Traveling across India doesn't have to drain your wallet. With smart planning and insider knowledge, you can explore five iconic cities - Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Jaipur, and Goa - for under ₹50,000 per person. Here's exactly how to make it happen.
The Complete Cost Breakdown
Here's how your ₹50,000 budget breaks down for a 10-day, 5-city adventure. These are realistic estimates based on 2025 prices for budget-conscious travelers who want comfort without luxury.
**Transportation: ₹18,000** (Inter-city trains/buses ₹12,000 + Local transport ₹6,000). **Accommodation: ₹15,000** (Budget hotels/hostels at ₹1,500/night average). **Food: ₹8,000** (₹800/day mixing street food and budget restaurants). **Attractions & Activities: ₹6,000**. **Miscellaneous: ₹3,000**. **Total: ₹50,000**
10-Day Itinerary: Five Cities, Maximum Impact
**Days 1-2: Mumbai (The City of Dreams)**
Start in Mumbai. Arrive via budget airlines (book 2-3 months ahead for ₹3,000-4,000) or train. Stay in Colaba or Andheri where budget hostels cost ₹800-1,200/night. Must-visit free attractions: Marine Drive, Gateway of India, Juhu Beach. Paid: Elephanta Caves (₹250 including ferry). Food budget: ₹700-900/day. Use local trains (₹10-50 per ride) and BEST buses. Daily cost: ₹2,200-2,800.
**Days 3-4: Goa (Beach Paradise on a Budget)**
Take overnight sleeper bus from Mumbai to Goa (₹1,200-1,800, saves one night's accommodation). Stay in Anjuna or Arambol - hostels cost ₹600-1,000/night. Free activities: All beaches, Anjuna Flea Market (Wednesday), Portuguese churches. Rent a scooter (₹300-400/day). Food: Beach shacks offer meals at ₹200-400. Daily cost: ₹1,800-2,500.
**Days 5-6: Bangalore (Garden City)**
Fly Goa to Bangalore (book early: ₹2,500-3,500) or take overnight bus (₹1,000-1,500). Stay near MG Road or Koramangala - budget hotels ₹1,200-1,800/night. Free: Lalbagh Garden (₹20), Cubbon Park, ISKCON Temple. Paid: Bangalore Palace (₹280). Food: masala dosa breakfast ₹50-80, lunch buffet ₹150-250. Use Metro and buses. Daily cost: ₹2,200-3,000.
**Days 7-8: Jaipur (The Pink City)**
Take overnight train Bangalore to Jaipur (Sleeper class ₹800-1,200, saves accommodation). Stay in budget hotels near Bani Park (₹1,000-1,500/night). Major attractions: Amber Fort (₹200), City Palace (₹300), Hawa Mahal (₹200). Free: Jal Mahal (view from outside), local bazaars. Food: Rajasthani thali ₹150-250. Daily cost: ₹2,000-2,800.
**Days 9-10: Delhi (The Capital)**
Train from Jaipur to Delhi (₹200-400, just 4-5 hours). Stay in Paharganj (₹800-1,400/night) or hostels in Hauz Khas. Free/cheap: India Gate, Lotus Temple, Humayun's Tomb (₹35), Red Fort (₹35), Jama Masjid. Use Delhi Metro (₹10-60/ride). Food: Paranthe Wali Gali breakfast ₹100-200, street food lunch ₹150-300. Daily cost: ₹2,000-2,800.
Budget Accommodation Strategies
**Hostels Over Hotels:** Hostels (₹600-1,200/night) offer dorm beds with AC, WiFi, and social atmosphere. Top chains: Zostel, goStops, Backpacker Panda. Dorms save 40-60% compared to private rooms.
**Book Direct:** Call hotels directly instead of using OTAs. Many offer 10-20% discount. Ask: 'What's your best walk-in rate?'
**Mid-Week Travel:** Hotels charge 20-40% less Monday-Thursday versus Friday-Sunday. Avoid weekend stays in tourist cities if possible.
**Location Trade-offs:** Stay 2-3 km from main areas. You'll save ₹500-1,000/night and local transport costs just ₹50-100/day.
**Overnight Journeys:** Take overnight trains/buses between cities. Saves accommodation cost (₹1,000-1,500) plus travel time. A sleeper train costs ₹800-1,200, making transport nearly free.
Transportation Money-Saving Hacks
**Book Early, Book Smart:** Train tickets open 120 days in advance - book immediately. Flights are cheapest 6-8 weeks before travel. Tuesday-Thursday departures save 15-30%.
**Train Over Flight:** Sleeper class trains cost 60-80% less than flights. Mumbai-Delhi flight: ₹4,000-8,000. Same route by train: ₹800-1,200. You save ₹3,000-6,000.
**Use Public Transport:** City metros and buses cost ₹10-60 per ride versus ₹200-500 for cabs. Delhi Metro covers entire city, Mumbai local trains are fastest, Bangalore Metro connects major areas.
**Walk When Possible:** Indian cities are chaotic but walkable in tourist zones. Mumbai's Colaba to Gateway: 15-minute walk saves ₹100 cab fare.
**Shared Rides:** Use auto-rickshaw sharing, app-based bike taxis (₹30-80), or local sharing cabs. Mumbai's shared cabs cost ₹10-20 for fixed routes.
Food on a Budget: Eating Well for Less
**Street Food Strategy:** Breakfast from street vendors (₹30-80), lunch at local restaurants (₹150-250 thali with unlimited refills), dinner mixing street food and cafes (₹200-400). Daily food cost: ₹600-900.
**Thali is King:** All-you-can-eat thalis offer incredible value. Unlimited rice, rotis, sabzi, dal, salad, dessert for ₹150-280. You'll be stuffed. Look for places crowded with locals.
**Drink Smart:** Skip bottled juices (₹80-150) and sodas (₹40-80). Drink masala chai (₹10-20), lassi (₹30-60), or sugarcane juice (₹30-50).
**Lunch Over Dinner:** Same restaurant charges 20-40% less for lunch than dinner. Lunch buffets (₹200-350) offer better value than dinner buffets (₹400-600).
**Local Dhabas:** Highway dhabas and local joints charge 50-70% less than tourist restaurants. Ask auto drivers: 'Where do YOU eat?'
Free and Cheap Attractions
**Mumbai Free:** Marine Drive walk, Gateway of India plaza, Juhu Beach, Bandstand promenade, CST exterior, Haji Ali walk, local train ride (₹10).
**Goa Free:** All beaches, Portuguese church visits, Saturday night market (entry free), Panjim heritage walk, Fort Aguada exterior.
**Bangalore Cheap:** Lalbagh Garden (₹20), Cubbon Park (free), ISKCON Temple (free), Bangalore Palace exterior, commercial street shopping.
**Jaipur Budget:** Hawa Mahal exterior photos (free), Jal Mahal view (free), local bazaars. Most monuments charge Indians ₹35-200.
**Delhi Free/Cheap:** India Gate + gardens (free), Lotus Temple (free), Jama Masjid (free), Humayun's Tomb (₹35), Qutub Minar (₹35), Red Fort (₹35).
Best Time for Budget Travel
**Monsoon (July-September):** Hotel rates drop 30-50%, fewer crowds, lush scenery. Downside: rain disrupts plans, some beaches close.
**Shoulder Season (February-March, October-November):** Perfect weather, moderate prices (20-30% less than peak), smaller crowds. Best overall time.
**Avoid Peak Season (December-January):** Goa hotels charge 2-3x normal rates. If you must travel peak season, book 3-4 months ahead.
Money-Saving Power Tips
**Carry Small Notes:** Always have ₹10, ₹20, ₹50 notes. Vendors often claim 'no change' for ₹500 notes. Break large notes at big stores.
**Bargain Smartly:** Markets expect 30-50% bargaining. Start at 50% of quoted price, settle around 60-70%. Never bargain for food or services.
**Travel Light:** Budget airlines charge ₹500-2,000 for checked bags. Pack in cabin luggage (7kg limit) to save.
**ATM Strategy:** Withdraw larger amounts less frequently to minimize ₹20-50 ATM fees. Use bank ATMs over private ones.
**Group Discounts:** Traveling with friends? Share hotel rooms, split cab fares, share meals (thalis are huge).
With planning, flexibility, and willingness to travel like locals, ₹50,000 can give you memories worth millions. Pack your bags, download your travel apps, and embark on India's greatest budget adventure.