NamasteTrip
India has more accommodation variety than almost anywhere else on earth — five-star resorts, 400-year-old forts turned into hotels, backpacker hostels, and family homes that open their doors to travellers. That variety is a gift, but it also means "where should I stay" doesn't have one answer. It depends on your budget, your itinerary, and how much of the real India you want mixed into your trip.
Here's how to choose confidently, city by city and budget by budget.
The five types of stay in India
🛏️ Budget hotels & guesthouses
Clean, simple rooms with AC and attached bathroom. Widely available in every city and tourist town — the reliable default for backpackers and short stops.
🏨 Mid-range (3-star) hotels
Consistent comfort: AC, wifi, breakfast, 24-hour front desk. The best balance of price and predictability for most travellers.
👑 Luxury hotels & heritage palaces
Restored havelis, forts and palace hotels — especially in Rajasthan — plus international 5-star chains in major cities. Worth it for a honeymoon or a milestone trip.
🏡 Homestays with local families
Stay inside a real Indian household, share home-cooked meals, and get an insider's view of daily life. Pairs perfectly with our Dine With Locals experience.
🎒 Hostels
Social, cheap and everywhere in backpacker hubs like Rishikesh, Jaipur, Goa and McLeod Ganj. Great for solo travellers wanting to meet people fast.
How to choose based on your trip
| Trip type | Best stay |
|---|---|
| First trip to India, short itinerary | Mid-range hotel in each city — comfort without the guesswork |
| Cultural deep-dive | A verified homestay for at least 1–2 nights |
| Honeymoon or anniversary | A heritage palace stay in Udaipur, Jaipur or Jodhpur |
| Solo backpacking on a budget | Hostels in backpacker towns, budget hotels elsewhere |
| Attending a wedding via NamasteTrip | Stay arranged with or near the host family |
| Himalayan trekking | Guesthouse at the base village, tented camps on the trek itself — see our trekking guide |
Where to stay, city by city
Delhi & Agra (Golden Triangle)
Stay in Connaught Place or South Delhi for easy access to sights and the metro. In Agra, book a hotel with a Taj Mahal view for sunrise — it's worth the small premium.
Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur (Rajasthan)
This is heritage-stay territory. Converted havelis inside the old city walls put you within walking distance of forts, bazaars and rooftop restaurants, often for less than a standard hotel elsewhere.
Goa
North Goa (Anjuna, Vagator) has hostels and budget guesthouses near the beach and nightlife. South Goa (Palolem, Agonda) is quieter, with beach huts and boutique resorts better suited to couples and families.
Kerala backwaters
A homestay here often means a family-run house overlooking a coconut grove or canal, with home-cooked Malayali meals — one of the most memorable stay types in the whole country.
Rishikesh & McLeod Ganj
Budget hostels and ashram-style guesthouses dominate. Many include yoga classes or meditation sessions, ideal if wellness is part of your trip.
What to check before you book
- Verification and reviews: book through a platform that verifies hosts and hotels rather than an anonymous listing. Real, recent reviews matter more than star ratings.
- AC and wifi: don't assume either is included, especially outside major cities — confirm before booking, particularly April–June when heat makes AC essential.
- Cancellation policy: Indian train and flight schedules can shift; a free-cancellation rate is worth a slightly higher price.
- Location vs. price: a cheaper hotel far from the old city or station can cost you more in time and taxi fares than a slightly pricier central option.
- GST and service charges: hotel bills add 12–18% GST depending on room rate — factor this into your budget so the final bill isn't a surprise.
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