You do not need a big salary to see the best of this country. Some of the cheapest places in India are also the most beautiful. Think of old temple towns, quiet hill villages and soft sandy beaches. In many of them, you can live well on ₹1,000 to ₹1,800 a day.
This guide lists the 25 cheapest places to visit in India right now. For each one, you get a rough daily budget, the best time to go and simple tips to save money. Use it to pick your next trip, book your train early and go.
How We Picked the Cheapest Places to Visit in India
Every place on this list passed four simple tests:
- Cheap beds: clean dorms or rooms under ₹800 a night.
- Cheap food: a filling local meal under ₹150.
- Easy access: a train station or a direct bus within a few hours.
- Free sights: lots to see without paying entry fees.
All costs are rough figures for 2026. Prices rise in peak season and on long weekends, so check before you book. Even the cheapest places get pricey during festivals.
Quick Budget Table: Cheapest Places at a Glance
| Place | State | Daily budget (per person) | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hampi | Karnataka | ₹1,000–1,500 | Oct–Feb |
| Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh | ₹1,000–1,500 | Oct–Mar |
| Rishikesh | Uttarakhand | ₹1,000–1,600 | Sep–Nov, Feb–Apr |
| Pushkar | Rajasthan | ₹1,000–1,500 | Oct–Mar |
| McLeod Ganj | Himachal Pradesh | ₹1,200–1,800 | Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov |
| Gokarna | Karnataka | ₹1,200–1,800 | Oct–Mar |
| Orchha | Madhya Pradesh | ₹900–1,400 | Oct–Mar |
| Pondicherry | Puducherry | ₹1,500–2,200 | Oct–Mar |
The 25 Cheapest Places to Visit in India
1. Hampi, Karnataka
Hampi is a giant open-air museum. Ruined temples sit among huge orange boulders. Most of the site is free to walk around, and only a few monuments charge a small fee. Rent a bicycle for about ₹100 a day and explore at your own pace. Simple guesthouses cost ₹500 to ₹900 a night. That is why Hampi tops our list of the cheapest places in India.
2. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Watching the evening Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat costs nothing. A sunrise boat ride costs ₹150 to ₹300 per person if you share. Street food like kachori sabzi and lassi keeps meals under ₹100. Few cheapest places offer this much culture for so little.
3. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Rishikesh mixes yoga, rafting and riverside cafés. Hostels start near ₹400 a bed, and ashrams often include simple meals. Walking across Ram Jhula and joining the Triveni Ghat aarti are free. For a full plan, read our guide to Rishikesh on a Budget: Cheap Stays, Food and a 3-Day Itinerary.
4. Pushkar, Rajasthan
This small holy town wraps around a calm lake. Rooftop cafés serve thalis for ₹150. The climb to Savitri Temple at sunrise is free and the views are huge. Pushkar is one of the cheapest places for a slow, peaceful week.
5. McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh
Home to the Dalai Lama’s temple, McLeod Ganj feels calm and friendly. Thukpa and momos cost ₹80 to ₹120. The Triund trek is a great free day out. Overnight HRTC buses from Delhi are cheap and comfortable enough. Among the cheapest places in the hills, it is the easiest to reach.
6. Gokarna, Karnataka
Gokarna is the quiet cousin of Goa. Beach huts at Kudle and Om Beach cost ₹600 to ₹1,000. Walk the cliff trail between beaches for free. Fish thalis cost around ₹150. If you want the cheapest places by the sea, start here.
7. Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
Orchha has palaces, cenotaphs and a sleepy river, but very few crowds. One combined ticket covers most monuments. Rooms start under ₹700. It ranks among the cheapest places for history lovers.
8. Pondicherry, Puducherry
The French Quarter’s yellow streets are free to wander. Rent a scooter for about ₹350 a day. Stay in guesthouses away from the seafront to pay less. Read our full guide to Pondicherry on a Budget: An Affordable 3-Day Coastal Holiday.
9. Kasol, Himachal Pradesh
Kasol sits in the Parvati Valley among pine forests. Riverside camps and hostels cost ₹400 to ₹800. Walk to Chalal or Tosh for free mountain views. Backpackers love it as one of the cheapest places in Himachal.
10. Bir Billing, Himachal Pradesh
Bir is famous for paragliding, but the town itself is cheap and quiet. Monasteries, tea gardens and sunset points are free. Dorm beds cost around ₹500, which keeps Bir among the cheapest places for adventure.
11. Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Tirthan is a green river valley near the Great Himalayan National Park. Homestays with meals cost ₹1,200 to ₹1,800 for two. Trout, apples and forest walks make it special.
12. Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Rajasthan’s only hill station is cool and easy on the wallet. Nakki Lake and Sunset Point are free. The Dilwara Jain Temples have free entry with strict photo rules. It is one of the cheapest places to escape the desert heat.
13. Bundi, Rajasthan
Bundi has blue houses, stepwells and painted palaces. It gets a fraction of Jaipur’s crowds. Havelis turned into guesthouses start near ₹800.
14. Mandu, Madhya Pradesh
Mandu is a ruined hilltop fort city with Afghan-style palaces. Rooms are cheap and the views are free. Visit in the monsoon when everything turns green. Mandu is one of the cheapest places in central India.
15. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
The famous carved temples have a low entry fee for Indian visitors. Rent a bicycle to see the eastern and southern groups. Many budget hotels sit near the bus stand.
16. Bodh Gaya, Bihar
This is where the Buddha found enlightenment. Monasteries built by many countries are free to visit. Some even offer cheap, clean rooms for pilgrims. It is one of the cheapest places for a calm, spiritual trip.
17. Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
The Shore Temple and rock-cut caves are a short bus ride from Chennai. Seafood is fresh and cheap. Guesthouses near the beach start around ₹800.
18. Varkala, Kerala
Varkala’s red cliffs drop straight onto the beach. Stay a few lanes back from the cliff to save money. It is one of the cheapest places for a beach break in the south.
19. Darjeeling, West Bengal
Watch sunrise over Kanchenjunga, then sip tea at a local stall. Shared jeeps from New Jalpaiguri cost far less than a private taxi. See our guide to Darjeeling on a Budget: Cheap Stays and Tea Garden Visits.
20. Shillong and Cherrapunji, Meghalaya
Waterfalls, living root bridges and green hills await. Shared sumos are the cheapest way to get around. Homestays near Sohra start around ₹1,000. Of all the cheapest places in the Northeast, this pair is the easiest to plan.
21. Amritsar, Punjab
The Golden Temple is free to visit, and its langar serves free meals to everyone. The Wagah border ceremony is also free. Few cheapest places give you this much for almost nothing. Read Amritsar on a Budget: A Low-Cost Golden Temple Trip.
22. Udaipur, Rajasthan
Udaipur looks royal, but it can be cheap. Dorms near Lal Ghat start around ₹450. Sunset at Ambrai Ghat is free. See Udaipur on a Budget: Cheap Stays and Lakeside Attractions.
23. Chikmagalur, Karnataka
Coffee estates, misty hills and waterfalls make Chikmagalur a lovely escape. Homestays with home-cooked food give great value.
24. Diu, Daman and Diu
Diu is a small, calm island with a Portuguese fort and clean beaches. Rent a scooter and see the whole island in a day. It is one of the cheapest places for a quiet coastal break in the west.
25. Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh
Ziro is a green valley of rice fields and pine hills. You need an Inner Line Permit, which is easy to get online. Homestays are simple and cheap, so Ziro rounds off our list of the cheapest places with a true hidden gem.
How Much Does a Trip to the Cheapest Places Cost?
Here is a sample daily budget for one person in most of the cheapest places on this list:
| Expense | Low budget | Comfortable budget |
|---|---|---|
| Bed (dorm or basic room) | ₹400–600 | ₹800–1,200 |
| Food (3 local meals) | ₹250–400 | ₹500–700 |
| Local transport | ₹100–200 | ₹300–500 |
| Entry fees and extras | ₹100–200 | ₹300–400 |
| Total per day | ₹850–1,400 | ₹1,900–2,800 |
Two people sharing a room can cut the bed cost almost in half. Add your train or bus fare to and from home, and you have your full trip cost.
Money-Saving Tips for the Cheapest Places in India
The cheapest places stay cheap only if you travel smart. These tips help the most:
- Book trains early. Sleeper class and 3AC tickets on IRCTC are the best value for long trips. Book as soon as booking opens.
- Travel overnight. A night train or bus saves you one night’s stay.
- Eat where locals eat. Thali places and dhabas give the best value.
- Use shared transport. Shared autos, jeeps and city buses cost a fraction of taxis.
- Avoid peak dates. Long weekends, Diwali and New Year push prices up fast, even in the cheapest places.
- Carry a water bottle. Refill at hostels and cafés to cut plastic and cost.
- Walk more. Old towns are best seen on foot, and walking is free.
For more ideas, read Budget Travel in India: Daily Costs for Food, Transport and Accommodation and How to Travel India on ₹1,000 a Day.
Best Time to Visit the Cheapest Places in India
Most plains and beach destinations are best from October to March. The weather is mild and dry. Hill stations shine from March to June and again from September to November. The monsoon (July to September) brings the lowest prices, but some roads and beaches close. If you can handle a little rain, the monsoon is when the cheapest places get even cheaper.
To match each place to the right month, check our India Budget Travel Calendar: The Cheapest Destinations to Visit Every Month.
Mistakes to Avoid on a Budget Holiday
- Booking everything last minute. Trains fill up fast, and tatkal fares cost more.
- Packing too many places. Long transfers eat time and money. Pick two or three of the cheapest places and stay longer.
- Ignoring hidden costs. Camera fees, parking and tips add up. Keep a small buffer.
- Staying on the main road. Rooms one lane back are often cheaper and quieter.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cheapest Places in India
Which is the cheapest place to visit in India?
Hampi, Orchha, Varanasi and Pushkar are among the cheapest places in India. You can live on about ₹1,000 a day in each of them.
Can I travel in India on ₹1,000 a day?
Yes. With dorm beds, local food and public transport, ₹1,000 a day works in most of the cheapest places on this list. Read How to Travel India on ₹1,000 a Day for a full plan.
Which hill stations are the cheapest places to visit?
Mount Abu, McLeod Ganj, Kasol and Bir are cheap hill stations. Stay in hostels or homestays to keep costs low.
What is the cheapest way to travel between cities in India?
Trains are usually the cheapest and most comfortable choice. State buses are a good backup. See Cheapest Ways to Travel Across India by Train.
Are the cheapest places safe for solo travellers?
Most budget towns on this list are popular with solo travellers. Use well-reviewed hostels, share your plans with family and avoid isolated spots late at night.
Final Thoughts
You do not need a costly tour package to enjoy India. The cheapest places offer temples, mountains, lakes and beaches for very little money. Pick one place from this list, book a sleeper train, and start planning. Your budget holiday is closer than you think.
Want more ideas like this? Browse our guides to 20 Budget-Friendly Destinations in India for First-Time Travellers and Cheapest Places to Visit in India Using Trains and Public Transport.