How Much Does Delhi Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Delhi is one of the most cost-effective capital cities in the world, offering a vast spectrum of spending options that range from extreme budget to high-end opulence. Travelers can expect a solo daily budget between $39 / ₹3,509 for a frugal experience and $529 / ₹48,126 for a luxury-tier stay. While basic necessities like transport and local street food are exceptionally cheap, international-style luxury in areas like Aerocity or Connaught Place carries prices comparable to major global hubs. The cost landscape is defined by a tiered pricing system where foreign tourists pay higher entry fees at monuments, but this is often offset by incredibly affordable local infrastructure. Most visitors find that a mid-range budget allows for significant comfort, including private transport and historic dining experiences.
Is Delhi expensive to visit?
Delhi is very affordable for international travelers—expect to spend between $39 / ₹3,509 and $529 / ₹48,126 per day depending on your desired level of comfort and dining style.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Delhi
$39
per person /day
$94
per person /day
$529
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $115 | $281 | $1,585 |
| 5-Day Trip | $193 | $468 | $2,642 |
| 7-Day Trip | $270 | $656 | $3,699 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
A 10–20% budget buffer is recommended to account for the 12–18% GST on hotel rooms and incidental costs like the $3.31 / ₹301 photography fee at Jama Masjid. This also provides flexibility for small tips and the occasional late-night premium on transport fares.
How Does It Compare?
See how Delhi stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Delhi
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Mid-Range Dinner for Two (3 Courses) Full meal for two in a proper restaurant costs ~$25 / ₹2,256. | $25 ₹2,256 |
| Large Bottled Water (1.5L) Available at every corner shop for ~$0.33 / ₹30. | $0.33 ₹30 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5L Bottle) Price in a mid-range bar or restaurant is ~$2.75 / ₹251. | $2.75 ₹251 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Delhi Metro Maximum Fare Standard adult fare for journeys over 32km. Sundays and national holidays have a max cap of ~$0.55 / ₹50. | $0.66 ₹60 |
| Airport Express Line Ticket Fastest way to get from IGI Airport to New Delhi Station for ~$0.66 / ₹60. | $0.66 ₹60 |
| Daily AC Bus Pass (Green Card) Allows unlimited travel on all DTC AC and Non-AC buses for one day for ~$0.55 / ₹50. | $0.55 ₹50 |
| Pre-paid Taxi (Minimum 2km) Base fare for the first 2km. Additional kilometers cost ~$0.15 / ₹14 for Non-AC or ~$0.18 / ₹16 for AC. | $0.27 ₹25 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Luxury Hotel Room (The Imperial New Delhi) Historic heritage hotel in Connaught Place. Rate is ~$378 / ₹34,402 per night including breakfast. | $378 ₹34,410 |
| Mid-Range Hotel Room (Hotel Vanson Villa) Reliable mid-range option with airport pickup. Price is ~$39 / ₹3,509 per night. | $39 ₹3,509 |
| Hostel Dorm Bed (Yashobhoomi Hostel) Higher-end modern hostel located in Dwarka. | $22 ₹2,028 |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Red Fort Entrance (International Adult) Standard entry fee for international tourists. Cashless payments may offer a ~$0.55 / ₹50 discount. | $6.6 ₹601 |
| Humayun's Tomb Entry (International Adult) UNESCO World Heritage site. Ticket cost is ~$6.6 / ₹601. | $6.6 ₹601 |
| Qutub Minar Entry (International Adult) Iconic victory tower. Entry for non-residents is ~$6.6 / ₹601. | $6.6 ₹601 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Local Prepaid SIM Card (Airtel/Jio) Standard airport tourist pack costs ~$8.26 / ₹752 and includes daily data and local calls. | $8.26 ₹752 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape in Delhi is legendary, ranging from the historic street stalls of Old Delhi to award-winning fine dining in South Delhi. A mid-range three-course dinner for two in a proper restaurant costs approximately $25 / ₹2,256, while street food snacks like those found at Natraj Dahi Bhalla cost only a few euros. Essential items remain cheap, with large 1.5L bottles of water available at most corner shops for just $0.33 / ₹30.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Sita Ram Diwan Chand
$1.32–$2.2 / ₹120–₹200Paharganj · Local chain
Legendary spot for Chole Bhature; a filling meal costs ~$1.65 / ₹150.
Karim's
$4.4–$8.8 / ₹401–₹802Old Delhi (Jama Masjid) · Street food area
The Mutton Korma and Khamiri Roti are essentials; expect to pay ~$5.89 / ₹536.
Natraj Dahi Bhalla
$0.88–$1.65 / ₹80–₹150Chandni Chowk · Street food area
Quick snacks for ~$1.18 / ₹107; standing room only.
Andhra Bhavan Canteen
$2.75–$5.51 / ₹251–₹502Ashoka Road · Food court
The best value unlimited vegetarian thali in the city for ~$2.75 / ₹251.
Kuremal Mohan Lal Kulfi
$1.11–$3.31 / ₹101–₹301Chawri Bazar · Bakery
Try the stuffed mango kulfi for ~$3.3 / ₹300.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the city is highly economical thanks to the Delhi Metro, which has a maximum fare of $0.66 / ₹60 and an Airport Express Line that reaches the center for the same price. For surface travel, a daily AC bus pass for $0.55 / ₹50 offers unlimited access to the city, while pre-paid taxis start with a base fare of just $0.27 / ₹25 for the first 2km.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging options cater to every budget, from modern hostels like Yashobhoomi Hostel for $22 / ₹2,028 per night to mid-range stays like Hotel Vanson Villa for $39 / ₹3,509. For those seeking heritage luxury, iconic institutions like The Imperial New Delhi offer rooms for approximately $378 / ₹34,410 including breakfast.
Accommodation Budget in Delhi
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase a Delhi Metro Smart Card to avoid ticket lines and receive an automatic 10% discount on every journey.
- 2 Eat at the Andhra Bhavan Canteen on Ashoka Road for a high-quality, unlimited traditional thali that is significantly cheaper than restaurant meals.
- 3 Book monument tickets online for sites like the Red Fort or Qutub Minar to receive a $0.55 / ₹50 discount for cashless payments.
- 4 Use the DTC 'Green Card' daily bus pass for $0.55 / ₹50 to get unlimited travel on all air-conditioned buses throughout the day.
- 5 Stick to reputable app-based ride-sharing services like Uber or Ola to avoid the inflated 'tourist prices' often quoted by auto-rickshaw drivers.
- 6 Visit legendary budget eateries like Sita Ram Diwan Chand in Paharganj, where famous local breakfast dishes are sold at a fraction of hotel prices.
- 7 Buy large 1.5L water bottles from local grocery shops for $0.33 / ₹30 instead of purchasing smaller, marked-up bottles inside tourist attractions.
- 8 Shop at Janpath Market or Sarojini Nagar for clothing, but always aim to bargain for at least 40–50% off the initial quoted price.
- 9 Utilize the Airport Express Line for $0.66 / ₹60 to reach New Delhi Station in 20 minutes, avoiding the higher costs of private airport transfers.
- 10 Acquire a local tourist SIM card at the airport for $8.26 / ₹752 to ensure access to navigation apps and avoid high international roaming fees.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
+30-50%
May, Jun, Jul
-40%
Oct, Mar
Avoid the scorching heat of May-June (often 45°C/113°F). October and March offer the best balance of price and weather (25°C/77°F).
Events to Watch
- ● Diwali (Oct/Nov): +30% hotels
- ● Republic Day (Jan 26): Heavy security & closures
- ● Holi (March): +20% hotels
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Visit the Lotus Temple to admire its unique Bahá'í architecture and enjoy the silent meditation hall for $0.
- 2 Explore the 15th-century tombs and lush greenery of Lodhi Gardens, a favorite spot for local walkers.
- 3 Walk around India Gate and the Rajpath to see the massive war memorial and surrounding parklands.
- 4 Experience the Langar (community kitchen) at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, where free meals are served to all visitors regardless of faith.
- 5 Discover the ancient stepwell Agrasen ki Baoli, hidden among the modern skyscrapers of central Delhi.
- 6 Wander through the narrow, historic lanes of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi for an intense cultural experience.
- 7 Attend the evening Qawwali devotional music sessions at the Nizamuddin Dargah on Thursday nights.
- 8 Pay respects at Raj Ghat, the peaceful memorial and garden dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.
- 9 Explore the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, which houses over 100 historical monuments and ruins without an entry fee.
- 10 Visit the National Gandhi Museum to see artifacts and photos from the life of the Indian leader.
- 11 Birdwatch in Sanjay Van, a massive city forest containing parts of Delhi's oldest city walls.
- 12 Enter the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple complex to view the stunning carvings and expansive grounds.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Indian Accent Chef's Tasting Menu
Frequently ranked as India's best restaurant; the modern Indian fusion is world-class. Cost is ~$61 / ₹5,519 per person.
Private Full-Day Heritage Car Tour
Explore the Lutyens' Delhi boulevards in a restored vintage vehicle. Cost is ~$94 / ₹8,574 for the group.
Spa Treatment at The Imperial
One of the most luxurious Ayurvedic spas in Asia. A 90-minute treatment is ~$82 / ₹7,502.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Delhi
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Delhi and what they cost
Agra (Taj Mahal)
$24 / ₹2,206 by train
$14 / ₹1,303
$66 / ₹6,015
Neemrana Fort
$50 / ₹4,512 by car
$22 / ₹2,005
$88 / ₹8,021
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Indian Rupee (INR)
1 $ ≈ 91 ₹
Yes
Widely accepted in malls, hotels, and upscale restaurants; cash essential for markets, street food, and auto-rickshaws.
10% is standard in restaurants if no service charge is included. Small tips of ~$0.59–$1.18 / ₹54–₹107 are appreciated for hotel porters and drivers.
Use bank-affiliated ATMs (SBI, HDFC, ICICI). Many ATMs have a per-transaction limit of ~$109 / ₹9,967 (10,000 INR) and charge small fees of ~$2.12 / ₹193.
Essential in Janpath and Chandni Chowk. Aim to pay 40–50% of the initial quoted price. Do not bargain in fixed-price government emporiums.
Connectivity
eSIM: $4.12 for 1GB (3 days) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $8.26 / ₹752 for 45GB (1.5GB/day for 30 days)
WiFi: Available in upscale cafes, airports, and mid-range hotels, but often requires an Indian phone number for OTP verification.
Buy a local SIM (Airtel or Jio) at the airport upon arrival for the best data rates and ease of verification on local apps like Uber and Zomato.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Delhi.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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Complete Cost Guide
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