Not enough money!?
Not enough money!?
I have just had a look at some of the posts about budgets and am totally freaking out!
I have planned to take £1000 with me for the entire three months. I thought this would be plenty as a friend of mine travelled India for six months with this amount...though this was about seven years ago. HELP! Is this far too little?
I have planned to take £1000 with me for the entire three months. I thought this would be plenty as a friend of mine travelled India for six months with this amount...though this was about seven years ago. HELP! Is this far too little?
Quote:
I'm not an expert, but I would say that is not enough. I was trying to work out the same thing (for a four month period of travel in India) in dollars. I have family there, but don't intend on staying there more than a week or so. And the rest would be traveling.
Originally Posted by lo-lee-ta 
I have just had a look at some of the posts about budgets and am totally freaking out!
I have planned to take £1000 with me for the entire three months. I thought this would be plenty as a friend of mine travelled India for six months with this amount...though this was about seven years ago. HELP! Is this far too little?
I have just had a look at some of the posts about budgets and am totally freaking out! I have planned to take £1000 with me for the entire three months. I thought this would be plenty as a friend of mine travelled India for six months with this amount...though this was about seven years ago. HELP! Is this far too little?
I'll follow this thread and see what the experts say
Hi Lo-lee-ta,
See the following link on a similar topic.
Freak out about $$$$
I arrived in India two days ago and getting ready to hit the road soon!
Happy trails.
See the following link on a similar topic.
Freak out about $$$$
I arrived in India two days ago and getting ready to hit the road soon!
Happy trails.
Quote:
The GBP-Rupee exchange rate has remained almost the same in the last seven years while due the inflation the prices of most of the things have increased by almost double during the same period.
Originally Posted by lo-lee-ta I have just had a look at some of the posts about budgets and am totally freaking out!
I have planned to take £1000 with me for the entire three months. I thought this would be plenty as a friend of mine travelled India for six months with this amount...though this was about seven years ago. HELP! Is this far too little?
I have just had a look at some of the posts about budgets and am totally freaking out! I have planned to take £1000 with me for the entire three months. I thought this would be plenty as a friend of mine travelled India for six months with this amount...though this was about seven years ago. HELP! Is this far too little?
Having said that, whether £1000 would be enough or not would entirely depend on the timing (months) of your visit, the places/cities you would be visiting, the mode of transport, and your preference for accommodation.
At the current exchange rate, £1000 translates to about Rs. 85,000 i.e. about 950 per day.
A very basic non-AC accommodation will cost about Rs. 400-500 per day, which leaves you with about Rs. 450 for other daily expenses, including food, intra-city travel, entry fee to monuments, inter-city journeys, and other sundry expenses.
A basic meal would cost at least Rs. 100 and a water bottle costs Rs. 15. So for two meals a day and three water bottles, you would be paying about Rs. 250 daily.
Entry fee to monuments is Rs. 250 per monument. This expense will entirely depend on which part of India you would be visiting.
Intra-city travel can be very expensive if you are in a big city like Delhi. For instance, a one-way auto-rickshaw ride from Paharganj to Qutub Minar would be costing about Rs. 200. On average, per ride you would be paying about Rs. 75-100.
If you opt to travel by train within India then you would be saving the lodging cost on the day of journey, as most of the journeys would be overnight and unless you undertake a very long journey, the average train ticket (for a 3AC compartment) would be costing the same as your daily lodging cost.
In this scenario, you will have to decide if £1000 would be enough for three months.
#5 
Jun 14th, 2012, 12:31 Member
- Join Date:
- Sep 2001
- Location:
- Missing, see bottom of post
- Posts:
- 15,096
You can get by and have a great trip with that money, make sure you travel by Sleeper Class on the trains or use buses, I've done a long thread about Sleeper Class, you'll find a link in the 'Train Information' thread.
Here's a reply I done to another person asking about travelling on a low budget.
Here's a reply I done to another person asking about travelling on a low budget.
Quote:
Originally Posted by steven_ber That's a reasonable budget, you'll have fun.
However, after the first 7-10 days you may thing it's not enough, but it will be, I find that I easily spend double or even triple my budget in the first couple of weeks, and mostly it's money wasted by laziness.
There's loads of reasonably priced restaurant chains in India (a high percentage seem to be south Indian food) and it's easy to get a great meal for Rs100, yet somehow I dont look hard enough for them in the first couple of weeks, I often pay a lot more, and I personally don't find you get much better food at the more expensive places, and whilst on the subject of food, do get really stuck into the veg food, it's really great stuff, take a quick look at what others are eating, and when the man/boy comes to take your order, don't be afraid to point at someone's food and ask for the same, I've done this maybe 50 times, and never got anything I couldn't eat, and it's mostly been great food that I would've never thought of ordering.
Also early in my trip I can never be bothered to argue/negotiate taxi/rickshaw prices, and it's normally only after paying way over the odds that I jolt myself into negotiating the fares, well, to be honest, I normally get so frustrated that I don't use taxi/rickshaws(known as autos) for a month or so, and just walk everywhere (and this is often when I start enjoying the experience more), but do be prepared to get 'stung' a few times on your trip, when you turn up at some bus/train station, and the only transport to the place you're going to is a taxi/auto, then they'll bump the fare up, and all other drivers will charge the same, occasionally you've just got to take it, it happens more in tourist areas.
I also tend to waste money in the early days on better rooms than I really need, mostly out of laziness, though rooms are often more expensive in busy tourist areas like Goa, and especially Mumbai, when in places like Goa, stay away from the beach places, look instead along the main road, you'll get better rooms (than the beach shacks) with TV (great for news, and on the days you don't want to go out much) for lower prices, and you'll also get very reduces prices if staying for 5 or more days (not Xmas/New Year).
I also tend to stay on the beaten track early in the trip, and often the real value comes when you feel the need to escape this track, the east coast of India for example is a lot cheaper than the west, and in many ways, the experience can be better.
Once you get into the trip, you'll find you're getting by on 800-1000 per day (sometimes less), and if you're careful, you'll easily have a fair bit left for shopping at the end of your trip.
Have fun.
That's a reasonable budget, you'll have fun.However, after the first 7-10 days you may thing it's not enough, but it will be, I find that I easily spend double or even triple my budget in the first couple of weeks, and mostly it's money wasted by laziness.
There's loads of reasonably priced restaurant chains in India (a high percentage seem to be south Indian food) and it's easy to get a great meal for Rs100, yet somehow I dont look hard enough for them in the first couple of weeks, I often pay a lot more, and I personally don't find you get much better food at the more expensive places, and whilst on the subject of food, do get really stuck into the veg food, it's really great stuff, take a quick look at what others are eating, and when the man/boy comes to take your order, don't be afraid to point at someone's food and ask for the same, I've done this maybe 50 times, and never got anything I couldn't eat, and it's mostly been great food that I would've never thought of ordering.
Also early in my trip I can never be bothered to argue/negotiate taxi/rickshaw prices, and it's normally only after paying way over the odds that I jolt myself into negotiating the fares, well, to be honest, I normally get so frustrated that I don't use taxi/rickshaws(known as autos) for a month or so, and just walk everywhere (and this is often when I start enjoying the experience more), but do be prepared to get 'stung' a few times on your trip, when you turn up at some bus/train station, and the only transport to the place you're going to is a taxi/auto, then they'll bump the fare up, and all other drivers will charge the same, occasionally you've just got to take it, it happens more in tourist areas.
I also tend to waste money in the early days on better rooms than I really need, mostly out of laziness, though rooms are often more expensive in busy tourist areas like Goa, and especially Mumbai, when in places like Goa, stay away from the beach places, look instead along the main road, you'll get better rooms (than the beach shacks) with TV (great for news, and on the days you don't want to go out much) for lower prices, and you'll also get very reduces prices if staying for 5 or more days (not Xmas/New Year).
I also tend to stay on the beaten track early in the trip, and often the real value comes when you feel the need to escape this track, the east coast of India for example is a lot cheaper than the west, and in many ways, the experience can be better.
Once you get into the trip, you'll find you're getting by on 800-1000 per day (sometimes less), and if you're careful, you'll easily have a fair bit left for shopping at the end of your trip.
Have fun.
.
SOS: Missing Person...
Please look at this thread, even if you are not in India.: Have you seen Jonathan Spollen?
He could be anywhere now: You might have met him, be able to help, or give information.
SOS: Missing Person...
Please look at this thread, even if you are not in India.: Have you seen Jonathan Spollen?
He could be anywhere now: You might have met him, be able to help, or give information.
#6 
Jun 14th, 2012, 12:37 a LEARNER here......be careful or ignore his posts
- Join Date:
- Mar 2011
- Location:
- India
- Posts:
- 4,572
@ Photofreak
wonderful explanation except GBP Rupee fact
wonderful explanation except GBP Rupee fact
.
Totaly confused how to explore the beautiful earth when one life is too short to complete my great India 
Totaly confused how to explore the beautiful earth when one life is too short to complete my great India Photo-Story: HARI-SILA or HARSIL
Deoriatal-Chopta,
Last edited by PKanti; Jun 14th, 2012 at 15:27..
Hmm a VERY tight budget but you could pull this off with a limited trip, staying long term in cheap home stays and guest houses. Which you can find for as little as 250 rps still
Basic meals can be had for as little as 50 rupees and a light breakfast or lunch costs less..
This budget doesn't allow for visiting too many monuments or parks, but thats is only one facet of India and not the most attractive part really. Just being there amongst the colours and smells, is like being on a different planet at times Travel will be mostly sleeper class (non AC) if you plan to move long distances which can be quite tough but a lot of fun too.
The trouble with tight budgets like this is you have to get up to speed quickly on how to live cheaply and be very disciplined in your habits...Otherwise your budget quickly spins out of control, your first days in India can see you spending a lot more than you planned, as you get used to the standard of cheap eateries and cheap hotels..
Places like Mcleodganj, Pushkar, Rishikesh, Almora, Puri, Mahaballipuram and Palolem, Varkala lend themselves to long term stayers, with cheap accomodation and eateries abounding..
In Palolem for instance a typical day for a budget traveler would be this..
Room 250rp a night
Breakfast 2 paw bhaji, to large teas and two soda (my breakfast) 45rp
two bottles of water 30rp
Lunch couple of samosas/potato wada/masala dosa with tea/sodamax 40rp
dinner fish curry rice veg thali max 80rp
Newspaper 7rp
= 452rp
Which would leave you about 500 a day to eat touristy meals occasionally, have the odd beer, buy a book (bring plenty with you for swopping and selling)see a monument or save a 100 a day for your next train fare.
This is in Palolem other places could see a increase of 200 a day and in some places A LOT more..
So yes it can be done on this budget but your choices will be limited, to the point they may impact on your enjoyment, but if your happy with you own company, don't mind just sitting around people watching, enjoy the life on conversations and contact with other locals and Indians, this budget can be adhered to.
But it will see you left behind on nights out, daytrips or excursions and fancy restaurants...
How you will feel about that only you can know....
So logistically yes you can but with provisos..
And you are going to have to be tough on yourself to achieve this on your budget...
P.S. I think you friend might have been a bit economical with the truth saying he did 6 months on a 1000GBP that is a really tough budget EVEN 7 years ago. Can it be done YES but very very hard work.
Basic meals can be had for as little as 50 rupees and a light breakfast or lunch costs less..
This budget doesn't allow for visiting too many monuments or parks, but thats is only one facet of India and not the most attractive part really. Just being there amongst the colours and smells, is like being on a different planet at times Travel will be mostly sleeper class (non AC) if you plan to move long distances which can be quite tough but a lot of fun too.
The trouble with tight budgets like this is you have to get up to speed quickly on how to live cheaply and be very disciplined in your habits...Otherwise your budget quickly spins out of control, your first days in India can see you spending a lot more than you planned, as you get used to the standard of cheap eateries and cheap hotels..
Places like Mcleodganj, Pushkar, Rishikesh, Almora, Puri, Mahaballipuram and Palolem, Varkala lend themselves to long term stayers, with cheap accomodation and eateries abounding..
In Palolem for instance a typical day for a budget traveler would be this..
Room 250rp a night
Breakfast 2 paw bhaji, to large teas and two soda (my breakfast) 45rp
two bottles of water 30rp
Lunch couple of samosas/potato wada/masala dosa with tea/sodamax 40rp
dinner fish curry rice veg thali max 80rp
Newspaper 7rp
= 452rp
Which would leave you about 500 a day to eat touristy meals occasionally, have the odd beer, buy a book (bring plenty with you for swopping and selling)see a monument or save a 100 a day for your next train fare.
This is in Palolem other places could see a increase of 200 a day and in some places A LOT more..
So yes it can be done on this budget but your choices will be limited, to the point they may impact on your enjoyment, but if your happy with you own company, don't mind just sitting around people watching, enjoy the life on conversations and contact with other locals and Indians, this budget can be adhered to.
But it will see you left behind on nights out, daytrips or excursions and fancy restaurants...
How you will feel about that only you can know....
So logistically yes you can but with provisos..
And you are going to have to be tough on yourself to achieve this on your budget...
P.S. I think you friend might have been a bit economical with the truth saying he did 6 months on a 1000GBP that is a really tough budget EVEN 7 years ago. Can it be done YES but very very hard work.
The GBP-Rupee exchange rate has remained almost the same in the last seven years while due the inflation the prices of most of the things have increased by almost double during the same period
Nonsense
Check this chart out
http://fxtop.com/en/historates.php?A...12&btnOK=Go%21
Nonsense
Check this chart out
http://fxtop.com/en/historates.php?A...12&btnOK=Go%21
Nill illigitimi carborundum 
Quote:
Sorry Sir...my apologies..I failed the Forex Intelligence Test...will keep in mind for the next time.
Originally Posted by fsg The GBP-Rupee exchange rate has remained almost the same in the last seven years while due the inflation the prices of most of the things have increased by almost double during the same period
Nonsense
Check this chart out
http://fxtop.com/en/historates.php?A...12&btnOK=Go%21
The GBP-Rupee exchange rate has remained almost the same in the last seven years while due the inflation the prices of most of the things have increased by almost double during the same periodNonsense
Check this chart out
http://fxtop.com/en/historates.php?A...12&btnOK=Go%21
In between...what I remembered was that I exchanged my quids almost around the same rate seven years ago as the rate is today...in the nutshell... a difference of Rs. 5 per GBP would not make a huge difference to OP's budget, given that I was calculating expenses at the current exchange rate (again not the exact rates..sorry again)... I didn't know some sort of exam was going on....otherwise I would have done a detailed research and come up with a graph as well, highlighting potential gains and losses due to currency fluctuations, along with analyst comments...infact a ppt presentation would have been even better
.......mistakenly, I just wanted to give OP a sense of the situation and hope I was able to do that.PS: When we analyze decrease/increase in a value (in financial/monetary terms), we compare it period to period..i.e. year to year, quarter to quarter etc.
Last edited by Photofreak; Jun 14th, 2012 at 18:48..
Reason: added ..."given that I was calculating expenses at current exchange rates"
Quote:
Well said Kantiji..hope the people realize it
Originally Posted by PKanti I think we are moving from the actual topic: £1000 for the entire three months in India
I think we are moving from the actual topic: £1000 for the entire three months in India
#14 
Jun 14th, 2012, 15:47 Humble servant of the self
- Join Date:
- Apr 2009
- Location:
- Almora
- Posts:
- 3,484
Quote:
Yes, that is true, I thought you meant did not fluctuate, my apologies. But Rs 5 does make a difference, 5000 Rs is quite an amount
Originally Posted by Photofreak .what I remember is that I exchanged my quids almost around the same rate seven years ago as the rate is today...in the nutshell... a difference of Rs. 5 per GBP would not make a huge difference to OPs budget...
.what I remember is that I exchanged my quids almost around the same rate seven years ago as the rate is today...in the nutshell... a difference of Rs. 5 per GBP would not make a huge difference to OPs budget...
Quote:
You are absolutely right but the main issue still is...three months in Rs. 85,000 which I calculated at the current exchange rate (again not the excat conversion)
Originally Posted by jituyadav Yes, that is true, I thought you meant did not fluctuate, my apologies. But Rs 5 does make a difference, 5000 Rs is quite an amount
Yes, that is true, I thought you meant did not fluctuate, my apologies. But Rs 5 does make a difference, 5000 Rs is quite an amount Similar Threads
| Title, Username, & Date | Last Post | Replies | Views | Forum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| how much money does one really need? | Oct 27th, 2011 17:02 | 4 | 617 | India Travel Itinerary Advice |
| What money should I take? | Feb 11th, 2011 23:24 | 26 | 2985 | Money Issues and India Travel |
Posting Rules
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off
Linear Mode
