Discover how to satisfy your wanderlust without breaking the bank as we share budget-friendly travel tips for international trips from India. From finding cheap flights to saving on accommodations, explore the world without breaking the bank.
How to Travel Internationally on a Budget from India
Many people consider traveling to foreign countries is too expensive, but that is not true for everyone. If you are willing to do some planning and have some flexibility, you can have good experiences in other parts of the globe and not spend all your savings to do so. Traveling outside of India on a budget is not only very likely; it is becoming quite popular with college students, solo travelers and families who want to travel together.
This guide will give you useful information, where and how to travel for less, and what types of things you can do to save money on your trip to the international country of your choice for under ₹50,000.
Why Budget International Travel is Possible from India
The rise of low-cost airlines, visa-friendly nations, and travel apps has made international travel easier than ever before. Many nearby countries are inexpensive in comparison to India due to having e-visas or visa on arrival available, which makes international travel more affordable and less stressful.
The backpacking culture in India has led to many Indians taking risks with their money in order to travel economically around the world. If you are able to create a strong plan, it is possible for you to take an international vacation that will cost you as much—or perhaps less—than that of a luxury trip domestically.
Best Affordable Countries to Visit from India
The easiest way to save money, is to choose the right destination to begin with. Here are some cheap overseas locations for Indians to consider:
Thailand ranks as one of the cheapest international destinations available for Indians to visit today. Between Bangkok’s inexpensive street food and Phuket’s unparalleled beaches, Thailand combines culture with entertainment, and is sure to please everyone for a very low price. An Indian traveler can easily plan on spending less than ₹2000/day while traveling around Thailand.
-
Vietnam
Vietnam is a budget traveller’s paradise with hotels, food and transportation all at very reasonable prices. Cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are excellent places to visit if you are looking to go on a backpacking adventure, as everything is inexpensively priced.
-
Nepal
Nepal is one of the most inexpensive international destinations, and does not require an Indian national to have a passport issued by the government to enter. Whenever an Indian national travels to Nepal, the cost of travel, food and lodging can be easily budgeted into their trip, making it a perfect location for a weekend getaway.
-
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has so much to offer beaches, heritage and wildlife. Inexpensive hotels and local transportation will make it easy to plan an unforgettable trip under 50,000 / INR.
-
Indonesia (Bali)
Bali is renowned around the world for its scenic beauty and affordability. The key to exploring Bali on a budget is to plan ahead and budget accordingly.
How to Find Cheap Flights from India
International flights are the largest expense when traveling internationally. Here’s how to save on flight costs:
1) Plan Ahead – Ticket prices can decrease greatly if purchased between 2-3 months prior to departure date.
2) Compare Prices – Use various travel websites such as Skyscanner and Google Flights to compare airfares and find discounts.
3) Travel Off-Season – If possible, avoid traveling during peak tourist seasons since airfare and lodging will be much lower during non-peak seasons.
4) Be Open to Flexible Dates – Typically, tickets are less expensive for mid-week travel and also for flights scheduled at unusual hours.
5) Use Incognito Browsing — The cost of flights will often increase if you search multiple times for the same flight on a travel website due to cookies saved in your web browser.
Budget Accommodation Tips
Accommodation can also be a significant cost for those travelling; however, here are several ways to reduce your accommodation costs:
-
Stay in Hostels
If you’re traveling solo or backpacking, hostels are a wonderful option as they are cost-effective whilst also providing you with the chance to interact with other people on a similar journey.
-
Use Airbnb
Airbnb can offer shared or budget accommodation, which is often less expensive than a hotel.
-
Try Couchsurfing
For travelers wanting to cut costs down as much as possible; through couchsurfing you can stay with someone who lives in the area you would like to visit, at no cost.
-
Book Accommodation Early
Much like flights, if you book your accommodation early enough, you can find much better value for your money.
Daily Budget Tips for Travelers
It is critical to manage your daily budget through appropriate management of your daily expenditures.
- Eat From Local Carts or Restaurants
Not only are street carts and local restaurants generally much less expensive, but eating from these venues provides an authentic cultural experience unique to your area.
- Utilize Public Transportation
Using public transportation (buses, subways, scooters) instead of taxis will save you a lot of money while allowing you to get around your city!
- Avoid Shopping Impulsively
Shopping on impulse can easily put you over budget! Create a budget for your purchases and stick to it.
- Bring A Refillable Water Bottle
Bringing a refillable water bottle can save you both money and waste from buying water in plastic bottles.
How to Plan an International Trip Under ₹50,000
There is definitely a way to take a trip from India for under ₹50,000. Below is a guide on budget for flights, accommodation, food, l
ocal transportation and activities:
- Round trip flights (with discounts) will be around ₹15,000 to ₹25,000;
- Budget accommodations or hostels for the week will cost around ₹10,000 to ₹15,000;
- Approximately ₹5,000 to ₹8,000 should be budgeted for meals
- Plan on spending approximately ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 for local transportation (renting a scooter is an inexpensive option), activities, and souvenirs.
Examples of places to visit with a budget of under ₹50,000:
- Thailand (Bangkok/Pattaya)
- Vietnam (Hanoi/Halong Bay)
- Sri Lanka (Colombo/Kandy)
With a little foresight and planning, you can stay within this budget when travelling to any of these locations.
Backpacking Tips for International Travel
Backpacking is a perfect way to enjoy adventures and save money!
-
Bring Only The Things You Need (Pack Light)
Avoid excess baggage fees by carrying (packing) only what you truly need.
-
Travel More Slowly (Travel Slowly)
The longer you stay in each place, the less you spend on transportation costs.
-
Find Work/Volunteer Opportunities While You Travel (Work/Volunteer)
Certain websites will connect you with individuals/organizations willing to provide you with free accommodation in exchange for working for them.
-
Purchase Basic Travel Insurance (Get Insurance)
Basic travel insurance may keep you from having unexpected expenses by covering you for certain types of incidents.
Money-Saving Hacks You Should Know
Find out what seasoned travelers recommend for budgeting and travel:
- Forex Cards Provide Better Exchange Rates Than Cash
- Purchase Combo Deals (Flight and Hotel)
- Redeem Credit Card Points and Offers
- Avoid Currency Exchange at Airports
- Set Flight Alerts to Follow Price Changes
Essential Documents for International Travel
To plan a trip correctly, you must have all of the following items:
- Valid passport
- Visa/Visa-on-Arrival Eligibility
- Travel insurance
- Flight and hotel bookings
- Currency/Forex cards
By preparing all of the above beforehand, you’ll save yourself unnecessary costs and stress associated with not having documents ready to travel.
Best Time to Travel for Budget Trips
The timing of travelling abroad will greatly affect the price of travelling from India.
- You will save the most on international travel if you travel to your destination during its off-peak season.
- The shoulder season has moderate prices and generally good weather.
- The peak holiday season can cause prices to be incredibly high because of holiday festivities.
- By planning your travel to times when there are fewer people travelling, you will save a significant amount of money.
Mistakes to Avoid While Traveling on a Budget
Even budget travelers can make mistakes while travelling. The following common mistakes may occur:
Last-minute flight bookings, hidden costs, over-packing, not researching visa requirements and not taking out travel insurance.
By avoiding these mistakes, you can help ensure a smooth and affordable trip!
Final Thoughts
Planning an international budget travel from India has become more attainable than ever. Budget travel is achievable, but only if you’ve planned accordingly. Examples of budget planning options include: finding budget countries; travelling by budget airlines; utilizing local transport; etc.
International trips can be budgeted for a trip under 50K rupees, backpacking from India to other countries, etc. With careful planning, you can ensure that you make the most of your money and experience a lot of what the world has to offer.
So let’s go! Prepare to explore the globe without getting into huge debt! You can achieve an international travel goal sooner than you might expect!