For Gen Z in India, travelling goes beyond even being an elite luxury; it becomes a means of experiencing a world much bigger and different from what only textbooks or social media would reveal. The problem is that balancing one's wanderlust within a tight budget can be problematic. The good news, though, is that travelling on a budget doesn't necessarily translate to quality experience cutdowns. Here are some practical strategies young Indian travellers can utilize to explore the world without breaking the bank.
1. Plan Ahead
In India, where the prices of accommodations change according to the demand, flexibility is your best friend. Long weekends and festivals such as Diwali or New Year's should be avoided, to the maximum extent. For instance, that flight from Delhi to Goa one would want to take during monsoon might sell at less than Rs 3,000. Holiday seasons send that shooting into Rs 8,000.
In-flight comparison apps, including Ixigo, Skyscanner, and MakeMyTrip, you can easily check prices over time to book at the lowest prices possible. And if you can get a midweek or a red-eye flight.
2. Seek Budget Stays
For Generation Z travellers looking for the best-budgeted stay, hostels and homestays are now the emerging popular choices. Hundreds of affordable hostel listings can be found on Zostel or Hostelworld. You can stay in these places as low as Rs 700 a night. It is also a place where one can cut down on some expenses and try learning to understand fellow travellers.
There are homestays, on Airbnb or Homestay.com, where you stay with locals, sometimes for a fraction of the cost of a hotel. And now increasingly in India, especially the metro cities, there is Couchsurfing too, where you can stay free with locals.
3. Use Activities for Free End
India is rich in cultural history, and so much of it is free. For example, you might be wandering over the heads of ancient relics, inspecting temple after temple, or weaving through one of the busier markets-there is always something to do, and never have to spend a fortune. Many museums and historical sites, such as the India Gate in Delhi or Marine Drive in Mumbai, are free to visit and give great cultural insights.
In cities like Jaipur and Kochi, you can also participate in free walking tours conducted by locals who take you around the city to the history and landmarks of the place. Or you can spend time with some of India's public parks, beaches, or cultural festivals that cost nothing but are full of great memories.
4. Save on Food by Eating Locally
Among the many ways to experience a new city is through its food, but really, those meals from fancy restaurants quickly drain one's budget. Street food in India is colourful and pocket-friendly, however. From vada pav in Mumbai to momos in Delhi, local food stalls will offer a good meal for as low as Rs 50.
If you're a cook, select places to stay that have a kitchen and you can cook there from the markets local to your area. Hundreds of rupees that you would spend on cooking will be saved surely, and you could spend that on experiences instead.
5. Take Public Transport or Walk
The cities of Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru boast brilliant facilities for public transport. You do not need to spend your hard-earned money on cabs or auto-rickshaws. Use local buses, metros, or trains. The cost for one day for the metro in Delhi is only around Rs 200. It covers 90 per cent of the city and is of great use.
In case you live in a small town or small city, such as Pondicherry, walking around is the cheapest mode of transportation and helps in finding many secrets that you might have otherwise missed.
Budget travel is absolutely possible and fun if smart choices are made. For an Indian Gen Z traveller, it is flying during off-peak seasons, staying in hostels, or sampling the best of Indian street food. New places could be accessed without stressing over them when wallets are straining. A little bit of planning, flexibility, and the eagerness to seek it out, and the world is within everyone's reach, even on a budget.
