By sagnika sinha
If you are someone who loves going on vacation, you need to address some significant issues! The biggest one is money! So how do we solve this problem? Let me share with you some cheap vacation ideas.
Furthermore, you can plan your adventure travel too with the help of these cheap vacation ideas. Not only can you save money on regular stuff but instead spend it on adventure sports that have been on your bucket list for a long time!
I want you to go through the ideas so that you can plan based on these vacation tips and ideas.
How to Travel in India Using These Cheap Vacation Ideas!
Are you someone who goes on vacation too often? Do you see your bank account suffering majorly because of this habit of yours? Are you wondering about cheap vacation ideas that can help you save money?
If you are planning to travel across India this year, I have some tips for you to plan better. These tips will actually make sure that you can save money on accommodation, food, and transportation leading to a wide variety of activities.
Go through these tips and I am sure you will find something to help you with your solo travel or family travel! Let’s discuss it in detail.
1. Travel using Public Transport
Are you traveling to places like Rishikesh, Pondicherry, Varanasi, Shimla, or McLeodGunj? The best way to save money is to take local transportation like auto-rickshaws and government buses.
Buses will cost you somewhere between Rs. 10/- to Rs. 40/- across several kilometers saving a lot of money. Furthermore, autorickshaws are quite dominant when it comes to traveling both long distance and short distances.
You can reserve it all for yourself if you want privacy. This might cost you a bit more, somewhere around Rs. 100/- to Rs. 500/- depending on the place. However, if your budget is low, you can share the ride with two or three other people.
Furthermore, if you visit Goa, Hampi, or Ooty, you can rent a scooter or bike to travel. You probably have to pay somewhere around Rs. 350/- to Rs. 700/-, depending on different places.
Important Tip
You can request the contact numbers of one or two autorickshaw drivers, of course, someone you feel you can trust. This way if you are stuck somewhere or in a hurry to visit somewhere, you can call them.
I have personally done this and found it quite helpful. This also helps in negotiating the price and saves you money. So, traveling using local transportation is one of the cheap vacation ideas!
2. Eat Local Food
When I travel somewhere, one thing that I make sure of is that I try the local cuisine. For me, the local cuisine represents the place, its people, and the culture. You will see that local cuisine is never expensive even though it is delicious.
For example, when I went to Goa, I had Goan fish curry priced around Rs. 190/- to Rs. 300/- and Xacuti priced around Rs. 150/- to Rs. 250/-. In the desert, you cannot miss Bebinca, a desert comprising sugar, egg, coconut milk, and flour.
You have to pay Rs. 290/- to Rs. 600/- depending on restaurants, hotels and online food services. I also tried Feni, a spirit made of either coconut or cashew, an exclusive drink of Goa priced around Rs. 750 for 750 ml. Instead of drinking pricy cocktails and alcohol that are pricy, you can try Feni.
Similarly, try Aloo Kachori, Baati Chokha, Kachori Sabzi, Lassi, and other local delicacies when you visit Varanasi or Rishikesh. Each dish might cost you somewhere between Rs. 20 to Rs. 100. You can easily have them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and then some!
Important Tip
When I went to Pondicherry, on the first day, I ordered croissants and French toast. Yes, it was a bit over my budget and then I saw people ordering masala dosa around me! It will cost you anywhere between Rs. 125/- to Rs. 150/-.
That taught me how eating the local food makes the locals want to help you, guide you, and support you. Try the local food, you will not just save your money but also earn respect and love!
3. Choose Budget Friendly Accommodations
You are traveling in India under a budget to places like McLeodGunj, Goa, Pondicherry, Hampi, Varanasi, Kodaikanal, Rishikesh, and Kasol! If you are worried about accommodation, especially when hotel rooms and resorts can charge a lot, let us find a solution.
The first thing that you can try is to travel to these places in the off-season which will cost you less while booking accommodation. However, if you are traveling during peak season, your first choice is hostels.
One of the most affordable options when traveling under budget is renting dorm beds! These beds will cost you somewhere around Rs. 100/- to Rs. 500/- per night. Additionally, the food will cost separately.
Another choice you can have when trying to book budget-friendly accommodation is hostels and guesthouses. You will be charged between Rs. 500/- to Rs. 1000/- for rooms inclusive of food and other resources. So, in India, you get all these options when traveling under budget.
Important Tip
I also choose homestays and guesthouses when traveling with a low budget. Renting rooms which are run by families will help you save you a lot of money. Additionally, you also get fed and other services from the family while living in guesthouses and homestays!
Simultaneously, try to book your accommodation earlier before your trip. This will ensure that you can save some money.
4. Choose Locations with No Entry Fee
You can visit India Gate, Jama Masjid, and Red Fort in Delhi India without paying for any ticket. There is another beautiful place, the Taj Mahal in Agra, that you can visit. However, you might have to get a ticket, I would suggest visiting in the morning, that way the ticket is cheaper!
When you visit Shri Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, you do not need to pay any money. The same applies to the Golden Temple when visiting Amritsar in Punjab. What more, you can have delicious food, langar, a type of communal meal without paying any more.
There are ancient ruins in Hampi along with Elephant Stables and Vittala Temple where you can visit without making any payment. Even most of the beaches are completely free to visit be it Goa, Chennai, and Mumbai!
Important Tip
I went to McLeaoGunj on a solo travel, I walked a lot. Be it to the cafes or the forest trails leading to temples and river trails! Walking will also make visiting different locations much easier and save you a lot of money.
Furthermore, while walking, you meet many locals. This also helps you in relating to these places and people. This arrangement is perfect especially if you are worried about solo female travel myths!
5. Choose Affordable Activities to Perform
You can take a jump or a swim when you visit the Dudhsagar Falls which is on the Mahadayi river in Goa. The only money you will need is either you take a cab or a scooter to ride to the fall! There are several trekking trails in Goa, McLeodGunj, Shimla, and other places!
You can take a hike across these trails so literally; that you are not spending any money while performing this activity. Furthermore, you can visit Monasteries in Darjeeling, Shimla, Manali, or McLeodGunj where there are no visitation charges.
Furthermore, you can go for wine tasting if you are on a trip to McleodGunj, Bengaluru, Nashik, and others. It might set you back by Rs. 500/- to Rs.1500/-, still cheaper compared to other activities.
You can also try white water rafting in Rishikesh for Rs. 650/- for an individual. Additionally, you can visit forts or museums when visiting Varanasi reflecting the spirituality and culture of the city.
Important Tip
When you visit Goa or Hampi, it is best if you rent a scooter. You make the payment based on a per-day charge, so it is much easier to travel. Overall, it is quite an affordable and budget-based transportation choice.
Pack Your Bags…
I love traveling and looking at all these beautiful places including lush greenery, tea gardens, the Himalayas, historical ruins, beaches, lakes, and other places. Traveling, however, requires money hence; I need cheap vacation ideas.
They help me plan my travel plans effectively, thus, helping me save money. Budget-friendly locations, accommodations, local food, and transportation go a long way in making a lot of dreams come true as someone who has wanderlust.
Comment below about what you do to save more money while traveling. Do let me know if any of my ideas help you.
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