“How to travel cheap in India” – India is not at all expensive as compared to western countries but for Indians , How ?
I am shyam and I am almost travelling solo for almost 13 years and covered most of the India . In my mind the main expenses comes from the transport and accommodation . As if you don’t choose for expensive restaurant meal is still cheap in India and also there lots of Temple and Gurudwara which provide free meal to general public . So lets start with one by one
Saving Money on transport :
- If you have time in hand and the place of tour is not island like lakshadeep or andaman and nicobar then avoide flight as transport . In any tour flight ticket is the major expenses almost half the expenses incured from flight in a 7 day tour .
- Though get a cheaper flight still airport to the city centre travel is expensive . Always take metro if it is available there as this is another major expenses .
- Cover the longer distance in train . Train is the cheapest and convient option .
- In winter time for longer tour in train you may prefer sleeper class as it is cheap . In my opinion cleanlyness is same in every coach it is just a tag .
- for shorter distance you may prefer general coach in train upto 250 km , not more than that .
- For going deep into interior prefer state buses of that state , as this are cheap rather than private vehicle .
- In city always use Metro train rather than buses . This is most efficent .
- Also you may use local train or ferry services rather than bus . This are both time saving and also cheap .
- If the tourist destination is offbit then definately hire a bike or cycle rather than a auto this will save lots of money .
- You may try for Hitchiking , But I don’t prefer it . As you should have the confidence and paitence to get a perfect cab.
- In India taxies are the most expensive so avoid if you want to travel cheap .
- For Mountain travel go in a shared Jeep or Bus otherwise they will charge very high .
Saving Money on accomodation :
- Cheapest accomodation is in the Hostel where 6/8/12 people share a room . Here mostly bunk beds are placed and there is a commmon toilet .
- Next cheapest option comes as ‘Dharmasala’ or ‘Guest House ‘
- Hotels are most expensive and if you prefer star rating Hotels .
- Cheapest option is couch surfing . Where you don’t have to pay anything in reply .
- If you prefer to make night journey in trains/buses you will save both the accomodation cost as well as the time . Because in every road there is heavy traffic in day time .
Savings money on Food :
- Better to make a small portable oven . Cooking your own meal will drastically reduce the cost of your travelling even 1-2 times .
- In countries like India , where drinking water from tubewell or tap is not safe . Better to take a filteration water bottle . Which will saves lots of money and also safe for you .
- Better to eat in street vendors rather than in a Resturent . This will save money but before eating in a street vendor check the Hygine condition .
- Eat Fruits a lot rather than to fast food . I thing seasonal fruits are cheaper than those items never heand good for health .
- If you have credit card then always use the facility of Airport Lounges , as in the airport any food price is 3-4 times higher than normal prices. So never hesitate to take that service , this will give full stomach food for no money or nominal price .
