Traveling On A Budget

SultanaMidnight

I haven't been able to sleep well the last few nights trying to figure out what to do on my holiday. But one thing is for certain, I will have travel on a budget, probably $30-$40 per day (including transportation, accomadations, food). Any suggestions on what cities to go to and what to see? I know this is probably an over done question, but I have no idea where to start but here our some things I want to do:

See Temples
Buy local art
Have clothes made for me
Bum around on a beach (with drinks if not illegal)
Go to a disco
Buy a little bit of jewelry
Ride an elephant

I know this all sounds so cliche but I have overloaded myself with information.

Twiggy

You can go to Goa and do most of what you have mentioned on your list the budget wouldnt be a constraint.
However what kind of clothes, jewellery?
I can be more specific knowing which city you are starting with and how long you intend to travel.

SultanaMidnight

Thanks for your help, I am planning at least a 30 day trip. As far as clothes, I want to bring back home some Indian Clothes because having them made here are expensive. So I guess I don't have anything specific in mind. I am not really concerned with western clothes because of my yearly trips to LA. Thanks again

spike

30-40 USD per day should be ok all inclusive if yoy travel on SL trains and stay in basic guesthouses.
Fly to Mumbai and cover Goa and Kerala. Include Hampi for the temples.

Brisso

Second Spike. Many manage on less than half your budget, but shopping expenses are another matter.

Darmabum

Sultana - It's always been my contention that until you are actually in India, and see what your money will get you, you won't know how much money you'll need to find the level of 'comfort' - regarding accomodation/food (see Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs for more) you require. As someone on this site's signature says, 'the map is not the territory' . . . remember, "You're not in Iowa anymore." (Know this too, I'm assuming, for whatever reason, that your international travel experience is not extensive, if nil.)

I don't mean to sound like . . . whatever I may sound like . . . but, in America, when you see a neon sign that says "Motel 6" (one of my personal favorites) you have in mind a fairly clear idea of what you're getting into. When, in an India guidebook, or from someone on this forum, you read "basic guesthouse", without any personal experience of what that suggests (or, even if you do) it's hard to really visualize what that might mean.

A "For instance" . . . my budget in India is about $13/USD/day. I'm used to living close to the ground, having lived in small spaces (29 foot sailboat) for over ten years. I'm used to having no hot water (even in America), I spend my money on food (in India and America). In India I spend about $3-4/night on my room: for that I get what I consider a 'clean' place, there has typically been no hot water, a few spiders, but clean. For that $13 I don't travel much, if at all, having decided that six months in Varanasi, then going home, is my program. I do buy gifts for people with that, have clothes made for myself, drink very little (and only local beer if I do), have never stepped into an India disco, seldom buy jewelry, (though I do spend money for my flute lessons) and spend my money on camels, not elephants (I'm thinking that elephants are gas-guzzlers, and thus more expensive than camels).

I do this too: I take 25% more than I imagine I'll need . . . just in case . . . and more often than not, spend it.

As someone above mentioned, many people travel in India for much less than you've budgeted for. Funny thing, only once you get there will you know.

I think it's great that you're not sleeping . . . India is getting into you

__________________
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure - Marianne Williamson

SultanaMidnight

Thank you all for the help. In my humble guess, my $40 a day plus a couple hundred for an indrail pass will be enough to enjoy myself and be comfortable. I am also guessing being a sheltered country bumpkin, a beach hut would be just as interesting as a honeymoon suite. But neither would I spend alot of time in. I would rather spend my time wandering and exploring then being treated like a princess.

Thanks Dharmabum for the tip on the camel rides. That sounds fun too!! This is kind off of the subject but when you planned your visit did you get reactions from your loved ones similar to coming out of the closet? And urrgghhh, my best-friend (who is from Hyderabad but lives here in Iowa) is making me feel like I am going to do something totally off limits for a white person and someone who is poor!!!

Brisso

Standard stuff. We've all had that shock horror response. Amazing how people who have never visited India are intent on warning you of all the pitfalls you will experience.

Twiggy

I agree with spike's idea on the travel itenary. You can start with mumbai, then take an overnight bus to goa from where you can take a train to kerala. You would have to decide what you want to do in Kerala. There are a wide variety of options from temples and churches to wildlife and backwaters. I guess you could do most of these things if you plan well. As far as the clothes are concerned I would recommend Mumbai as you would be able to get a very wide variety of traditional Indian clothes from different parts of the country and make your choice accordingly.

wonderwomanusa

That's the second time I've seen you mention the IndRail pass. If you have heard this by now, please note that you still need to make a reservation for every train you want to take. (This is not like a Eurail Pass, where you just get on the train and find a seat.)

__________________
The map is not the territory. --Alfred Korzybski

SultanaMidnight

Thanks for the heads up.

steven_ber

An Indrail pass is very unlikely to be good value for money on a 30 day trip, though depending on your Itinerary, it can sometimes be worth the extra just for convenience.

For example, I didn't book a single ticket for 3 weeks whilst traveling around south Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and just showed up at the station and jumped on a train, however, this can only be done in certain parts of the country, or on certain trains, but this can really be done on any train (for short distances) as long as you don't want a seat/berth and are happy to stand/sit at the end of the carriage.

WWUSA, my 3 month Indrail pass has been wonderful, but I've probably traveled close to 25,000 on this trip, and about half of those kms on Rajdhani trains (free food ), so I've most definitely got my money's worth.

The only MAJOR problem with an Indrail pass is that you can't use the Tatkal quota, and this can be vital for anyone on a flexible Itinerary, but I will be writing to Indian Railways when I get home with a few suggestions and will ask them to consider allowing Tatkal bookings.

__________________
.
How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions.


Train information.


RAC & Waitlists explained.

SultanaMidnight

Steven, thanks for the tip!

palerider

That's 40 dollars american a day?.
That's about 1700 rupees?. That's pretty good. I average about 1000 a day for everything, and still live pretty well.
I go in off season though, so everything is often less than half the top rate.
Last year in Kerala, I averaged about 500 rupees a day, for everything.

__________________
I always wanted to be someone when I grew up, I realise now that I should have been more specific.

gw5458

I've just emailed the Chairman of the Railways Board to make that point. Perhaps if enough people raise the matter then it might lead to a policy rethink. The Tatkal quota is the issue which tips the balance against the Indrail pass for me.