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Travel Guide to Visiting New Delhi on a Tight Budget

Updated on Feb 03, 2024 | Online Indian Visa

A budget trip to New Delhi India is considerably easier to plan than a holiday in the US. With a little spontaneity, meticulous planning, and these budget travel tips in India, you can visit the top Indian places for only a few hundred dollars.

When you hear the term "budget traveler," you immediately think of a 20-something with big dreams who wants to explore new places. These young, ambitious folks have long bucket lists, yet their bank accounts are inversely proportionate to their savings. A budget trip to New Delhi India, on the other hand, is considerably easier to plan than a holiday in the US.

You must learn the strategies to travel cheaply to make your Indian exploration dream a reality and win the badge of a clever traveler. After all, this is the age to forego all creature comforts and explore the best of New Delhi. With a little spontaneity, meticulous planning, and these budget travel tips in India, you can visit the top Indian places for only a few hundred dollars. So gear yourself up, as we will be sharing all the tips that you need to have a budget trip to New Delhi!.

You require India e-Tourist Visa or Indian Visa Online to witness the amazing places and experiences as a foreign tourist in India. Alternatively, you could be visiting India on an India e-Business Visa and want to do some recreation and sightseeing in India. The Indian Immigration Authority encourages visitors to India to apply for Indian Visa Online rather than visiting Indian Consulate or Indian Embassy.

When to go

Travel during the off-season to get the greatest prices

It is no surprise that people travel more during holiday seasons like Christmas and New Year's. This is the worst time to organize a trip for students and young professionals who are usually on a budget because prices are at an all-time high due to increased demand. In addition, every destination has a peak season when prices for modes of transportation, resorts and hotels, and other expenses are higher.

The first piece of advice is to avoid festivals and peak seasons. Plan getaways on long weekends or squeeze a few days out of your schedule for a brief, revitalizing getaway. If you want to visit a destination during peak season, book ahead (at least 5 - 7 months in advance) to get early bird discounts.

Another advantage of going in the off-season is the lack of crowds. You can relax and enjoy the destination while receiving the best possible service.

Where to stay while on a tight budget: The perks of staying at backpackers' hostels

If we ask you to define your perfect idea of a vacation, we are sure it would involve traveling to a new place, experiencing its culture, tasting its cuisine, and intermingling with the people. However, one of the most crucial parts of your trip also includes where you stay and how much it costs you. Often the hotel costs are the most expensive parts of our overall budget, yet we end up not using most of the amenities that it offers. 

Have you ever wished to experience a homestay-like situation wherein you can enjoy all the amenities of a hotel, get to intermingle with people from all around the world, yet have to pay only a fraction of what a hotel would charge? We know sounds unbelievable, but that is what you get when you stay at backpackers' hostels in New Delhi! Well, let us elaborate further on the benefits of staying at a backpackers’ hotel as compared to a generic hotel.

It is budget-friendly - Most of us have to put a great deal of attention to our budget while planning a trip, which makes this the most critical and sought-after aspect of a backpackers’ hotel. It is especially more beneficial for budget backpackers and solo travelers, and they also offer Females ONLY rooms making it safe for female travelers.

You get to meet fellow backpackers - If you are staying at a dorm, you will be sharing your room with a bunch of diverse travelers who all come from different parts of the world and share the same love for traveling to new places, just like you! An excellent opportunity for socializing and making friends from diverse cultures, this is where you can end up making some of the best connections in your life!

They are set at convenient locations - The best part about staying at most hostels, including the backpackers' hostels in New Delhi is that it is set in convenient proximity to most tourist spots, restaurants, train stations, and airports.  

Now that you are aware of the perks of staying at backpackers' hostels in New Delhi, pack your bags and get going!

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What to eat - Eat only local food and learn a little about the cuisine

After you have figured out your travel companions, bookings, accommodations, and transits, the next item to consider is the food. Three meals a day in a reputable resort can be quite costly. Instead, go for regional specialties, which are readily available in homestays and dhabas and are very inexpensive.

Millennials are a curious generation that enjoys learning about new things. Getting a flavor and feel for the local cuisine of a new place is both a learning experience and a potential retreat when money is tight.

How to cut the expenses on your commute - Take public transportation to save money on local transfers

For budget tourists, public transportation makes life easier. A reserved cab is always expensive, but a local bus ticket is merely a few pence. Roadways cover the majority of attractions in India, particularly in north India. State buses, as well as any local rickshaws or ferries, are the cheapest modes of transportation.

If you are visiting a metropolis like New Delhi, public transportation is strongly advised. It helps you save money on travel while still being convenient. You can also purchase day passes, which are the most cost-effective way to spend a day sightseeing.

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Where to go?

Exploration and travel are integral parts of our life. Traveling to our favorite tourist locations, on the other hand, does not always have to be a huge affair. Although you are on a shoestring budget, it is possible! So, to help you plan that ideal holiday you have been waiting for, here is a list of inexpensive places from Delhi.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a birdwatcher's paradise. Over 230 kinds of birds, including migratory water birds and waterside birds, frequent the Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary. Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, and the Boar all live in this refuge. The refuge is best viewed with binoculars while cycling. From October to February, when many migrating birds migrate to the sanctuary to escape harsh weather, is the greatest time to visit. Bharatpur's proximity to Delhi makes it a convenient weekend retreat.

Directions to the location - The nearest railway station is Bharatpur Junction, which is 5 kilometers away. Highways go through the sanctuary, connecting it to the rest of the country.

Where to stay - Kadamb Kunj, Hotel Surya Vilas Palace, and Hotel Sonar Haveli are among the top hotels for family travelers on MakeMyTrip, with rates ranging from Rs.1500 to Rs.2500 per night.

Nainital

Nainital, India's Lake District, is accessible through a short drive up the Kumaon foothills of the Himalayas. Nainital is a popular tourist spot that has attracted visitors for centuries. Why should they not? The gorgeous hills, plentiful shopping opportunities, magnificent temples, and diversity of adventure activities make it the ideal weekend retreat from Delhi.

Directions to the location - From New Delhi to Nainital, daily bus services are available, with options like air-conditioned, non-air-conditioned, sleeper, and Volvo buses. The nearest railway station is in Kathgodham, 34 kilometers away, from where you may get a cab to Nainital for a cheap price. It takes roughly 6 hours to drive from Delhi to Nainital.

Where to stay - Hotel Himalaya, Hotel New Bharat, and Traveller's Paradise are hotels with rates ranging from Rs. 1500 to Rs. 2200 per night and are noted for their modern amenities and proximity to Naini Lake.

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Binsar

How do 300 kilometers of unadulterated scenery sound? Plan a road trip to Binsar, Uttarakhand's Kumaon region, just 380 kilometers from Delhi, and you will have the entire view to yourself. The Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is an important bird-watching site and it has also made the town well-known. You might even see a leopard or a barking deer if you are lucky. The tickets will set you back INR 40 for each passenger, with an additional INR 50 per car.

Time spent driving - 8 hours (approx.)

Pangot

The picture-perfect hill station is 13 kilometers from Nainital and 305 kilometers from Delhi. It is also a wonderful site for birdwatching. The most popular birdwatching areas are Snow View Point and Kilbury. There are numerous streams in the Pangot area, so make sure to include sightseeing on your itinerary. 

Staying the night? A night's stay at the Jungle Lore Birding Lodge would set you back roughly INR 3,000. Split that with your friends, along with the fuel, and you've got yourself a great little budgeted vacation. From Delhi, it will take around 6 to 7 hours of driving (approx.)

Tarudhan Valley Golf Resort 

Tarudhan Valley Golf Resort

The Tarudhan Valley Golf Resort in Haryana's Dadu Village is around 50 kilometers from Delhi. The resort is ideal for both experienced and novice golfers. Tarudhan, which is surrounded by the Aravalli hills, has a lovely golf course as well as a spa and wellness centre. A night on the premises costs around INR 5,000, although they frequently have bargains and discounts, so phone ahead and inquire. From Delhi, it will take around 1.5 hours of driving (approx.)

Hotel Heritage Mandawa

Mandawa, located in Rajasthan's Shekhawati district, is ideal for visitors interested in haveli excursions. The Mandawa fort, Chokhani, Ladia Havelis, and the boulevard with Saraf Havelis are all renowned tourist destinations. When you are in the mood for some history lessons, drive the 268 kilometers. Stay the night at the Hotel Heritage Mandawa (about INR 2,600 per night) and return home the next day after a fantastic little vacation. From Delhi, it will take around 5 to 6 hours of driving (approx.)

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Ramgarh Bungalows

Ramgarh, located 313 kilometers from Delhi, is a wonderful destination for the more adventurous; the huge forest makes for an intriguing spot to explore, and the steep terrain offers several rock climbing opportunities. For those seeking a religious or historical vacation, Ramgarh also has a number of temples such as Sati Mandir, Hanuman Mandir, and Kalika Mandir. For around INR 4,000 per night, stay at the Ramgarh Bungalows, or if you're on a tight budget, the Camp Club Tarzan in Mukteshwar is a great option. From Delhi, it will take around 7 to 8 hours of driving (approx.)

Some extra budget travel tips - Try to travel in a group, so you can share and save money

While traveling, the universal rule of expense sharing being directly proportional to effective spending also applies. In actuality, most trip fantasies remain fantasies due to a lack of appropriate cash. However, the problem is simple to solve - travel with your friends and split the costs of transportation, meals, and lodging. It is also nice to travel with friends or even a group of nomads to the same place when you are in your twenties.

Volunteer travel is a great way to make a difference

Volunteer travel is quickly gaining appeal, due to a generation of twenty-somethings eager to make a difference while pursuing their own goals. It simply means volunteering your time and skills for the benefit of the local people, community, and natural environment of the destination you are visiting. You could be paid in cash to cover your daily expenses, or you could be given free room and meals.

Throughout India, organizations such as WWOOF, Chirag, and LHA undertake activities that benefit society. They invite and send travel enthusiasts to quiet locations to share their talents and knowledge through various projects.


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