10 Gorgeous, Exciting and Cheap Places to Visit in India. Because Money Shouldn't Get in the Way of Having a Great Vacation (2019)

You can't deny it—everyone needs and deserves a break from their hectic work schedules and mundane routines every once in a while! Of the 365 days in a calendar year, some days should just be parked aside to relax, unwind, and truly experience life. Whether you are looking to go on a solo backpacking trip or looking to experience a memorable holiday with your family, friends, and loved ones, traveling to a new destination is always exciting, isn’t it?

One of the common myths associated with traveling to unexplored and breathtaking destinations is that it is an expensive affair—not necessarily so! Most travel experiences can be tailored depending on your requirements. And, if you have a predetermined budget, it is even easier because you can shortlist your options accordingly. It all actually depends on how well and comprehensively you plan your trip. Sure, it will require some “smart” and advance planning, but it is not an overly daunting task to book a trip on a budget. Read along to know some of the top destinations that you can visit on a (VERY) low budget.

Located in Karnataka, Hampi is one of the cheapest places to travel in India. It is recognized as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, thereby it has gained massive popularity among avid travellers. People who have visited Hampi describe their experience akin to being teleported back in time or walking through a centuries-old museum! The architectural ruins are marvelous to those who have a keen eye for beauty. And if you are a history lover, a trip to Hampi will be an enriching experience for you!

A number of places in Hampi, Karnataka, boast of historic installations; these include the Hazara Rama Temple, Elephant Stables, Underground Temple, and other areas of interest with beautiful sights. Also popular among tourists are Sanapur Lake, Matanga Hills, the very famous Tungabhadra River, the Statue of Ugra Narasimha, and Lotus Mahal, to name a few.

This hamlet of Himalaya, Kasol, is one of the most beautiful places to visit in North India. The serene and scenic surroundings of this tourist hotspot are complemented by the calm and patience exuded by the locals of Kasol. Enter this quiet village, and you are bound to feel relaxed, as you rejuvenate close to nature. Some of the top tourist attractions in Kasol include Kheerganga Trek, Tosh, Parvati River, Malana, Pin Parvati Pass, Manikaran Gurudwara, and Rasol. If you have an adventurous streak within you, you surely cannot think of leaving Kasol without attempting one of the following "fun" activities: trekking, rock climbing, and nature trails. If you prefer a more relaxed outing, simply stroll through the flea markets and enjoy quick meals at the popular Evergreen Cafe.

Best known for its backwater houseboat cruises, Alleppey or Alappuzha is a gorgeous place to visit in Kerala. Some of the best tourist spots in and around Alleppey include Alappuzha Beach, Vembanad, Marari Beach, Pathiramanal, and Punnamada Lake. If you are a street food lover and want to try the street food of Alleppey, you will get plenty of options such as Shrimps, Malabar Biryani, Puttu, Kadala among other Malabari delicacies. Food is not very expensive, and an average meal will cost you between Rs.150-200. Some local eateries also serve the full-course thali and you can eat to your stomach's full.

The southernmost tip of India, Kanyakumari is one of the cheapest places to visit in India. Kanyakumari is known for Vivekananda Rock, Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanyakumari Beach, Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Temple, and Mahatma Gandhi Mandapam.

Maval is one of the beautiful, cheapest places in Maharashtra in the Pune District. Lohagard Fort, Karla Caves, Bhaja Caves, Vispaur Fort, Tikona Fort are some of the attractive tourist spots in Maval. You cannot leave Maval without visiting the most loved theme park: Imagica, located near Khopoli

You can even experience the royalty in your budget. Jaisalmer is a place where you will be treated like royals by royals in Rajasthan. Known as The Great Indian Desert, Thar Desert is the most significant attraction point for tourist. Other than the Thar Desert, Jaisalmer Fort, Tanot Mata Temple, Kothari’s Patwaon ki Haveli, Jain Temples, and Jaisalmer War Museum are some interesting places to visit in Jaisalmer.

Pondicherry, one of the French colonies that is now officially a Union Territory of India, is one of the beautiful places located on the East coast. This city is famous for its amazing sunrise views, which are among the best in the country, and can be witnessed from the Promenade Beach. Other places to visit in Pondicherry include Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Statue of Gandhi, Auroville, Gingee Fort, and Paradise Beach.

Amritsar is considered among the most beautiful places to visit in North India. The city of "Amritsar" was founded by the fourth Guru of the Sikh panth, Sri Guru Ram Das. Moreover, the city derives its name from the two holy words, namely "Amrit", which means nectar of immortality, and "sar" or "sarovar", which means a pond. The Golden Temple or Shri Harmandir Sahib is by far the most popular tourist attraction in this city of Punjab. There is the holy sarovar surrounding all four sides of the main gurudwara, and it is said that taking a dip in this holy water erases all your bad karmas. Among other popular spots in the city are other gurudwaras, including the Akal Takht, Gurudwara Baba Atal Rai Sahib Ji; Durgiana Temple; Jallianwala Bagh; Wagah Border; Tarn Taran; and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum. The city is also a paradise for true foodies, giving you a taste of authentic North Indian cuisine.

Known as the peaceful capital city of the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar is one of the cheapest places to visit in India. You can explore a number of historical places of interest in Itanagar, such as Ita Fort, Gompa, Ganga lake, Namdhapa National Park, Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum and Polo Park. Whether you enjoy architectural marvels, being close to nature, or peaceful escapades--Itanagar has something to offer to everyone!

Situated on the banks of the River of Ganges, Varanasi is considered as the most sacred city in India. Erstwhile Benaras, this city is regarded as the oldest living city in the world! And, you don't have to be religious to experience the charm of this legendary city. Hidden amidst the many bylanes, the crowded ghats, and numerous temples, Varanasi offers you an experience of a lifetime. Enjoy a boat ride on the River Ganges for about Rs.250 per hour. Experience the grandeur of the evening aarti conducted by lakhs of devotees at the riverbed. And, visit and explore the numerous ancient temples such as Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, or simply enjoy at the ghats and other tourist attractions, namely, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Ramnagar Fort and Dhamek Stupa.

How to get there:
You can travel from Delhi to Varanasi by train for Rs.650 (round trip).

Budget-friendly accommodations:
At Varanasi, hotel prices are meager, starting from about Rs. 400. An average meal will cost you around Rs.150. So, you can look forward to a good weekend trip on a tight budget of under Rs.5000.

Wherever you choose to visit, it is advisable that you plan your trip well in advance. Ensure you make a list of nearby places you want to visit, so you are aware of how you wish to spend your time and can group nearby activities. For example, if there is a restaurant by the beach that serves authentic local cuisine, you can plan your day such that you spend some time by the beach and dine at the restaurant later. Try to figure out if there are hostels/zostels, homestays or other budget hotels in the locality before you reach your destination, so you can inquire well in advance and compare your option. Also, it's wise to stay around the most touristy places so you don't end up spending a lot of money on local transport.

Track your finances whenever and wherever you spend. You can track your finance with popular apps such as Splitwise if you're traveling in a group.

Travelling off-season can considerably cut down your expenses. For example, most people prefer to visit Goa in the Christmas season, and in this season the rates are on the seventh level. Instead, planning a trip in November or January may turn out to be cheaper!

No two ways about this--taking the public transport is good for the pocket and the planet! So, opt for buses or auto rickshaws which are way cheaper than renting a car or hailing a cab. Most local towns offer pool rides, and you can consider that if you are comfortable riding with fellow passengers.