Nobody likes a quote that arrives with no explanation. So before you ask anyone for one, here's how the money in an India trip actually breaks down, line by line, from the people who put these quotes together every week.

All figures are per person, based on two people sharing, for a two-week private trip through Rajasthan and Agra. They're ranges, not promises. Season, hotel choice and how far you drive move them a lot. As a rough guide, ₹1,000 is around US$11-12 or €9-10, but check the rate on the day.

The five things that decide the price

  1. When you travel. Late December and early January cost the most. Christmas and New Year hotel rates can be double the October price, and many hotels add a compulsory gala dinner. April to September is cheapest, and hot.
  2. Where you sleep. This is the biggest single line. More on it below.
  3. How many people share the car. A car costs the same for two people or four, so the per-person figure drops fast in a group.
  4. How many kilometres. Delhi, Jaipur and Agra are close together. Add Jaisalmer and you add a lot of road.
  5. How many guided visits. A guide at every stop is lovely, and it adds up.

Line 1: flights

From Europe or North America, return economy to Delhi usually runs from about US$700 to US$1,400, depending on the season and how early you book. Mid-December departures are always at the top of that range. Book early and compare a few routings. Internal flights (say Udaipur to Delhi) are often ₹4,000-9,000 one way if booked a few weeks out.

Line 2: hotels, and where the money really goes

India gives you a wider hotel range than almost anywhere. The same night in Udaipur can cost ₹3,000 or ₹80,000. Roughly, for a double room with breakfast:

  • Comfortable standard (clean, air-conditioned, good location): ₹3,500-6,000.
  • Heritage havelis and smaller palace hotels: ₹6,000-15,000. This is the sweet spot for most of our guests. Old buildings, courtyards, a rooftop for dinner.
  • Luxury and the big palace names: ₹25,000 and up, sometimes far up. The Taj and Oberoi palace properties in Udaipur and Jaipur sit at the very top.

Our honest advice: splurge on one or two nights, not fourteen. A lake-view palace in Udaipur is worth it. A luxury hotel in Agra, where you'll be out from sunrise and asleep by ten, mostly isn't.

Line 3: the car and driver

For a private trip, the car usually runs the whole route with one driver. Rates depend on the vehicle and the kilometres, and a fair all-in figure (fuel, driver, his allowance, tolls, state permits, parking) looks like this per day:

  • Toyota Etios sedan, fine for two people: roughly ₹3,000-4,500.
  • Toyota Innova Crysta, better for three or four or anyone who wants legroom: roughly ₹4,500-6,500.
  • Tempo Traveller or Urbania for groups: roughly ₹7,000-11,000.

For a couple over two weeks, that's often the second-biggest line after hotels. It's also the one we'd never cut. The Jaipur to Udaipur drive is six or seven hours; doing it in a well-kept car with someone who knows where the clean dhaba is makes the whole day different. Details on the whole fleet are on our car rental page.

Line 4: monuments and guides

Foreigner ticket prices are much higher than Indian ones, and several went up recently. At the time of writing, the Taj Mahal is around ₹1,100-1,300 for foreign adults, plus about ₹200 more to enter the main mausoleum. Rajasthan revised its monument fees for 2026, and Amber Fort is now around ₹1,000 for foreigners. Jaipur also sells a composite ticket for several sites that works out cheaper if you're seeing most of them.

Across a Rajasthan and Agra fortnight, budget roughly ₹8,000-12,000 per person for entry fees and camera charges. Licensed local guides usually cost ₹1,500-3,000 for a half day, for the group, not per person.

Line 5: food

This is where India is kind to your budget. A good lunch at a local restaurant or dhaba: ₹300-700 per person. Dinner at a heritage hotel's rooftop: ₹1,500-3,500 per person, more with wine, because imported wine is heavily taxed. Beer is cheaper. A chai at a roadside stall costs ₹10-20 and is usually the best cup of the day.

If you're curious what to order, our piece on Indian food beyond curry is a good start.

Line 6: the small stuff people forget

  • Visa: the 30-day e-Tourist visa is around US$25 for most nationalities, plus a bank fee. Check the official site for your passport.
  • Tips for drivers, guides and hotel staff. We suggest a figure in writing before the trip so nobody has to guess.
  • A local SIM with data: a few hundred rupees.
  • Travel insurance. Don't skip it.
  • Shopping. You'll spend more than you planned, particularly in Jaipur.

So what does a two-week trip cost in total?

Excluding international flights, per person sharing, for about 14 nights:

  • Simple but comfortable: roughly US$1,300-1,900. Standard hotels, a sedan, a couple of guided visits.
  • Heritage mid-range: roughly US$2,000-3,200. Havelis and small palace hotels, an Innova Crysta, guides at the main sites. This is what most of our guests end up choosing.
  • Luxury: US$5,000 and well beyond. Top palace hotels, specialist guides, a few flights instead of long drives.

For a sense of how those 14 nights are usually laid out, see our 15-night classic Rajasthan tour. And if the budget is making you rethink dates, read our note on the best time to visit Rajasthan, because the shoulder months save real money.

Questions we hear about India trip cost

Is India cheap to travel?

Day-to-day costs like food, transport and guides are low by Western standards. Good hotels and foreigner monument fees are not, so a comfortable private trip costs more than people expect.

Is a private driver expensive in India?

Less than most people assume. For two people, a sedan with driver usually costs about the same per day as a mid-range hotel room, and it replaces trains, taxis and a lot of hassle.

How much cash should I carry?

Cards work in most hotels and bigger shops. Keep ₹3,000-5,000 in small notes for tips, chai, small entry fees and markets, and top up from ATMs in cities.

When is India cheapest?

April to September, outside school holidays. It's hot until the monsoon, then wet. October and March are a good compromise between price and weather.

Want a real figure for your dates instead of ranges? Tell us how long you have, how many of you are travelling and what kind of hotels you like through our enquiry form. We'll send an itemised quote, and we're happy to show you where it can come down.