There are many beautiful and budget-friendly places to visit in India. Where you can do many adventure and sports activities. If you are planning a trip and are unable to decide which place will be good according to your budget, then we find the best budget-friendly places to visit in India. These places give you a peaceful atmosphere and beautiful natural views like snow-capped mountains and greenery. At these places, you can do boating, river rafting, skiing, bungee jumping, etc.
If you are ready to explore and create unforgettable memories, you can choose one of the places below. These are the cheapest places to visit in India with your friends and family.
1. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Rishikesh is one of the most economical places to visit in India. It gives you a beautiful view of nature and takes you closer to nature. There you can try lots of activities, like river rafting, bungee jumping, and many other activities at affordable prices. But you need to bargain on every activity. Here you can easily find hotels and hostels at cheap rates. This is the perfect budget-friendly place in India for a trip.
Why Visit?
- Affordable yoga and meditation retreats.
- Free or low-cost entry to temples and ghats.
- Budget-friendly adventure activities.
2. Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Manali is another beautiful and popular tourist destination in India. Manali is one of the best budget-friendly places to visit in India. Here you can easily complete your trip in less than 8000 rupees by staying in Manali for 4-5 days. This is the perfect amount for the Manali trip. I am also went to Manali in January 2025, and we are around 9 friends, and our cost is around 7000 per person, which includes bus tickets.
There you can visit many popular places, like Solang Valley, Hidimba Temple, Hamta Pass and many other places. According to me, this is the perfect and cheap tourist place to visit in India with friends. You just need to know how to bargain with taxi drivers and find cheap hotels and hostels.
Why Visit?
- Budget homestays and hostels with mountain views.
- Affordable local Himachali cuisine.
- Low-cost adventure activities.
Know More About Manali: Best Places To Visit in Manali
3. Hampi, Karnataka
Hampi is located in Karnataka, in the south part of India. It is also a popular tourist destination. You can visit many temples here and learn about their history. It gives you natural landscapes and budget homestays. For this reason, this is one of the most affordable places to visit in India.
Why Visit?
- Budget-friendly guesthouses and hostels.
- Affordable local cuisine.
- Free or low-cost entry to historical sites.
4. McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh
McLeod Ganj is a popular and beautiful hill station in Himachal Pradesh. It offers you beautiful mountain views and many other sports activities. Here you can find affordable homestays, cheap eateries, and free meditation sessions. Making it one of the cheapest tourist places in India. You can easily take a 4-5 day trip on a budget.
Why Visit?
- Budget-friendly Tibetan cuisine.
- Affordable trekking options like Triund.
- Free entry to monasteries and temples.
5. Pondicherry (Puducherry)
If you want to take Goa vibes on a budget, then Pondicherry is the perfect place for you. It gives you many beach options and a lovely atmosphere. Here, you can easily rent a bicycle and guesthouses and homestays at very affordable prices. It is also the best budget-friendly destination in India.
Why Visit?
- Affordable French and South Indian cuisine.
- Low-cost accommodation in heritage guesthouses.
- Free beaches and spiritual experiences.
6. Jaipur, Rajasthan
Jaipur is another beautiful and affordable destination in India. Here you can visit many places, learn about Rajasthani culture, and create unforgettable memories with friends and family. This one of the best budget friendly places to visit in India Because here you will find affordable hotels and restaurants for lunch, dinner, and breakfast. Also, you can save your money by using Jaipur metro. You can easily reach your destination by metro at a very cheap price.
Why Visit?
- Budget-friendly heritage stays.
- Affordable local transport like auto-rickshaws.
- Cheap and delicious Rajasthani cuisine.
7. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Another beautiful and popular destination in Himachal Pradesh is Shimla. If you plan a budget-friendly trip, Shimla and Manali come to everyone’s mind. Because it gives you many things to do at an affordable price. In winters, you can enjoy snowfall; in summers, you can see greenery and beautiful mountains. Apart from this, there are many activities you can do here. Shimla is one of the cheapest tourist places in India. Easily take a 4-5day trip in less than 7000.
Why Visit?
- Budget-friendly hotels and guesthouses.
- Affordable local food and snacks.
- Free or low-cost entry to scenic spots.
8. Pushkar, Rajasthan
pushkar is located near Ajmer, Rajasthan. It is also a good place to visit. It gives an opportunity for you to learn about Rajasthani culture and visit temples at free and cheap rates. From here, you can also visit Ajmer. It’s one of the most budget-friendly places to visit in India, with cheap hotels and street food.
Why Visit?
- Budget-friendly guesthouses and campsites.
- Affordable camel safaris.
- Free or donation-based temple visits.
9. Darjeeling, West Bengal
Darjeeling, a wonderful hill station in West Bengal. It gives you a beautiful nature view and some unforgettable experiences, like toy trains, seeing tea gardens, and many other things. It is one of the very cheapest tourist places in India. Here you can easily find hotels and hostels and transport services at affordable prices.
Why Visit?
- Budget-friendly homestays with mountain views.
- Affordable local cuisine like momos and thukpa.
- Low-cost toy train rides.
Tips for Budget Travel in India
- Travel Off-Season: In peak season, everyone wants higher prices for everything like hotels, transportation, food, etc. So try to travel a little before the peak season or in the off season.
- Use Public Transport: Use the cheapest way to travel, like a train, bus, or sharing taxi, and use other affordable methods.
- Eat Local: Street food and local eateries are not only affordable but also delicious.
- Stay in Hostels or Homestays: Find affordable hotels and homestays. Also, you can choose dorms at cheap prices.
- Bargain in Everything: Always bargain in everything. They ask you a lot of money for everything, but you can bargain according to your budget.
You get many affordable places to visit in India. All these places are very cheap to visit. All these places are famous for their different specialties. If you plan a trip with your friends and family, then you can choose places from this list according to your preference. These are all budget-friendly places to visit in India. So let’s pack your bag and go to creating your unforgettable memories.
