Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Bengaluru

Accommodation

$8-25 per night

Dorm beds in hostels, budget guesthouses, shared rooms in residential areas

Food & Dining

$5-15 per day

Street food stalls, local darshinis, mess-style restaurants, occasional mid-range meal

Transportation

$2-8 per day

City buses, metro, shared auto-rickshaws, occasional rideshare

Activities

$3-12 per day

Free parks and temples, occasional museum entry, walking tours, local markets

Eat at local darshinis and street food stalls instead of tourist restaurants (typically 60-80% cheaper)

Use metro and city buses instead of app-based cabs for daily transport (saves 70-85% on transportation costs)

Stay in areas like Koramangala or Indiranagar instead of central business districts (20-40% lower accommodation costs)

Visit free attractions like Lalbagh Botanical Garden and Cubbon Park instead of only paid experiences

Book accommodation 2-3 months in advance during peak season (typically 25-45% savings)

Shop at local markets like KR Market instead of commercial malls (50-70% lower prices)

Take advantage of lunch thalis at local restaurants (usually 40-60% cheaper than dinner portions)

Relying solely on app-based cabs instead of using metro and buses (can triple transportation costs)

Eating only in Westernized restaurants and avoiding local cuisine (typically doubles food expenses)

Staying only in central business districts without considering well-connected residential areas (often 30-50% more expensive)

Not accounting for traffic delays when budgeting time and transport costs (can lead to expensive last-minute bookings)

Ignoring seasonal pricing patterns and booking during peak periods without advance planning