Budget Challenge: How I Did Delhi-Varanasi in 3 Days Under ₹5,000 -

“Varanasi is expensive.” I heard this a dozen times before packing my bag. They told me boat rides cost a fortune, hotels are overpriced, and “vip darshan” is the only way to see the Lord.

I am here to tell you: They are wrong.

Last month, I took the ultimate backpacker challenge: A 3-day trip from Delhi to Varanasi with a hard cap of ₹5,000. No flights. No luxury hotels. Just me, a backpack, and the dusty roads of Uttar Pradesh.

Did I survive? Yes. Did I have to starve? Absolutely not. In fact, I ate like a king. Here is the exact financial breakdown of how you can do it too in 2026.

The Transport Strategy: Getting There for Peanuts

The biggest expense of any trip is usually getting there. Flights to Varanasi (approx. ₹4,000 one way) were instantly out. The train waitlists were over 100 (standard for the Delhi-Varanasi route). My only option was the Bus.

I compared two options to find the sweet spot between “saving money” and “breaking my back.”

Option A: The Warrior’s Choice (UPSRTC)

Bus Type: Ordinary / Jan Rath (AC Seater)
Cost: ₹500 – ₹700
Comfort: Low. Leg space is a myth, and it stops everywhere.
Verdict: Good for the return leg if you are broke, but too tiring for the onward journey.

Option B: The Smart Backpacker (Private Sleeper)

Bus Type: AC Sleeper (2+1)
Cost: ₹700 – ₹900 (booked via apps like Zingbus/IntrCity)
Comfort: High. You get a flat berth to sleep on.
Verdict: My Choice. I booked a lower berth for ₹850 leaving from Anand Vihar.

Total Transport Cost (Round Trip): ₹1,700

The Shelter Strategy: Sleeping Near Godowlia

Varanasi has a massive range of stays. You have the ₹30,000/night Brijrama Palace on the ghats, and you have ₹200/night dorms.

I needed something safe, clean, and walking distance from Godowlia Chowk (the main hub). Why Godowlia? Because if you stay here, you save hundreds of rupees on auto-rickshaws. You can walk to the Ghats, the Temple, and the food spots.

The Winner: Modern Backpacker Hostels

In 2026, Varanasi’s hostel scene is thriving. I stayed at a hostel in Bangali Tola (a maze of lanes near the river).

Cost: ₹500 per night for a bunk bed in an AC Dorm.
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, clean lockers, hot water, and a rooftop common area to meet other travelers.
Alternate Option: Dharamshalas. Places like the Shri Krishna Dharamshala offer rooms for as low as ₹300, but they often have strict curfews and no AC.

Total Stay Cost (2 Nights): ₹1,000

The Food Strategy: Eating Like a King (Street Food vs. Restaurants)

Here is the secret: Varanasi’s best food is its cheapest food.

If you go to a sit-down restaurant, you will pay ₹300 for a Thali that tastes “okay.” If you eat on the street, you will pay ₹50 for a Kachori that will change your life.

My “Banarasi Diet” Price List (2026)

Breakfast: 2 Kachoris + Aloo Sabzi + Jalebi = ₹60
Lunch: Baati Chokha (Roasted wheat balls with spicy mash) = ₹100
Snack: Tamatar Chaat (Spicy tomato mix) = ₹50
Drink: Blue Lassi / Pomegranate Lassi = ₹80
Dessert: Malaiyyo (Saffron milk foam – Winter only) = ₹60
Dinner: Simple Veg Thali near station = ₹150

I avoided fancy cafes. I stuck to places like Kashi Chat Bhandar and Ram Bhandar.

Total Food Cost (3 Days): ₹1,500

The Financial Breakdown: Every Rupee Counted

Here is the final receipt of my trip.

Category	Item	Cost (₹)	Notes
Transport	Delhi-Varanasi Bus (AC Sleeper)	₹850	Booked 2 days in advance.
	Varanasi-Delhi Bus (AC Seater)	₹700	Saved money on return leg.
	Local Autos (Station to Godowlia)	₹150	Shared E-Rickshaws only.
Stay	Hostel (2 Nights @ ₹500)	₹1,000	AC Dorm near Ghats.
Food	3 Days of Street Food Feasts	₹1,500	Ate whatever I wanted.
Activities	Boat Ride (Sunrise – Shared)	₹200	Hand-rowed boat, not motor.
	Kashi Vishwanath Prasad	₹100	Flower basket.
Misc	Water Bottles / Tea / Tips	₹300	Hydration is key.
TOTAL		₹4,800	Success!

Pros and Cons of the “Budget Challenge”

Pros (The Wins)

Authenticity: Staying in a hostel and eating street food forces you to interact with locals. You see the real city.
Freedom: I wasn’t tied to a hotel schedule. I spent my money on experiences (like extra lassis), not bedsheets.
No Guilt: Coming back home with money still in my pocket felt amazing.

Cons (The Struggles)

The Bus Ride: 13 hours on a bus is tough. My back was stiff by the time I reached.
Shared Spaces: Hostel dorms mean you might have a snoring roommate. Earplugs are mandatory.
Walking: To save auto fare, I walked roughly 15,000 steps a day. You need good shoes.

Expert Review: Is it worth it?

“Doing Varanasi under ₹5,000 isn’t just about being cheap; it’s about being smart. The city is designed for pilgrims, not tourists. This means the infrastructure for budget travel (dharamshalas, cheap food, shared transport) is excellent. If you are a student or a solo traveler, do not hesitate. The only compromise you are making is on the mode of travel (Bus vs. Flight). Once you are in the city, a budget traveler and a luxury traveler see the exact same Ganga Aarti.”

Dos and Don’ts for the Budget Traveler

What You Should Do

DO carry a student ID if you have one. Some museums and monuments (like Sarnath) have discounted entry tickets.
DO negotiate with boatmen. They will start at ₹1,000. Walk away, and the price will drop to ₹300-400. Even better, share a boat with other tourists.
DO refill water bottles. Many hostels have RO filters. Buying 10 bottles of Bisleri adds up to ₹200 unnecessarily.

What You Should NOT Do

DON’T take the “Direct Auto” from the bus stand. They will charge you ₹300. Walk to the main road and take a shared auto for ₹20.
DON’T eat “Chinese” food in Varanasi. It’s expensive and bad. Stick to local cuisine.
DON’T skimp on the boat ride. If you have to cut the budget, cut the food budget, but do not miss the sunrise boat. It is the soul of the trip.

Conclusion

Varanasi does not require a thick wallet; it requires a big heart and a sturdy pair of legs. My ₹4,800 trip was one of the most culturally rich experiences of my life. If I can do it, so can you.

Pack your bags. The budget bus leaves at 9:00 PM.