Budget Trip: Rishikesh

Accessing Rishikesh from all around the country is quite convenient and so is travelling within the city. Below are more details.

Rishikesh doesn’t have its own airport. But you can land at Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport and then reach Rishikesh from Dehradun by taxi or bus.

There is a train station in Rishikesh but the one in Haridwar will be more convenient since the Rishikesh Railway Station doesn’t have frequent trains. From the Haridwar train station, you can get plenty of buses and taxis towards Rishikesh.

Rishikesh has good road connections to its neighbouring cities. There are many bus services from the neighbouring cities that you can avail or you can opt for a private car.

Once you reach Rishikesh, take our suggestions and use public transports, like buses and auto-rickshaws. They are quite cheap and will be perfect for a tight budget trip.

Whenever you are planning a budget trip to any place, here’s the formula you should apply. Visit the tourist places that have no entry fees and that you can reach easily using public transports so that you don’t have to spend much. On that note, below are the best tourist places in Rishikesh that require no or a small entry fee.

Mythology says, this bridge, connecting the Tapovan village and the Jonk village, is the same spot where Laxman, brother of Lord Ram, crossed river Ganga. So, you can understand the religious value attached to this bridge. This is definitely one of the top 10 tourist places in Rishikesh and you can surely start your sightseeing with this spot. And when you are visiting, make sure to see the Lakshman temple and the Terah Manzil temple.

A few miles from Laxman Jhula is another bridge with almost similar construction. That bridge is the Ram Jhula. As you walk on the bridge, you will get to see the Ganges rushing in full speed and the peak of the Himalayas peeking through the clouds. The views from the bridge of the surrounding valleys and temples are also breathtaking and make the place one of the most beautiful places in Rishikesh.

Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers converged and from that originated Trevni Ghat, as stated in the Hindu mythology. This one of the most amazing places to visit in north Rishikesh is considered holy by all pilgrims. You can come here, take a dip and soak in sacredness. Apart from pilgrims, the ghat draws nature lovers as well with its wonderful scenic beauty.

This has to be one of the most famous tourist spots in Rishikesh. The Beatles visited, rather they lived this ashram in 1968 for spiritual awakening and since then, this ashram has become a tourist magnet. You can pay an entry fee of Rs. 150 (Rs. 600 for foreigners) and explore the meditation huts, the library and the small gallery. Most structures in the ashram are in ruins, but exploring the walls with colourful graffiti are still quite beautiful.

Go with the same formula while selecting the things to do in Rishikesh on a budget trip that you applied for selecting the budget-friendly places to visit in the city. And here are the fun things you can do on a budget in Rishikesh.

As we already know, there is a long list of temples in Rishikesh. And the best part is that temples don’t charge any entry fee. You just make a list of temples and visit them one after another. Raghunath Temple, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Trayambakeshwar Temple, Shri Bharat Mandir, Kunjapuri Devi Temple and Hanuman Mandir are the must-visit ones.

Priests chanting mantras and worshipping the Ganga river, with huge lamps on hands, is a sight to behold! And when you are in Rishikesh, you cannot miss such a sight. Just go to the ghats in the evening, sit on a nice spot and let the holy aura take over. And see how even without you having to spend anything, the evening becomes one of the most lovely moments you spend in the city.

Yes, this activity will cost you money. But, this is the most famous among the adventure sports in Rishikesh. And there are so many places where this adventure sport is organised. You will surely find someplace that is within your budget. Just compare the different rates and go for the one that suits your budget.

This is one aspect where you can actually save a lot of money. Rishikesh is filled with hotels that offer you comfortable accommodation at low prices. goSTOPS Rishikesh Laxman Jhula, Maa Ganga Guest House, Orchid Hotel and Hostel, Hotel Orange Classic and Hill Hoppers are some of the best options when it comes to budget hotels in Rishikesh. There are also many budget-friendly hostels and homestays where you can stay in Rishikesh.

Roaming around the city, accommodation, sightseeing, fun activities, we think we covered it all. And hopefully, you are convinced that you can plan a fantastic Rishikesh trip even on a tight budget. So, get started with the planning right away!