Budget Travel Tips India: Even though traveling in December can be expensive, you can still travel to India on a low budget by adopting smart hacks. Choose off-beat places, travel on weekdays, use trains/Volvo.
Cheapest December Travel Hacks: December is considered the peak travel season in India. With Christmas and New Year’s Eve approaching, prices for flights, hotels and cabs skyrocket. Planning a trip on a budget can be tricky, but by adopting a few smart hacks, you can make your December trip a lot cheaper. Here, learn about the best cheap and handy travel hacks for December in India. By following these, you can save thousands of rupees on your trip.
Choose an off-beat location – less crowd, less expense
Places like Shimla, Manali, Goa and Jaipur are the most expensive in December. Instead, choose these off-beat locations:
- Jhibhi, Tirthan Valley instead of Manali
- Chail, Mashobra instead of Shimla
- Gokarna, Veraval Beach instead of Goa
- Ajmer or Bundi instead of Jaipur
Hotels and food are about 40–50% cheaper here.
Travel by train and Volvo – half the cost of flights
Flight tickets are most expensive in December. If you’re traveling within 300–600 km, the cheapest options are Volvo, bus or train.
- Volvo: ₹700–₹1500
- Train: ₹300–₹1000
- Flights: ₹3500–₹8000 (higher on peak dates)
Try to book tatkal tickets by 10 am; You have a higher chance of getting them.
Travel on weekdays – weekends are the most expensive
Hotel prices increase 30–60% from Friday to Monday. Select travel date between Tuesday and Thursday
- flights are cheap
- hotels are cheap
- the crowd is less
- Activities are easy to find
Find hotels 2-3 km away from busy places
If you are visiting cities like Goa, Rishikesh, or Udaipur, choose a hotel away from the main market or beach area.
- Main Location: ₹3,000-₹8,000
- 2–3 km away: ₹800-₹2,000
- The difference can be as much as 50-70%.
App Combo Hack-Huge Savings on Cabs and Hotels
Some apps offer combo discounts for December
- MakeMyTrip + Goibibo Coupon
- Paytm Travel Cashback
- cleartrip gift card hack
Buying a gift card and then booking a hotel can save 10-25%.
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Choose local food – tourist restaurants are the most expensive
Food is always more expensive in tourist areas.
Instead, eat at a local restaurant
- Thali: ₹80-₹120
- Tea/Snack: ₹20-₹40
- Street Food: ₹30-₹60
The food is delicious and light on the pocket.
Use public transport – cabs spoil the budget
Cab expenses increase by 300-500%.
instead of
- Scooty Rental (₹300-₹500)
- shuttle buses
- shared taxi
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Smart planning can make your December trip cheaper
If you choose the right destination, travel on weekends, and stay at off-beat places, even an expensive December trip can be budget-friendly. By adopting the right hacks, a typical 3-4 day trip can be completed comfortably for Rs 12-18 thousand.