Quick Answer
Budget travellers can do India on ₹1,500-2,500/day ($18-30). Mid-range comfort costs ₹4,000-7,000/day ($48-84). India remains one of the world's most affordable countries for travellers, though Goa, Kerala, and Rajasthan heritage hotels are pricier than the north.
Accommodation
Hostel dorm: ₹300-800 ($4-10). Budget hotel/guesthouse: ₹800-2,000 ($10-24). Mid-range hotel: ₹2,000-5,000 ($24-60). Heritage haveli (Rajasthan): ₹3,000-10,000 ($36-120). Luxury palace hotel: ₹15,000+ ($180+). OYO and Zostel are reliable budget chains. Booking.com works well; MakeMyTrip often has India-specific deals.
Food
Street food meal (thali, chaat, dosa): ₹50-150 ($0.60-1.80). Restaurant thali: ₹150-300 ($1.80-3.60). Mid-range restaurant: ₹300-800 ($3.60-9.60). Chai from a stall: ₹10-20 ($0.12-0.24). Beer (Kingfisher): ₹150-250 ($1.80-3). India's vegetarian food is extraordinary — don't default to tourist restaurants serving Western food.
Trains
Sleeper class (e.g. Delhi-Jaipur): ₹200-400 ($2.40-4.80). 3AC (air-conditioned sleeper): ₹600-1,200 ($7-14). 2AC: ₹1,000-2,000 ($12-24). Book on IRCTC 60-120 days ahead — popular routes sell out fast. Tatkal (last-minute) booking opens at 10am the day before. The Rajdhani and Shatabdi expresses are India's best trains.
Flights
Domestic flights with IndiGo, SpiceJet, or Air India Express: ₹2,000-6,000 ($24-72) one-way. Book 3-4 weeks ahead for best prices. Delhi-Goa and Delhi-Kerala are competitive routes. Flights are often faster and barely more expensive than AC trains for long distances (Delhi-Kolkata, Mumbai-Chennai).
Activities
Taj Mahal entry: ₹1,100 ($13) for foreigners. Rajasthan fort entry: ₹200-500 ($2.40-6). Rishikesh rafting: ₹1,000-2,000 ($12-24). Kerala houseboat (shared): ₹1,500-3,000/person ($18-36). Yoga class: ₹300-500 ($3.60-6). Camel safari (Jaisalmer): ₹2,000-4,000 ($24-48). Auto-rickshaw ride: ₹30-100 ($0.36-1.20). Uber/Ola are available in all major cities.
Sample Daily Budgets
Backpacker (₹2,000/day, $24): Hostel dorm, street food, sleeper trains, free temples. Mid-range (₹5,000/day, $60): Private hotel room, restaurant meals, AC train, 1 paid activity. Comfortable (₹10,000/day, $120): Heritage hotel, car hire with driver, restaurant meals, all activities. A driver for the Rajasthan circuit costs about ₹2,500-3,500/day — genuine value if splitting costs.