Diwali is the festival of lights, and for many families, the Diwali holidays are the only long break of the year. Offices close, schools take a week off and everyone wants to travel. That makes trains busy and hotel prices high in popular places. But with smart planning, you can still find affordable places to visit during the Diwali holidays and enjoy the festival in a new setting.
This guide covers the best affordable places to visit in India during the Diwali holidays. You will find festival highlights, costs, booking tips and ways to save money.
Why Travel During the Diwali Holidays?
- Long break: many people get four to seven days off.
- Festive atmosphere: lights, lamps, sweets and celebrations everywhere.
- Pleasant weather: Diwali usually falls in October or November, when much of India is comfortable.
- Special events: Dev Deepawali in Varanasi, Ayodhya’s Deepotsav and lit-up forts in Rajasthan.
The challenge is demand. Book early, choose wisely and avoid the most crowded hotspots if you want to save.
Quick Table: Affordable Places for the Diwali Holidays
| Place | Why visit | Daily budget (festival time) |
|---|---|---|
| Varanasi | Ghats, lamps, Dev Deepawali soon after | ₹1,200–2,000 |
| Ayodhya | Deepotsav lamp festival | ₹1,200–2,200 |
| Amritsar | Golden Temple lit up for Bandi Chhor Divas | ₹1,000–1,800 |
| Jaipur | Bazaars glowing with lights | ₹1,500–2,500 |
| Udaipur | Lakes and palaces in lights | ₹1,500–2,500 |
| Hampi | Quiet, start of season | ₹1,000–1,600 |
| Pondicherry | Calm, coastal break | ₹1,500–2,300 |
| Bir and McLeod Ganj | Mountain escape | ₹1,100–1,800 |
The Best Affordable Places for the Diwali Holidays
1. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi glows during Diwali, and Dev Deepawali follows about two weeks later, when the ghats are lit with countless lamps. Even during the Diwali holidays, the ghats are magical. Book guesthouses early, especially near Assi Ghat. Read Varanasi on a Budget: Affordable Hotels, Food and Sightseeing.
2. Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Ayodhya’s Deepotsav, held around Diwali, lights up the Saryu ghats with lakhs of lamps. It has become one of the biggest Diwali celebrations in India. Crowds are huge, so stay in nearby towns or Lucknow and visit for the evening. Read Cheapest Places to Visit Near Lucknow for a Weekend.
3. Amritsar, Punjab
Diwali coincides with Bandi Chhor Divas, when the Golden Temple is lit up and fireworks fill the sky. Langar is free, and gurdwara sarais offer cheap rooms. It is one of the most affordable places to spend the Diwali holidays. Read Amritsar on a Budget: A Low-Cost Golden Temple Trip.
4. Jaipur, Rajasthan
Jaipur’s bazaars compete for the best lights, and the old city glows. Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar are especially beautiful. Hostels are a budget-friendly choice during the Diwali holidays. Read Jaipur on a Budget: How to Explore the Pink City for Less.
5. Udaipur, Rajasthan
Udaipur’s lakes reflect palace lights during Diwali. It is one of the most romantic places for the Diwali holidays. Prices rise, so book early and stay in hostels near Lal Ghat. Read Udaipur on a Budget: Cheap Stays and Lakeside Attractions.
6. Hampi, Karnataka
If you want to escape crowds, Hampi is calm and affordable during the Diwali holidays, as its peak season starts later. Read Hampi on a Budget: Cheap Accommodation and Heritage Sightseeing.
7. Pondicherry
Pondicherry is relaxed during Diwali, though the northeast monsoon may bring rain. It is a good coastal break during the Diwali holidays. Read Pondicherry on a Budget: An Affordable 3-Day Coastal Holiday.
8. Bir and McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh
The mountains are clear and crisp around Diwali. Bir’s paragliding season is in full swing. These places are calmer than Manali or Shimla during the Diwali holidays. Read McLeod Ganj on a Budget: A Low-Cost Dharamshala Holiday.
9. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Rishikesh’s ghats are lit with diyas, and the evening aarti feels extra special. Rafting is open, and hostels are cheap during the Diwali holidays. Read Rishikesh on a Budget: Cheap Stays, Food and a 3-Day Itinerary.
10. Kolkata, West Bengal
In Kolkata, Kali Puja is celebrated around Diwali, with beautiful pandals and lights. It is a unique and low-cost way to spend the Diwali holidays.
11. Gokarna, Karnataka
Gokarna’s beach season starts around Diwali. Huts reopen, and prices are lower than in December. Read Gokarna on a Budget: Affordable Beach Hopping and Stays.
12. Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
Orchha’s palaces and temples glow during Diwali, and the Ram Raja Temple sees special celebrations. It is quiet and cheap.
How to Book Smart for the Diwali Holidays
- Book trains as soon as booking opens. Diwali trains fill up within minutes on popular routes.
- Consider alternate dates. Leave a day earlier or return a day later.
- Check special trains announced by Indian Railways for the festival.
- Book refundable hotels early and cancel if plans change.
- Avoid the most famous hotspots like Goa and Manali, which are costly.
Sample 5-Day Plan for the Diwali Holidays (Rajasthan)
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Train to Jaipur. Old city lights |
| 2 | Amber Fort and Nahargarh sunset |
| 3 | Bus to Pushkar. Lake and ghats |
| 4 | Pushkar temples and rooftop cafés |
| 5 | Return |
Estimated cost: ₹7,000 to ₹10,000 per person.
Budget for the Diwali Holidays
| Expense | Cost per day |
|---|---|
| Hostel or budget room | ₹500–1,300 |
| Food and sweets | ₹400–700 |
| Local transport | ₹150–400 |
| Activities | ₹100–300 |
| Total | ₹1,150–2,700 |
Diwali Holidays for Different Travellers
- Families: Jaipur, Amritsar, Varanasi and Udaipur.
- Couples: Udaipur, Hampi and Pondicherry.
- Solo travellers: Rishikesh, Bir, McLeod Ganj and Hampi.
- Culture lovers: Ayodhya, Varanasi and Kolkata.
Celebrating Responsibly
- Choose green crackers or skip them entirely.
- Avoid loud fireworks near animals and hospitals.
- Respect local customs at temples and gurdwaras.
- Use lamps and lights safely in guesthouses.
Money-Saving Tips for the Diwali Holidays
- Book everything early.
- Stay in hostels, dharamshalas or gurdwara sarais.
- Choose smaller towns over famous resorts.
- Eat local festival food from sweet shops and stalls.
- Use trains and state buses.
For more ideas, read Budget Travel in India: Daily Costs for Food, Transport and Accommodation and Cheapest Places to Visit in India in October.
What to Pack
- Light layers and a warm jacket for the north and hills
- Festive clothes for celebrations
- A mask for smoky evenings
- Comfortable shoes
- A small torch
Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking trains late.
- Choosing only famous hotspots.
- Ignoring air quality in North Indian cities after Diwali.
- Planning tight connections during peak travel days.
More Itineraries for the Diwali Holidays
Varanasi and Ayodhya Lights Trail (5 days)
- Day 1: Overnight train to Varanasi. Evening aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
- Day 2: Sunrise boat, old lanes and Sarnath.
- Day 3: Train to Ayodhya. Deepotsav evening on the Saryu ghats.
- Day 4: Ayodhya temples in the morning, then train to Lucknow.
- Day 5: Lucknow food walk and return.
Cost: ₹8,000 to ₹12,000 per person. It is one of the most memorable ways to spend the Diwali holidays.
Quiet Mountain Diwali (5 days)
- Day 1: Overnight bus to McLeod Ganj.
- Days 2–3: Monasteries, Bhagsu and the Triund trek.
- Days 4–5: Bir’s tea gardens and paragliding, then the bus home.
Cost: ₹7,000 to ₹10,000 per person.
South India Calm Diwali (5 days)
- Days 1–3: Hampi’s ruins by bicycle.
- Days 4–5: Gokarna’s beaches as the season begins.
Cost: ₹7,000 to ₹10,000 per person.
Diwali Food to Try on the Road
Every region has its own festival sweets. Try ghewar and mawa kachori in Rajasthan, Banarasi laddoos and malaiyo in Varanasi, pinni in Punjab, and Mysore pak and karanji in the south. Local sweet shops sell small boxes at fair prices, so you can taste the festival everywhere you go during the Diwali holidays.
Final Checklist for the Diwali Holidays
- Book trains on the day booking opens.
- Choose refundable hotels.
- Pick at least one quieter destination to balance the crowds.
- Carry a mask for smoky evenings in the north.
- Keep a buffer day for delays on the return journey.
Sample Budget for a Family of Four: Amritsar Diwali
A family of four taking 3AC trains from Delhi might spend ₹5,000 to ₹7,000 on return tickets. Two nights in a budget hotel near the Golden Temple cost ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 during the Diwali holidays. Food, including free langar and a few treats, costs about ₹3,000 to ₹4,000. Local e-rickshaws and the Wagah trip cost about ₹1,500. The total comes to roughly ₹13,500 to ₹18,500 for the family, which is excellent value for such a special festival experience.
Diwali Holidays for Couples
Couples looking for romance during the Diwali holidays will love Udaipur’s lit-up lakes, Hampi’s quiet ruins and Pondicherry’s calm streets. Book a room with a view, enjoy a festive dinner and take a sunset walk. Choosing a smaller town gives you the festive glow without the noise of big cities.
Diwali Holidays and Air Quality
Air quality in many North Indian cities drops sharply after Diwali because of fireworks and crop burning. If you or your family are sensitive, consider heading to the hills, the coast or South India during the Diwali holidays. Carry N95 masks if you will be in Delhi, Punjab or Uttar Pradesh.
Diwali Holidays for Solo Travellers
Solo travellers can enjoy the festive spirit in hostels across Rishikesh, Jaipur, Udaipur, Varanasi and Amritsar, where many hostels host Diwali dinners and lamp-lighting evenings. Book dorm beds early, as hostels fill with domestic travellers during the Diwali holidays. Keep your valuables safe in crowds and plan your return train well in advance.
A Note on Prices
Prices during the Diwali holidays can be 20 to 50 percent higher than in the weeks before and after the festival, especially in Goa, Manali, Shimla, Udaipur and Jaipur. Smaller towns, pilgrimage centres with dharamshalas and places just starting their tourist season usually stay far more affordable. If your dates are flexible, travelling a few days before or after the main festival day can bring big savings.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Diwali Holidays
Where should I go for the Diwali holidays on a budget?
Amritsar, Varanasi, Jaipur, Rishikesh and Hampi are good budget choices.
Which city has the best Diwali celebrations?
Ayodhya, Varanasi, Jaipur and Amritsar are famous for their celebrations.
How early should I book for the Diwali holidays?
Book trains as soon as booking opens and hotels at least a month ahead.
Is Goa good during the Diwali holidays?
It is busy and costly. Gokarna is a cheaper beach alternative.
Where can I escape the crowds during Diwali?
Hampi, Bir, Orchha and quiet hill villages are calm choices.
Final Thoughts
The Diwali holidays are a wonderful time to travel if you plan early and choose wisely. Celebrate the festival of lights in a temple town, a lake city or a quiet hill village. For more festival ideas, read Cheapest Destinations in India for a Christmas Vacation and Affordable Places to Visit in India During Holi.