When you think about travel costs, the total money spent to experience a destination, including transport, accommodation, food, and permits. Also known as trip expenses, it’s not just about the price tag—it’s about what you get for it. India isn’t cheap or cheap—it’s variable. A $5 street meal in Delhi can be followed by a $12,500 luxury train ride across Africa, and both are valid choices. Your budget doesn’t define your trip; your priorities do.
One of the biggest surprises for travelers? visa fees India, the official cost to enter India as a foreign tourist, typically paid online via e-Visa. For US citizens in 2025, it’s around $100 for a tourist e-Visa—not much, but it’s the first real number you’ll pay. Then there’s trekking costs India, the combined price of guides, permits, gear, and transport for hiking trails like Roopkund or Markha Valley. A simple 5-day trek might run $300–$500 with a local guide. Skip the guide? You risk getting lost, fined, or worse. The best treks aren’t free—they’re planned.
Don’t forget luxury train journeys, high-end rail experiences like the Pride of Africa or Venice Simplon-Orient-Express that offer gourmet meals, private cabins, and curated excursions. Yes, they’re rare in India, but the most expensive train ride in the world isn’t even in India—it’s African. Still, India has its own premium options: heritage rail routes like the Maharajas’ Express, where a single night can cost more than a week in a guesthouse. That’s not a mistake—it’s a choice. Some travelers want comfort. Others want dirt under their nails. Both are real.
Food, transport, accommodation—these all shift depending on where you go. Uber in Goa? Available, but pricier than auto-rickshaws. A night in a jungle camp near Nagpur? $40. A heritage hotel in Jaipur? $200. The Heart of India doesn’t charge a flat rate. And when you visit temples, you don’t pay an entry fee—but you might pay for offerings, shoe storage, or a guide. These aren’t hidden costs—they’re part of the experience.
There’s no single answer to "How much does India cost?" because India isn’t one thing. It’s a country where you can sleep under the stars for $10 or ride a restored 1920s train for $12,500. What matters is matching your spending to your goals. Want to eat safely? Budget $5–$10 a day for street food. Need a guide for trekking? Don’t skip it—it’s cheaper than a rescue. Planning a trip? Look at visa fees first, then pick your adventure type. The rest follows.
Below, you’ll find real breakdowns of what travelers actually paid—on visas, treks, trains, food, and transport. No guesses. No fluff. Just facts from people who’ve been there.
