How Much Does a Week-Long India Trip Cost in March? Budget Breakdown by Region

Niharika Pandey
3 hours ago
4 min read

Here's the question every traveler asks: "How much will this cost?"

It's a fair question. Travel budgets matter. And honestly, India's pricing varies so much by region and season that it's hard to know what to expect.

Let's break it down. A week-long trip to India in March can cost anywhere from ₹35,000 to ₹150,000 per person, depending on your choices. Let's explore what different budgets get you.

Understanding India's Cost Structure

Before diving into regional breakdowns, understand how India's costs work:

Flights: ₹5,000-15,000 per person (depends on origin city and how early you book)

Accommodation: ₹1,000-6,000 per night (depends on category: budget, mid-range, luxury)

Meals: ₹800-4,000 per day (depends on where and what you eat)

Activities: ₹1,000-3,000 per day (depends on activities chosen)

Transportation: ₹1,000-2,000 per day (depends on distances and mode)

Total: ₹35,000-150,000 per person for 7 nights

Budget Breakdown by Region

NORTH INDIA (Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra)

Budget Traveler (₹35,000 - ₹45,000):

Flights: ₹6,000-8,000
Budget hotel: ₹1,000-1,500 per night (₹7,000-10,500 total)
Budget meals: ₹800-1,000 per day (₹5,600-7,000 total)
Activities: ₹1,000-1,500 per day (₹7,000-10,500 total)
Transfers: ₹1,000-1,500
Total: ₹38,000-45,000

Mid-Range Traveler (₹55,000 - ₹75,000):

Flights: ₹8,000-10,000
3-star hotel: ₹2,000-2,500 per night (₹14,000-17,500 total)
Good meals: ₹1,500-2,000 per day (₹10,500-14,000 total)
Activities: ₹1,500-2,000 per day (₹10,500-14,000 total)
Transfers: ₹1,500-2,000
Total: ₹60,000-75,000

Luxury Traveler (₹120,000 - ₹160,000):

Flights: ₹12,000-15,000
5-star hotel: ₹4,000-5,000 per night (₹28,000-35,000 total)
Gourmet meals: ₹3,000-4,000 per day (₹21,000-28,000 total)
Premium activities: ₹2,500-3,000 per day (₹17,500-21,000 total)
Premium transfers: ₹2,000-3,000
Total: ₹130,000-160,000

SOUTH INDIA (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka)

Budget Traveler (₹32,000 - ₹42,000):

Flights: ₹6,000-8,000
Budget hotel/hostel: ₹1,000-1,500 per night (₹7,000-10,500 total)
Budget meals: ₹800-1,000 per day (₹5,600-7,000 total)
Activities: ₹1,000-1,500 per day (₹7,000-10,500 total)
Transfers: ₹1,000-1,500
Total: ₹36,000-42,000

Mid-Range Traveler (₹52,000 - ₹72,000):

Flights: ₹8,000-10,000
3-star hotel: ₹2,000-2,500 per night (₹14,000-17,500 total)
Good meals: ₹1,500-2,000 per day (₹10,500-14,000 total)
Activities: ₹1,500-2,000 per day (₹10,500-14,000 total)
Transfers: ₹1,500-2,000
Total: ₹58,000-72,000

Luxury Traveler (₹115,000 - ₹155,000):

Flights: ₹12,000-15,000
Luxury houseboat/5-star hotel: ₹4,000-5,000 per night (₹28,000-35,000 total)
Gourmet meals: ₹3,000-4,000 per day (₹21,000-28,000 total)
Premium activities: ₹2,500-3,000 per day (₹17,500-21,000 total)
Premium transfers: ₹2,000-3,000
Total: ₹125,000-155,000

EAST INDIA (West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya)

Budget Traveler (₹34,000 - ₹44,000):

Flights: ₹6,000-8,000
Budget hotel: ₹1,000-1,500 per night (₹7,000-10,500 total)
Budget meals: ₹800-1,000 per day (₹5,600-7,000 total)
Activities: ₹1,000-1,500 per day (₹7,000-10,500 total)
Transfers: ₹1,000-1,500
Total: ₹37,000-44,000

Mid-Range Traveler (₹54,000 - ₹74,000):

Flights: ₹8,000-10,000
3-star hotel: ₹2,000-2,500 per night (₹14,000-17,500 total)
Good meals: ₹1,500-2,000 per day (₹10,500-14,000 total)
Activities: ₹1,500-2,000 per day (₹10,500-14,000 total)
Transfers: ₹1,500-2,000
Total: ₹60,000-74,000

Luxury Traveler (₹118,000 - ₹158,000):

Flights: ₹12,000-15,000
5-star hotel: ₹4,000-5,000 per night (₹28,000-35,000 total)
Gourmet meals: ₹3,000-4,000 per day (₹21,000-28,000 total)
Premium activities: ₹2,500-3,000 per day (₹17,500-21,000 total)
Premium transfers: ₹2,000-3,000
Total: ₹128,000-158,000

CENTRAL INDIA (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh)

Budget Traveler (₹30,000 - ₹40,000):

Flights: ₹5,000-7,000
Budget hotel: ₹1,000-1,500 per night (₹7,000-10,500 total)
Budget meals: ₹800-1,000 per day (₹5,600-7,000 total)
Activities: ₹1,000-1,500 per day (₹7,000-10,500 total)
Transfers: ₹1,000-1,500
Total: ₹33,000-40,000

Mid-Range Traveler (₹50,000 - ₹70,000):

Flights: ₹7,000-9,000
3-star hotel: ₹2,000-2,500 per night (₹14,000-17,500 total)
Good meals: ₹1,500-2,000 per day (₹10,500-14,000 total)
Activities: ₹1,500-2,000 per day (₹10,500-14,000 total)
Transfers: ₹1,500-2,000
Total: ₹56,000-70,000

Money-Saving Tips

Book Flights Early: We're doing this by booking now. Early flights are cheaper.

Travel Slower: Spend more time in fewer places. Less transportation = lower costs.

Eat Like Locals: Avoid tourist restaurants. Eat where locals eat. It's cheaper and better.

Use Public Transport: Trains and buses are cheap and efficient.

Free Activities: Many temples, parks, and neighborhoods are free to explore.

Negotiate: In markets and with guides, negotiation is expected.

Travel Off-Peak: Mid-March is cheaper than early March or late March.

Group Travel: Group packages offer discounts.

What's Worth Spending On

Accommodation: Don't skimp too much. A comfortable bed matters.

Food: Eating well is important. Budget for good meals.

Guides: Local guides enhance experiences. Worth the cost.

Travel Insurance: Essential. Don't skip this.

Activities: Experiences matter more than things. Invest in meaningful activities.

Sample 7-Day Itineraries by Budget

Budget 7-Day North India (₹38,000 - ₹45,000):

Days 1-2: Delhi (free walking tours, temples)
Days 3-4: Agra (Taj Mahal, budget hotel)
Days 5-7: Jaipur (palace, markets, budget accommodation)

Mid-Range 7-Day South India (₹58,000 - ₹72,000):

Days 1-3: Kochi (backwaters, culture, 3-star hotel)
Days 4-7: Munnar or Alleppey (tea plantations, houseboats, mid-range accommodation)

Luxury 7-Day Kerala (₹125,000 - ₹155,000):

Days 1-3: Kochi (luxury hotel, private tours, gourmet dining)
Days 4-7: Alleppey (private houseboat, spa, exclusive experiences)

FAQ Section

Q: Is India expensive? A: No. India is one of the most affordable travel destinations. You can travel comfortably on ₹35,000-50,000 per person per week.

Q: What's the cheapest region to visit? A: Central India is generally cheapest. North India and South India are similar.

Q: Can I travel cheaper than ₹35,000? A: Yes, but you'd need to stay in very basic accommodations and eat only cheap food. Not recommended.

Q: Is it worth paying more for mid-range accommodation? A: Yes. The difference between budget and mid-range is usually ₹500-1,000 per night, but comfort improves significantly.

Q: How much should I budget for activities? A: ₹1,000-2,000 per day is reasonable. Includes temple entries, guides, and experiences.

Q: Are there hidden costs I should know about? A: Not with Comfort Journey. We're transparent about all costs. No surprises.