgrade yourself to a 1st class seat with a bed, sheets, pillow, air-conditioning—the works for ₹1000 (Delhi-Udaipur fare.)
Buses—private or government-run, though a gamble, are cheaper than trains. A private bus will cost you about ₹750 and in some states you can purchase a bed along with your bus ticket—so if your back can handle it, it’s quite the bargain.
Long-distance taxis are slightly more expensive and by slightly we mean eight times the price. Although, if you have a 3-4 buddies to share the ride with, you’re talking ₹2,000 per head which is double of a train ticket but it allows you to make as many pit-stops along the way.
All in all, once you save up on food, travel and stay—you’ve got yourself some wiggle room to pick up local arts, textiles, fabrics and other souvenirs that you’d otherwise think twice before purchasing and some unforgettable experiences to make your trip memorable and noteworthy.
Written by Nazneen Joshi on 2nd Apr 2014