The cheapest country in the world is India – Here are some examples

We’ve recently been compiling our Backpacker Index list for 2011, which reveals that most of the cheapest cities in Asia are alse the cheapest cities in the world. In fact, Hanoi, Vietnam comes out the least expensive of all tourist cities in the world, with the state of Goa in India coming in right behind.

Looking at the Asian cities list you’ll notice that there are many destinations in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and even Thailand that are extremely cheap, with the enormous metropolises of Delhi and Mumbai being significantly more expensive. The complication is that outside of India’s huge cities, prices tend to go way down, so when taking the country as a whole, India is definitely the cheapest destination in the world.

Get out of India's biggest cities quickly

Obviously nearly everyone will enter India by flying into Mumbai, Delhi, or perhaps Chennai or Kolkata. Some will immediately transfer to another flight to Goa or another resort area, but for most of us our introduction to this country is by staying in one or these enormous and amazingly overcrowded cities.

There are reports of some travelers just getting right back on a plane home as soon as possible, but it’s definitely worth it to stick it out for at least a couple of days to witness the insanity for yourself. But after that, go elsewhere to experience the magical parts of India, and enjoy the world’s cheapest tourism prices at the same time.

Accommodation prices in India

Thanks to extreme overcrowding that has actually sent real estate prices into the stratosphere, hotels in the large Indian cities tend to start around US$20 per night and go up steeply from there. In fact, it’s hard to find anything in Mumbai in the tourist district for under US$40 per night, and India as a whole has very few hostels to help with the situation.

The good news is that just about every other town that gets tourists at all has private rooms starting at around US$2 per night. That’s right, for rates starting at 100 rupees (US$2.15) you can even find hotels that meet Lonely Planet standards, and quality does tend to go way up for those who are willing and able to pay more. Those on even tighter budgets, and those staying more than a few days in one place can usually negotiate even better rates.

For example, a good-sized room withing walking distance of the beach in Goa, Puri, Pondicherry, or any other coastal town can be found for perhaps US$8 including a refrigerator and cable TV. If you can afford US$20 for a double room you can get something large and spotless with a comfortable bed and plenty of other amenities.

Transportation prices in India

Even though hotels in India’s large cities tend to be somewhat expensive, transportation is incredibly cheap throughout the country.

In fact, Delhi itself has the cheapest taxi prices in the world, and among the cheapest public transportations on the planet as well.

Some examples:

  • Ride on Delhi’s new metro system: US$0.38
  • All-day van and driver in Mumbai or Delhi: US$25 to $30 (including everything for up to 8 hours for 4 people)
  • 16-hour overnight train in the spacious, air-conditioned, and comfortable AC2 class: US$20

Transportation in India is rarely fast, but even domestic flights on local low-cost airlines tend to be incredibly cheap by international standards.

Attraction prices in India

The amazing Taj Mahal costs nearly US$17 to enter, but it’s easily the most expensive attraction in India.

Nearly every other fort or temple complex will be US$5 or even less, and there’s an endless list of free sights and attractions all over the country. In some cases prices for tourists are higher than for locals, but even then you’ll never come across something that feels too expensive for what it is.

Even things like yoga classes are usually just a couple dollars at most, so it’s quite easy to budget virtually nothing for sightseeing and attractions, and be endlessly entertained all day.

Food prices in India

This is where things really get amazing for new visitors. While it’s possible to find meals at tourist restaurants in southeast Asia for between US$1 and US$2 for a main course, it can be difficult to find things that aren’t that cheap in much of India.

Western food is available nearly everywhere, though in some holy cities it will all be vegetarian, and it’s usually easy to get a starter, a main course, and a beverage for under US$2 total, or a breakfast for around US$1.

Probably the best value if you like curries and Indian food in general is the ‘Thali’ (known as a ‘set-menu’ at many places) where you get a metal tray filled with lentil soup, rice, curried vegetables, pickled vegetables, and even curried meat in many places, all for around US$1.50 to US$2. Better still, these meals are generally all-you-can-eat, even though the original portion will be enough for all but the hungriest travelers.

Drink prices in India

Alcohol isn’t easy to find in some parts of India, though it’s usually just a matter of asking a waiter or hotel employee if you don’t see it on the menu, and then paying a small fee for delivery. Still, those who like tea, fresh juices, or yogurt lassis will always find good and cheap options.

Some examples:

  • Black tea in a restaurant: US$0.18
  • Sweet chai tea on a train: US$0.09
  • Coca-cola or other soft drink: US$0.23
  • Fruit lassi (yogurt shake): US$0.45 to US$0.65

For those who like to combine alcohol and travel, India also tends to be incredibly cheap. While it doesn’t have the world’s cheapest draft beer, the 650ml bottles of Kingfisher and other local lagers are usually cold and inexpensive.

Similar to so many other places, local taxes play a big role in the final price for drinks, and they range from moderate in Mumbai and Delhi, to non-existent in Goa or Pondicherry.

  • Large bottle of beer in Mumbai: US$1.80 to US$3.00 at most places
  • Large bottle of beer in Goa: US$0.90 to US$2.00 at most places, including on the beach itself

Liquor and mixed drinks tend to be a bit more expensive than beer, but not by much. If you opt for the locally-made Arak (coconut liquor) it can be even cheaper than beer, though it’s not always safe or legal.

Again, escape the big cities

India is overwhelming to every traveler upon arrival, even those who’ve already filled up their first passport. Most agree that the key to appreciating the country is to head to smaller towns quickly. There are holy towns like Pushkar in Rajasthan and mountain stations like Darjeeling and beach resort towns on both coasts, and all are less insane and far cheaper and more pleasant than Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai.

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  1. Surya Bhattacharya says:

    I’m an Indian, living abroad at the moment, and I’m quite appalled to see the comments left here by my fellow countrymen. There seams to be a major lack of national pride, which is very sad. I love India. And, yes, it is very cheap. And that does not make it an unpleasant place. Cheap does not always mean bad.
    In any case, even if we do have many, or in fact ANY, shortcomings, I suggest not airing our own dirty laundry in public!!

  2. jack sparrow says:

    good analysis

  3. anish varshney says:

    myself anish varshney from india. i have travelled most of the places in india. this report is absolutely correct. best quality experience avilable in very reasonable price

    the standard double bedroom in a 5 star hotel starts from 150$ to 200$
    deluxe double bedroom in a 3star and 4 star hotel may cost around 100$
    first class train fare ranges from 50$ to 100$
    business class airfare for domestic airlines cost around 150$
    mid range hotel vegetarian meal cost around 1.5$
    monthly rent for a luxurious 2bhk apartment cost around 300$
    monthly rent for a deluxe 3bhk apartment with daily room service in city center may cost around 150$

    best three four star hotel chain ginger hotels offer extremely reasonable and discounted rates for deluxe double bedrooms which starts from 20$

    these are the prices for metropolitian cities – mumbai, new delhi, kolkata, chennai. these cost goes down in tier 2 and tier 3 cities like bangalore, pune, hyderabad, ahmedabad but the quality of service is extraordinary.