Hi fellow travelers, I’m planning a **4–5 day budget trip to Manali in 2025** and I’d love some advice from those who’ve visited recently. I’m trying to figure out how much money I should keep aside for the trip. Some specific things I’m curious about: * What’s the average cost of **budget accommodation in Manali** (like hostels, guesthouses, or homestays)? * How much should I expect to spend on **food per day** if I stick to local eateries or cafés instead of fancy restaurants? * What’s the cost of **local travel**—shared cabs, buses, or bike rentals for sightseeing? * For **activities like Solang Valley adventure sports, Rohtang Pass trip, or short treks**, how much should I budget? * Is ₹8,000–₹12,000 enough for a 4–5 day budget Manali trip, including travel from Delhi or Chandigarh? * Any tips on **saving money** (cheap stays, group travel, off-season discounts, etc.)? Would love to hear **recent cost breakdowns, personal experiences, and money-saving hacks** from backpackers or budget travelers who’ve done Manali recently. Thanks in advance!

I did a **5-day budget trip to Manali in early 2025**, and I can share a breakdown of my expenses to give you a clear idea. The good news is that Manali is still very affordable if you plan smartly. ### 🏠 Accommodation I stayed in a **backpacker hostel in Old Manali** for ₹400–₹600 per night in a dorm. Private rooms in guesthouses or homestays were around ₹1,200–₹1,800 per night. If you’re okay with hostels, you’ll easily save a lot. For 4–5 nights, expect **₹2,000–₹3,000** for stay. ### 🍲 Food Local cafés and dhabas are quite cheap. I usually spent ₹200–₹250 per meal. A basic thali cost me around ₹120–₹150, while café food like momos, parathas, and Maggi was ₹80–₹150. Daily food cost came to about **₹500–₹700**, so for 5 days I spent around **₹2,500–₹3,000**. ### 🚖 Local Transport * Shared cabs to **Solang Valley**: \~₹200–₹250 per person. * Day trip to **Rohtang Pass (with permits)**: \~₹700–₹900 per person in a shared cab. * Renting a scooty: \~₹500–₹600 per day + fuel. For 5 days, transport cost me around **₹2,000–₹2,500** including local sightseeing. ### 🎯 Activities & Sightseeing * Paragliding in Solang: ₹2,000–₹2,500 (I skipped this to save money). * Small treks like **Jogini Waterfall** or **Vashisht** are free except maybe ₹50–₹100 for snacks. * Entry to Hidimba Temple, Manu Temple, etc., is free. If you include one adventure activity, add another **₹2,000–₹3,000** to your budget. ### 🚌 Travel from Delhi/Chandigarh I took a **Volvo bus from Delhi to Manali** which cost ₹1,200 one way (₹2,400 round trip). From Chandigarh, it’s cheaper (\~₹800 one way). --- ### ✅ Total Budget for 5 Days in Manali (2025) * Stay: ₹2,500 * Food: ₹3,000 * Local travel & sightseeing: ₹2,000–₹2,500 * Bus from Delhi (round trip): ₹2,400 * Miscellaneous: ₹1,000 👉 **Grand Total: ₹9,000–₹11,000** for a 5-day Manali trip on a budget. If you skip costly activities like paragliding or stick to group travel, you can do it in **₹8,000–₹9,000 easily**. --- 💡 **Tip from experience**: Stay in **Old Manali or Vashisht** instead of near Mall Road—cheaper stays, peaceful vibe, and better food options. Travel in **March–April or September–October** for good weather and off-season discounts.

How much does a budget Manali trip cost for 4–5 days in 2025?

Yashwantkk

Hi fellow travelers,

I’m planning a 4–5 day budget trip to Manali in 2025 and I’d love some advice from those who’ve visited recently. I’m trying to figure out how much money I should keep aside for the trip.

Some specific things I’m curious about:

What’s the average cost of budget accommodation in Manali (like hostels, guesthouses, or homestays)?
How much should I expect to spend on food per day if I stick to local eateries or cafés instead of fancy restaurants?
What’s the cost of local travel—shared cabs, buses, or bike rentals for sightseeing?
For activities like Solang Valley adventure sports, Rohtang Pass trip, or short treks, how much should I budget?
Is ₹8,000–₹12,000 enough for a 4–5 day budget Manali trip, including travel from Delhi or Chandigarh?
Any tips on saving money (cheap stays, group travel, off-season discounts, etc.)?

Would love to hear recent cost breakdowns, personal experiences, and money-saving hacks from backpackers or budget travelers who’ve done Manali recently.

Thanks in advance!

Indiatourpkgs

I did a 5-day budget trip to Manali in early 2025, and I can share a breakdown of my expenses to give you a clear idea. The good news is that Manali is still very affordable if you plan smartly.

🏠 Accommodation

I stayed in a backpacker hostel in Old Manali for ₹400–₹600 per night in a dorm. Private rooms in guesthouses or homestays were around ₹1,200–₹1,800 per night. If you’re okay with hostels, you’ll easily save a lot. For 4–5 nights, expect ₹2,000–₹3,000 for stay.

🍲 Food

Local cafés and dhabas are quite cheap. I usually spent ₹200–₹250 per meal. A basic thali cost me around ₹120–₹150, while café food like momos, parathas, and Maggi was ₹80–₹150. Daily food cost came to about ₹500–₹700, so for 5 days I spent around ₹2,500–₹3,000.

🚖 Local Transport

Shared cabs to Solang Valley: ~₹200–₹250 per person.
Day trip to Rohtang Pass (with permits): ~₹700–₹900 per person in a shared cab.
Renting a scooty: ~₹500–₹600 per day + fuel.

For 5 days, transport cost me around ₹2,000–₹2,500 including local sightseeing.

🎯 Activities & Sightseeing

Paragliding in Solang: ₹2,000–₹2,500 (I skipped this to save money).
Small treks like Jogini Waterfall or Vashisht are free except maybe ₹50–₹100 for snacks.
Entry to Hidimba Temple, Manu Temple, etc., is free.

If you include one adventure activity, add another ₹2,000–₹3,000 to your budget.

🚌 Travel from Delhi/Chandigarh

I took a Volvo bus from Delhi to Manali which cost ₹1,200 one way (₹2,400 round trip). From Chandigarh, it’s cheaper (~₹800 one way).

—

✅ Total Budget for 5 Days in Manali (2025)

Stay: ₹2,500
Food: ₹3,000
Local travel & sightseeing: ₹2,000–₹2,500
Bus from Delhi (round trip): ₹2,400
Miscellaneous: ₹1,000

👉 Grand Total: ₹9,000–₹11,000 for a 5-day Manali trip on a budget.

If you skip costly activities like paragliding or stick to group travel, you can do it in ₹8,000–₹9,000 easily.

—

💡 Tip from experience: Stay in Old Manali or Vashisht instead of near Mall Road—cheaper stays, peaceful vibe, and better food options. Travel in March–April or September–October for good weather and off-season discounts.