Hotels in India

Hotels in India: your guide to where to stay

How much does a hotel in India cost?

The price depends on the standard, the city and the dates. The table shows indicative nightly rates for a double room. The cheapest month is usually May, while December, the peak season, is the priciest. Booking ahead usually brings better rates.

Indicative rates, updated periodically. For exact prices and availability, select your dates in the search above.

Where to stay in India: most popular cities

India splits between big metropolises, historic cities and beach resorts. These are the destinations travellers choose most often:

• New Delhi. The capital with the widest choice of hotels, from budget guesthouses to 5-star properties. A good base for the north and Agra.
• Mumbai. The financial heart of the country and the palatial Taj Mahal Palace by the Gateway of India. A wide choice of business hotels.
• Jaipur. The Pink City in Rajasthan, a base for forts and palaces. Many heritage hotels in former mansions (havelis).
• Goa. Beaches on the west coast, a former Portuguese colony known for parties and resorts.
• Udaipur. The city of lakes with palaces, some of the priciest and most atmospheric stays.
• Chennai and Hyderabad. Large southern cities with business hotels and good airports.

Nightly rates vary between cities. Here are indicative prices per night for a double room:

What to see in India

India combines monuments, mountains, beaches and colourful traditions across a vast area.

• Taj Mahal. The famous mausoleum in Agra, one of the most recognisable landmarks in the world.
• Festivals. Holi, the festival of colours held across the country in March, plus dozens of other religious celebrations.
• Goa. The beaches of a former Portuguese colony on the west coast.
• The Himalayas. Trekking and mountain resorts in the north.
• Ahmedabad. The first Indian city inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage City.

How much does a trip to India cost

Beyond the room, daily costs are very low. A rickshaw ride starts at a few rupees, a long-distance bus costs the equivalent of a dollar or two. Cards work in hotels and larger shops in cities, but at markets and smaller places cash is essential. ATMs are common in cities.

When is the best time to visit India

The most pleasant weather is from December to March, which is also peak season and the highest prices. June to November is cheaper, but avoid the cities most affected by the monsoon, such as Kolkata and Mumbai. May is usually the cheapest, though it can be very hot. The weather differs greatly between the north and the south.

Getting to and around India

Most international flights land in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Around the country the easiest options are low-cost domestic flights or the railway, one of the largest networks in the world and an experience in itself (book ahead). In cities you travel by rickshaw, and in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata also by metro. A popular option is renting a car with a driver, charged per kilometre.

Example hotels in India

A few recognisable properties from different cities for reference:

• The Taj Mahal Palace and The Leela Mumbai in Mumbai (palace standard, from approx. ₹9,500).
• The Lalit New Delhi and Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi in New Delhi (from approx. ₹5,200).
• Trident Nariman Point in Mumbai and ITC Windsor in Bengaluru (from approx. ₹6,500).