Discover Budget Travel Hacks For An Unforgettable Mysuru Experience
Whether you are a solo traveler or a family person trying to explore the city on a budget, these tips and tricks will help you explore Mysuru without spending a fortune. So what are you waiting for? Let's look at some great options which can help save a lot of money during your traveling.
1.Travel Smart – Get Around for Less
Mysuru is a small city, and due to its size, it is easy to move around without any hassle. The city has an efficient public transport system which makes it easier for tourists to travel around, while keeping the expenditures low.
Use Public Buses: Mysuru has an effective city bus service. The town is well connected with all the major tourist attractions, so most of them can be visited through a KSRTC bus. And the best part, ticket prices start as low as ₹10.
Rent a Bicycle or Scooter: Local Cyclery shops rent bicycles for ₹50 per day, and scooters for 250 – 300 per day.
Walk Whenever Possible: Many popular tourism sites like Mysore Palace, Devaraja Market and Chamundi Hill can be accessed through short walks to the north of the city.
Avoid Taxis and Auto-Rickshaws:Settle on the price before getting on, or use ride-hailing services like Rapido for cheaper auto rides. Auto fares can be quite expensive.
Quick Facts:
KSRTC bus fare: ₹10-₹50 per ride
Scooter rental: ₹250-₹300 per day
Bicycle rental: ₹50 per day
2.Budget-Friendly Stays – Where to Sleep Cheap
Accommodation in Mysuru caters to all budgets, and you don't need to spend a fortune to get a comfortable stay.
Budget Hotels & Lodges: Areas like Gandhi Square and Lashkar Mohalla have budget hotels with rooms as low as ₹500 per night.
Hostels for Backpackers: Popular hostels like Zostel and The Mansion 1907 offer dorm beds starting at ₹300 per night.
Dharamshalas & Guesthouses: If you're looking for even cheaper options, dharamshalas (like the Jain Dharamshala) provide rooms for under ₹300.
Book in Advance: Online platforms like Booking.com or Agoda often have discounts for early bookings.
Quick Facts:
Budget hotel rooms: ₹500-₹1000 per night
Hostel dorm beds: ₹300-₹500 per night
Dharamshala stays: ₹200-₹300 per night
3.Cheap & Tasty Food – Eat Like a Local
Mysuru is famous for its South Indian cuisine, and you don't need to splurge to enjoy delicious meals.
Eat at Local Darshinis: Darshinis (small vegetarian eateries) like Vinayaka Mylari and Hotel RRR serve idli, dosa, and meals for under ₹100.
Try the Mysore Masala Dosa: A must-have, available at most local restaurants for ₹50-₹70.
Thalis Are the Best: Many budget restaurants offer unlimited South Indian thalis for ₹100-₹150.
Drink Filter Coffee Instead of Fancy Beverages: A cup of strong South Indian filter coffee costs just ₹15-₹30 at traditional cafes.
Quick Facts:
Mysore Masala Dosa: ₹50-₹70
South Indian thali: ₹100-₹150
Filter coffee: ₹15-₹30
4.Free & Low-Cost Attractions – Explore Without Spending Much
Mysuru has plenty of free and low-cost attractions that showcase its rich heritage and natural beauty.
Mysore Palace: Entry is just ₹100 for adults and ₹50 for children.
Chamundi Hill: Free to visit, just hike up the 1,000 steps for a breathtaking sunrise view.
Devaraja Market: Walk through this 100-year-old market, take in the colors and aromas, and shop for souvenirs at bargain prices.
Karanji Lake & Kukkarahalli Lake: Entry fees are ₹10, and you can enjoy a peaceful walk or birdwatching.
St. Philomena's Church & Rail Museum: Entry fees range from ₹10 to ₹50.
Quick Facts:
Mysore Palace entry: ₹100 (Adults), ₹50 (Children)
Chamundi Hill hike: Free
Karanji Lake entry: ₹10
Devaraja Market visit: Free
5.Smart Shopping – Get the Best Deals
Mysuru is well-known for its silk textile industry, sandalwood, and other handicraft products. Here's how to shop wise:
Buy from Government Emporiums: Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium offers authentic Mysore silk and sandalwood at fixed, reasonable rates.
Devaraja Market: Fresh spices, flower garlands, and handmade incense sticks can be bought here.
Avoid Tourist Shops: Shops at tourist spots tend to have much higher prices.
Street Shopping: Visit roadside stores for wooden toys and other handcrafted items at cheaper rates compared to big stores.
Quick Facts:
Mysore Silk Saree: Starts from ₹2000 (govt emporiums)
Sandalwood souvenirs: ₹100-₹500
Handmade incense sticks: ₹50-₹200 per pack
Extra Tips to Save More
Visit on Weekdays: Unlike weekends and holidays, hotels and other modes of transport are relatively cheaper during weekdays.
Use Local Apps: Save money through local apps like Rapido for bike taxi and Paytm for bus tickets.
Carry a Water Bottle: Instead of purchasing bottled water, refill your canteen at clean water stations.
Look for Free Walking Tours: Different travel groups and locals sometimes offer free walking tours in the city.
Use Student Discounts:Museums and other attractions often reduce entrance fees for people with a student ID.
Final Thoughts
Because of its rich cultural heritage, Mysuru is one of the most economical sites to visit in India. Besides the budget-friendliness, the city has so much more to offer, like heritage sites, palaces, delicious food, beautiful views, and so much more that does not make visiting this city hard on the pocket. Not to mention, it makes site-seeing superbly enjoyable, considering the options are plenty.
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