Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Kolkata

Accommodation

$8-25 per night

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

Food & Dining

$5-15 per day

Street food stalls, local markets, small neighborhood eateries, occasional self-catering

Transportation

$2-8 per day

Public buses, metro, shared auto-rickshaws, walking, occasional taxis for longer distances

Activities

$3-12 per day

Free walking tours, temple visits, public parks, occasional museum entries, local cultural sites

Eat at local neighborhood restaurants instead of tourist areas - typically 60-80% cheaper with more authentic food

Use the Kolkata Metro system extensively - costs 90% less than taxis and covers major attractions efficiently

Stay in areas like Sudder Street or Central Kolkata for budget accommodation - generally 40-60% cheaper than upscale neighborhoods

Visit museums and cultural sites on weekdays when possible - many offer 20-30% discounts compared to weekend rates

Shop at local markets like New Market instead of mall complexes - typically 50-70% savings on souvenirs and clothing

Take shared auto-rickshaws and buses for short distances - costs 70-85% less than private taxis

Book accommodation during monsoon season (June-September) for 30-50% lower rates, though weather can be challenging

Taking taxis everywhere instead of using metro and buses - increases transport costs by 300-500% unnecessarily

Eating only in hotel restaurants and tourist zones - typically costs 150-250% more than local neighborhood eateries

Booking accommodation in premium areas like Salt Lake or Ballygunge when budget-friendly Central Kolkata offers better value and location

Paying for expensive guided tours when many temples, markets, and cultural sites can be explored independently for free

Not negotiating prices at markets and with auto-rickshaw drivers - can result in paying 100-200% above local rates