When you think of a 2-week India budget, a realistic spending plan for exploring India over 14 days without overspending. Also known as budget India trip, it's not about skipping experiences—it's about choosing them wisely. Most travelers assume India is cheap, but without a clear plan, you can still blow through cash on overpriced tours, inflated guesthouses, or surprise transport fees. The truth? You can travel deeply across India for under $500 USD in two weeks if you know where to focus.
A budget travel India, a style of traveling that prioritizes local experiences, public transport, and simple stays to minimize costs. Also known as backpacking India, it works best when you link destinations that are close and share similar costs. For example, combining South India’s backwaters in Kerala with temple towns like Madurai and Mysore keeps transport simple and accommodation affordable. You won’t need luxury trains or five-star hotels to feel the soul of India—just a clean guesthouse, a local bus, and a plate of dosa for under $2. Even in tourist-heavy areas like Goa or Jaipur, you can find private rooms for $10–$15 a night if you avoid the beachfront or palace-view spots.
India travel budget, the total amount of money needed for food, lodging, transport, and activities over a specific trip duration in India. The magic number for a 2-week trip? $350–$500 USD. That covers everything: $10 a day for food (street food + local cafes), $12 a night for a clean room, $50 for intercity buses or trains, and $20 for temple entry fees or guided walks. Skip the fancy tours—many of India’s best moments are free: watching sunrise at Varanasi’s ghats, wandering through Kerala’s spice markets, or riding a cycle rickshaw through a village. You don’t need to pay for a guide to understand the history of a temple. Just show up, take off your shoes, and watch how locals pray.
Many travelers make the mistake of trying to cover too much. A affordable India trip, a travel experience in India designed to deliver rich cultural exposure while keeping expenses low. doesn’t mean hopping from Delhi to Ladakh to Goa. That’s a recipe for exhausted days and expensive flights. Stick to one region. South India is perfect for budget travelers: low costs, great food, easy transport, and fewer crowds than the north. Or try Rajasthan’s lesser-known towns like Jaisalmer or Bundi instead of Jaipur. You’ll save money and still get the colors, culture, and history.
Food is where you save the most. Eat where the locals eat. A thali in a small town costs less than $3. A plate of chaat on the street? $0.50. Bottled water? $0.25. Skip the tourist restaurants with English menus—they charge triple. And don’t worry about "missing out" on fine dining. India’s real flavor is in the alleyways, not the hotels.
Transport is your next big cost. Trains are cheap and reliable. Book second-class sleeper tickets online ahead of time. Buses? Even cheaper. Overnight buses save you a night’s stay. For short distances, auto-rickshaws are fine if you negotiate the fare before getting in. Never take a taxi from the airport unless you’ve fixed the price in advance.
What you’ll find in the posts below are real examples of how people stretched their dollars across India—whether it’s surviving on $500 for a weekend getaway, understanding why South India draws more foreign tourists on a budget, or learning how much a full South India trip actually costs in 2025. These aren’t theoretical tips. They’re from people who did it. You can too.
Find out exactly how much money you need to travel to South India for two weeks, from budget backpacking to luxury stays. Real costs for food, transport, hotels, and tours.