Less Money? No Problem, Meet the Wallet Friendly India
No money in pocket and yet caught the travel bug? No worries.. you don’t have to be rich to explore the Incredible India.
2020 is here and if your New Year resolution is to travel around the country without a hole in your pocket, here is a list of places to consider. Of course, travel is an expensive affair, but with right choice of hotels, transport and restaurants, one can save big bucks. So, let’s check out the famous places of India which are also pocket-friendly.
Amritsar – The Holy Land of Sikhism
City of Golden temple Amritsar is the first in this list. There is no other place in India which can give you a cheaper option. Before booking your ticket, make sure to go online and reserve your room AC/Non AC in the retiring rooms or dormitory in the station. This will give you a comfortable sleep at night and clean attached or sharing bathrooms (in dormitory). From Amritsar Junction it is a mere 25 minutes walk till Golden Temple, if you take the Hathi Gate Chowk.
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Before reaching the temple, you will pass by the historical Jallianwala Bagh. The garden stands as a mute witness to the biggest massacre in the history of India. On 13 April 1919, more than 400 people were gunned down here by the orders of Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer. Bullet marks can still be seen here in the brick walls.
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Inside the Golden Temple, one can relish all kind of meals from morning till night for free in Guru Ka Langar. Take bath in the Sarovar Sahib and visit the darbar sahib. Some backpackers carry their beddings and stay in the Golden temple complex which gives them space to sleep and use the toilets and showers.
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Just outside the Jallianwala Bagh, many shared taxis and buses go to Wagah Border. Sharing can be a cheaper option than booking a whole vehicle. Renting a bike is also a good option to move around and see the city. It is advisable to reach Wagah Border by 3 pm as it takes some time for the security check. Don’t carry unnecessary luggage with you, as it can be a big hassle.
Next comes the Pink City, which is easily approachable from Northern states. One can choose from a plethora of transport options like buses and train as per the budget. Just like Amritsar, railway retiring room in Jaipur too is a good option.
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Though Jaipur is the land of Maharajahs, forts and palaces, but the city also has a huge list of budget hotels and dharamshalas. Accommodation options here cater to all kind of pockets and people; surprisingly even near to City Palace and Hawa Mahal area.
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Just like accommodation, food in Jaipur is also within budget and extremely delicious. You don’t have to order a maharajah thali in some top notch restaurant to get the taste of Rajasthani food. The same can be relished in the food joints of Malviya Nagar, MI Road, Mansarovar, Masala Chowk and Bapu Bazar.
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To travel inside Jaipur, the city offers Jaipur City Transport Service Limited mini buses. They charge reasonable fare and from 5 am to 9 pm, they run throughout the city. One can find out the nearest bus stop to any tourist attraction and check out the bus number from their official website. Auto rickshaws are also a cheaper mode to go for a guided tour of the entire city.
Varanasi – The Abode of Lord Shiva
A Hindu pilgrimage of highest reverence, Varanasi is a place that is visited by Hindus from all over the country. Hence the railway station here connects to every city, no matter which part of the country it belongs to.
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Varanasi is a place which has something for everyone. Whether you are born or are waiting for your final journey; you will always get an accommodation here. From a simple hermit to an affluent businessman, every pilgrim here will find a place to stay according to his financial capacity. No matter which direction you are looking at, a hotel is available to greet and serve you and the list is endless. Various temples too have dharmashalas attached to them for the pilgrims to stay by paying a minimum fee and good quality food.
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Food is free in Annapurna Devi Temple Varanasi, served from 9 am to 3 pm everyday. Other than this, if you take a walk in the ghats area, specially Assi and Dashaswamedha Ghat, you will be spoilt for choices for budget restaurants and the list of endless. Other than the ghats, places to visit for mouth watering street food are Thatheri Bazaar, Kachori Gali and Gol Ganj. Don’t leave the city without trying the legendary Pan of Banaras and spending a good amount of time in the banks of Ma Ganga.
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Agra – The Bygone Era of Mughals
If you are staying in the Northern side of India, Agra will surely be your option for the weekend. Just about 200 km from Delhi, there are endless options to trains, buses, shared taxis and shuttle services. Even if you don’t have a prior booking, nothing to worry, you can still book a last minute transport.
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Agra, a city known for Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri, dates back to the 11th century. A confluence of Hindu and Muslim cultures, it is visited by people from all walks of life and beliefs. This is the reason; one will get all kind of accommodation in the city from railway dormitories to budget hotels near the Taj Mahal area.
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Just like monuments, food in Agra too is tourism in itself. Specialized in Mughlai cuisine, succulent meat has more than a hundred recipes. Other than this, the city is also known for its chaats, spicy dalmoth, cheela, tikki, kachori, and Agra ka petha awaiting you. Budget restaurants in Agra are located in Gopal Bazar, Sadar Bazar and Pratap Pura alongwith plethora of street food options to relish.
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To travel inside Agra and also sightseeing, Auto rickshaws are a very good option. But if the size of family is big, then taxi is a good option. Or, if you wish to travel around all by yourself, the local bus in Agra can be a cheapest option; but a little time consuming.
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Pondicherry, the once French Colony is full of colonial buildings, avenues and churches which make it unique. But..it sounds expensive right? Surprisingly it is not!
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Cheapest way to go to Pondicherry is by train, specially the sleeper class. Puducherry Railway Station connects the city with all the major cities. Just like most of the stations, retiring rooms and dormitories are available here for a budget stay.
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If you don’t wish to stay in a retiring room, then head to the localities of White Town and Auroville. The place is full of ashram run guest houses which are a cheaper option to consider. Youth hostel and Nathura Ashram and Backpackers community come under this category. Sri Aurobindo Ashram (abode of Rishi Aurobindo) has guest houses only for the people who are visiting the Ashram. But unlike any proper hotel, amenities here are very limited.
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To travel around in Pondicherry, the best option is to rent a two wheeler. You can easily find a good number of rental shops in the city to compare the rates and pick the cheapest option. Places to visit in Pondicherry are Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Immaculate Conception Cathedral and Promenade Beach.
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For good food in less expense, head to the restaurants and eating joints in the Auroville area. Here you will be spoilt for options from Indian, French to Italian and also gourmets. For street food, places to visit are South Boulevard, Lal Bahadur Shastri Street, Mission Street, Lenin Street, Rangapillai Road (crab masala fry is a must try).
