How much should an Indian couple budget for Rishikesh? Hotels, transport and activities

The short answer

Most couples spend between Rs 6,000 and Rs 25,000 on a 2-night Rishikesh trip, excluding the journey there. Rishikesh is genuinely elastic: the same town offers Rs 400 ashram rooms and Rs 8,000 riverside resorts, free aartis and Rs 1,000 rafting runs. Prices below were checked in October 2026 - confirm live rates when you book, especially on long weekends.

Where you sleep

• Ashrams and basic guesthouses: Rs 300-800 a night for simple, clean rooms, often with sattvic food available. The spiritual-budget heart of Rishikesh.
• Mid-range hotels and hostels with private rooms: roughly Rs 1,000-2,500 a night.
• Boutique and riverside resorts: Rs 5,000-10,000+ a night. Rates spike on weekends, New Year week and festival dates - sometimes double.

Activities: what the fun actually costs

• River rafting (official UTDB rates, per person): Brahmpuri 9 km Rs 600, Shivpuri 16 km Rs 1,000 (the classic run), Marine Drive 24-26 km Rs 1,500, Kaudiyala 30-35 km Rs 2,500-3,000, plus a small government fee. Quotes far below these usually mean a shorter run or an unlicensed raft - check the UTDB licence before paying.
• Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat: free. Arrive 40 minutes before sunset for a good step by the water.
• Bungee jumping and giant swing: roughly Rs 3,000-4,500 per person at the licensed jump site - the big-ticket optional extra.
• Yoga drop-in classes: Rs 300-700 per session; many ashrams include morning classes free for guests.
• Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia): a small entry fee; allow 1-2 hours for the murals and ruins.

Food

• Local dhabas and ashram kitchens: Rs 100-250 per person for a filling veg meal. The whole town is vegetarian - meat and alcohol are not served in Rishikesh.
• The famous cafes (Little Buddha, Freedom Ganges-side spots): Rs 300-600 per person for a leisurely meal.
• A realistic food budget for two: Rs 800-2,000 a day depending on how many cafe stops you allow yourselves.

Getting around

• Haridwar to Rishikesh: about 25 km - shared autos and buses Rs 30-60 per person, private taxi Rs 800-1,200.
• In town: autos and shared Vikrams Rs 10-50 per hop; the two jhulas are pedestrian bridges, so expect to walk - the Tapovan-to-Swarg Ashram stretch along the river is the pleasant way to do it.
• Scooter rental: roughly Rs 500-800 a day, the couple-favourite for the Neelkanth road and waterfall runs. Carry your licence.

Three sample budgets for two (2 nights, excluding travel to Rishikesh)

• Backpacker couple, around Rs 6,000: ashram room Rs 600 x 2, dhaba food, free aarti and ghat walks, shared autos, no paid activities beyond one 9 km raft Rs 600 x 2.
• Comfortable, around Rs 14,000: mid-range hotel Rs 2,000 x 2, cafe meals, 16 km rafting Rs 1,000 x 2, a scooter day Rs 700, Beatles Ashram and yoga class.
• Premium, Rs 25,000 and up: riverside resort Rs 7,000+ x 2, rafting plus bungee Rs 3,500 x 2, private cabs, cafe-hopping without counting.

Two rules whatever the tier: book rafting with a UTDB-licensed operator (the name on the licence should match who takes your money), and remember the town sleeps early - kitchens close by 10 PM, which quietly keeps food budgets honest.