Visiting South India on the cheap may sound tricky, but with a bit of planning and tapping into local tips, you can experience the colorful culture, gorgeous landscapes, and rich history without spending a ton. Here's a complete narrative of how I traveled around South India for under ₹10,000, giving you some tactical ways and budget trip tips to make the most out of your trip.
Day 1: The gate of South India - Chennai
Getting around: One of the most inexpensive ways of getting to Chennai is by train. You have the option of travelling on Indian Railways' sleeper class tickets at a low fare.
Where to stay: Stay in budget hostels like Zostel or Backpacker Panda. Clean, simple dormitory-style rooms are available for a night, often for as little as 500 rupees.
Necessary Excursion: The bandwidth makes Marina Beach a must. Go for a walk along the beach and eat local street food such as sundial (a spicy chickpea snack) and murukku for ₹20 to ₹30.
Day 2: Pondicherry, 'A Piece of France'
Getting around: There is a state-run bus from Chennai to Pondicherry. Tickets cost around ₹150, and the journey offers stunning views of the coast.
A place to stay: In the White Town locality, guesthouses and hostels are available at as low as ₹600 per night.
To See: Visit Auroville and the beautiful landscape that surrounds it. There is no entrance fee and you can have an excellent lunch at the Solar Kitchen for under ₹150.
Days 3–4: Thanjavur, the cultural heartland
Delve into the city that served as a jumping-off point for the Cholas' golden age.
Getting Around: Hop on one more bus to Thanjavur for around ₹100.
Stay: Accommodations near the Brihadeeswarar Temple start at about ₹400 per night.
Don't Miss: The Brihadeeswarar Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is free to enter. Spend some time looking around; the enormous architecture and painted frescoes are a sight to behold.
Day 5: The Sodhexoh Temple City that is Madurai
Getting There: You can take a train to Madurai, which costs around ₹90.
Where to Stay: Even inexpensive hotels near Meenakshi Temple are available at ₹500 per night.
Sights You Must See: You must—we literally mean you must—visit the Meenakshi Amman Temple. You don't have to pay to look around but you might like to get a guide for ₹200 rupees, who can tell you stories of the temple's history.
Days 6-7: Munnar—Green hills and more green hills
Getting around: You can take an overnight bus to Munnar for around ₹400.
Where to stay: Choose a homestay or a budget hotel away from the main town. They are priced at least ₹700 a night.
Must Do: Some estates offer complimentary guided walks through their tea plantations. You can find fresh tea at local stalls for roughly ₹10 per cup.
Day 8: Alleppey, Venice of the East
Transportation: A bus from Munnar to Alleppey costs around ₹150.
Where to Stay: You can stay in low-cost houseboats with other visitors or in hostels priced at ₹600 per night.
Don't Miss: Instead of renting a houseboat, learn how to get back to the front by booking a tour in an old-fashioned canoe. These cruises cost around ₹200 per person and provide a genuine sense of the Kerala waterways.
Day 9: Kochi, where the cultural soup finds spice
Getting around: A train from Alleppey to Kochi is about ₹40.
Accommodations: At one of the dozens of budget hostels, you can stay in Fort Kochi for around ₹500 per night.
Must Do: Go for a stroll around Fort Kochi and down the colonial buildings-dotted streets. The Chinese Fishing Nets and St. Francis Church can be seen for free. For less than ₹100, you can have fresh seafood from a street vendor.
Handy hints for traveling cheaply:
- Ride public transportation: Buses and trains are not only cheap, but they give you a glimpse of the real world.
- Eat Local: Buy cheap street food and sample foods from around the world.
- Stay connected to people in town: Local folks have the scoop on fabulous places that aren't in guidebooks.
- Travel During Off-Peak Hours: This contributes to keeping hotel and attraction prices lower.
- Pack the Essentials: Food and reusable water bottles are also money-saving items on long road trips.
If you keep the following rules in mind and learn the culture, you can see a lot of South India for little cost. This trip has proven time and time again that you don't need to drop a lot of cash to have an incredible time traveling!
