Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Agra

Accommodation

$5-15 per night

Dormitory beds in backpacker hostels, basic guesthouses, budget hotels with shared bathrooms

Food & Dining

$3-8 per day

Street food stalls, local dhabas, market vendors, self-prepared snacks

Transportation

$2-6 per day

Public buses, shared auto-rickshaws, walking, occasional cycle rickshaw

Activities

$5-15 per day

Major monuments entry fees, self-guided exploration, free walking areas, occasional guided tour

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

Use public buses and shared auto-rickshaws instead of private taxis (saves 70-80% on transport)

Visit monuments early morning or late afternoon to avoid tour groups and potential price premiums

Buy water and snacks from local markets rather than near major attractions (typically 50% less expensive)

Book accommodation in areas slightly away from Taj Mahal vicinity for 30-50% savings

Travel during shoulder seasons for 20-40% discounts on hotels and tours

Use government-approved guides instead of private tour operators for official rates

Taking private taxis for all transportation instead of mixing with public options (can triple transport costs)

Eating only in hotel restaurants and tourist areas (typically 150-300% markup over local prices)

Booking accommodation without comparing locations - staying right next to Taj Mahal costs 2-3x more than 10 minutes away

Buying souvenirs near major monuments instead of local markets (typically 200-400% markup)

Not carrying small denomination notes for street food and local transport (leads to overpaying)