30tips and tricks for

cheap traveling

around india

start in rainy season

If you visit a country just before monsoon time/scorching heat, the prices are substantially lower. Best to go in the beginning of summer, in December and January you need a bigger wallet.

easy prepaid taxi

Frontal attack from the rickshaw drivers anytime you walk out of the airport can can be a bit much on the tired mind. You can pay the ticket for the prepaid taxi and get away hassle free.

cheap and cheaper rooms

Hotel managers usually want to sell you better and pricier rooms. Always ask for a room without air-con and TV. “Do you have anything cheaper?” Is always a good question. Be mindful of taxes.

lonely planet

To have or not to have? Depends. If you need to have a book in your hand, yes. But if you don’t want to spend money on a guide, try with Tripadvisor and WikiTravel. Everyone visits the same places with Lp anyway.

internet access on your phone

It’s good to obtain an Indian SIM card with some money to have Google maps, Tripadvisor and some forums right on the spot. We recommend Vodafone where you pay 5 eur for 1GB.

taj mahal can wait

Incredible India must-see sights are quite expensive. You can avoid them, because they’re not going anywhere and you can visit with a bigger wallet.

10 and 20 inr savings

Bargaining is a way of life for Indians so don’t be afraid-bargain your ass off! Even for 10 or 20 IDR. It won’t hurt them, but you can have a beer or two more in the end.

all in for the sleeper trains

Be sure to buy as many train tickets on the railway stations as possible, as they are cheaper than in travel agencies. Take the Sleeper Class. It’s quite a comfortable Indian experience.

thoserikshawprices

Sometimes 150, sometimes 80, you never know on the soot. It’s better to save some nerves and ask locals or the hotel manager how much you should pay for a ride. You can get a better price with that in mind.

toilet paper and soap ‘to go’

Some hotels (even Starbucks and McDonalds) give you small soaps and toilet paper as much as you want. Take them and use them later. It won’t hurt them, but you will be saved from buying the expensive items.

BarBer not razors

Razorblades are quite expensive in India and while traveling get often dirty. Local barber can shave you for small money and make your face like a baby’s bum! You get a mini head massage, too.

hard soap very cheap

Mosquito repellents (no DEET, tough), toothpaste and hard soaps cost almost nothing, so don’t bring too much of that. On the other hand, shampoo, shower gels and paper products are very expensive.

0,5 € Break-fast

When the heat and noise from the street wakes you up, try eggs, tea and a samosta from the steet vendors. Delicious and super cheap.

stay full with thali

Thali is a never-ending dish. All you can eat rice and a couple of side dishes are splattered on your plate. And you can ask for more. Only 0,5 € for a feast and a constipation.

water heater for a snack

If you are like Mic, hungry all the time, travel water heater can become your best friend. You can fund instant soups anywhere, you can also have some tea with it.

5 liter water

If you are stationed for some time in on place, buy water in 5 liter containers. It’s much cheaper.

cheap Beer

You don’t find beer just anywhere in India, except Goa. It’s quite expensive in bars and it’s only sold in liquor shops, where there’s looooaaads of people. Pay someone 20 IDR to buy you a cheap beer there.

those days

I can tell you first hand that menstrual cup works just fine in India, even better sometimes because of the small ‘backside’ shower. Save on tampons and pads.

try an ashram

Ashrams are usually very cheap or based on donation. You get food and accommodation there. If you like meditation and yoga, a week in an ashram cane be a great getaway.

free meal

Some holy places like Golden Temple in Amritsar offers you a free meal. It’s delicious. Just don’t leave anything on your plate.

leaving on a jet plane

India is so big, you just need to fly sometimes. Check out SpiceJet, IndieGo and JetConnect and be careful to un-check the meal on the plane (sometimes is checked by default).

Bring your own food

Sometimes you need to spend a night on the airport. Food is very expensive there, so bring some cookies or a samosa.

local Buses

Which in India means to 300 km it’s good to use the local bus. There’s always enough of them and you can get a ticket on the bus. No need to bargain because you even get a ticket.

Bigger doesn’t mean more €

It’s a myth that are bigger cities more expensive. You can always find some backpacker district, you just need some research.

eat down-stairs

When you enter a restaurant, they will try to take you upstairs to a room with air-con. It can be freezing and the prices are more expensive. Save your throat and enjoy the wiev from downstairs with locals.

take a few steps

Take a few steps on the street looking for a rickshaw. Taxis and rickshaw in front of the railway station are more expensive. Take a walk, have a chai and ask for the best price.

don’t Book in advance

Rooms on the spot have always proved to be the cheapest as booking only means more money. And remember, India always has a ‘plan G’ in mind for you. No need to pay for a room you won’t use if your train is late.

write down the daily expenses

Notebook, spreadsheet or anything else. Note every IDR and limit yourself to a certain amount. It’s ok if you go over, just maybe skip that beer tomorrow.

loose the Bad con-science

Thousands of faces, thousands pairs or un-pairs of hands and feet, thousands of blind eyes will ask you for money. It’s your right to say ‘no’, just do it with a gentle smile.

enjoy.

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