Bali vs Goa: Beach Vacation Cost Comparison (2025 Guide)
Wondering if Bali is cheaper than Goa in 2025? We break down travel costs, tips, and facts to help you budget your dream beach trip right.
Travel Expenses in India: What You Really Need to Spend
When you think about travel expenses, the total money spent on getting around, staying put, and experiencing a place. Also known as trip cost, it’s not just about flights and hotels—it’s everything from street food to guided treks and local transport. In India, these costs can swing wildly depending on where you go, how you move, and what you want to see. You could spend under $20 a day eating at roadside stalls and taking buses, or over $1,000 on a luxury train ride like the Pride of Africa—yes, that’s a real option, even if it’s not in India.
Visa fees India, the official charge for entering the country. Also known as e-Visa cost, it’s one of the first things you’ll pay as a foreign traveler. For U.S. citizens in 2025, it’s around $80 for a tourist e-Visa, and that’s non-negotiable. Then there’s trekking costs India, the price of hiking remote trails like the Great Himalayan Trail or Roopkund. Also known as mountain expedition budget, this includes guides, permits, gear rentals, and food. A simple 5-day trek might run $150 with a local operator, but skip the guide and you risk getting lost—or worse. Health matters too: India vaccinations, shots you need before arriving. Also known as travel immunizations, they’re not always mandatory, but skipping them can turn a trip into a hospital stay. Typhoid, hepatitis A, and rabies vaccines cost under $100 total if you plan ahead.
Transport adds up fast. Uber isn’t everywhere—Goa has it, but rural Himachal doesn’t. Local trains? Cheap. Luxury trains? Eye-watering. And don’t forget temple donations, guide tips, or buying souvenirs at heritage sites like the Taj Mahal. These aren’t hidden fees—they’re part of the experience. The key isn’t to spend less, but to spend wisely. Know what’s worth paying for and what you can skip. You’ll find real breakdowns below: how much a 10-day trip to South India costs versus North India, why some treks cost more than flights, and how to avoid tourist traps that inflate your bill. These aren’t guesses. They’re from people who’ve done it, paid for it, and learned the hard way.
