Delhi on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Delhi is very doable on a budget, with cheap food, a good metro and some free sights. A realistic minimum is about ₹2,200 (roughly €22) per person a day: ₹800 for a bed, ₹500 for food, ₹700 for sights and ₹200 for transport.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | rupees800 | rupees2,500 | rupees12,000 |
| Food & drink | rupees500 | rupees1,200 | rupees4,000 |
| Sights & tickets | rupees700 | rupees1,500 | rupees3,500 |
| Local transport | rupees200 | rupees600 | rupees2,500 |
| Per person, per day | rupees2,200 | rupees5,800 | rupees22,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Delhi day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, including a free langar meal (cover your head).
- Jama Masjid's courtyard (fees may apply for cameras or the minaret).
- Lodhi Garden and its 15th-century tombs.
- India Gate and the Kartavya Path.
- Walking Chandni Chowk and the Khari Baoli spice market.
- Qawwali at the Nizamuddin Dargah on Thursday evenings.
Cheap eats
- Chole bhature: roughly ₹100–250 a plate.
- Chaat such as golgappe or aloo tikki: roughly ₹50–150.
- Parathas at Paranthe Wali Gali: roughly ₹80–150 each with sides.
- Momos at Majnu-ka-Tilla or near metro stations: roughly ₹60–150.
- Lassi in Old Delhi: roughly ₹60–120.
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in Paharganj near New Delhi station, with rooms from about ₹1,000–2,500; Karol Bagh is a slightly calmer alternative. Check recent reviews, as quality varies a lot.
Getting around cheaply
The metro is the cheapest way around. From the airport, the Airport Express Line reaches New Delhi station in about 20 minutes. Use Uber or Ola auto-rickshaws for short hops.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Red Fort and Jama Masjid (about ₹600).
- Lunch: parathas in Paranthe Wali Gali (about ₹200).
- Afternoon: metro to Humayun's Tomb or Lodhi Garden (about ₹100 metro).
- Evening: chaat and kulfi at Bengali Market (about ₹300).
- Total: about ₹2,200 including an ₹800 bed share.
More ways to save
- Group monuments by area: Old Delhi in one day, Humayun's Tomb and Lodhi Garden in another.
- Check closing days: the Red Fort and Akshardham close on Mondays, the Taj Mahal on Fridays.
- Choose busy street stalls for both price and hygiene.
- Book the Gatimaan Express or a bus to Agra rather than a private car if alone.
- Refill at filtered-water dispensers in hotels and restaurants where offered.
- Shop at Sarojini Nagar and Janpath for low prices, and bargain politely.
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Common questions
Can you visit Delhi on a budget?
Yes. Paharganj rooms, street food and the metro make about ₹2,200 a day realistic.
How do I get from the airport cheaply?
Take the Airport Express Line metro to New Delhi station, about 20 minutes.
Can I eat for free in Delhi?
Gurudwaras such as Bangla Sahib serve free langar meals to everyone; cover your head and remove your shoes.