Best Budget Friendly Places to Visit in India (Hidden Gems)
Looking for budget friendly places to visit in India that are still unexplored? Some of the most beautiful destinations are not the most popular ones.
These hidden gems are perfect if you want to travel more, spend less, and experience something different.
1. Pelling, Sikkim – Budget Friendly Place to Visit in India
Pelling sits in West Sikkim.
Direct view of Kanchenjunga. Buddhist monasteries. Waterfalls. And way fewer tourists than Gangtok.
I visited Pelling in April. Best decision ever.
Budget breakdown:
- Hotels cost 500-900 rupees
- Local Sikkimese meals for 60-120 rupees
- Shared jeeps from Siliguri cost 200-250 rupees
- Most monastery visits are free
The Pemayangtse Monastery is 300 years old. One of Sikkim’s oldest. The wooden sculpture on the top floor is incredible. Seven tiers showing heaven.
Rabdentse Ruins are a short trek from town. Old capital of Sikkim. Now just stone structures and prayer flags. The view of the mountains from there is unreal.
Kanchenjunga Falls is 15 km away. The water is freezing. You can walk behind the waterfall. Entry is 20 rupees.
My favorite spot:
Skywalk. Glass platform hanging over the valley. 7200 feet high. Costs 50 rupees. Scary but worth it.
Wake up early. Around 5 AM. Walk to any viewpoint. Watch sunrise on Kanchenjunga. The peak turns golden.
Food is different here. Momos obviously. But try Thukpa. Gundruk soup. Sael roti. All cheap. All filling.
Daily budget: 1000-1300 rupees
2. Munsiyari, Uttarakhand – Hidden Budget Friendly Place in India
Munsiyari means “place with snow.”
Sits at 7200 feet. Base for several treks. Panchachuli peaks dominate the skyline. Not many people make it here. The journey takes effort. But that’s exactly why you should go.
Why it’s budget-friendly:
- Government guesthouses for 400-700 rupees
- Small dhabas charge 50-100 rupees per meal
- Khaliya Top trek is free
- Birthi Falls has no entry fee
The drive to Munsiyari is beautiful. Narrow roads. Sharp turns. Deep valleys. Take the bus from Kathgodam. Costs 300-400 rupees. Takes 12-14 hours.
Khaliya Top is a 6 km trek from town. Takes 4-5 hours. The meadows at the top are stunning. Camp overnight if you want. Carry your own tent.
Local tip:
Visit the Tribal Heritage Museum. Run by locals. Shows the culture of Shauka tribe. Entry is free. Small donations appreciated.
The town itself is tiny. One main market. A few shops. Two or three ATMs that don’t always work. Carry cash.
Winter turns Munsiyari into a snow wonderland. December to February. But roads can close. Check before planning.
Daily budget: 900-1200 rupees
3. Kausani, Uttarakhand
Mahatma Gandhi called it the “Switzerland of India.”
I usually hate these comparisons. But Kausani does have something special.
300 km view of the Himalayas. Peaceful. Green. Perfect for doing absolutely nothing.
Budget perks:
- Budget hotels for 500-800 rupees
- Simple meals for 60-120 rupees
- Viewpoints are free
- Tea gardens offer free walks
Kausani sits at 1890 meters. Not very high. But the view is spectacular.
You can see Trishul, Nanda Devi, Panchachuli. All from your hotel window if you pick the right place.
Baijnath Temple is 17 km away. 12th-century temple. Dedicated to Shiva. The stone carvings are detailed. Worth a half-day trip.
What I loved:
The tea estates. UPASI Tea Research Centre is nearby. Walk through tea gardens. They explain the tea-making process. Buy fresh tea at factory prices.
Sunrise viewpoint is the main attraction. Wake up at 5:30 AM. Walk 10 minutes from main market. Watch the peaks turn pink then gold. Costs nothing. Beats any paid tour.
Kausani is slow. Very slow. No nightlife. No adventure sports. Just mountains and peace.
If that sounds boring, skip it. If that sounds perfect, book your bus ticket.
Daily budget: 900-1200 rupees
4. Havelock Island, Andaman
Everyone thinks Andaman is expensive. It can be. But it doesn’t have to be.
Havelock Island has some of India’s best beaches. Crystal clear water. White sand. Coral reefs.
Budget breakdown:
- Basic beach huts for 800-1500 rupees
- Local fish meals for 100-200 rupees
- Ferry from Port Blair costs 1000-1500 rupees
- Beach access is free
Flight to Port Blair is the expensive part. Book months in advance. Regular prices are 8000-12000 rupees. From Port Blair, government ferry to Havelock takes 2-3 hours. Book online. Cheap and reliable.
Radhanagar Beach is rated as Asia’s best beach. It is beautiful. Sunset there is perfect.
Elephant Beach is good for snorkeling. Boat ride costs 1000-1500 rupees. Snorkeling gear rental is 300-500 rupees.
Money-saving tip:
Stay away from Beach No. 5 and 7. That’s where expensive resorts are. Stay near the main market. Cheaper. More food options. Rent a scooter for 500-700 rupees per day. Island is small. You can cover everything on a scooter.
Local restaurants serve fresh seafood. Fish curry rice for 100 rupees. Lobster for 300-400 rupees. Way cheaper than resort restaurants.
Daily budget: 1500-2000 rupees (excluding flight)
5. Bhimtal, Uttarakhand
Nainital’s less famous neighbor. Bhimtal has a bigger lake. Fewer tourists. Lower prices.
Only 22 km from Nainital. But completely different vibe.
Budget advantages:
- Hotels cost 600-1000 rupees
- Local food for 60-120 rupees
- Lake entry is free
- Aquarium on the island costs 50 rupees
Bhimtal Lake is C-shaped. Bigger than Nainital Lake. An island in the middle with an aquarium.
Boating costs 150-200 rupees. Pedal boats are cheaper. Row boats are more fun.
The town is quiet. Not commercialized. A few restaurants. Some shops. That’s it.
Things to do:
Victoria Dam is 3 km away. Built by the British. Good for a morning walk. Free entry.
Bhimeshwar Temple sits by the lake. Old temple. Simple structure. Peaceful atmosphere.
Folk Culture Museum shows Kumaoni culture. Entry is 20 rupees. Small but interesting.
Butterfly Research Centre is nearby. 2000+ species. Entry costs 100 rupees. Worth it if you’re into nature.
You can cover Bhimtal in one day. But stay overnight. Watch stars. The sky is clearer than Nainital.
Local food is typical Kumaoni. Bhatt ki churkani. Aloo ke gutke. Simple. Tasty. Cheap.
Daily budget: 1000-1300 rupees
6. Sattal, Uttarakhand
Sattal means seven lakes. Actually, there are only four now. Three dried up. But who’s counting?
The area is green. Dense forests. Lakes connected by streams. Birdwatcher’s paradise.
Budget breakdown:
- Eco-lodges and homestays for 800-1200 rupees with meals
- Limited restaurants, meals cost 80-150 rupees
- No entry fees
- Kayaking costs 200-300 rupees
Sattal is 23 km from Bhimtal. You can club both places in one trip.
The lakes are pristine. Surrounded by oak and pine trees. Very few tourists. Mostly nature lovers and birdwatchers.
500+ bird species recorded here. Kingfishers. Woodpeckers. Himalayan griffon. I’m not a bird expert. But even I was impressed.
What makes it special:
The silence. No honking. No crowds. Just water and trees and bird calls.
You can kayak on the lakes. Rent a kayak for 200 rupees per hour. Explore the connected waterways. Very peaceful.
Butterfly Museum is here too. Different from the one in Bhimtal. Run by a naturalist. Entry is 50 rupees.
Stay options are limited. Book in advance. Most places offer package deals with meals included.
The road to Sattal is narrow. No direct buses. Take a bus to Bhimtal. Then shared taxi for 50-70 rupees.
Daily budget: 1100-1400 rupees
7. Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh
Araku sits at 3200 feet. Coffee plantations. Tribal villages. Waterfalls.
The train journey from Visakhapatnam is one of India’s most scenic routes.
Why it’s cheap:
- Government guesthouses for 500-900 rupees
- Tribal meals and local food for 50-100 rupees
- Train from Vizag costs 50-100 rupees
- Most viewpoints are free
The train journey is the highlight. Visakhapatnam to Araku. 115 km. Takes 4-5 hours.
Goes through 58 tunnels. Over 84 bridges. Through dense forests. Book a window seat. Left side going up is better.
Train costs 50 rupees in second class. 100 rupees in chair car. One of the cheapest scenic train rides in India.
Borra Caves are 29 km from Araku. Limestone caves. Million years old. Entry is 100 rupees.
Tribal experience:
Visit the Tribal Museum. Shows the culture of 19 local tribes. Free entry.
Padmapuram Gardens has toy train and tree-top huts. Entry is 60 rupees. Good for families.
Chaparai Waterfalls is 18 km away. Not huge. But pretty. Surrounded by coffee plantations.
Coffee plantations offer tours. Usually free. They’ll explain the process. Sell fresh coffee. Buy some. It’s good and cheap.
Stay in Araku town. Not at resorts outside. Town has more budget options. More food choices.
Daily budget: 900-1200 rupees
8. Saputara, Gujarat
Gujarat’s only hill station. That alone makes it unique.
Saputara sits in the Sahyadri range. Tribal culture, Lakes, Viewpoints, and Gujarati food everywhere.
Budget perks:
- Hotels start at 700-1200 rupees
- Gujarati thalis for 80-150 rupees
- Lake Garden entry is 20 rupees
- Ropeway costs 100 rupees
Saputara Lake is artificial. Boating costs 100-150 rupees. The lake garden around it is well-maintained. Good for evening walks.
Sunset Point is the main attraction. Watch the sun set over the valley. Gets crowded on weekends. Go on weekdays if possible.
Ropeway takes you to the hilltop. 150 meters up. View of the entire town and surrounding forest. Worth the 100 rupees.
Tribal touch:
Artist Village shows tribal life. Warli paintings. Traditional huts. Entry is 50 rupees.
Step Garden has musical fountain. Works in the evening. Entry is 20 rupees. Very Gujarati. Very family-oriented.
Gira Waterfalls is 80 km away. Needs a day trip. 30 meters high. Monsoon is the best time. Otherwise, it’s just a trickle.
Food is typical Gujarati. Dhokla. Fafda. Undhiyu. All sweet. Even the dal. If you like sweet food, you’ll love it here.
The town is small. You can walk most places. Or rent a bicycle for 50-100 rupees.
Saputara is popular with Gujarati families. Weekends are crowded. Prices go up. Visit on weekdays for budget travel.
Daily budget: 1100-1400 rupees
You don’t need expensive destinations to have unforgettable experiences. These budget friendly places to visit in India prove that hidden gems often offer the best value. From mountains to islands, each place gives you something unique without draining your budget.
If you’re planning shorter trips, check out my guide on 4 days trip in India to explore quick and affordable getaways. Travel smart, explore deeper, and choose experiences over expenses.
