How I Travelled Full-Time on ₹35,000 a Month (And Had My Best Year Yet)

After years of watching full-time travellers on the gram and feeling like it’s an unreachable goal… I surprised myself by travelling full-time (with an international trip too!) on a budget. I mean, I was making around ₹35,000 a month, so I had no option but to budget travel.

But that doesn’t mean that I compromised on my experience, because that would defeat the purpose altogether. As a solo female traveller, I also put safety over going for extremely cheap options that end up being risky (and also seek comfort during my down days). So, this is not going to be one of those extremely uncomfortable, cheap travel tips either.

This is also not a step-by-step guide. Life (and travel) rarely works that neatly. That said, these are the choices that made budget travel in India possible for me without rushing, without burnout, and without pretending money didn’t matter.

One important note: I don’t have major financial responsibilities, and I have a supportive family I can fall back on if something goes wrong. That safety net matters. We’re all playing different games, with different rules.

This is simply what worked for my phase and situation in life.

1. Residential Courses: The Best Slow Budget Travel Hack

One of the most underrated ways to travel cheaply is to learn something while you’re at it.

Residential courses often include training, accommodation, and food, which instantly removes three big expenses. I joined a Kalaripayattu training program in Kerala that cost me around ₹25,000 per month, all-inclusive. I signed up for one month, and I stayed for three.

Beyond the cost savings, this kind of travel gives you:

• Something new to learn (my base level of fitness has levelled up!)
• A deeper insight into local culture
• A daily rhythm and fewer decisions to make, which tends to lead to travel burnout.

If you’re wondering how to travel on a low budget, this is one of the most sustainable answers I’ve found. And there are many more options than just Kalari, like yoga, music, surfing, and even donation-based courses in certain institutions.

2. Find Your Stay After You Arrive

As I mentioned before, I’m not a big fan of staying in the ‘cheapest place.’ I need a good neighbourhood and the peace that I often don’t get in hostels.

How I have learned to find a place works especially well if you’re planning to stay somewhere for weeks or months.

Instead of locking everything online, I:

1. Reached the place with a short-term stay (2-4 days)
2. Found where people naturally gather (workshops, cafés, events)
3. Made local friends
4. Spoke openly about wanting to stay longer

That’s how I found a comfortable room in Bir for ₹7,500 a month.

It wasn’t that glamorous, but it was comfortable enough and safe. And definitely very affordable.

3. Work That Travels With You

One of the smartest ways to travel with less money is to align your work with travel itself.

I took on travel-related freelance roles, especially ones that needed me on-site occasionally. I worked as a freelance storyteller with a travel company, which gave me access to retreats and experiences I wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise.

This isn’t about working nonstop while travelling. It’s about finding work that moves with you, instead of tying you to one place. Again, this is not something that works for everyone, but it’s an option you can consider.

4. Volunteering (When It Feels Right)

Volunteering can be a powerful way to reduce costs, but only if it’s ethical and mutually respectful.

While I personally do not do this much because I find it hard to feel like I’m travelling if I’m working in that place, I have seen so many people make it work so beautifully.

Beyond covering accommodation and meals, when done right, volunteering can give you a chance to contribute to the local economy and life meaningfully.

5. Carry a Tiny Kitchen

You can save a lot of money by eating in small local places. But you can save even more by fixing yourself some meals and, more importantly, by making your own beverages (which tend to be a sneaky expense that adds up very quickly).

I carried two things for this – an electric kettle and a coffee frother.

I’m not kidding when I say I have made full-fledged meals in the kettle, like pulav, veggie-packed noodle soup and more. But even being able to boil eggs, make basic oat porridge, or instant stuff goes a long way in reducing your expenses.

The coffee frother is my tiny indulgence. While I can survive on a basic meal put together with a kettle, I like my coffee to be a little special. And carrying this frother makes it feel like a whole beautiful ritual that keeps me away from cafes where I’d end up spending ₹150 to ₹200 on a coffee.

6. Slow, Flexible Travel Is the Real Hack

If I had to name one thing that made budget travel in India possible, it would be this:

I stayed longer. I kept my plan open.

When I set out to travel long-term, I did have a list in mind. One month here, a few days there, and jump to somewhere else. But I decided to allow it to flow instead of trying to chase things.

I stayed for 3 months in Kalari because I liked it. Did nothing for a month in Bir because I needed the break. Chose to stay in a place whenever I wanted to move just for the sake of it.

This kind of slow travel allowed me to:

• Negotiate monthly stays
• Discover cheaper food spots and to make things for myself
• Build community
• Say yes to unexpected opportunities

When you’re not rushing, money stretches further.

Also read my first attempt at full-time travel: Lessons from 4.5 Months on the Road

So, Is This the Cheapest Way to Travel?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Everything is a trade-off:

• Comfort vs cost
• Time vs money
• Stability vs freedom

There were moments I wished I could afford more experiences or contribute more financially to local communities. That discomfort is part of the honesty of budget travel.

Long-term travel isn’t better than short trips. Expensive travel isn’t worse. This just happens to be the version that worked for me. And if you’ve been quietly wondering whether meaningful travel is possible without earning a lot, I hope this shows you that it can be.

But only if it makes sense for your life.