[cyberhippie]

In answer to the many questions about the cost of a trip around India here's a wee price list I put together this trip. The articles show a range of prices this try to take into account regional
differences/quality differences etc in price.
This list is by no means comprehesive you may find things cheaper you may find them more expensive on a trip around India but as general rule of thumb you won't go far wrong, with these prices.
I'll try to add to this list in time so bear with me!!
I think many first time travellers to the sub continent will find this ready guide of some use on planning a budget for their upcoming trip to India!!


Toiletries

Toothpaste

Colgate 200gr 40-46 rps
Vicco (aruvedic) 200gr 60-65 rps
Toothbrush 10-20 rps

Soap

Johnsons 75gr 20-25 rps
Dove scented 75gr 24-28 rps
Medimix (aruvedic) 75gr 11-14 rps

Shaving

Indian blades x 5 22-25 rps
Gillette GII x 5 80-90 rps
Gillette Mach 3 x 5 250-260 rps
Shaving Brush 15-30 rps
Shaving Soap 75gr tube 30-40 rps
Allum crystal 10-20 rps
Other

Shampoo meduim 100ml 30-40 rps
Shampo sachet 5 ml 3-6 rps
Deodarant spray 80-200 rps
Deodarant roll-on 30-60 rps
Comb 5-10 rps
Brush 10 -30 rps
Tampons x 10 26-60 rps
Sanitary Towels x 10 60-80rps
Talcum Powder 100gr 55-80 rps
Toilet Paper 1 roll 20-45 rps
Tongue scraper 5-10 rps
Wet wipes 85-95 rps
cotton buds x 100 30-40 rps
Handwash 240ml 30-350 rps
Dental Floss ?
Condoms ?

Medical

Doxycycline 8x100mg 30-40 rps
Aspirine 10x25mg 2-4 rps
Lopermide/Immodium 10x50mg 12-18 rps
Tinadazol 10x 500mg 30-40 rps
Metronidazol 10x 500mg 70-80 rps
Norfloxacine 10x100mg 45-55 rps
Ciprofalxin 10x100mg 90-110 rps
Anti-Fungal cream 5gr tube 15-25 rps
Calamine Lotion 60ml 30-45 rps
Antibiotic powder 50gr 30-35 rps
Miconazole ? 25-30 rps
Quinine Sulphate 10x 300mg 50-60 rps
Tiger Balm small 20-25 rps
Local Muscle Balm 12-20 rps
Violini Muscle Spray 150ml 65-75 rps
Violini Muscle salve 100mg 50-60 rps
Oral Rehydration Salts x 1 8-45 rps
Box Of Bandaids medium 45-55 rps
Crepe Bandage 30-100 rps
Cotton wool 25gr 5-10 rps
Contact lense cleaner ?
Tulsi Cough Mixture 30-35 rps

Drinks

Beer 1/2 litre 35-100 rps
Mineral Water 10-15 rps
Soft drinks Coca cola etc.
Small 200ml 5-10 rps
Medium 300 ml 8-15 rps
Large 500ml 15-20 rps
Family 2 litre 45-50 rps
Soda brand 8-15 rps
Soda Local 3-6 rps
Milk 1/2 litre 8-12 rps
Local Soft Drinks 300ml 6-10 rps

Other

Batteries AA 6-7 rps
Batteries D 10-11 rps
Rubber flip-flops 15-30 rps
Candles medium size x 10 0-15 rps
Box of matches 50 paise-1 rps
Lighter 10-25 rps
Tobbaco Drum etc 150 gr 145-175 rps
Cigarettes x 10 8-30 rps
Washing Powder 200gr 20-25 rps
Washing powder sachet 20-25 rps
Camera film 200 ASA 95-120 rps
Camera film 400 ASA 100-135 rps
Advantix 120-150 rps
Mozzie coils x 10 15-25 rps
Electric Mozzie Zapper x 45 days 45-75 rps
Electric Mozzie refill x 45 days 30-45 rps
Internet 1 hour 5-60 rps
telephone to all countries per minute 7-15 rps

[john.sw]

I pay about Rs.4000/- for a two piece suit + cloth

A short sleeved shirt is about Rs.200/- + cloth

A long sleeved shirt with double cuffs is about Rs.400/- + cloth

That's at Rama Rao & Sons, Charing Cross, Ooty.

[dzibead]

wow, CH, this list is going in my travel pack!  I need it, as I have no earthly idea what things should cost half the time.  I once bought a packet of about 8 or 10 tablets for a headcold and thought the guy said "70 rupees," which sounded cheap enough to me.  But when I repeated the price, he looked me as if I were insane and said, "no, 17."   Well, he was honest!  He could have made a tidy profit!  

[Yogesh Sarkar]

nice list CH as for internet, in case ur in Ladakh Rs. 120/hour and cd burning Rs.80! hate this fact about ladakh

Edited by Yogesh Sarkar, 13 May 2006 - 02:37 AM.

[Merchant]

If people post the prices for the same goods in their home countries, we can figure out very precise purchasing power parity (PPP) figures for each country/currency against India.  Then you will be able to see how much things costs in local terms, so you will know whether or not you are overpaying and be able to "think" in local currency.

Example--in America, you give someone a dollar tip.  In India, you think, I should give this guy a dollar--he's been helpful but not terribly so.  Based on the exchange rate (45:1) you hand the guy a 50 rupee note, and his eyes get really wide and he starts calling your "sir."  Wow, all for a dollar, you think.  But if you had known something about PPP, you would have tipped the guy just 10 rupees, and he would have been satisfied.  

PPP data suggest that 10-15 rupees in India has the same buying power as $1 in the US.  So, from his perspective, you just tipped the guy $5.

PPP is an economic principal that states that the same "basket" of consumer goods should cost about the same from country to country.  PPP is usually used to determine whether currencies are over- or undervalued against each other, but it also provides "weighted" information allowing you to measure wealth or poverty in countries with weak currencies (like the rupee).

You will also be able to see when things are cheap in local terms and not just in the currency conversion.

Take john.sw's suit cost at 4,000 rupees.  Quite a bargain for someone who holds dollars ($90), but in local terms 4,000 rupees has the purchasing power of $250-$400: meaning that Indian suit costs the same amount as it would in the US in local terms.

Bottled water at 15 rupees = about 33 cents.  Cheap when you convert.  When PPP comes into play, it's the equivalent of $1.50 in local terms, again about the same as the US.

Your hotel room at 1,200 rupees, three stars and decent acommodations in Mumbai.  Costs you all of $27 (cheap), but PPP suggests you should be getting the equivalent of a $120/night room.  You look around at the moldy carpet and rickety ceiling fan and realize that this hotel is way overpriced in local terms.

[Judi]

In January I was astounded to find out that the average daily wage for a labourer (in West Bengal and Bihar, at least) is 50 rupees.

That put a whole lot of things (tipping in particular) into context for me.

[justmakebelieve]

Generally, the PPP thing is a very good idea. However, I find some things a little out. Specifically, Hotels/guesthouses. May only apply to those travelling very budget, but in frequently in Asia, my room costs the same as my dinner, or a couple of beers. Obviously this is very different to the US or UK!

Generally though, I agree, its a good way of keeping some perspective on what is an extremely different economy.

[rangss]

Medimix Ayurvedic soap comes at Rupees Five (per their latest ads)

[cyberhippie]

Raangs that will probably be the smaller version, it's in a nice new box these days as well!

[john.sw]

HOUSEHOLD GOODS

Ream of A4 80GSM office paper (500 sheets) Rs.140/-

Electric Kettle Rs.895/-

Electric Toaster (2 slice) Rs.849/-

Two burner gas stove (Pigeon Brand) with regulator, hose and igniter Rs.685/-

Whirlpool Fridge with freezer compartment and electrical regulator Rs.8850/-

Reliance Mobile Phone LG RD2230 with USB data cable Rs.3900/-

Four-Way electrical extension lead Rs.247.50

2-KW fan heater Rs.1530/-

Double bed (cot) and sprung matress Rs.10000/-

Hot Water Bag (hot water bottle) Rs.130/-

Floor Mop with long handle Rs.115/-

Lunghi in quality cotton Rs.110/-

HP 28a Colour Ink Cartridge Rs.1050/-

HP 27a Black Ink Cartridge Rs.750/-

Duracell AA batteries X 6 Rs.90/-

Ever Ready pen-torch with 4 X AA batteries Rs.75/-

Electric desk lamp Rs.90/-

Philips Low Enerby Light Bulb, 8W Rs.125/-

APC Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) 500VA with telephone protection Rs.2650/-

[bloodypeasant]

How much would I reasonably expect to pay per kilometre for
bicycle rickshaw
tuk-tuk
taxi

Cheers

[john.sw]

Auto fares in Bangalore are now Rs6 per km, minimum fare Rs12

George Hawkes at Charing Cross, Ooty will charge you Rs.2000/- for an a/c Toyota Qualis for the day, including up to 80km. You can get a smaller car (Indica) for a lot less.

They charge Rs.3500/- for a pick up from Bangalore Airport (7½ hours), Rs.1200/- for a pick up from Coimbatore Airport (2 hours) and Rs.3500/- for a pick up from Cochin Airport, also a journey time of about 7 hours.

A lot of taxi firms quote about Rs.15/- a kilometer, but it depends on the vehicle and the area.  Large towns are more expensive than small country towns.  A non a/c Tata Indica is normally the cheapest.

Taxis in Mumbai are metered, and the fare on the meter has to be multiplied by 13 during the day, and by 16 at night, i.e. in the daytime, if the meter says Rs.3/- you pay 3 X 13 = Rs.39/-

[H.Nick]

Auto fares in Chennai are whatever the driver can get away with.

As a rule of thumb, I expect to pay about 1rp for every minute it would take me to walk, with a minimun of 20 or 25.

For longer periods or journeys say Rp100 an hour. Consider carefuly if a call taxi wouldn't be cheaper, or at least better value:

Non/AC: Rs50 min for 3 Km, then Rs10 per Km
AC: Rs50 min for 2 Km then Rs14 per km

Those rates are from the company Fast Track

[mani]

Quote

Taxis in Mumbai are metered, and the fare on the meter has to be multiplied by 13 during the day, and by 16 at night, i.e. in the daytime, if the meter says Rs.3/- you pay 3 X 13 = Rs.39/-

For autorickshaw - there are meters and the fare on the meter is multiplied by 10 so if the meter read 0340 you pay 3.40 x 10 = Rs 34.

For Delhi : best is to fix the price and the destination before han. ask the hotel reception or a friend what the trip should cost and then ask and fix the price before you get into the rickshaw.

For taxis as John.sw says Rs.650/- for Indica for 8hrs / 80 KM.

Regards,

Mani

[LilsZoo]

Could you translate that price list into US dollars, as well?

[dzibead]

LilsZoo, on Nov 5 2006, 12:49 PM, said:

Could you translate that price list into US dollars, as well?

Is there any reason why you can't just do this yourself????  

The current exchange rate is about 45 rupees to the dollar.  When I'm mentally checking prices, I just round it up to 50 INR per dollar anyway, as that takes into account conversions fees, so the conversion is extremely simple..

[cyberhippie]

Here you go a currency convertor now you can check all the rupee prices anywhere against the Dollar