Fair prices in Ινδία — what things really cost

Foreign visitor tickets cost significantly more than the domestic rate, which is standard practice at major Indian monuments. Book online in advance to avoid the ticket-counter queue.

A combined or same-day ticket discount with the Taj Mahal may be available depending on current rules, so ask at the counter or check online before buying separately.

Agree the fare before getting in, as meters are rarely used in practice. Ask your hotel what a fair price looks like for your specific route before you set off.

Petrol and diesel vehicles are banned from the immediate area around the Taj Mahal, so the final stretch is by electric rickshaw, cycle-rickshaw or on foot. A shuttle token from the parking area to the gate is often already included with a standard foreign-tourist Taj Mahal ticket, so this fare mainly applies if you arrive independently or use a cycle-rickshaw instead; agree the price before boarding either way.

Restaurants close to the Taj Mahal East and West gates charge a tourist premium. Walking a few streets away brings noticeably lower prices for similar quality.

Hire only guides with an official ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) badge, ideally booked through your hotel or a recognised agency. Agree the price and duration before starting.

Use the official prepaid taxi booth inside the terminal or a ride-hailing app with an upfront price. Never accept a ride from someone approaching you in the arrivals hall.

Insist on the meter or agree a fair price before setting off, as tourist quotes are often several times the real fare. A ride-hailing app for autos removes the haggling.

A thali at a busy local restaurant is filling and excellent value. Choose places with high turnover and lots of local diners for freshness and hygiene.

Street snacks are a Delhi highlight and very cheap. Pick busy stalls cooking fresh, and be a little cautious with anything raw or with tap-water ice if your stomach is sensitive.

Sit-down restaurants away from the main tourist streets offer good food at fair prices. Check the bill for extra service or taxes before paying.

Both Goa airports have official prepaid taxi counters with fixed, printed fares by zone. Pay at the counter, keep the slip and match it to your driver rather than accepting a quote from a tout in the hall. Fares to the far north or south beaches are naturally higher.

GoaMiles is the government-backed app taxi and usually far cheaper and clearer than a street taxi, with the fare fixed in the app. Coverage can be patchy in remote spots and drivers sometimes cancel, so have a backup, but it removes most fare haggling.

A scooter is the cheap, iconic way to get around, rented by the day. Photograph every existing scratch before you ride off, check the brakes and fuel, and agree the price and any deposit clearly. You will usually pay less if you rent for several days.

Beach shacks are relaxed and good value, but always check the menu prices and read the bill carefully. Some add items you did not order or a 'tourist' markup. A busy shack full of locals or long-stay visitors is usually fairer than an empty one.

A fish-curry-rice thali at a simple local restaurant is the best-value meal in Goa, often with unlimited rice and refills. Eat one street back from the beach for lower prices and more authentic cooking than the tourist-facing shacks.

Alcohol is cheap in Goa thanks to low state taxes, and a cold beer at a shack costs little. Prices creep up at fancier beach clubs and in the peak Christmas-New Year fortnight, so glance at the list before ordering rounds.

Parasailing, jet-ski and banana-boat rides are sold along the northern beaches. Agree the full price, the number of rounds and whether a life jacket is included before you start, as extras are a common way to inflate the final bill.

Jaipur International Airport is about 20 to 30 minutes from the centre. Use the official prepaid taxi counter inside arrivals to fix the fare in advance, or book a ride-hailing app, rather than accepting an unmetered offer from a tout.

Ride-hailing apps work well in Jaipur, fix the price up front and remove any fare argument, which makes them the easiest option for visitors. Uber and Ola also offer cheaper app-booked auto-rickshaws for short hops.

Auto-rickshaws rarely use the meter for tourists, so agree the fare before getting in or use an app. Short rides within the old city should cost only a little; a firm, friendly haggle to roughly half the first quote is normal.

A composite ticket covering several sites, including Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and Nahargarh, is much better value than separate entries if you plan to see a few. Note that foreigners pay more than the local rate, which is standard across India.

A sit-down meal at a mid-range restaurant is good value, and rooftop restaurants near the old city add a view for a modest premium. Many places add a service charge and government tax to the bill, so check before tipping on top.

An unlimited Rajasthani thali or a plate of dal baati churma at a busy local restaurant is a filling, cheap and authentic meal. Look for places full of local families rather than tourist-facing spots on the main sightseeing route.

A thick, creamy lassi topped with malai from a traditional sweet shop is a cheap Jaipur treat, especially in the heat. Prices are low; a clay-cup (kulhad) lassi from a well-known shop is worth seeking out.

Use the official prepaid taxi or 'cool cab' counter inside the terminal, where the fare to south Mumbai is fixed on a receipt, rather than negotiating with drivers outside. A late-night surcharge of around a quarter is normal. A booked Uber or Ola is often cheaper if you have data.

Ride-hailing apps fix the fare in advance, track the route and remove haggling, which makes them the easiest option across the city. Prices are lowest late at night and highest in rush hour and rain. You will need a local SIM or wifi to book.

Auto-rickshaws run only in the suburbs, not in the southern tip of the city, and are cheap and metered. Insist the driver runs the meter; a printed fare card converts the meter reading to the correct rupee amount, so ask to see it if the total looks high.

A sit-down meal at a mid-range restaurant is good value, and thali plates offer a generous spread for a fixed price. Many places add a service charge and tax, so check the bill, and busy local restaurants usually beat tourist-facing ones.

Vada pav, pav bhaji, bhel puri and a Bombay sandwich each cost very little and are the real taste of the city. Pick busy stalls with high turnover, watch it cooked fresh, and stick to bottled water to settle a first-timer's stomach.

A 'cutting' is a small, strong, sweet, milky tea sold at every corner stall for a handful of rupees, meant to be shared or drunk in one quick break. A cafe version costs far more but both are normal. It is the everyday fuel of Mumbai.