Budgeting 2 months Sri Lanka & India

DLuek · Oct 16th, 2009, 02:45

Hi,

I'm planning around 2 months in India and Sri Lanka and am wondering what to expect budget-wise. I'll be flying from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo for cheap and spending a few weeks in Sri Lanka, then would look for the cheapest way to get to anywhere in southern India. Then it would be over land all the way up the west coast to Mumbai and on to Ajanta, Sanchi, Gaya, Varanasi and finally to Delhi, from where I'll find a flight back to Bangkok.

I'm pretty good finding cheap flights, but what should I expect for an "on the ground" budget for 2 months, that would include food/accommodation/busses/trains/taxis/entry fees to Buddhist sites, etc. (I don't drink or shop and generally try to eat on the cheap).

Any advice appreciated,

DL

dillichaat · Oct 16th, 2009, 15:48

For good accommodation, decent meals and travel in AC/3 I'd guess from about 1400 Rs/day (go for the night trains, that saves on hotel costs).

Basic but clean hotels/guesthouses, cheap meals from restaurants and travel in SL class: about 800-900 Rs/day on average

Spiritual crorepati

class, meaning shared rooms, roadside stalls for food and travel by local bus or 2nd class train: probable doable on 400 Rs/day but not recommended as it'll feel more like survival than travel and you won't get to visit much on that budget.

The above only outside the major cities (Delhi and Mumbai are much more expensive) and if you don't drink, don't smoke and don't visit 20 museums/day (average cost for a foreign tourist about 250 Rs/ attraction I guess).

Btw: coming from the south, Ajanta lies inland and to the south of Mumbai so you might want to go there first.

The prices are 'from' prices I think, of course, more money is generally better and if I have the choice between 1000 Rs/day and 5000 Rs/day I'll go for the latter. This is my take on things, others may hold different opinions. Whatever you do, don't try to save by not taking out travel insurance.

DLuek · Oct 17th, 2009, 02:10

Thanks for the response. I've just started getting serious about this trip, though it's been in my head for several years, so I'm sure I'll have more questions over the coming 6 months (am looking at an April '10 departure date).

dillichaat · Oct 17th, 2009, 19:43

If you plan on leaving in april and spending a few weeks in Sri Lanka before coming to India, that'll place you here around the end of april/beginning of may. It'll be hotter than hell then and muggy in the south to boot. Otoh, prices will be lower and you'll encounter few tourists.

Oct 16th, 2009, 02:45	#1
DLuek Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Vermont, USA Posts: 2	Budgeting 2 months Sri Lanka & India Hi, I'm planning around 2 months in India and Sri Lanka and am wondering what to expect budget-wise. I'll be flying from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo for cheap and spending a few weeks in Sri Lanka, then would look for the cheapest way to get to anywhere in southern India. Then it would be over land all the way up the west coast to Mumbai and on to Ajanta, Sanchi, Gaya, Varanasi and finally to Delhi, from where I'll find a flight back to Bangkok. I'm pretty good finding cheap flights, but what should I expect for an "on the ground" budget for 2 months, that would include food/accommodation/busses/trains/taxis/entry fees to Buddhist sites, etc. (I don't drink or shop and generally try to eat on the cheap). Any advice appreciated, DL

Oct 16th, 2009, 15:48	#2
dillichaat Professional cynic Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: जोर बाग़,New Delhi Posts: 431	For good accommodation, decent meals and travel in AC/3 I'd guess from about 1400 Rs/day (go for the night trains, that saves on hotel costs). Basic but clean hotels/guesthouses, cheap meals from restaurants and travel in SL class: about 800-900 Rs/day on average Spiritual crorepati class, meaning shared rooms, roadside stalls for food and travel by local bus or 2nd class train: probable doable on 400 Rs/day but not recommended as it'll feel more like survival than travel and you won't get to visit much on that budget. The above only outside the major cities (Delhi and Mumbai are much more expensive) and if you don't drink, don't smoke and don't visit 20 museums/day (average cost for a foreign tourist about 250 Rs/ attraction I guess). Btw: coming from the south, Ajanta lies inland and to the south of Mumbai so you might want to go there first. The prices are 'from' prices I think, of course, more money is generally better and if I have the choice between 1000 Rs/day and 5000 Rs/day I'll go for the latter. This is my take on things, others may hold different opinions. Whatever you do, don't try to save by not taking out travel insurance. __________________ When the wise man points out the black hole, the fool looks at the finger.

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Oct 17th, 2009, 02:10	#3
DLuek Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Vermont, USA Posts: 2	Thanks for the response. I've just started getting serious about this trip, though it's been in my head for several years, so I'm sure I'll have more questions over the coming 6 months (am looking at an April '10 departure date).

Oct 17th, 2009, 19:43	#4
dillichaat Professional cynic Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: जोर बाग़,New Delhi Posts: 431	If you plan on leaving in april and spending a few weeks in Sri Lanka before coming to India, that'll place you here around the end of april/beginning of may. It'll be hotter than hell then and muggy in the south to boot. Otoh, prices will be lower and you'll encounter few tourists.