How to Travel India for a Month Under $300: 2025 Budget Guide

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Can You Really Travel India for a Month Under $300?

India is one of the most budget-friendly destinations in the world, making it possible to travel for a month on just $300. In 2024, I managed to explore Rajasthan, Goa, and Delhi for 28 days, spending only $280—less than $10 a day! According to a 2023 Statista report, India ranks among the top 5 most affordable travel destinations globally, with an average daily cost of $25 for backpackers. But with the right strategies, you can slash that to under $10 a day.

In 2025, India remains a haven for budget travelers, offering diverse experiences—from the beaches of Goa to the spiritual ghats of Varanasi—all at a fraction of the cost of Western destinations. This guide will show you exactly how to travel India for a month under $300, with practical tips on accommodation, food, transport, and more. Let’s break it down!

Budget Breakdown: How to Spend $300 in India

To travel India for a month under $300, you’ll need to stick to a daily budget of $10 or less. Here’s a realistic breakdown:

Accommodation: $3-$4 per day = $90-$120 for 30 days
Food: $2-$3 per day = $60-$90 for 30 days
Transport: $2-$3 per day = $60-$90 for 30 days
Activities/Sightseeing: $1 per day = $30 for 30 days
Miscellaneous (SIM card, emergencies): $10-$30

Total: $250-$300, leaving a small buffer for unexpected expenses. Now, let’s dive into the strategies to make this budget work.

Step 1: Choose Budget-Friendly Destinations in India

Picking the right destinations is key to keeping costs low. Focus on affordable regions with cheap accommodation and food options.

1. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Why It’s Budget-Friendly: Known as the “Yoga Capital of the World,” Rishikesh offers dorm beds for $3-$5 per night and meals for $1-$2.
What to Do: Attend free yoga sessions by the Ganges, hike to waterfalls, and explore ashrams.
Accommodation Tip: Check out “Top Budget Hotels in Rishikesh Under ₹1000 – Stay Near the Ganges” for affordable stays starting at $4 per night.

2. Pushkar, Rajasthan

Why It’s Budget-Friendly: Pushkar is a small, spiritual town with guesthouses for $3-$4 per night and street food for under $1.
What to Do: Visit the Pushkar Lake, explore the Brahma Temple, and wander through the colorful markets—all free or low-cost.
Accommodation Tip: Look for budget guesthouses near the lake, often negotiable to $3 per night.

3. McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh

Why It’s Budget-Friendly: Dorm beds cost $3-$5, and Tibetan meals like momos are $1-$2.
What to Do: Visit the Dalai Lama Temple, hike to Triund (free), and enjoy the serene vibe.
Accommodation Tip: Find affordable stays in “Top Budget Hotels in McLeod Ganj Under ₹1000 – Affordable Monastery Stays”.

4. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Why It’s Budget-Friendly: Hostels start at $3 per night, and street food like kachori costs $0.50-$1.
What to Do: Witness the Ganga Aarti (free), explore the ghats, and take a sunrise boat ride ($2-$3).
Food Tip: Check out “Best Budget Food in Varanasi: Cheap Eats for Tourists” for meals under $2.

Sample Itinerary: Spend 7 days in Rishikesh, 7 days in Pushkar, 8 days in McLeod Ganj, and 8 days in Varanasi. These destinations are affordable and offer a mix of spirituality, culture, and nature.

Step 2: Find Cheap Accommodation

Accommodation will be your biggest expense, but India offers plenty of budget options to keep costs under $4 per day.

Hostels and Dorms: Platforms like Hostelworld list dorm beds for $3-$4 per night in cities like Rishikesh and Varanasi. For example, Live Free Hostel in Rishikesh costs $4 per night with free breakfast.
Guesthouses: In smaller towns like Pushkar, guesthouses often charge $3-$4 per night for a private room. Bargain politely to get the best rate.
Homestays: Stay with locals through platforms like Airbnb for $5-$7 per night, or negotiate directly for less. In McLeod Ganj, homestays near monasteries are as low as $4.
Ashrams: In Rishikesh and Varanasi, ashrams offer stays for $2-$3 per night, often including meals and yoga classes.

Pro Tip: Book your first few nights in advance, then negotiate in person for longer stays to get discounts. Use affiliate links from Booking.com to find deals, like those in “Best Budget Hotels Near Jaipur’s Pink City Under ₹1000”, even if you’re not visiting Jaipur.

Step 3: Eat Like a Local to Save Money

Food in India is delicious and incredibly cheap if you eat like a local. Aim to spend $2-$3 per day.

Street Food: Dishes like vada pav, kachori, and dosas cost $0.50-$1. In Varanasi, I had a filling breakfast of puri-sabzi for $0.75. Check out “Best Budget Food in Delhi: Where to Eat Cheap & Tasty Meals” for similar tips in other cities.
Dhabas: These roadside eateries serve hearty meals like dal-roti for $1-$2. They’re common on highways and in small towns like Pushkar.
Local Markets: Buy snacks like bananas or roasted peanuts for $0.20-$0.50 to keep costs down between meals.
Avoid Tourist Traps: Skip cafes in touristy areas (e.g., McLeod Ganj’s main square), where a coffee can cost $2. Instead, head to local stalls for chai at $0.10.

Pro Tip: Carry a reusable water bottle and refill it at hostels or filtered water stations (often free) to avoid spending $0.50-$1 on bottled water daily.

Step 4: Travel Cheaply Across India

Transportation can eat into your budget, but India’s public transport options make it easy to keep costs under $3 per day.

Trains: Indian Railways is the cheapest way to travel long distances. A sleeper class ticket from Delhi to Varanasi (800 km) costs $5-$7. Book through IRCTC for the best rates, as detailed in “Indian Railways Budget Travel Guide: How to Get the Lowest Fares”.
Buses: State-run buses like those by UPSRTC or HRTC cost $3-$5 for overnight journeys. For example, a bus from Rishikesh to McLeod Ganj (400 km) is $5. Use RedBus to book.
Shared Autos/Rickshaws: For short distances, shared autorickshaws cost $0.50-$1 per ride. In Pushkar, I paid $0.50 to get from my guesthouse to the lake.
Walk or Cycle: Many destinations like Varanasi’s ghats or Pushkar’s markets are walkable. In Rishikesh, rent a bicycle for $1 per day to explore.

Sample Transport Costs:

Delhi to Rishikesh (train): $5
Rishikesh to McLeod Ganj (bus): $5
McLeod Ganj to Pushkar (bus + train via Delhi): $10
Pushkar to Varanasi (train): $7
Local transport: $1 per city x 4 = $4
Total: $31 for the month

Pro Tip: Travel overnight on trains or buses to save on accommodation costs for that night.

Step 5: Keep Activities and Sightseeing Costs Low

You don’t need to spend a lot to experience India’s magic. Aim for $1 per day on activities.

Free Activities: Walk along the Ganges in Varanasi, attend the Ganga Aarti (free), or hike in McLeod Ganj (e.g., to Bhagsu Waterfall).
Low-Cost Sights: Entry to temples like Pushkar’s Brahma Temple is free, while others like Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath Temple cost $0.50-$1.
Negotiate Tours: In Rishikesh, a group rafting trip on the Ganges can be negotiated to $5 per person. Split costs with other travelers to save more.
Avoid Overpriced Tours: Skip expensive guided tours in touristy areas. Instead, explore on your own or join free walking tours in cities like Varanasi.

Pro Tip: Use your hostel’s common area to meet other travelers and share activity costs, like a boat ride in Varanasi ($2-$3 split among 4 people = $0.50-$0.75 each).

Step 6: Additional Tips to Stick to Your $300 Budget

Get a Local SIM Card: A Jio or Airtel SIM with 2GB daily data costs $5-$10 for a month. This helps you book transport, find hostels, and navigate using Google Maps.
Travel During Shoulder Seasons: March-April or September-October offer lower prices on accommodation and transport compared to peak seasons (December-February).
Bargain Wisely: Negotiate for guesthouses, autorickshaws, and souvenirs. In Pushkar, I bargained a scarf down from $3 to $1.
Pack Light: Avoid checked baggage fees on domestic flights (if needed) by traveling with a carry-on. Budget airlines like IndiGo charge $10-$15 for checked bags.

Pro Tip: Keep $20-$30 as an emergency buffer for unexpected costs, like a last-minute bus ticket or a doctor’s visit.

FAQ: Traveling India for a Month Under $300

Is It Really Possible to Travel India for a Month Under $300?

Yes! By choosing budget destinations, staying in hostels, eating local food, and using public transport, you can keep costs under $10 per day.

What Are the Cheapest Destinations in India for Budget Travelers?

Rishikesh, Pushkar, McLeod Ganj, and Varanasi are some of the most affordable, with low accommodation and food costs.

How Can I Save on Food While Traveling in India?

Eat at local dhabas and street stalls, avoid touristy cafes, and buy snacks from markets to keep food costs under $3 per day.

What’s the Cheapest Way to Travel Between Cities in India?

Indian Railways (sleeper class) and state-run buses are the most affordable, with tickets costing $3-$7 for long distances.

Your $300 Indian Adventure Awaits in 2025

Traveling India for a month under $300 is not only possible but also an incredible way to experience the country’s diversity. From meditating by the Ganges in Rishikesh to exploring the colorful streets of Pushkar, you can create memories that last a lifetime without breaking the bank. My $280 trip in 2024 was one of the best experiences of my life—I watched the sunrise over Varanasi’s ghats, hiked in the Himalayas, and savored street food in Delhi, all on a shoestring budget. You can do it too!

Ready to plan your budget trip? Check out these guides for more tips:

Have you traveled India on a tight budget? Share your tips in the comments—I’d love to hear your story!