India travel budget, safety and insurance
India can be one of the cheapest destinations on earth or surprisingly expensive — the difference is your pace and the quality of your beds. On safety, most traveller problems come down to three simple rules.
What a month costs
Average daily cost per person, excluding international flights and motorcycle rental.
- Lean: $25—35 a day — hostels, local food, buses.
- Balanced: $45—70 a day — private rooms, reserved trains, activities.
- Comfortable: $90+ — good hotels, a driver, domestic flights.
Handling money
Cash still rules in markets and villages, but UPI and cards work at almost every urban business. Carry two cards stored separately and withdraw from major-bank ATMs.
Insurance — what the policy must say
This is where travellers get caught out most often.
- Explicit cover for motorcycling at the engine size you ride.
- High-altitude cover if you go to Ladakh or Spiti.
- Medical evacuation and repatriation — the genuinely expensive part.
- Electronics and cancellation cover.
Staying safe on the road
Three rules prevent most incidents: never ride after dark, always wear a helmet, and never take a mountain route alone without someone knowing the plan.
For health: bottled or filtered water, hot food from a busy place, and a small kit with painkillers, anti-diarrhoeals and rehydration salts.
Frequently asked
- How much money do I need for a month in India?
- Between $800 and $2,000 per person depending on style. Around $1,200 buys a comfortable month with private rooms and activities.
- Is India safe for solo female travellers?
- Many travel solo successfully. Stay at well-reviewed places, avoid overnight travel alone, and arrange arrival pickups in advance.
- Do I need vaccinations?
- Speak to a travel clinic. Hepatitis A and B, typhoid and tetanus are commonly advised, plus rabies for some regions.
- What happens in an emergency?
- Every guest of ours gets a local support number that is always staffed. Keep your insurer's number and embassy details on your phone and on paper.