For most of us today, travel has become a way of life. We love to travel and but sadly not all of us can afford the luxurious and plush accommodation available across the country. Most backpackers coming to India have saved for a few months holiday and need cheap accommodation in India in a cheap backpacker hostel or hotels. So heres a list of some of the best backpacker hostels for you to stay in on your next vacation:
Zostel Hostels
Zostel is one of the best places that I had heard about. Locations are Rishikesh, Pushkar, Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Agra, Varanasi, and Delhi (all in North India) Bir, Goa, Mysore, Gokarna, Manali, Ooty, and Khajuraho. It is one of the most popular chains of backpacker hostels in India and is the ultimate way to explore the country on a budget. Their funky common rooms, luxurious suites, and dormitories and fully stocked open kitchens set them a class apart. More often than not, you can also meet ardent travelers and globetrotters while staying at Zostel. I have stayed in Rishikesh and the experience was lovely. Room Tariff is around 400 rupees per person.
Crashpad
Rajasthan is the holy grail of backpackers in India. Hostels are present in three locations in Rajasthan: Jaisalmer, Jaipur, and Jodhpur. They are quite popular with decent accommodation rates and clean rooms. Unlike the rest of the world where a dormitory bed is the cheapest accommodation option, here in India, you have to pay from 300 600 rupees for a dorm bed, depending on location and season. Their hostels are complete with all the essentials such as common areas, dorm rooms both mixed and women only, private bedrooms, shared bathrooms, and rooftop terraces.
Stops Hostels
Another huge chain like Zostel, these are dotted in Varanasi, Jaipur, Calcutta, and Delhi. I havent stayed personally, but friends have and they say theyre great and highly recommend them. I tell a lot of people to stay here and get great responses back after their stay. Stops have a trendy, homely and friendly atmosphere with a general kitchen, complimentary evening tea, and airy balconies. Also, there are a lot of activities, games and a library with lots of good reading material and documentaries on India. Room tariff is around 400-500 INR.
YHAI (Youth Hostel Association of India)
YHAI are hostels in collaboration with the state tourism associations in Delhi, Leh, Darjeeling, Mysore etc. As you can expect, these are not like your funky Hollywood-inspired hostels. They have rules which are very traditional like no drinking and smoking. These are the main hostels in India although most of them are privately owned ones across the country. They do have all the basic amenities but have strict rules. Room tariff is quite low and dormitories are around 100-150 INR.While cheap hotels in India are easy to come by, hostels are finally up and booming in the subcontinent! New ones seem to be coming up every week in India and if you like to stay in unconventional places, then these hostels will be perfect for you.
