Travelling India on a Budget: Lessons from 20 Years on the Road
Travel Tips · 5 July 2026 · 6 min read
India is one of the most affordable travel destinations in the world if you know where to spend and where not to. After two decades of running group tours, here are the principles that consistently make the difference.
India is one of the most affordable travel destinations in the world if you know where to spend and where not to. After two decades of running affordable group tours across the subcontinent, here are the principles that consistently make the difference between a trip that empties your account and one that leaves you money for the next journey.
Indian Railways connects over 7,000 stations and runs more than 13,000 trains a day. For budget travel, the sleeper class (SL) ticket is your best friend: an overnight journey of 8 to 10 hours from Kolkata into Jharkhand or Bihar costs Rs 200 to 400 per person. The same journey by road costs twice as much and takes longer.
Booking on IRCTC 60 days ahead in sleeper class almost always guarantees a confirmed seat. If the journey is longer than 10 hours and overnight, consider upgrading to 3rd AC: the difference is often Rs 200 to 500, and quality sleep is worth every rupee of it.
Eating cheap in India is easy. Eating cheap and well takes a little practice but is entirely achievable everywhere.
Budget travel does not mean spending nothing. It means spending where it matters.
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