Are you a student looking to explore this vibrant, diverse country on a shoestring budget? Not a problem! Here, we describe 10 top destinations within the country of India that students can afford to visit without ever feeling like paupers. From rich historical heritage to magnificent landscapes to mouth-watering street foods, India has it all.
Walk around the local bazaars of Delhi and experience the bargaining for nice handicrafts and popular street foods. In Agra, the colossal Taj Mahal stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Wonder at the holy city of Varanasi, where spirituality is at its best and from where its sacred Ganges brings invigorating mystic rituals.
Trekkers and nature lovers of the Great Himalayan beauty will find the landscapes breathtaking in McLeod Ganj and Rishikesh. A truly relaxing experience will be lying on Goa’s beautiful beaches or taking a cruise in the backwaters of Kerala. One can experience so much, from India’s bustling metropolis of Mumbai to the gentle quietude of Jaisalmer, even on a student trip on a budget to India.
Be geared up to have one of the most memorable rides, wherein we strive to take you through the Best Travel Places for Students in India. Let’s start discovering!
India on a Student Budget: Travel Tips
So, traveling on a tight student budget to India is rewarding, and engaging, but quite meticulous first up. To begin with, travelers need to show utter flexibility with their travel dates and itinerary. India being a very large country definitely has costs highly diversified in the areas, and it changes a lot based on the season and place. And since the plans are made flexible, you can grab better deals and stretch the best out from that Budget of yours.
Another key secret is using local transport. Though long-distance trains and flights are expensive, India also has enough network of local buses, auto-rickshaws, and Metro systems that are often too cheap. Understand the varied transports available in each city and how to do the haggling with drivers for the best deals. Also, remember to avail yourself of ride-sharing apps like Uber or Ola, which are generally much cheaper than traditional taxis.
Look for pocket-friendly places of stay, for example, hostels, guesthouses, or rental private houses available on Airbnb. This will definitely save you truckloads of cash and, at the same time, get you to know the indigenous culture of the local people and other tourists. Be receptive to sharing rooms or dormitories because this will reduce the charges further. With this flexible approach and preparedness to carry out some research, it is very possible to get a safe and comfortable place, even if on a student’s budget.
Must Visit Places in North India
One of the must-visit places in North India is the vibrant land of Delhi, the capital of India. Delhi is the epitome of dissimilar cultures and a distinctive fusion of ancient history with the advent of modern urbanization. Get in the busy large-hearted bazaars of Old Delhi, where bargaining is a way of reducing spice, textiles& handicraft prices to the lowest levels of worth. Walk to the iconic Red Fort—listed under the UNESCO World Heritage provisional site—and you will witness the Mughal architectural splendor. Enjoy natural street foods here, from tasty chaat to the famous kebabs.
Another gem in North India is Agra, the city in which the world-famous Taj Mahal is located. This amazing white marble mausoleum, erected by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife, is irresistible for every wanderer. The Taj Mahal can be expensive to actually enter, but even seeing it from the outside or visiting during off-peak times would make it measure fully both in soft light and against large crowds. Not far is the beautiful Agra Fort, another World Heritage site, done in a style that showcases the exceptionally brilliant minds who designed Mughal architectural creations.
Varanasi, one of the holiest cities on the banks of the sacred Ganges River, is culturally and spiritually enriching and is a place to visit in North India. You can watch the magical Ganga Aarti, in which priests perform an act of offering to the river. Otherwise, you can ride a boat against the gahts (steps descending down to the rivers) and see local life and their day-to-day activities from your perspective. Walk around the alleys of maze-like narrow streets where you will come across a myriad of temples, shrines, and local markets offering you a way different culture than your own.
Must visit tourist destinations in South India
Located in the southern part of the country is the dynamic city of Mumbai—formerly Bombay. Being the financial and entertainment capital, Mumbai has a lot to offer the shoestring traveler. Visit the iconic Gateway of India, which is a large arch overlooking the Arabian Sea, and check out the lively market district called Colaba Causeway, full of street food, handicrafts, and old shops. Don’t forget to go to Dhobi Ghat—the world’s largest open-air laundromat, where you can watch this incredibly peculiar and centuries-old tradition of washing clothes by hand.
Further down south, the state of Kerala is an absolute gem for a poor traveler. Aptly called “God’s Own Country,” this place is plain beautiful, ranging from serene backwaters to unspoiled beaches. Come and explore the tranquil backwaters now for a day cruise in a traditional houseboat with a view of the local people doing their daily work. One can relish delectable Keralan food. As for the beaches, for perfect pictures one heads to Kovalam and Varkala, both budget options with impressive cliff backdrops of golden sands and a very relaxed feel.
Another place worth visiting in South India is Bangalore, also called the “Silicon Valley of India.” With this name, one gets an understanding that it has a lot to do with the boom of information technology, but Bangalore has much more to offer at reasonable costs. Visit the rich, colorful gardens of Lalbagh, a quiet oasis in the bustling city, or see the Vidhana Soudha, an enormous Neo-Dravidian building housing the State Legislature. The city streets are bursting with street vendors selling some of the most treasured South Indian treats—dosa, idli, or vada—all for a very pocket-friendly price.
Travel Destinations in East India
Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, is a city in Eastern India—always one of the key places to be for budget travelers. Very rich in history and a melting pot for cultures throughout centuries, Kolkata, with its vibrant street life and culinary tastes, is one of the hippest places in India that people long to visit. Visit the Victoria Memorial, an exceptional and stunning white marble monument commemorating the Empress of the British Empire, to get lost in the liveliness of Burrabazar’s markets, where one can get a bit of everything, from local handicrafts to textiles at cheap prices. People who are fond of food are definitely recommended to try out some on the streets of this city; they have the most famous jhal muri in the world and also rosogolla.
Another good destination, also in East India, is the peaceful and religious city of Bodh Gaya. The city is where Buddha himself had been enlightened. It is a hub for Buddhists to come and be near the Schools and essentially the teachings and practices of Buddhism. Experience the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mahabodhi Temple and witness the daily rituals and meditation done here by visitors. From there, you can explore the nearby monasteries and temples, which reveal to one the very rich heritage and culture of Buddhism. Budget-friendly, with many low-cost accommodations and vegetarian restaurant facilities that serve local cuisine very well priced.
If you love traveling along with nature, this northeast Indian state is so beautiful. Sikkim is sandwiched among the grandeur of the Himalayas, full of beautiful landscapes, unspoilt alpine lakes, and diverse wildlife. Plan a trip to the alluring Tsomgo Lake or to Baba Mandir from the capital city of Gangtok. Get a real feel of the indigenous culture by visiting some traditional Tibetan monasteries and walking through the village, where you can get in touch with the friendly locals and savor real Sikkimese cuisine.
Must-visit destinations for travel in West India
All travelers on a budget must visit the beautiful city of Jaipur, also known as the “Pink City,” in the western part of India. Visit the marvelous Amber Fort, a listed heritage monument by UNESCO. It bears witness to the greatness of Rajput architecture or strolls in the busy, crowded alleys of Johari Bazaar, where you shall be flooded with colorful textiles, jewelry, and handicrafts at dirt-cheap prices. Be sure not to miss the famous Hawa Mahal, a five-story palace with an intricate honeycomb screen, and the tranquil Jal Mahal, the beautiful water palace in the middle of the lake.
Further to the West, you arrive in the desert city of Jaisalmer, known as the “Golden City”. This is perhaps the greatest hidden budget treasure in the land. Walk through the snake-like lanes of historic Jaisalmer Fort, one of the biggest inhabited forts in the world, and explore the multistoried havelis with their delicate work on yellow workmanship of yellow sandstone. Head on out into the vast Thar Desert on a camel safari for what promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime special sunset, followed by a night under the stars at a traditional desert camp.
A bit of Goa, the western part of India in its coastline, will bring about the beach love in you. Known for its very relaxed atmosphere, stunning beaches, and nightlife—one could ever want. A visit to Goa is all about witnessing bygone, centuries-old, charming, Portuguese-influenced architectural wonder in the historic town of Old Goa or resting on the lovely beaches of Anjuna, Vagator, or Arambol with a stay at budget accommodations and delectable seafood. Don’t forget to visit one of Goa’s most renowned flea markets. There are many handcraft pieces, various types of clothes, and little knick-knacks at very reasonable prices.
Off-the-beaten-path destinations in India
Besides the must-visits, which overwhelm people with quantity, here are some places that are not swarmed but rather offbeat-good-going, and which the students can put down on their list of itineraries. One such place of visit is the serene hill station of McLeod Ganj in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh. Located in the lap of the great Himalayas, the small town is the archetypal spiritual and cultural hub of Tibetan folk exiled in India, which gives it the name of Little Lhasa. Take a walk one of these days through the dense hills, visit the Tibetan monasteries, and inhale the peace that reigns there. Accommodation and food in McLeod Ganj are quite inexpensive, making it a perfect destination for a budget traveler.
Another destination that is not that popular is the holy city of  Rishikesh in the Indian Himalayas. This place is called the “Yoga Capital of the World”. It’s an excellent harmonization of spiritual and adventure experiences. Attend yoga and meditation classes, discover the quiet ashrams, and dine in the culinary capital of the country’s lively vegetarian community. If you like adventure sports, you name it and it is there in Rishikesh: river rafting, trekking, and cliff jumping, to name a few, at prices that will not take a toll on your pocket. Hampi is an insight into the remains of the awesome Vijayanagar Empire. Amidst the historic architecture, one can experience typical village lives and soak into the culture at Hampi. Staying and eating in Hampi is very economical. Overall, a cost-effective destination for a trip.
Budget-friendly accommodations in India
Affordable places of accommodation are vital in traveling in India with a student budget. Fortunately, plenty of options are at hand to support this category of travelers. Among the most popular and cheapest variants are hostels, available in almost every big city and main tourist places. Not only will hostels provide basic but comfortable accommodations, but they will also give one an excellent chance to get acquainted with fellow travelers and soak up the local culture.
Another very budget option is guesthouses or budget hotels. Often these will offer accommodation that is clean and comfortable at a fraction of the price of much larger facilities. Many guesthouses operate with a family at their head, which gives another local touch to the experience. Only make sure to research the best deals in online reviews and to compare prices.
Offering something a bit more unique and immersive, there is the other option of staying through a homestay or with a local family. These types of accommodations offer a steep discount and an opportunity to learn about the local customs, cuisine, and way of life. Many such stay options are in rural or off-the-path locales, which allow you truly an Indian experience.
Local Transport in India
Being so vast and diverse, it is not easy to navigate through India’s large transport network, which, however, becomes an essential part of traveling on a shoestring. Get to know well the numerous local transport options in different cities or districts.
Probably the most economical and utilized mode of transportation in India is the local bus system. Buses can be considered an excellent plan to travel around the country, just because they often go throughout places, even in the most removed areas. While they may not appear to be the most comfortable and efficient mode of transport, they save the budget from huge costs that could have been otherwise taken over by private taxis or long-distance trains.
Another cheap option is through the use made available by the megacities of Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata of their efficient and ultramodern public transportation network operated via a metro or subway system, which is easy on the pocket and an easy way to get around the urban areas.
For shorter distances within cities, auto-rickshaws or local taxis can be considered. Even though auto-rickshaws are relatively expensive compared to most public transportation, you can make a bargain on the fare with the driver, giving you a better deal. Besides these, you’ll be able to exploit ride-sharing applications like Uber and Ola, which are relatively cheap compared to contracted regular taxicabs services available in most cities.
Conclusion
Traveling to India’s pulsating and diversified country with a student’s pocket pinch promises to be an experience like never before. Take the given advice and explore the best of India without burning a hole in your pocket. Consider the cost-friendly destinations that India offers, right from cities to nature with all its tranquility.
Be a flexible, open-minded, and ready-to-immersion person in local cultures. Learn negotiating for everything, public means of transport, and how to live in budget hotels for purposes of making the budget cover long travel. Whether you are one interested in history, spiritually inclined, adventurous, or just like experiencing a completely different culture, India has the experience waiting for you.
Pack your bags, get a spirit of exploration, and get ready for the most amazing journey through the wonders of India. Rightly said, it’s a journey where each step is preplanned, but certainly, there is an essence of exploration to live a moment. Happy traveling!
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