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India has long been known as a budget destination, but the capital city of Delhi can be expensive. As someone who has lived in Delhi for several years, I can assure you that experiencing the city does not have to break the bank. This is how to visit and explore Delhi safely on a budget!
Want to keep on a tight budget in Delhi? No problem! I’m going to tell you where to stay (not the backpacker area), where to eat, what to see and do, and how to get around.
How to Visit Delhi on a Budget
Delhi is India’s second most expensive city, after Mumbai. And while it is easy to find cheap accommodation and food, you shouldn’t compromise on safety. Fortunately there are budget places to stay in good neighbourhoods, and lots of choices to eat well without spending a lot.
There are also tons of free things to see and do in Delhi, so you’ll have plenty of options to keep busy. And there’s ways to save on the sites that aren’t free.
Where to Stay (Not in Paharganj)
Paharganj and Old Delhi have lots of cheap accommodation, but they are not safe areas to stay in. These are dirty, crowded and noisy parts of Delhi – definitely not where you want to return to after a day of sightseeing. I’m going to give you much better options.
Stay at one of these places in South or Central Delhi. Most expats live in these areas, and with good reason. They are greener, cleaner and better parts of the city. Many of Delhi’s most popular sites and attractions are in South and Central Delhi, and you’ll be able to easily go anywhere you want with the Delhi metro.
Bed & Chai Guest House
The location is great, right in one of the most popular expat neigbourhoods of South Delhi, Greater Kailash I. You’ll be within walking distance of a major market, lots of restaurants and 4 metro stations.
The guest house is simple and basic, but it’s well located, there’s free WiFi, AC and the price is excellent for the area.
🚩 Check prices and availability at Bed & Chai Guest House
Home@F37
This small hotel is in South Delhi, within walking distance of the Delhi metro and a major market with shopping and restaurants. Rooms are large and have free WiFi, tea/coffee maker, AC and TV. A buffet breakfast is included in the price.
I really like this hotel, and a lot of my readers have stayed here. It’s good value.
🚩 Check prices and availability at Home@F37
YWCA International Guest House
This property is older and dated, but the location is phenomenal. It’s in one of the best sections of South Delhi to stay in, close to many 5 star luxury hotels.
Rooms are large and you’ll be within walking distance of many Delhi sites. There’s a restaurant on site, free WiFi and rooms have AC.
🚩Click here to book your stay at YWCA International Guest House
Hosteller Delhi
Hosteller Delhi is a very popular South East Delhi hostel, within walking distance of the metro. It’s an excellent choice for anyone visiting Delhi on a really tight budget.
This hostel has a very friendly vibe and regularly hosts events for its guests. There’s an onsite cafe, a common kitchen and WiFi.
🚩 Check prices and availability at Hosteller Delhi
Moustache Delhi
Moustache Delhi is another favourite hostel in Delhi. It’s also located in the South East section of the city, within walking distance of the metro and near the Lotus Temple.
Moustache Delhi offers private and shared rooms. There is a community kitchen, garden and WiFi.
🚩 Check prices and availability at Moustache Delhi
How to Eat Cheap, but Well
Food is where travellers spend the most money after accommodation. Well, this is where Delhi excels! It is really easy to eat well on budget, if you know where to go.
Basically, you want to eat where the locals eat. Delhiites are foodies and won’t eat anywhere that isn’t decent. These are popular places with locals, and they all serve great food at very budget friendly prices.
Take Advantage of State Bhawans
These are government run canteens that office workers and locals frequent. They serve fresh, delicious food at excellent prices. Most bhawans are open during meal times only, which is generally 8-10:00 am for breakfast, 12:30-3:00 pm for lunch, and 7:30-10:00 pm for dinner.
I highly recommend you get the thali tray (either veg or non-veg), if the bhawan offers it. It’s an assortment of the bhawan’s specialties and some give free re-fills.
My favourite bhawan is Andhra Pradesh Bhavan near India Gate, but I also really like Gujarat Bhawan and Tamil Nadu House.
Eat at Dhabas
Dhabas are super casual roadside restaurants. You’ll find these small joints in local neighborhoods, and many have an open kitchen so you can see all the action.
Most look quite humble, but the food is excellent and very budget friendly. Don’t expect a big menu – the selection is usually limited, but it will be fresh.
My all time favourite dhabas are Kake da Hotel in Connaught Place and Dhaniya da Dhaba in Lajpat Nagar. But I also frequent Rajinder da Dhaba (use the take out window and eat in the parking lot with the locals), Karim’s in Old Delhi, and Roshan di Kulfi in Karol Bagh.
Don’t be afraid to try other dhabas you find in your explorations. If you see a bunch of locals in there, you know it will be good.
Try the Food at Haldiram’s
Haldiram’s is India’s largest fast food franchise. I’m not talking about burgers and fries, this is Indian fast food – dhals, chaats, and veg dishes. You’ll see Haldiram’s everywhere; there are over a hundred in Delhi alone.
Food quality and cleanliness of the restaurants is very good. These are great places to try typical street foods, and traditional, vegetarian meals. Haldiram’s also sell a lot of snacks and Indian sweets (mithai). I’ve eaten at numerous Haldiram’s locations across Delhi, and it’s always good.
Have a Meal at a Sweet Shop
It’s a bit deceiving, but some of Delhi’s best known sweet shops are also casual vegetarian restaurants.
The one I always go to is Evergreen Sweet House in Green Park Market (South Delhi), but I also like Kaleva near Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and Bengali Sweet Centre in South Ex Market. The food is consistently good at these places.
For dessert grab some traditional Indian mithai (sweets) to go.
Order Groceries from Blinkit for a No-Cook Meal
Blinkit is a grocery delivery app that delivers in less than 30 minutes. Just download the app on your phone, and you’ll be able to order whatever you want. They’ll deliver to hotels, airbnbs and guest houses.
Order fresh fruit and vegetables, sandwich fixings, yogurt, snacks – plenty of things for a meal you don’t have to cook. You’ll be paying local prices and delivery fees are very low.
You can pay in cash (I’ve never been able to get my foreign cards to work with Blinkit), just make sure to have the right amount because the delivery boys often can’t make change.
Explore the Street Food Scene
Delhi has one of the most vibrant street food scenes on the planet. Even if you weren’t on a budget, I’d recommend trying the street food. Personally, I think some of the best food in the city is on the streets.
There are excellent street food spots around Connaught Place that are frequented by office workers, like Bhogal’s behind Scindia House (get chole and kulcha, it’s awesome there), and Parashar Foods near Shankar Market (get rajma chawal).
It’s easy to stay healthy while eating street food. Look for busy places, keep your hands clean, and stick to vegetarian food (which most of it is, anyway). Street chai (Indian tea) is also safe. It’s boiled to death, the only risk could be on the cup, so make sure you get it in a paper cup or a brand new clay cup.
What to See and Do on a Budget in Delhi
Sightseeing in Delhi is not expensive. Even the world heritage UNESCO sites are only INR 600 (about $7.25 USD). Delhi is a city full of historical sites, beautiful temples and colourful markets, and most are completely free.
In fact, some of the most famous sites have no entrance fee, like Akshardham Temple, India Gate, Raj Ghat (the Gandhi Memorial) and the Bahai Lotus Temple.
While there are numerous free places to visit in Delhi, many historical sites are overseen by the Ministry of Culture and have admission fees. These will range from INR 300 to 600, but if you book your tickets online you will save INR 50 each. Children under 15 are free at these sites. Here’s the site to book tickets:
Archaeological Survey of India website
I know INR 50 isn’t much, but it adds up – plus you’ll have your ticket in advance so you won’t have to line up at the ticket booth when you get there.
If you’re planning on doing a tour of the Taj Mahal from Delhi, you can book your Taj Mahal tickets on this site too.
Transportation on a Budget
You’ll have no problem moving around Delhi on a budget. Delhi has fantastic public transportation thanks to the metro system which goes just about everywhere. It’s cheap, reliable, clean and easy to use.
If you’re going to use the metro for more than a day or two, get a metro card from the kiosk and load it up with INR 150 or 200. Don’t get the tourist card – it’s not good value and you can’t use it on all metro lines. The metro is also the cheapest way to get into Delhi from the airport.
Uber is also very cheap in Delhi. For short distances use auto rickshaws – another budget way to get around.
The Wrap-up on How to Visit Delhi on a Budget 2024
Even though Delhi is one of India’s most expensive cities, it’s easy to visit on a budget. You don’t have to stay in the backpacker area and eat street food to keep on budget. With these tips, you can stay somewhere safe, eat well and have plenty of things to do.
Looking for More? You Might Also Like…
- Heritage Walk of Old Delhi: An Insider’s DIY Tour
- Delhi Itineraries: How to Spend 5 Epic Days in Delhi
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour: An Insider’s Food Walk
Don’t forget travel insurance! It’s always a good idea to carry travel insurance just in case something goes wrong. I really like and use SafetyWing
