How to Visit Delhi on a Budget 2026
India is known as a budget destination, but the capital city of Delhi can be expensive.
As someone who lived in Delhi for years and still returns regularly, I’ve learned where to save money without compromising on safety, comfort or a good experience. This is how to visit and explore Delhi on a budget using my insider tips.
I’m going to tell you where to stay (somewhere better than the backpacker area), where to eat, what to see and do, and how to get around Delhi on a budget.
How to Visit Delhi on a Budget
Delhi is India’s second most expensive city after Mumbai. 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 I’ll tell you how to save on the sites that aren’t free.
1. Where to Stay (Not in Paharganj)
Paharganj has a lot cheap accommodation, but do not stay there. It’s a dirty, crowded and noisy part of Delhi, and not safe at night. There are much better budget options.
Stay in one of these places in South or Central Delhi. These are greener, cleaner and safer parts of the city. It’s also better for sightseeing as most of Delhi’s sites are in those areas.
- Bed & Chai Guest House: Great location in one of the most popular expat neigbhourhoods in Delhi, Greater Kailash I near many restaurants, shops and the Delhi metro. It’s a basic guest house, but very well located and it’s excellent value for the area. Has WiFi, AC and includes breakfast.
- Home@F37: Small hotel in South Delhi, within walking distance of the metro and a major market with shops and restaurants. Rooms are large with ensuite bathrooms, WiFi, AC and breakfast is included. Lots of my readers have stayed here and liked it.
- YWCA International Guest House: The property is older, but the location is phenomenal. It’s in one of the best sections of South Delhi to stay in, close to many luxury hotels. Rooms are large with attached bathrooms, WiFi, AC and free breakfast.
2. How to Eat Cheap, but Well
Food is where travellers spend the most money after accommodation. Well, this is where Delhi shines! It’s really easy to eat well on budget, if you know where to go.
These places all serve great food at very budget friendly prices.
State Bhawans
Sate bhawans 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.
My favourite bhawan is Andhra Pradesh Bhavan near India Gate, but I also really like Gujarat Bhawan and Tamil Nadu House.
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 the action.
Most dhabas look 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 favourite dhabas are:
- Kake da Hotel in Connaught Place
- Dhaniya da Dhaba in Lajpat Nagar
- Rajinder da Dhaba (use the take out window and eat in the parking lot with the locals) in Safdarjung Enclave
- Roshan di Kulfi in Karol Bagh
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.
Food quality and cleanliness of Haldiram’s 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).
Sweet Shops
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.
Street Food
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.
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.
Order Groceries from Blinkit
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 (my foreign cards never work with Blinkit), just make sure to have the right amount because the delivery boys often can’t make change.
3. 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 through the Archaeological Survey of India website you will save INR 50 each. Children under 15 are free at these sites.
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.
There are also plenty of budget friendly walking tours, like the one with through Nizamuddin Basti with Hope Project.
4. 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 everywhere. 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.
Last Words on How to Visit Delhi on a Budget
Even though Delhi is one of India’s most expensive cities, you don’t have to spend a lot to have a great time. My most memorable Delhi experiences are also the cheapest ones.
You can stay somewhere safe, eat delicious food, see incredible sites and move around the city without spending a lot. This insider knowledge can make a huge difference when visiting Delhi on a budget. You don’t have to travel like a backpacker to save money here.
