Best Budget Stays in Delhi for Tourists
Delhi is not the kind of city you want to pick the cheapest hotel to stay in. Safety is an issue, and location is very important. The city is massive and staying far from the centre can mean hours in transit. In my opinion these are the best budget stays in Delhi for tourists.
If you search for cheap hotels in Delhi, the area of Paharganj will come up. Do not stay there! It is a dirty, noisy, congested area known for backpacker lodging and prostitution. Paharganj is not that safe.
If I would have stayed in Paharganj on my first trip to Delhi, I probably would never have gone back! These are much better choices.
In a rush? My top choices for budget stays in Delhi are:
Best Budget Stays in Delhi for Tourists
All of these budget friendly accommodations are located in South Delhi, or Central Delhi by Connaught Place. These are the best areas to stay at in terms of safety and easy access to the metro and main attractions. Keep in mind prices will be higher during tourist season.
For tourists, these are the best budget stays in Delhi that are centrally located in decent neighbourhoods:
1. Moustache Delhi
This is a good hostel in the same area as Hosteller Delhi. It’s located about 10 minutes from the nearest metro station. They offer a variety of dorm rooms as well as private rooms with ensuite bathroom.
There’s plenty of common areas, a dedicated work space, free wifi, a roof top terrace, and you can order food from the kitchen or bring in your own. I thought this hostel was pretty clean and the staff were friendly.
From $9 USD
🎈 Check prices and availability at Moustache Delhi
2. Hosteller Delhi
I’ve visted a few hostels in Delhi, and I think this is the best one. It is very popular, and the staff are super nice. They have a mix of dorm rooms and private rooms. Private rooms are dog friendly.
There’s an onsite cafe (I had breakfast which was good), common kitchen and shared social areas. They regularly host guest events and are within walking distance of the metro.
From $11 USD
🎈Check prices and availability at Hosteller Delhi
3. Bed & Chai Guesthouse
There’s a story here. This used to be a very well run guesthouse operated by two French women. Ownership changed a few years ago, and it is not as well run anymore. BUT, it is still fantastic value for the area.
You’re basically getting backpacker area rates in one of Delhi’s very best neighbourhoods. I went here a couple of years ago with my friend who stayed the night. She wasn’t that impressed (mostly because they forgot her early breakfast at 5:00 the next morning), but even she had to admit for the neighbourhood this is very cheap.
From $20 USD
🎈 Check prices and availability at Bed and Chai Guesthouse
4. Aashianaa Gracious Living
This is a 7 room homestay in a very good South Delhi neighbourhood. It’s run by a family of classical Indian musicians and sometimes they have concerts on the rooftop. There’s some kind of connection to Ravi Shankar.
Rooms are clean and comfortable with bathrooms, and there’s a common kitchen where you can prepare light meals. Breakfast is optional. The metro is about a 5 minute walk away, but you’ll be able to take auto rickshaws to most places – it’s well located. This is an exellent to place to stay if you’re a tourist on a tight budget.
From $35 USD
🎈 Check prices and availability at Aashianaa Gracious Living
5. YWCA International Guest House
I absolutely love the location of this property. It’s in one of the nicest and greenest parts of South Delhi, close to many 5 star luxury hotels and Delhi’s must-see places. South Delhi is the best part of the city to stay and live in.
Rooms are very spacious and come with AC, fans, kettle, TV and hot water geyser in the bathroom. I think these are the largest hotel rooms I’ve seen in Delhi. There’s a restaurant on site and a nice outdoor space.
You won’t find a better location at the price, and breakfast is included.
From $37 USD
🎈Check prices and availability at YWCA International Guest House
6. CP Villa
CP Villa is a small guest house centrally located next to Connaught Place. The guest house is on a very quiet residential street, less than 5 minutes walk from a market and about 10 minutes to the metro.
Rooms are clean and comfortable with ensuite bathrooms, and there’s a big garden. This is excellent value for this part of Delhi, and it’s a great base to explore the city from.
From $42 USD
🎈 Check prices and availability at CP Villa
7. Tatvamansi Homestay
This is a small budget guest house in South Delhi. Rooms are large and comfortable. It’s on a quiet, residential street directly across from a park and well located for exploring Delhi.
There’s a common kitchen, so you can save money by doing your own cooking. It’s a 5 minute walk to GK II M Block, one of the best places in Delhi for shopping and dining.
Tatvamansi Homestay is located in the Bengali part of Delhi, Chittaranjan Park. This is ground zero for Durga Puja celebrations. It will be extremely busy and festive during that time (September/October – it changes each year).
From $46 USD
🎈Check prices and availability at Tatvamansi Homestay
8. Home@F37
If you’d rather stay in a budget friendly hotel instead of a guest house, this is a great choice in Delhi. Many of my readers have stayed here on my recommendation.
It’s not a new hotel, but rooms are large, have all the standard amenities, and breakfast is included in the room rate. The location is good. It’s on the main street of one of South Delh’s best neighbourhoods and the metro is within walking distance. Plus there’s a great market with lots of food options close by.
From $60
🎈Click here to book your stay at Home@F37
9. Prakash Kutir Bed & Breakfast
This is one of Delhi’s favourite guest houses and having stayed there myself a few times, I can see why. It’s located in a very good South Delhi neighbourhood, Hauz Khas, and within walking distance of the local market and metro.
The Gupta family who own and operate the guest house are warm and welcoming. The guest house is small and cozy, and you will feel like you are staying in a lovely home.
A home cooked breakfast is included. Reserve a room as far in advance as you can, this place is often fully booked.
From $60 USD
🎈Check prices and availability at Prakash Kutir Bed & Breakfast
10. Thikana Delhi
This is my top pick. I know Delhi very well, and have seen and stayed at many guest houses. I’m telling you, this is a great spot and a really lovely property. And they have excellent coffee!
It’s in a very exlusive residential neighbourhood, Gulmohar Park, but also very central and easy to explore Delhi from. It is one of the nicest and best run places to stay.
Each guest room is tastefully decorated with modern ensuite bathrooms. If you need to work, there’s work stations and good wifi. The rooftop terrace make a nice work spot during the winter. Guests can use the private Gulmohar Club for swimming and working out.
From $60 USD
🎈Check prices and availability at Thikana Delhi
11. Tree of Life Bed & Breakfast
I really like this bed and breakfast. It’s nice, clean, comfortable and on a very good street beside a big park in South Delhi. Rooms are generous and have ensuite bathrooms, some even have balconies.
I actually stayed in this neighbourhood just around the corner from Tree of Life for 3 months. It’s a super convenient area to explore Delhi from, and close to two metro stations.
Breakfast is included. Air purifiers and heaters provided in winter.
From $65 USD
🎈 Check prices and availability at Tree of Life Bed & Breakfast
13. Colonel’s Retreat 2
Colonel’s Retreat 2 is the sister property of the slightly more expensive Colonels Retreat, and located in the same fantastic neighbourhood. It’s on a very quiet street.
This is a really comfortable property that is famous for their homemade breakfasts. They make their own jams, marmalades and banana bread (which is kind of legendary in Delhi). Guests can eat on the outdoor terrace if it’s not too hot.
Markets and the metro are within walking distance, and it’s a convenient base to explore Delhi from.
From $70 USD
🎈Check prices and availability at Colonel’s Retreat 2
The Wrap-up on Budget Stays in Delhi for Tourists
There are really good options for tourists who want to stay in Delhi on a budget. Don’t get sucked into one of those cheap hotels in Paharganj. That is a not a good area for many reasons (safety being a big one).
The budget-friendly guesthouses and hotels I recommend here are much, much better!
You Might Also Like…
- How to Visit Delhi on a Budget 2025
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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.
