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20 Budget Friendly Destinations in India For Every Travel Fanatic

Quick answer: The best budget friendly destinations in India range from beach towns like Pondicherry, Gokarna and Goa to hill stations such as Kodaikanal, Munnar, Ooty and Manali, and heritage cities like Jaipur, Agra, Amritsar and Jaisalmer. All 20 places below fit your budget and still give you unforgettable experiences and memories.

Whether you love beaches, treks, temples or deserts, this list of budget friendly destinations in India has something for every travel fanatic.

Budget Friendly Destinations in India by Travel Style

  • Beaches: Pondicherry, Gokarna, Goa, Kanyakumari
  • Hill stations and mountains: Triund, Kodaikanal, Sikkim, Lonavala, Munnar, Ooty, Spiti, Kasol, Manali
  • History and culture: Jaipur, Pushkar, Agra, Amritsar, Jaisalmer
  • Northeast nature: Itanagar, Meghalaya

1. Pondicherry

Pondicherry, a budget friendly beach destination in India
Photo by Kalyan Kanuri, CC BY-SA 2.0

Pondicherry is a beautiful destination that makes you feel you have entered a totally different dimension. Enjoy the beaches and French cuisine the town is known for, and the best part is that it isn’t expensive at all.

2. Triund

Triund trek in the Himalayas, India
Photo by Rignam Wangkhang, CC BY 2.0

Triund is becoming really popular with people who love trekking. Spectacular views, adrenaline rushes and a stunning starry night await you here, all at a price that suits your budget.

3. Gokarna

Beach at Gokarna, Karnataka
Photo by Miran Rijavec, CC BY 2.0

Hotels in Gokarna are cheap, so you don’t have to worry about accommodation. A peaceful holiday with beach walks, temples and really good food is the main draw here.

4. Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal hill station, Tamil Nadu
Photo by GoDakshin, CC BY-SA 2.0

The princess of hill stations is budget friendly and has great street food at very cheap rates. A sightseeing tour of Kodaikanal will definitely make your trip a memorable one.

5. Sikkim

Mountain scenery in Sikkim, India
Photo by Stefan Krasowski, CC BY 2.0

Experience Tibetan culture and great food in this paradise. Hotels and food are quite cheap, so you can plan a long stay. Things to do include:

  • Trekking
  • River rafting
  • Bird watching
  • Cable car rides
  • Yak rides

6. Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari at the southern tip of India
Photo by Mehul Antani, CC BY 2.0

The southern tip of India is a must-visit, as it’s one of a kind. It is full of beauty, and the experience of watching the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet is simply mesmerising.

7. Lonavala

Green hills of Lonavala, Maharashtra
Photo by Amogh Sarpotdar, CC BY-SA 2.0

A family holiday to Lonavala isn’t costly, and it offers many exciting activities such as camping, horse riding, trekking and visiting waterfalls.

8. Munnar

Tea gardens in Munnar, Kerala
Photo by Kerala Tourism, CC BY-SA 2.0

Scenic drives, national park waterfalls and tea gardens are the best things to do in Munnar. It is a pleasant hill station that is also budget friendly.

9. Ooty

Tea plantations in Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Photo by Simply CVR, CC BY-ND 2.0

Ooty is one of the best places to visit in India, and it is pretty cheap. The botanical gardens, tea plantations, fishing and local sightseeing are the best things to do in Ooty.

10. Spiti

Spiti Valley landscape, Himachal Pradesh
Photo by Rajesh, CC BY 2.0

Spiti is the place to go if you like places that are unexplored. Explore the valley on your own and discover its hidden treasures.

11. Goa

Beach in Goa, India
Photo by ruben alexander, CC BY 2.0

Goa is the party capital of India, and you can have the time of your life without spending too much. Beaches, waterfalls and amazing nightlife are all packed into one place.

12. Kasol

Parvati River valley at Kasol, Himachal Pradesh
Photo by Raman Sharma, CC BY 2.0

Kasol is trending among young travellers, and it is quite cheap. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Parvati River and cuisines from all around the world.

13. Jaipur

Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, the Pink City
Photo by PIVISO, Public Domain

Visit the Pink City and take a historical trip through Amer Fort, Jantar Mantar, the City Palace and Hawa Mahal, which will leave you with great memories with friends and family.

14. Itanagar

Natural scenery around Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh
Photo by shankar s., CC BY 2.0

Itanagar has spectacular natural beauty. Visit Ganga Lake, Ita Fort and Polo Park to make your trip complete.

15. Pushkar

Pushkar Lake and ghats, Rajasthan
Photo by Arian Zwegers, CC BY 2.0

This sacred city is home to the Brahma Temple and the beautiful Pushkar Ghat. Pushkar isn’t very expensive, and the evening aarti and jeep safari are experiences not to miss.

16. Agra

Taj Mahal in Agra, India
Photo by Dennis Jarvis, CC BY-SA 2.0

Visiting the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is a must in Agra. Local shops and restaurants are cheap, and the overall experience of the city is very pleasing.

17. Amritsar

Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab
Photo by Meharban Singh Hundal, CC BY 2.0

Soak up the spiritual vibes and visit the Golden Temple. The local dishes are a must-try and will fit your budget perfectly.

18. Manali

Snowy mountains around Manali, a budget friendly destination in India
Photo by Nishanth Jois, CC BY 2.0

Manali is the perfect mix of good food and amazing adventure activities:

  • Go paragliding
  • Head to Rohtang Pass to play in the snow
  • Visit the Hadimba Temple, one of Manali’s most famous sights

19. Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer Fort, the Golden City of Rajasthan
Photo by Koshy Koshy, CC BY 2.0

The Golden City offers experiences you will never forget. The forts, local markets and a sand dune safari are musts when you visit.

20. Meghalaya

Waterfall in Meghalaya, Northeast India
Photo by Hrishikesh Sharma, CC BY-SA 2.0

Magnificent waterfalls, caves and walking amid the clouds are the things to do in Meghalaya. Accommodation and local cuisine aren’t very expensive, so this trip will suit your budget perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which are the cheapest beach destinations in India?

Pondicherry, Gokarna and Goa are all budget friendly, with cheap hotels in Gokarna and plenty of affordable fun in Goa.

What are the best budget hill stations in India?

Kodaikanal, Munnar, Ooty and Manali are great value, and Kasol and Spiti suit travellers looking for something less explored.

Which budget destination in India is best for trekking?

Triund is increasingly popular with trekkers, and Sikkim, Lonavala and Manali also offer treks and adventure activities.

Conclusion

From beaches and hill stations to forts and temples, these budget friendly destinations in India prove you don’t need to spend a fortune for a memorable trip. So what are you waiting for? Grab your suitcase and visit these budget friendly destinations!

Author’s Bio

Rohit, guest author

Rohit is a social worker who aims to preserve the natural beauty of nature. He also likes to travel a lot. To fulfill his dream, he shares his voyage experiences with other people so as to promote magical creations of the nature through his writings. To read about his magical experiences stay tuned to TransIndiaTravels.com

Have you seen something amazing during your travels? Write about it and have it published on Backpackways.com Know How To!

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