How many towns: Visit four to six towns on a trip of two to three weeks, and not more. That number gives you 2 to 3 nights in each, which is enough to find the good food, walk the lanes and still absorb the change of pace. Every extra town costs a travel day, and in India a travel day is rarely less than 5 to 8 hours door to door once you add waiting and traffic. Collecting names is the fastest way to spend your trip in a vehicle.
Which kind for which traveler: First-timers should start with
Rajasthan or the south. Both have clear rail links, plenty of guesthouses and an established backpacker circuit, so you learn how the country works without much risk. Trekkers and slow travelers should prioritize
Himalayan towns, where the town itself is the base for walks and you can stay a week without …
read more 👉 How many towns: Visit four to six towns on a trip of two to three weeks, and not more. That number gives you 2 to 3 nights in each, which is enough to find the good food, walk the lanes and still absorb the change of pace. Every extra town costs a travel day, and in India a travel day is rarely less than 5 to 8 hours door to door once you add waiting and traffic. Collecting names is the fastest way to spend your trip in a vehicle.
Which kind for which traveler: First-timers should start with Rajasthan or the south. Both have clear rail links, plenty of guesthouses and an established backpacker circuit, so you learn how the country works without much risk. Trekkers and slow travelers should prioritize Himalayan towns, where the town itself is the base for walks and you can stay a week without boredom. Culture-driven travelers do best with temple and heritage towns in the south and the Gangetic plains, where daily ritual is the attraction. Experienced travelers with time should consider the northeast or border regions, which are quieter and cheaper but need permits, patience and tolerance for slow transport.
Skip towns that exist only because of one famous monument and offer little else. You will pay inflated prices, meet the most aggressive touts and leave after half a day. Also skip the most crowded hill stations in May and June; the queues and traffic cancel the cool air.
What it costs: A backpacker budget is US$20 to 35 a day (about ₹1,700 to 3,000) staying in private rooms with fan, eating local food and using buses and sleeper trains. Dorm beds run ₹400 to 900 (US$5 to 11). Private guesthouse rooms cost ₹800 to 2,000 (US$10 to 24) in most towns, and ₹2,500 to 5,000 (US$30 to 60) in good heritage hotels. Meals at local places are ₹100 to 300 (US$1.20 to 3.60). A comfortable mid-range day, with air-conditioning and the occasional restaurant meal, is US$45 to 80.
Per visit, budget extra. Foreigner entry fees at major forts and monuments are often ₹600 to 1,100 (US$7 to 13), far above the ₹30 to 50 Indians pay, and some sites add a camera or video fee. Licensed guides cost ₹500 to 2,500 (US$6 to 30) for a half day, depending on the site. Autorickshaws within a town cost ₹50 to 200 (US$0.60 to 2.40) once you agree the price first. Overnight sleeper trains cost ₹400 to 900 (US$5 to 11) for 8 to 12 hours, and 3AC about double that. Long shared jeeps in the mountains cost ₹300 to 1,000 (US$4 to 12) depending on distance. Permits for restricted areas can add ₹500 to 3,000 (US$6 to 36).
Costs and delays that catch people out: Foreigner pricing is the biggest surprise. Check fees before you plan a town around a single site, and consider whether a ₹1,100 ticket is worth it. Rickshaw and taxi overcharging is routine at stations. Use prepaid booths where they exist, or ride-hailing apps in larger towns, and settle the fare before getting in.
Train delays are frequent. Do not book a flight within 4 to 6 hours of a long train arrival. Booking late is costly: Tatkal tickets cost more and sell in minutes, so reserve major legs early. Commission scams include drivers who say your hotel is closed and take you to one that pays them. Book ahead, and confirm the hotel by phone.
ATMs in small towns run dry or fail on foreign cards. Carry cash for 2 to 3 days and withdraw larger amounts when you find a working machine. Expect ₹200 to 500 withdrawal fees on some machines.
Safety and cultural considerations: Small towns are generally safer than big cities, but standard care still applies. Solo women should expect staring and sometimes harassment; dress in loose, covering clothes, avoid walking alone after dark, choose guesthouses with good reviews and use a seat in the women's carriage or reserved compartments on trains. Keep valuables out of sight, and secure bags in sleeper class with a chain and lock.
Drink only sealed or filtered water, and eat at busy places where food is cooked fresh. Stomach trouble is common in the first week, so carry oral rehydration salts. Dress modestly in temples, cover shoulders and knees, and remove shoes. Ask before photographing people, and do not photograph inside many shrines. Use your right hand for eating and passing things. Alcohol is banned or restricted in some states, including Gujarat and Bihar, and on some religious days. In mountain towns, altitude and rain-driven landslides are real hazards; check road conditions locally before departing.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.