Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: New Delhi

Accommodation

$8-25 per night

Dormitory beds in backpacker hostels, basic guesthouses, budget hotels with shared bathrooms

Food & Dining

$5-15 per day

Street food stalls, local dhabas, market vendors, occasional budget restaurants

Transportation

$2-8 per day

Public buses, Delhi Metro, auto-rickshaws for short distances, walking

Activities

$3-12 per day

Free attractions like temples and parks, occasional paid monuments, self-guided walking tours

Eat at local dhabas and street food stalls instead of tourist restaurants - typically 60-80% cheaper

Use Delhi Metro and public buses instead of taxis for daily transport - saves 70-85% on transportation costs

Visit free attractions like temples, parks, and government museums instead of only paid monuments

Shop at local markets like Sarojini Nagar instead of upscale malls - typically 50-70% lower prices

Stay in areas like Paharganj or Karol Bagh instead of central Delhi hotels - usually 40-60% cheaper accommodation

Book train tickets in advance for day trips instead of hiring private cars - typically 80-90% savings

Drink bottled water from local stores rather than hotels - saves 200-400% markup

Taking taxis everywhere instead of using Metro and buses - can triple your transportation costs

Eating only in hotel restaurants and tourist areas - typically adds 100-300% to food expenses

Not negotiating prices at markets and with auto-rickshaw drivers - can overpay by 50-200%

Booking accommodation in central Delhi without comparing nearby areas - often 40-80% more expensive

Buying water and snacks from hotels instead of local shops - markup of 200-500% is common