Delhi is the capital city and the soul of India. It is rich in culture and heritage and tops the list of the best budget trips you can take in India! It is the cheapest place in the country that you can take a fulfilling trip to without breaking the bank. Believe it or not, you can easily take a 3-day trip to Delhi for under Rs. 5000! In this blog, we’ll create the perfect Delhi budget trip for just under Rs. 5000 so you can tour, eat, shop and do many more things within your budget!
Table of Contents
How to Reach Delhi
As Delhi is the capital city of India, it is the most easily accessible city from anywhere in the country. It has an international airport called the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) that is connected to all major cities of India as well as other countries in the world.
As for roads, all major national highways connect this beautiful city to the rest of the country, and the bus system is also a reliable one, with many cheap and fast buses available from other areas of India to Delhi.
Delhi has many railway stations that you can choose to arrive in/depart from depending upon the train you’re taking and the route. All of these are well-connected with one another as well as to all other parts of India.
How to Plan a Delhi Budget Trip?
Delhi is for everyone. For those who love history, you, Delhi, have many historical monuments with rich legacies engraved on their walls. For those who have a love for culture, many cultures and religions coexist in the heart of Delhi, and it is a sight worth beholding. For those who love nature, the many parks and greenery in and around Delhi make it a perfect place for all nature lovers. If you’re a shopaholic, the many markets of Delhi entice you with their enchanting and affordable products – from food and spices to clothes and jewellery. Delhi’s markets have everything you can ever ask for. Not only that, but Delhi is a really affordable place to tour, and you can easily plan a trip to this amazing place within your budget. Let’s see how you can do it!
When planning a budget trip anywhere, you will need to keep in mind certain factors that affect your budget. These include transport, commute, food, stay, and the like. Another important aspect is the duration of your trip. The duration of your trip determines how much you will spend, as the more days you stay in a place, the more you spend.
Transport is a very subjective aspect, and the cost of your transport depends upon where you arrive in Delhi. So, we haven’t included the cost of transportation in this budget plan.
Other aspects like food, accommodation, and commute in Delhi will be discussed in detail in this blog so you can get an idea of your trip’s expenditure.
How Many Days Are Enough to Visit Delhi?
Generally, you can cover Delhi in 3 days, and these days will be enough to tour all the major tourist attractions here that you just visited. If you want to add more offbeat and quirky places to visit in Delhi to your itinerary, you might have to extend your trip for a few more days. Decide where you want to go and what kind of places you want to see so you can know the length of your trip – don’t forget to keep in mind your budget!
You should visit Delhi during the winter as the weather is pleasant during that time. During summer, the heat is extremely scorching and unbearable, and it is not recommended that you tour Delhi at this time.
Commuting within Delhi
Delhi has many options for commuting within the city. Commuting within the city is cheap and extremely easy. The city has developed with great mobility, and you will find many cab services, bikes, metro, bicycles, and more for commuters.
Cab Services:
Online and offline cab and taxi services are easily available here. Uber and Ola are popular options. If you’re a solo traveller, you can opt for Uber/Ola bikes to cut back on the cost.
Metro:
The Delhi Metro is the heart and soul of the city, with stops at every possible location. Many lines connect every area of the city, and you can easily get tickets at the metro stations. This is the cheapest option when you want to travel for a long time and to faraway places. You can also travel to nearby places on the metro!
Bike Rentals:
Bikes are easily available for rent in Delhi. You can pick them up from shops that rent bikes offline or book yours online. Rental bikes start at Rs. 500 per day. You will have to pay for your own fuel. This is also a good way to tour Delhi on a budget and at your own pace.
Rental Cycles and Bikes:
Recently, bikes like Yulu and SmartBike have made their homes in Delhi. These bikes are available for pickup at their designated stations, and you can take them anywhere you like and drop them off at their designated stations nearby. These are hassle-free, and you pay by the minute without having to worry about payment and routes. Yulu charges Rs. 2.5 per minute for every minute you’re travelling and Rs. 0.5 per minute for every pause. SmartBike is a cheaper option that you will find at many monuments and tourist places. They charge Rs. 10 for the first 30 minutes, and the price goes up accordingly. For both bike services, you will find their prices and instructions at each of their drop-off and pick-up stations. They are a great way to stay fit, save on carbon emissions, save money as well, and tour Delhi at your own pace and route.
HoHo Bus:
HoHo Bus is a recent addition to your Delhi trip that has curated the perfect 2-day itinerary for you to tour Delhi at your own pace for just Rs. 600! This is a low-floor AC bus that takes you to all the designated tourist places in Delhi, and you can get off wherever you want to and board from wherever you want to! HoHo Buses run between each location every 30 minutes, and they are great for touring the many magical and historical places of Delhi. They also come with a guide in English and Hindi and are perfect for tourists who want to get to the core of Delhi!
Hostels in Delhi for a Cheap Stay!
Hostels are a great way to save money while travelling and meeting travellers with the same interests. There are many hostels in Delhi where you can stay. If you’re a solo female traveller, worry not! These hostels also provide female-only dorms! Let’s check out some of the cheapest ones!
goSTOPS
This is one of the cheapest hostel chains in India. In India’s capital city, goSTOPS is located at a prime location right next to the Delhi Gate metro station and offers a cosy and comfortable stay. Their dorms start at Rs. 850. You can also book private rooms here.
Zostel
Zostel is one of the topmost hostels in India. Their dorms in Delhi start at Rs. 800 only! Zostel Delhi also has private rooms.
The Hosteller
This is another popular chain of backpacker hostels in India, and it is the cheapest one in Delhi. Its dorms start at only Rs. 550 a night!
Moustache Delhi
This is yet another chain of hostels that you can trust for a great experience and safety. Their dorms in Delhi start at Rs. 700.
JHouse near Bhikaji
This quaint hostel in Delhi offers comfortable rooms and great service for travellers. Their dorms start at Rs. 800.
A Sleepy Fox
A Sleepy Fox is a premium hostel in Delhi where you can stay with your friends or even by yourself in the dorms for an amazing experience. Their dorms start at Rs. 1000 per night for a bed.
Heistel
This is a small and lesser-known hostel that is preferred by many foreigners for its comfort and location. You can book a bed here for around Rs. 700 for a night!
These were your cheapest options for a stay in Delhi. Now, let’s take a look at the amazing places to visit in Delhi for three days and how much their entry fees will cost you.
Where to Go for a Delhi Budget Trip
Red Fort
Red Fort is a historical site in Delhi and is the most prominent tourist location in all of Delhi. Currently, the Red Fort acts as an important place for flag hoisting by the Indian government on days of national importance. Inside the fort are many places of interest for history lovers – from Diwan-e-Aam and Diwan-e-Khaas to many projecting balconies, entertainment complexes and palaces. Entry to this amazing place is just Rs. 35 per person.
India Gate
Another popular place to add to your itinerary, India Gate is an amazing place with a garden and a water body. The main attraction is the stone-carved gate, made as a memorial for all those who lost their lives in the First World War. A never-ending flame burns under the gate as a tribute. Entry to the India Gate is free.
Humayun’s Tomb
Few people visit this historical beauty. It is extremely peaceful, and the architecture is worth marvelling at. The place is surrounded by magnificent gardens and fountains and pays a beautiful tribute to Humayun. The entry to the tomb is Rs. 35.
Connaught Place
Connaught Place, popularly called CP, is the most happening place in Delhi. This is where Delhi’s nightlife strives to be the best, and this is also where you can shop till you drop! CP is located in a prime location right in the centre of the city and has everything you can ever imagine! From gaming zones and mystery rooms to food courts and apparel stores, you can have a great evening at CP when you want to relax and unwind! Entry to CP is free.
Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar is a beautiful and famous stone building in Delhi. It’s a long building carved in a honeycomb-like manner and is gorgeous to look at. Surrounded by gardens and another minar called the Alai Minar, Qutub Minar is a must-visit attraction. It is famous all over India and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, like many other historical attractions in Delhi. Entry to Qutub Minar is just Rs. 30.
Hauz Khas Fort
Hauz Khas Fort is a beautiful fort in ruins that you can visit for a relaxing day out in Delhi. The fort has been featured in many Bollywood films, like Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar. There are many beautiful tombs and pavilions here that tell the story of a bygone era. You can enter this ruined fort for just Rs. 25!
Agrasen Ki Baoli
This is another historical place that you can visit for a Delhi budget trip. It is a stepwell that is constructed beautifully, and many come to visit it daily. It is also said that the site well is haunted, and the black water in the stepwell lures those who stare at it for long. It is often said that the water is malevolent and leads one to commit suicide! Many had reported being followed around the stepwell and the feeling of being watched even when no one was around. Spooked yet? Go check it out for yourself. Entry is free.
Lo hi Garden
This Mughal Garden is one of the most beautiful in Delhi. You can visit it for a refreshing morning walk or a romantic evening walk. Designed in the Mughal architectural style, the garden’s intricacies are worth watching. It is also popular among locals. Entry to the garden is free.
Jantar Mantar
The Jantar Mantar of Delhi is a famous astronomical site where you can look at the stars, moons and planets and study them. It was originally a research centre for the same ages ago but has now been turned into a tourist place just like the other Jantar Mantars around the country. Here, you can find many astronomical instruments that were used by researchers years ago to determine the position of the planets and stars. You can take a look at them as well! The entry to Jantar Mantar is just Rs. 15!
Rashtrapati Bhawan
The Rashtrapati Bhawan is the home of the Indian president. This is where most political happenings take place along with the Parliament, which is also close to the Rashtrapati Bhawan. You aren’t allowed to enter inside casually as it is an extremely protected area. There is no entry fee, but if you want a guided tour, you will have to pay a fee. If you go for the guided tour, know that you won’t be allowed to bring your cameras inside or shoot a video/photograph.
Safdarjung Tomb
This tomb is the last tomb built in the Mughal style of architecture and is a beautiful place to visit. It looks even more beautiful in the evening during sunset. It is worthwhile for those seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of Delhi’s popular tourist places. The entry fee is just Rs. 15.
Purana Qila
This is the old fort of Delhi before the Red Fort. It was built by Humayun and Sher Shah Suri. It is now semi-ruined and has been preserved so tourists can see the bygone era. It is a popular place among tourists and locals. There is also a lake near the palace. The ticket price for the fort is Rs. 25, while for the lake, you will have to pay an entry fee of Rs. 20.
This is a breakdown of the must-visit places in Delhi that you can cover in 3 days. You can also add more to the list according to your preferences. Now, let’s look at how much food will cost you in Delhi!
Food Cost in Delhi
Delhi’s food is generally expensive, especially when you visit high-end cafes and fine-dining restaurants. If you want to tour Delhi on a tight budget, we recommend you visit pocket-friendly places that sell delicious food!
When it comes to food, Delhi’s street food is the most loved cuisine in the country. It is tasty, flavourful, and filling! From Tibetan and South Indian cuisine to North Indian and Maharashtrian cuisine, you will find everything in Delhi. The stalls are extremely pocket-friendly, and you get to try a lot of delicious items!
Delhi’s markets are famous for their food, and there are even markets and lanes designated for food! Let’s take an aromatic stroll!
Paranthe Wali Gali:
The Paranthe Wali Gali is one of the oldest lanes in Delhi, serving a wide variety of paranthas. From simple aaloo paranthas to huge paranthas as long as one whole foot, this place is a food lover’s heaven. Moolchand Paranthe Wala is one of the oldest and most popular shops here, and people from all over the world visit for a delicious taste of their aaloo pyaaz paranthas. You must visit this amazing place as well!
HauzK has Social:
Hauz Khas Social is a high-end café in Delhi that you will not regret splurging on! This amazing place is one of the oldest and best cafes in the city for food and drinks. Situated in the social and nightlife hub of Delhi, Hauz Khas Village, this café is a place you must add to your list if you’re visiting Delhi with your friends and have some money on you to splurge!
North Campus:
North Campus houses some of India’s best universities and colleges and is home to the topmost colleges affiliated with Delhi University. The high student population has led to a revolutionizing food market with many cafés and stalls that are extremely pocket-friendly! You can get everything here, from tea and patties to pizza and burgers, at an extremely affordable rate. The food quality isn’t compromised at all!
Dolma Aunty Momos:
Dolma Aunty Momos was the first shop in Delhi to start selling momos in the 1990s. Since then, the place has made a home in every local’s heart and is extremely popular among tourists as well. You must visit this historical place at least once to try out the delicious and inexpensive momos!
Majnu Ka Tila:
Majnu Ka Tila is a small area in Delhi, quite far from the major tourist attractions, that houses many Tibetan refugees. The place looks like you’ve entered Tibet, with many Tibetan-style architecture and places. Majnu Ka Tila is famous for its delicious Tibetan food, and you can get some of the best laphing at the cafes here.
As you know, Delhi is a mix of cultures. The food here encompasses all Indian cultures and cuisines. These are some of the must-try dishes in Delhi (and they’re extremely pocket-friendly as well!):
· Chhole Tikki
· Chhole Bhature
· Momos
· Maggi
· Golgappas
You can read our complete article on the best street food in Delhi here!
As for the cost of the food, every dish along the stalls costs hardly anywhere between Rs. 50 and Rs. 100. The street food items in Delhi are meals in themselves like parantha, dahi bhallas, chhole bhature and more. These also cost no more than Rs. 100 or 200! If you spend smartly on food choices and do not eat at a high-end ca é or restaurant, your food cost per day will hardly come around to Rs. 600!
Shopping in Delhi
Delhi is famous for its cheap markets that sell everything at throat-slashing prices. As shopping is a subjective experience, we haven’t added it to the expenses list, but as Delhi’s markets are extremely cheap, these are a few suggestions from where you can buy some souvenirs. The prices go as low as Rs. 10 for a t-shirt and Rs. 80 for a sweater
· Sarojini Market
· Janpath Market
· Khan Market
· Chandni Chowk
· Dilli Haat
· Karol Bagh
· Palika Bazaar
Budget Breakdown: Delhi Budget Trip Cost
Now let’s take a look at how much a 3-day trip to Delhi will cost you!
Commute:
SmartBike will be your cheapest option for commuting within Delhi. The first 30 minutes cost only Rs. 10. You can easily get around the city on one of these. It will hardly cost you anywhere more than Rs. 500 for your whole trip! You can also buy a weekly pass online for Rs. 200 for a week and use the bikes limitless! You can also try out the metro. Travelling in the metro won’t cost you any more than Rs. 600 for the whole trip either!
Stay:
On average, a two-night stay will cost around Rs. 1700. You can also check out cheap hotels in Old Delhi and places near the monuments. Hostels are the cheapest options available, but if you’re travelling in a group, finding a cheap hotel that you can share the cost of will be helpful.
Food:
With so many delicious and pocket-friendly places in Delhi to satiate your hunger, food won’t cost you more than Rs. 800 a day, even if you have as many dishes as you can!
Miscellaneous Expenses:
Your miscellaneous expenses include entertainment costs and entry fees. As most places in Delhi have extremely cheap entry tickets, your ticket cost won’t exceed Rs. 300 for the whole trip.
So, your total cost for a Delhi budget trip will be around Rs. 4900 only! You can easily do this trip under Rs. 5K for 3 days!
Conclusion
So, what are you waiting for? Plan a fulfilling Delhi budget trip for just under Rs. 5000! This amazing capital city of India has a lot to offer visitors. If you love life, Delhi is the best place to be!
