advice on budgets

piccola.p · Dec 6th, 2007, 02:54

Hello there,myself and my partner will be travelling around south india for 4 weeks, just wondered if any of you guys whom have done it could give me some idea of how much money i will be needing to spend. My budget will be including all accomodation, staying in budget to mid range...not being one for luxury,trains, food and visiting places. I have done a lot of research and have a rough idea just want some reassurance i guess. Thanks P

Spirit of Havelock · Dec 6th, 2007, 03:09

India is not an expensive country, but you must consider what type of lifestyle you are going to want whilst you are there. It is perfectly true that you can find a room, and eat, for less than five dollars a day in many places, but this would be basic Indian food and such a room would be devoid of hot water, air-conditioning and, as for a TV – no way! I am not a man of opulent tastes but, personally, I would feel awkward with less than U$15 a day. In 1999, for example (one of many trips), I took U$5,000 spending money on a six-month jaunt around South Asia. Admittedly, for most of that time, I staid in ordinary hotels without TV or AC, but I did go out almost every night and took half a dozen domestic flights to boot, at the end of my sojourn, the money was gone. So I would say about U$1000 for 4 weeks - maybe U$1500 for a couple.
In the coastal areas of Goa, there are none of the cheap and cheerful Indian restaurants you find elsewhere in India, and there are no cheap roadside eateries thereabouts. I don’t know whether cheap Indian eateries in coastal Goa get threatened by other owners, or whether it’s pure market forces that make them all raise prices, but either way, you will not get a meal for fifty cents. On an over-tight budget, you may find yourself like some forlorn beggar: looking longingly at the spendthrift lifestyles of your compatriots. At sundown, whilst they are partying in some hip restaurant, you will be elsewhere, lingering the night away. Most people find that it is best to have a free-spending good time for two months, rather than travel on a tight budget for three or four.
A good 750-ml. bottle of beer can cost U$1.85; a half decent room with a few amenities will cost U$15.00 a night in most places (double that in big cities); so it is quite easy to blow U$35 a day. This is still very good value when compared to developed countries, but it’s not as ridiculously cheap as some people imagine India to be. You cannot “live like a king” for a few dollars a day – sorry.

If you are down south, Mamallapuram is a great economical option. The beach isn't as pretty as those in Goa/Kerala - but there's loads of cheap food, the hotels are about half the price of Goa (maybe less) and you've got ancient ruins and a cool traveller's scene going on down there - and it's safer. You can visit Madras for shopping which is only 40 km away. If you want more bang for your buck down south, and still have a full-on fun India experience, I would recommend Mamallapuram.*

..........

*but beware of the fake Tamil orphanage scam!

piccola.p · Dec 6th, 2007, 15:54

Thanks for that i had mamallapuram on my itinerary, but keep on changing my mind...is a defo now though.px

piccola.p · Dec 6th, 2007, 16:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spirit of Havelock

India is not an expensive country, but you must consider what type of lifestyle you are going to want whilst you are there. It is perfectly true that you can find a room, and eat, for less than five dollars a day in many places, but this would be basic Indian food and such a room would be devoid of hot water, air-conditioning and, as for a TV – no way! I am not a man of opulent tastes but, personally, I would feel awkward with less than U$15 a day. In 1999, for example (one of many trips), I took U$5,000 spending money on a six-month jaunt around South Asia. Admittedly, for most of that time, I staid in ordinary hotels without TV or AC, but I did go out almost every night and took half a dozen domestic flights to boot, at the end of my sojourn, the money was gone. So I would say about U$1000 for 4 weeks - maybe U$1500 for a couple.
In the coastal areas of Goa, there are none of the cheap and cheerful Indian restaurants you find elsewhere in India, and there are no cheap roadside eateries thereabouts. I don’t know whether cheap Indian eateries in coastal Goa get threatened by other owners, or whether it’s pure market forces that make them all raise prices, but either way, you will not get a meal for fifty cents. On an over-tight budget, you may find yourself like some forlorn beggar: looking longingly at the spendthrift lifestyles of your compatriots. At sundown, whilst they are partying in some hip restaurant, you will be elsewhere, lingering the night away. Most people find that it is best to have a free-spending good time for two months, rather than travel on a tight budget for three or four.
A good 750-ml. bottle of beer can cost U$1.85; a half decent room with a few amenities will cost U$15.00 a night in most places (double that in big cities); so it is quite easy to blow U$35 a day. This is still very good value when compared to developed countries, but it’s not as ridiculously cheap as some people imagine India to be. You cannot “live like a king” for a few dollars a day – sorry.

Thanks for that, makes me feel better as i saved up quite a lot more than that. px

freenote · Dec 6th, 2007, 16:06

Hi , I find £10 (sterling) per day per person is adequate ,this buys you good food ,fairly good accom , covers transport 2nd class sleeper & bus with a few beers thrown in .Some days more ,some days less ,i would say , on average less !! with a bit left over for a luxury or two .
hope this helps .....happy traveling

backpakker · Dec 6th, 2007, 16:29

Hi

Great to hear that you are visiting down south . I am from South India and I love the South . Its not very expensive, except maybe kerala . What places do you have in mind ? is it history, wild life, that you are looking at ? If you book early, you can save by trains as well as most destinations can be reached in a few hours . In most places, there are comfortable homestays that are cheap and cheerful.

have a great trip and let me know if you need any help

machadinha · Dec 6th, 2007, 18:41

Some more general indicators (emphasis on general):

India a price guide!! (2005)

& The (excellent) first post at How to get the most out of the Itinerary section.

Dec 6th, 2007, 02:54	#1
piccola.p piccola.p Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lake District..UK Posts: 9	advice on budgets Hello there,myself and my partner will be travelling around south india for 4 weeks, just wondered if any of you guys whom have done it could give me some idea of how much money i will be needing to spend. My budget will be including all accomodation, staying in budget to mid range...not being one for luxury,trains, food and visiting places. I have done a lot of research and have a rough idea just want some reassurance i guess. Thanks P

Dec 6th, 2007, 03:09	#2
Spirit of Havelock Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sydney Posts: 97	India is not an expensive country, but you must consider what type of lifestyle you are going to want whilst you are there. It is perfectly true that you can find a room, and eat, for less than five dollars a day in many places, but this would be basic Indian food and such a room would be devoid of hot water, air-conditioning and, as for a TV – no way! I am not a man of opulent tastes but, personally, I would feel awkward with less than U$15 a day. In 1999, for example (one of many trips), I took U$5,000 spending money on a six-month jaunt around South Asia. Admittedly, for most of that time, I staid in ordinary hotels without TV or AC, but I did go out almost every night and took half a dozen domestic flights to boot, at the end of my sojourn, the money was gone. So I would say about U$1000 for 4 weeks - maybe U$1500 for a couple. In the coastal areas of Goa, there are none of the cheap and cheerful Indian restaurants you find elsewhere in India, and there are no cheap roadside eateries thereabouts. I don’t know whether cheap Indian eateries in coastal Goa get threatened by other owners, or whether it’s pure market forces that make them all raise prices, but either way, you will not get a meal for fifty cents. On an over-tight budget, you may find yourself like some forlorn beggar: looking longingly at the spendthrift lifestyles of your compatriots. At sundown, whilst they are partying in some hip restaurant, you will be elsewhere, lingering the night away. Most people find that it is best to have a free-spending good time for two months, rather than travel on a tight budget for three or four. A good 750-ml. bottle of beer can cost U$1.85; a half decent room with a few amenities will cost U$15.00 a night in most places (double that in big cities); so it is quite easy to blow U$35 a day. This is still very good value when compared to developed countries, but it’s not as ridiculously cheap as some people imagine India to be. You cannot “live like a king” for a few dollars a day – sorry. If you are down south, Mamallapuram is a great economical option. The beach isn't as pretty as those in Goa/Kerala - but there's loads of cheap food, the hotels are about half the price of Goa (maybe less) and you've got ancient ruins and a cool traveller's scene going on down there - and it's safer. You can visit Madras for shopping which is only 40 km away. If you want more bang for your buck down south, and still have a full-on fun India experience, I would recommend Mamallapuram.* .......... but beware of the fake Tamil orphanage scam! __________________ Neither worry about, nor rejoice in the future (Ancient Egyptian saying) Last edited by machadinha : Dec 6th, 2007 at 16:21. Reason: merged posts*

Dec 6th, 2007, 15:54	#3
piccola.p piccola.p Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lake District..UK Posts: 9	Thanks for that i had mamallapuram on my itinerary, but keep on changing my mind...is a defo now though.px Last edited by Nick-H : Dec 6th, 2007 at 19:00. Reason: No need to quote a preceding message

Dec 6th, 2007, 16:29	#6
backpakker Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 164	Hi Great to hear that you are visiting down south . I am from South India and I love the South . Its not very expensive, except maybe kerala . What places do you have in mind ? is it history, wild life, that you are looking at ? If you book early, you can save by trains as well as most destinations can be reached in a few hours . In most places, there are comfortable homestays that are cheap and cheerful. have a great trip and let me know if you need any help __________________ www.backpakker.blogspot.com

Dec 6th, 2007, 18:41	#7
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,149	Some more general indicators (emphasis on general): India a price guide!! (2005) & The (excellent) first post at How to get the most out of the Itinerary section. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Dec 6th, 2007, 16:06	#5
freenote senior member refused Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cornwall UK Posts: 1,512	Hi , I find £10 (sterling) per day per person is adequate ,this buys you good food ,fairly good accom , covers transport 2nd class sleeper & bus with a few beers thrown in .Some days more ,some days less ,i would say , on average less !! with a bit left over for a luxury or two . hope this helps .....happy traveling

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