A backpacker's guide to India: Route, budget, and must-knows

Time of India

06-05-2025

Backpacking through India is not just a trip — it's a slightly chaotic, wildly colorful, occasionally confusing crash course in everything from spirituality to spice tolerance.
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This guide isn't for the faint-hearted, the overly scheduled, or anyone who flinches at the sound of a honking tuk-tuk. It is, however, for the curious, the adventurous, and those with a healthy sense of humor.
The route
India is enormous, so choosing a route depends on time, stamina, and whether one prefers beaches, mountains, deserts, or all three in one week.
North Circuit
(3–4 weeks): Start in Delhi for the sensory overload, then move to Agra for a glimpse of the Taj Mahal (yes, it's worth it).
Visit Jaipur for pink palaces and camel selfies. Head north to Rishikesh for yoga by the Ganges and then up to Manali or Dharamshala for mountains and momos.
South Circuit
(2–3 weeks): Land in Bengaluru or Chennai, make way to Hampi (ancient ruins and backpacker chill), float through the Kerala backwaters, and end with a sunset in Varkala or Gokarna — where cows might casually join yoga class.
Other options
: Varanasi — for spiritual shock therapy (expect fire rituals, river cremations, and existential questions).
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Budget
India is one of the most budget-friendly destinations, but a backpacker must choose between rickshaw realism and air-conditioned temptation.
Accommodation
: Dorm beds range from INR 300 – INR800 per night. Private budget rooms: INR 800–INR 1500. Prices double if the word 'eco' or 'heritage' is involved.
Food
: A plate of samosas costs less than a bottle of water. Full thali meals go for INR 150 – INR 250. Street food is delicious but comes with a gamble — consider it part of the thrill.
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Transport
: Sleeper-class trains are a backpacker's rite of passage (INR 400 – INR 700 for long distances). Domestic flights are cheap if booked in advance, and overnight buses are a bumpy but time-saving hack.
Total daily budget
: INR 1200 – INR 2000 ($15–$25), including room, food, travel, and at least one spontaneous decision.
Must-knows
Pack light, but pack toilet paper: It's a rare and sacred commodity in rural stops.
Be chai-prepared
: Saying no to tea is a borderline insult in many places.
Train tickets sell out
: Book on IRCTC (India's official train site) or use a travel agent who smiles confidently.
Watch for monkeys
: They're cute until they steal your sunglasses and emotionally scar you.
Backpacking through India isn't about following a perfect plan — it's about embracing the imperfections. It's loud, unpredictable, and sometimes overwhelming, but always unforgettable. Between the sunsets, the spices, and the spiritual detours, India offers not just a trip, but a story — and probably a few stomach pills.